Chapter is currently unedited.

  "Only you can fix or destroy your universe" - unknown  

I felt comforted with his hands brushing through my hair. The way he looked at me, it washed away all of my pain from earlier. His voice was soft and sweet as he whispered beautiful words into my ear. He was doing amazing at comforting me.

"I shouldn't keep secrets from people," I whispered looking at the wall. It was painted a faded blue color, one that used to shine very beautiful but currently was rather dull.

"Honey, you shouldn't keep secrets but what you did was not wrong. She overreacted and isn't a very understanding friend." My heart skipped a beat. Clara was my best friend. Andrew didn't even know her.

"Actually I should have let you guys meet before starting anything." My words were caught in my throat. I wasn't thinking very clearly.

"So do you regret agreeing to be my girlfriend?" His words were painful to hear. I didn't regret it at all. I was so happy to have someone that I could spend my free time with. I was happy that I didn't have to just go home to an empty apartment after work. I could have someone there.

"No, that's not what I'm saying at all. I'm very happy with you." I leaned forward to softly kiss him. I could feel his lips curve upwards against mine. I wanted to make the bad ideas vanish from his head because I really did care about Andrew. Yes, I understood that was a weird thing to say after only knowing someone for a week but I was excited to get to know him better and better. I knew this was all slightly rushed but I hadn't been in a real relationship since high school. I wanted to know what that was like.

"I'd love to meet your friends, Clara and Carter sound wonderful." His hand fell softly on my head once more, brushing more of my hair away from my face.

"Well, we will see if I even still have any."

"How about we go out tonight and get your mind off of things." Andrew had a voice that could fix anything. I smiled up at him pulling myself from where I was laying. I went a little light headed as I sat up.

"Yeah," I said rubbing my head for a second.

"Alright, I'll call the car and have him drive around front." He smiled at me.

The car didn't take long. A bell rang in the apartment telling Andrew and I that it was time for us to head downstairs. I followed him through the shiny black door at the head of his suite. He lived on the top floor of his families company.

We headed down the hallway and towards the elevators. He placed his card over the buttons calling for his private elevator. It took only a moment before the door opened up, I entered the elevator first. Standing in the corner I made room for Andrew to enter and close the door. He wrapped his arm around me pulling me closer to him.

"When did you meet Carter?" I looked at him. The question felt like it had come out of nowhere but he seemed to really be worried about it.

"We were best friends in high school." There was nothing to lie about, we were friends in high school.

The elevator came to a stop opening up into the lobby. Many people were rushing around all stopping to wave at Andrew and I. Andrew led us towards the car that was patiently awaiting us outside.

*~*

It wasn't a long drive to the water. Andrew and I honestly could have just walked. Andrew was busy setting up some things on the boat, messing with the net and pulling on some ropes. I was a little bored of always hanging out on the boat but it was fun to be with Andrew. He always seemed happier on the boat and I enjoyed being around him when he was his happiest.

The white waterproof seats were slightly uncomfortable but they would do for the next couple of hours we were out here. Andrew wanted to go get some fishing done before it got too late into the evening. It seemed like fishing was his favorite thing to do. I had never liked it. I'd never been before Andrew but out of all the things we've done, it's probably my least favorite. I was getting tired of it feeling like it was all we ever did.

Andrew was nearly done preparing all the nets to cast them outwards towards the dirty waters. I watched over the waves dreaming of a vacation. I wanted to go somewhere the water was blue. Like the vibrant blue, you see on the internet.

"How much longer till we are out on the water?" I felt useless and I wanted to help.

"Only a couple of minutes." Andrew was more distant than he was back in his suite. He was focused on what he was doing rather than helping me forget. I hadn't forgotten.

Lunch today was probably one of the worst fights Clara and I had ever had. We never fought like that, she never just walked out. She might slap boys when they are a little out of line, but she never walks away. My heart sank and my thoughts did too, back into the depths of my feelings from earlier.

I felt I should apologize to Clara and my mother but I wasn't sure how and for what exactly. I really didn't do anything wrong. I just got a boyfriend like they had tried forcing me to do. I went on the dates. I went through hell for the deal we made two months ago. What more did they want from me?

"Are you still thinking about them?" Andrew moaned as he made his way across the smaller of the boats we had been on together. I nodded my head a little annoyed by his question.

"I'm really shaken up by this, so yeah I am sadly." I couldn't help it. This wasn't right and I didn't feel very good leaving it the way it was. I glance down at my phone trying to decide if I should text them or not.

"Well stop." His voice was harsh. A lot harsher than I had ever heard from Andrew. It shocked me as I sat on the white seats.

"Excuse me?" I was confused and my words showed that. They showed weakness. I hated that. On top of all the pain, I was feeling I wasn't ready to also feel weak.

"You need to get over it."

"What?" I wasn't sure what to say.

"You heard me, Erin, get over it. You are really making fishing, not that fun." A pang shot through my heart again and I could feel my emotions rising.

"I never liked fishing anyways." I stood from the uncomfortable seats. Andrew looked as if I had stabbed him. The anger flashed in his eyes. My heart sank. My body tensed. I wanted to run away but I wasn't sure I would even be able to. Andrew grabbed the helm of the boat and turned it around heading back towards the dock.

"Seriously." He was quick in his tone. Not wanting to mess around with silly explanations.

"No, well umm kind of. I honestly don't know. It's all we do and I want to have some fun. This isn't always fun."

"Erin." He paused for a moment. I couldn't breathe. "Do you even like me then? Because fishing is a pretty big damn part of my life and if you hate that, then does that mean you basically hate me?" He was yelling by now. I wanted to cower down under his words.

"No, not at all!"

"You know what, I can't handle this!" He wasn't listening to me.

"Andrew?" I questioned as the boat pulled up to the dock. He didn't answer me.

Everyone was silent as Andrew slammed the boat into the dock. I jumped at the sudden bump. He reached over the edge grabbing a rope and flinging it across the pier onto one of the holders. He quickly stepped off the boat. Turning to look at me, he chose to step away from this. I wanted to scream out. I wanted to cry. I wasn't sure what to do. I needed to get off of the boat before I passed out or threw up. My words were in my throat and they were the first to want to come out. But nothing ever came out.

I stood on the edge of the pier. A pile of Andrew's stuff lay on the ground. I stood there awkwardly with the tears slowly falling down my cheeks. Today had been a miserable day. One thing after another and I couldn't seem to catch a break. He was so angry with me and I didn't like that. My heart was pounding so fast with a number of emotions crawling through my body. It was beating with the pain of Clara being angry with me. The disappointment I had caused her. The look on my mother's face as she followed Carter out of the restaurant. The way Carter was so quick to leave. I had hurt them all.

Now I stand here all alone in the dark and I could swear to god it was about to rain. The only thing that could make this moment worse. Andrew had left, he was frustrated and angry as well. I had hurt everyone in my life.

"Why does fishing matter to him so much," I grumbled under my breath. I needed to figure out what to do. I should just go home and honestly, I could. The issue with that is I can't abandon Andrews stuff here. I can't just leave it sitting on this pier next to his unlocked boat. He hadn't put anything away, he hadn't tied it down or anchored it securely to the pier. Anyone who wanted to could come out here and take his precious boat for a joyride. For someone who is so angry about my lack of consideration for this boat he really isn't treating it all that well.

My legs were growing weak. My body was so exhausted with the day. I didn't want to just stand here anymore. I took a couple of steps forward looking over the edge of the pier. Taking a seat, I slowly took my heels off placing them on the wood next to me. Hanging my feet over the edge, I held them so they wouldn't touch the dark water below. I could still feel the tears falling down my face and all the pain hit me all at once.

What had my life become?

I sat there next to the water with my back heaving as the tears continued to attack. I didn't know how long I had sat there on that pier before a large hand was on my shoulder. My heart jumped. Fear instantly pulsed through my veins but I couldn't move. I didn't really want to move. New York was a dangerous place and I was out here all alone. I wasn't sure I could even protect myself if something bad were to happen.

"Erin..." The voice was calm and recognizable.

"Go away," I whispered. I wanted to shout it. I wanted to look at the man and scream in his face and tell him that so far this has been the weirdest relationship I have ever been in. He gave me butterflies like I was in high school but made me feel uncomfortable because I'd never done something like this before.

"No, I'm here to make this right." Andrew sounded sweet. He sounded protective and caring. My heart wanted him to make it all right. More than just the fight him and I had, I wanted him to make everything else better.

He took my hand and pulled me up from the ground. Me feet scratching across the wood. I wanted my shoes back on but I didn't want to pull myself away from the moment. Andrew's arms were wrapped around me. He held me so close in his warmth. I could feel the pain washing away knowing at least one person came back.

"I'm so sorry Erin, you are more important to me than a lot of things and honestly that's weird for me to say. We just met a little over a week ago and I can't seem to get you out of my mind. You make me feel good, you make me feel free and happy, and everything a man wants to feel. You are so special and that's why I don't think I'm rushing things. I need you and I really shouldn't have gotten so mad at you.

"Andrew..."

"No, stop. It's still my turn. I need to do better and I know you will help me do better. I need to take more time to do what you want to do. Fishing is important to me and so when I don't know what else to do I fall back on it. I have no clue what to do with a pretty girl that I am so head over heels for. I've never let myself fall for someone. The company has always come first and Erin, I am falling for you. We need more time, yes, but I am so excited for all that time. Every little moment I get to spend with you. I want to see new things with you and experience things no man like me has ever seen with none other than you."

My eyes searched his face for anything that told me he was lying. There was no reason someone should be saying anything like this to me. No reason I deserve this. I've never deserved something like this.

"Well, when do we start?" The questioned sounded dumb and my face was scratchy from the tears, my voice harsh from the rapid breaths. My heart was less broken, but there were still things I needed to fix. I had to get to Clara.

"Right now?" Andrew shrugged grabbing the stuff off the ground. I shook my head. I needed to fix something else first.

"Tomorrow."

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Hey guys, How do you feel about Andrew and Clara, would they even have a ship name? What about poor Carter, Clara, and her Mother Evelyn? How do you think Erin will fix things with her friends and family.

Thank you so much for reading guys and I'm really happy for those of you who have made it all this far. I'm excited to start on the editing process of this novel. I'm also excited to see what you guys think about the end. 

Please don't forget to comment and vote. I'd love to hear what you thought about this chapter. 

- Brittani