When I locked eyes the girl I had left behind year ago I felt my heart contracted with a pain. The sensation was something I hadn't felt since the day I had caught her cheating on me. I felt as if my legs were going to give out from under me any moment, which was probably due to the fact that all of my oxygen had immediately left my lungs when I had seen her. I realized that she was in fact here, calling me, and accepting my past back into my present was proving to be tremendously difficult. I had no idea what I could possibly say to her, or what she could possibly want to say to me. It had been so long without any communication, but now looking at her I had a feeling she had something she wanted to tell me.

She still had her long sandy hair, and her green eyes were frantically searching mine, as if she hadn't expected me to turn around. She was still about an inch taller than me, like she always had been, and she even smelt the same.

How could I remember her smell after all these years...?

For a moment I believed I was in shock, because once she spoke that's when I felt all of the anger and pain wash over me like a giant wave.

She spoke softly, "Bree..."

I shook my head, not understanding or knowing anything I could say to this girl. I didn't want her to be here, but she was, and I had instantly regretted coming out tonight.

"I'm so sorry," she pleaded, seeing that I had no motivation to speak to her.

The response triggered something within me, the anger coursing profusely as I felt my eyes nearly bulging out of my head. There was so much pain that I thought I was going to grab her hair and rip it right out of her head. How could she come all the way over here, intrude on my party, and tell me she's sorry after three fucking years?

I mocked, "You're sorry? For what? Fucking me over and then allowing me to live three years without any closure?"

There was a significant amount of acid in my voice, more than I had ever used before. It wasn't in my control, but it was happening, and it was happening in front of everyone. I blamed it on my current state, which was slightly drunk but rapidly sobering up from this messed up situation.

I felt Drew's arm instinctively wrap around my waist, either from the fear of me actually hurting Ashley or something else.

I could see something in Ashley's eyes, the ones I used to love so much. Now all I had towards her was hate, regret, and a bunch of other emotions I dared not to acknowledge. She was embarrassed, but she was also angry with me. I didn't understand why, she was the one who had fucked me over.

"It's not like I had the opportunity, Bree."

I was biting my lip so hard I was convinced that I was going to chew it right off, but the more I stood in front of this girl the angrier I became.

Before I could respond I heard Drew chime in, feeling the obvious tension surrounding us. "We're leaving, Bree's drunk and she isn't in her right mind for this."

It was as if Ashley just noticed Drew, like her attention had been on me and only me the entire time. Taking in her obviously built stature she could see that arguing with her wasn't smart, and suddenly I was grateful I had Drew here.

That's when I noticed Ashley seemed to have no one accompanying her.

Ashley nodded stiffly, feeling out of place. She would address me one last time, "Don't you think we need to talk?"

I shook my head, beginning to dismiss myself, "I have nothing to say to you."

Then I turned, pulling Drew along with me as my three friends and I climbed into the cab. I could feel my heart aching, but not because I missed Ashley or because I regretted what I said. I was just hurt, hurt that she was back and desperate for my attention. If only she would have done this years ago when I still wanted her, but instead she waits three years to find me again. She was a type of evil I knew I needed to stay away from, especially whenever I was drunk.

I felt Drew tighten her arm around me, pulling me closer to her in the backseat of the cab. I rested my head on her shoulder, allowing the warmth she provided to comfort me. I had completely zoned out, but heard her order the driver to take us to her place after Maria and Demarcus had been dropped off at his.

Good, I didn't want to go home, not like this.

I felt as if the car ride had been hours, but being in Drew's arms made it a little better. I was hurting, and the significant amount of pain from my past resurfacing made something in me regret my decisions tonight.

I had been having a good time, then the Jordi thing happened, and then the fucking Ashley thing happened, all on the night that was supposed to be fun and carefree. Why did everything have to go to shit all the time?

Why couldn't I just have it easy when I was with Drew? Why was there always a bump in the road?

Eventually Drew was helping me out of the cab, still worried that I was still too drunk to carry myself. I was more sober than drunk, but sadness was threatening to overtake me the more we walked towards her house. I hated feeling weak, and I hated what Ashley had done to me, and how she had the balls to actually show up and ruin my night.

Fuck her.

Drew guided me into her house, helping me up the stairs and to her bedroom. She helped me take off my shoes and change, because whenever I tried to do that myself I nearly fell over. It only took us a minute, and soon I was lying in her arms, my chest tightening from the tears that were threatening to spill.

And when they did she didn't say a word, she just laid there, holding me. It was exactly what I needed, and I was glad she was here to give that to me.

And I realized I might actually need Drew just as much as she needed me.

~ ~ ~ ~

The morning came quickly, my eyes swollen from all the crying I had done last night. I took notice to Drew's sleeping figure and attempted to remain still to where she wouldn't be woken.

I noticed the sensations of my body, my aching feet, my dry mouth, and of course my tear streaked face. I was afraid to look in a mirror because I knew I probably looked like complete shit. My makeup was probably everywhere, I already knew my eyes were puffy, and the last thing I wanted to do was let Drew see me in this state.

I was already embarrassed enough from last night.

I moved carefully, slipping out of her bed and to the bathroom quietly. When I looked in the mirror I nearly jumped from fear, taking note to all the things that needed to be taken care of.

I mumbled to myself sarcastically, "What a great night..."

I decided to take a shower, knowing that was the only thing that would make me look semi-presentable for today. I would wash off all of my makeup, brush out my hair, and hopefully get rid of my bloodshot eyes after morning coffee with Drew.

Unfortunately I hadn't blacked out last night because I remembered everything. I remembered the fun I was having before Jordi, and I remember running into the infamous ex-bitch, Ashley. If the Jordi thing wouldn't have happened I most likely would've missed Ashely considering we wouldn't have gone to leave.

The events last night had taken a sudden turn for the worst.

I stayed in the shower a little longer than usual, hoping to wash off some of the pain too but realizing a shower wouldn't do that. I stepped out and back into the clothes Drew had offered me last night, even remembering how I had gotten into them.

She had helped me into night clothes last night, which was embarrassing and flattering all in itself.

Taking a deep breath and one last look at my tired face I stepped out of the bathroom, expecting to see Drew still sleeping but coming up short. I instantly figured she was now downstairs fixing coffee, so I began making my way down her staircase. I glanced towards the kitchen instinctively looking for her.

There she was in all her glory, standing over the stove and cooking something that smelt amazing. The familiar sense of happiness rose in my chest, something that happened every time I was with Drew. I was grateful for it, especially now, because she seemed to be the only one to pull me out of the dark hole I seemed to fall into sometimes.

I walked up beside her, my feet padding against her cold linoleum floor. She heard me and turned, those heavenly eyes studying me with a smile on her face. She asked, "Feel better?"

I nodded, knowing she was referring to the shower I had taken. I did feel better, and at least I felt I looked at lot better, but my heart was still tender from the whole Ashley situation.

Drew held up a plate, "I remember you telling me you liked French toast, so I made you some."

I smiled, which felt good as I took the plate from her, "Thank you."

A tiny smirk played on those amazing lips, the ones that could take away any pain if they touched anywhere on my body. I craved them, but right now I knew wasn't the right time to make those certain moves.

After she poured our coffee she joined me at the table, and I knew she wanted to ask about last night but was afraid I wouldn't have a good response. Speaking to Drew about my problems was easy, and I knew that was special because the only other person I felt that with was Maria, who was my bestfriend. Drew held something special that made me comfortable with her, so talking about what I was feeling no longer felt suffocating.

It was easy.

"I'm sorry," I paused, knowing I hadn't meant for that to come out so suddenly.

She shook her head, "For what?"

"Last night," I answered, "Everything that happened..."

I felt her hand on my bare thigh, which inevitably sent a blazing fire running up my body. It had caught me off guard but Drew seemed oblivious to her effect on me, "Don't apologize. None of what happened was your fault."

I rolled my eyes, "I cried. All night."

She teased, "You cried for about thirty minutes, Breanna, before you finally passed out from exhaustion."

I could tell she was attempting to lighten the mood, which I was grateful for. I was glad that she wasn't taking everything so serious, and that she was trying her best to just ease my mind a little. I still felt bad, but at least I knew she didn't mind, even when I did.

I continued to pick at what was left of my French toast. I didn't know what to say, mostly because I was embarrassed, but I knew I didn't have to respond. Drew was probably right, and I had no reason to feel guilty for last night's occurrences.

She turned her barstool to face me, forcing my attention to her. She asked, "Do you want to do something today? We can go to the movies, the park, you name it."

I contemplated the idea, knowing the park sounded good to me because staying cooped up indoors all day seemed horrible. I nodded, "Yea, I'd love to go to the park."

Her amazing full mouth smile spread along her face, lighting a fire deep in my stomach. It was contagious, and I felt myself smiling along with her. She nodded, picking up our plates, "I think we'll need to dress better though, it's kind of chilly."

We headed upstairs, brushing our teeth and fixing ourselves up in the bathroom before changing back into warmer clothes. Drew offered me one of her sweaters, which was of course a size to big, but I didn't care because it smelt just like her. The comforting aroma surrounded me like a blanket, and I decided I was going to keep this jacket whether she liked it or not.

When we stepped outside I felt the cool atmosphere Drew had warned me about, but since the sun was shining it wasn't too bad. There was no breeze either, just a comfortable Sunday morning that made me want to lie in the grass all day and relax.

Once she locked up her house I felt her hand reach for mine, intertwining our fingers as I walked close to her. The sudden sign of affection had caught me off guard but I accepted it willingly, loving how she was finally growing more comfortable around me.

I asked, "You're getting used to me."

"Yea," she answered, squeezing my hand gently, "I guess I am."

I was trying so hard not to stare up at her because that would be weird, but she looked so good right now. Her tousled blonde hair falling over her shoulders, the way her face was glowing in the sunlight. It was like everything about her had suddenly become perfect, even when I knew she wasn't. She was a human being, but I knew why I suddenly loved everything about her...

I was falling for her, and that realization actually intimidated me.

I was happy, don't get me wrong, and this was actually my decision because Drew initially hadn't wanted to take it further. I had begged her to try, I had allowed my guard to fall that night at the dance studio, and I wasn't taking it back now. I could feel the blossoming of something deep in my stomach, and even though it scared me I was going to accept it and allow it to grow.

Eventually we were walking a path in Central Park, trees overhanging us as I felt the beams of sunlight hitting me on my face. The comfortable silence was interrupted by Drew, "So, next weekend... are you still up for Boston?"

I looked up at her, nodding in agreement, "Yea definitely, I'm excited."

She smiled, "Me too."

As I watched her debate something internally I found myself searching for a distraction, something to talk about to take my mind off of the subject of last night. I wanted to ask Drew so many things, but were most about the time period she didn't like opening up about. I knew bringing up her bad years was delicate, and I would have to leave it to her to mention it. So instead I continued to search for something else to talk about.

I voiced, "Can I ask you something?"

She looked at me, "Of course."

As random as it was I asked regardless, "You said you haven't dated since high school... right?"

She looked at me and then stared forward, as if she knew what was coming, "Right."

I couldn't tell if she was nervous about what was about to come out of my mouth, and that made me hesitate for a moment. I found myself doubting if I should ask, but I honestly didn't see the harm. Maybe she thought I was about to ask about that kid Evan, which I wasn't, but she just had the wrong idea.

I continued, "So you haven't been with anyone since? Like completely alone?"

I could see her release a breath of relief, knowing I wasn't going to pry into her most personal memories. She shrugged, "I haven't dated, but I've tried being with people."

"As in?"

She glanced at me, shrugging once more but I could see her tense up a little, "Sexually, but it obviously didn't work out."

I processed her answer and nodded to myself, wondering how her attempts had turned out. If they had been anything like the time I had tried I could only imagine other people's reactions towards Drew. I was interested though, so I continued to pry through this subject matter.

I questioned, "How did that go...?"

We continued to walk slowly down the path as I patiently waited for her to answer me. I didn't want her to feel embarrassed because out of everyone I believed I understood her the most. I wanted her to feel comfortable with telling me things as well, because that's how I felt with her.

She took a deep breath, "Well, I accidentally hit one of them."

She sounded so ashamed when she had said it, and I couldn't deny the fact that I was shocked at the revelation. She had hurt someone, and I didn't know the full story, but that was enough to intimidate me against Drew.

She looked down, "It was about a year ago, and she had gotten pretty aggressive with me at a bar. I was drunk and she was pushy, I told her to stop and she didn't listen... then everything kind of went blurry for a second. I ended up coming to whenever I saw her on the floor and people helping her up. I was told I hit her because apparently I had blacked out. All I could see was Evan, all I could feel were his strong hands touching me, tearing my skin... I had actually thought it was him, but I defended myself this time."

I was shocked, completely caught off guard and I had no idea how to react. I could only pray Drew had control of her actions by now and wouldn't do that to me, but then again I wasn't pushy with her. I found it frightening and sad all at the same time, almost to the point of pitying her.

I questioned, "What happened after?"

Drew shook her head, "She just left. Everyone figured she had it coming anyway because she wouldn't get off of me, so nothing was said. I still feel bad for it though. It was the one time I had actually accidentally hurt someone because of Evan."

I could tell the guilt was still eating at her, even after an entire year had passed. I didn't understand how Drew could feel remorse for hurting someone who kind of deserved it rather than whenever she pounded on people in a boxing ring. Then again I never really would completely understand Drew, at least not anytime soon. I was trying my best but it was hard to keep up and separate certain things to understand them.

She was just so difficult to follow.

I countered, "I don't think you should feel bad. She frightened you and you had asked her to stop. She didn't listen, and you deserve to defend yourself."

"I guess," she paused for a moment, then continued, "I'm afraid I'm going to hurt you though, which is why I distance myself."

I knew she was telling the truth, and hearing her say it really put it into perspective for me. I knew I should just leave Drew while I had the chance, while the window was still propped open for the time being, but leaving didn't feel right. I was intimidated but I trusted Drew, which was odd but true, and I knew she understood that. She knew I trusted her, she could see it in my eyes when I looked at her; whenever she touched me and I let her.

"I trust you," I thought aloud, "But I think you have a lot of it under control now."

She glanced down at her feet, "I would like to believe so."

The conversation fell off of the subject, knowing she didn't really want to talk about that specific thing anymore. I didn't blame her, and I kind of remained guilty for prying, but I felt like I knew Drew just a little better now, even if it was miniscule.

She looked at me, "Is it my turn to ask you something?"

I smirked, "You can if you want."

Watching her contemplate I began to admire her, loving the way the sunlight made her hair glow, almost like an angel. She was beautiful, imperfections and all, and admitting that made me feel good inside.

"Favorite movie? And don't say The Notebook."

I dropped my mouth, "But I loveThe Notebook! That's not fair. And it's not fair that you asked such a non-serious question when I did."

She laughed, filling my heart up with warmth. She seemed not to care that her question was simple, but she was still waiting for me to come up with another movie.

I tried to remember the memorable movies I had watched in the past few years, knowing I hadn't watched many with the lack of time. I shrugged, "Specific genre?"

"Not romance."

"Why are you making this so difficult?"

She rolled her eyes, smiling, "Do you know me?"

I smirked, searching for movie in my mind, "Um, I would like to say... Mean Girls. That movie makes me laugh every time I watch it."

"Interesting," she responded, sounding intrigued by my answer. I was glad she had accepted it because I honestly couldn't think of any other movies at the moment.

I teased, "Are we taking turns now?"

"I guess so."

I decided to keep it complex, asking things I was actually curious about because I wanted to know Drew on a deeper level than most. "First love?" I asked, not being able to hold my curiosity inside any longer.

"Probably my first pair of tap shoes."

I shoved her, "Be serious."

She laughed, easing up my mind a little as I admired her smile. She was intoxicating and I loved it, her laugh was just the cherry on top. She asked for specifics, "First girlfriend love or secret love...?"

I shrugged, "Just the first person you had really strong feelings for."

She groaned, "That's a tough one."

"Try," I demanded.

She just looked at me, and then started, "I think I was thirteen and there had been this girl in my ballet and jazz dance classes. Her name was Ana, and I'm convinced I had been hopelessly in love with her."

Smiling, I asked, "Why?"

"Because I loved watching her dance, almost like I was mesmerized by her, and when she didn't show up to class it just wasn't the same. Why are you embarrassing me like this?"

I laughed, "Because I'm curious."

"Yea well, it was a short lived because after only a year at the studio she moved away."

I teased, "Tragic."

I could see playfulness in her eyes, "It was, very much so. We had been good friends and I was devastated when she left."

I found myself slightly jealous of this Ana girl, even though I knew it was petty. Drew probably hadn't been in love with her, it had just been some type of infatuation every thirteen year old developed. I continued to tease, "Well, I'm sorry you were separated from your first love."

Her arm snaked around my waist as she whispered against my ear, "I don't think you're really sorry."

I shivered under her, feeling the oxygen leave my lungs instantly at her touch. Everything had taken a complete one-eighty, as if we hadn't been joking two seconds before this moment. I couldn't breathe from her closeness, and suddenly my heart was pounding in my head. How could someone do this to me in the matter of a few seconds?

I faced her, focusing on her lips instead of her captivating eyes, "I'm not."

She smirked, "Does this make you nervous?"

"Extremely," I answered instantly, too focused on her lips to stop myself. Being this close to Drew was too much for me to handle, I wasn't used to it, and I had a feeling I wouldn't ever get used to it.

She smelt so good, like mint and her perfume, and it was drawing me closer to her. I could see that teasing smirk on her lips, the one I wanted to wipe off with my own but I dared not to initiate. Drew made me practice so much self-control it was exhausting, and I silently begged her to close the gap.

She licked her lips, teasing me some more before speaking, "But I don't scare you?"

I shook my head, "Not at all."

She dropped her hand from the small of my back but I remained close to her, not wanting to move before she had the chance to kiss me. I wanted her desperately, but saying it out loud only made me sound weak, but I was weak when I was around her so who was I fooling?

I whispered, "Can I kiss you?"

"Do you really feel the need to ask?"

"I don't want to get punched in the face," I teased, seeing her faces contort into something that wasn't amused at all.

"That wasn't funny."

I leaned up, bringing my lips to hers as I whispered, "It was so funny." Then I brushed my lips against hers, feeling the explosions in my stomach instantaneously. My body trembled as one of her hands rested on my hip while both of mine cradled her face.

The kiss was gentle, not like the one we had shared last night in her kitchen. It was delicate, as if she was afraid to break me, which was highly unlikely. I could hold my own weight, and if I had my way things would've escalated the first night I had stayed at Drew's. I understood I couldn't get my way with Drew, and that I had to be patient and give her the control she needed to remain comfortable. It was a challenge but it was a challenge I had willingly accepted.

I pulled away after a few seconds, wondering what Drew thought every time she kissed me. I wanted to hear that she loved it, and that it made her stomach do flips while her insides melted. I wanted her to say good things, but I couldn't help but hear the doubt in the back of my mind.

I asked, "Does kissing make you uncomfortable? Like, even a little bit?"

She shook her head, "No, I love kissing you. Please don't be afraid to do that."

I blushed instantly at her comment, understanding that Drew wasn't afraid of kissing. She was afraid of people physically touching and grabbing her, and the more aggressive it was the more it negatively affected her. I never really stripped away her control, she always had it any time she wanted it, but it was when she felt threatened is when she would freak out. I figured it resurfaced the bad memories, which clouded her brain of reality, as if she was back whenever she was a teenager.

I related it to a sort of post-traumatic disorder of some sort; I just didn't know how accurate that assumption was.

Then as that conversation died I could feel something change between us, as if Drew had suddenly thought of something to ask me. It was the way she looked at me whenever she started walking down the path again.

I was curious, and I was hoping she wouldn't hold back this time.

I asked, "What's wrong?"

She shook her head, "Nothing I just... I wanted to ask you something but..."

"You don't know if you should?" I finished, having a gut feeling I already knew.

She shrugged, "It's just something I noticed..."

By this time I was dying to know what she had seen, and I encouraged her to ask, "What?"

She shoved her hands into her pockets, looking at me from the side as she attempted to not look so hurt. It actually confused me, the way her mannerisms gave away what this question made her feel.

But she stopped hesitating and asked, "Last night, when you saw Ashley... there was something there that just... it made me wonder if..."

I could tell she was having a hard time asking, and just the mentioning of Ashley made my blood boil. I could feel my heart speed up, and I hated the fact that it still did this to me even after all this time, but it wasn't something I could run from.

It was something I would have to face, but had to motivation to do so.

I shook my head, asking again, "What?"

I could feel her tense but she continued, "It was like your word crumbled but came back together all at once... it's hard to explain it but it actually made me jealous. I don't know, I'm just realizing I sound like a teenager."

She seemed to regret saying it out loud but hearing it from Drew only put the situation from last night into perspective. I didn't see what she did, and last night I had been drunk and out of my right mind. Had I said something I didn't remember? Had I touched Ashley? Stared at her?

What had I done to make Drew think that?

I pressed, "Try to explain."

She ran one of her hands through her hair and looked at me, something I didn't like shining through her eyes. She looked jealous just reliving the memory, but I wasn't sure why, and I was hoping she would explain her reasoning as to why she brought this up.

"Because," she started, "it was just the way you looked at her... it looked so painful but so happy at the same time. Like you were happy she was there but was pissed because... she was there."

It wasn't hard to follow, mostly because maybe somewhere deep down I understood what Drew had seen. When I had seen Ashley my heart had stopped in my chest, I mean I hadn't seen her in three years. I had removed her from my life, distancing myself without the proper closure I needed, and it had eaten me alive. I had convinced myself I hated her, when in reality I just hated what she had done because I had no sorry behind it.

But what Drew had seen was the tiny amount of hope I had, somewhere, that maybe Ashley would apologize, come clean, tell me she had made a mistake and beg for me.

I shook my head, "It had been three years since I had seen her... I was shocked and mad and all kinds of other emotions." I found myself at a loss for words, knowing that trying to explain this would be tough. I didn't want to hurt Drew, and I didn't want her to get the wrong idea, but I was afraid to mess up.

She questioned my motives, "Do you still love her...?"

Something in me quivered at the thought, hoping that it wasn't leftover love I had felt for Ashley last night. It couldn't be, there was just no way. And if it was I wasn't going to admit it out loud, I couldn't do that to myself or to Drew.

But how could I love someone like her after everting we had been through?

I shook my head, "N-No, I don't think so... I just... I guess I never got the proper closure I needed from her. Maybe that's what all this is about. I just need answers, I need her to make me hate her, and that involves me actually talking to her about what had happened."

I looked up at Drew, her clear eyes set on a faraway place that only she existed in. Was what I was saying hurting her? Oh God, I didn't want that. I didn't want her insecure over me. I didn't want her to think I was using her to get over Ashley because that wasn't the case at all. She had been an unexpected miracle, and she was most definitely not a rebound.

She dropped her head, "Yea, I understand."

I grabbed her hand, pulling her attention back to me, "Do not think for one second that you're a rebound or someone I'm using, Drew."

Narrowing her eyes I watched a tiny smile play on her lips, "How did you know I was thinking...?"

I smiled, pulling her into me slightly, "Maybe I know you better than you think."

She sucked in a tight breath while gazing down at me, as if she was searching for words to say to me. I wanted to know what she was thinking, I wanted to know everything about her, but right now I just wanted to know if she believed me. She seemed to lighten up at my reassurance though, which gave me confidence in her. There was something I needed inside of Drew, and I wasn't sure what it was yet, but I was determined to find it.

And I was going to, no matter how tough it proved to be.

She mumbled, "Maybe getting closure will help you, and maybe you could meet up with her one day to talk."

I couldn't believe Drew was saying this, but then I could because that's just how she was. She could be a hard ass, and then she could be sensible and kind. I was figuring out both sides slowly, but something in her words hit me.

It was different hearing her say it, mostly because I knew she was saying it out of a selfless place. She knew I needed this, deep down, and as much as she wanted me to avoid Ashley and go back to her, she was instead saying this. I couldn't believe it at first, but now I was considering calling her up and having that talk we needed.

I was considering that talk I needed from Ashley to help me move farther with Drew.

I whispered, "I'll think about it."

"You should."

 I could tell it was difficult for her to say these things to me but I didn't believe she had anything to worry about. I didn't want Ashley half as much as I wanted Drew, not anymore anyway. There was that burning for Drew, the passion and the eagerness. I hated Ashley, but I knew deep down I would always kind of love her. She was my first, but she was a lesson to be learned, and she molded me into something special for someone else.

Accepting that was the hard part.

I countered against Drew's argument, "You're supporting me going talk to my ex?"

"Talk," she demanded, "Nothing else."

I watched her flex her jaw but she shook her head, catching her tone of voice and how she had gone to another place. A part of me was flattered that she was protective and wanted to control this situation, but another part of me understood why. She was afraid of losing me, and controlling me meant controlling whether or not she got hurt.

But I wasn't going to hurt her.

She apologized, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound so-"

"Bossy?" I smirked; interrupting her and watching a tiny smile grow on her lips.

She shook her head, "I just, I think you deserve better than her. That's all."

I laughed as I ran my hand down her arm, "Or you think I deserve you and only you?"

A look of uneasiness crossed her features then, causing her to look down. She seemed to battle something, as if she was holding her tongue, but her words overpowered her mouths willingness to keep them from spilling out.

"I think you deserve better than me," she spoke, her tone suddenly sad.

I tried to joke, "Don't tell me what you think I deserve. It's my life."

"And you're insanely stubborn."

"I know," I agreed, "So let me be stubborn."

She shook her head at my comment and asked, "So, you're considering meeting up with her and talking once and for all?"

I nodded "It's a high possibility."

"When?"

I shrugged, "Not anytime soon. We're going to Boston next weekend so..."

She smiled at the mentioning of our trip we had planned, mostly Drew but you got the point. I wanted her to now Ashley was coming second, or third, or maybe more like twentieth to everything else. Drew made me happy, Ashley did not, and I was putting happiness as a priority even though I knew Ashley held some of my happiness captive.

Drew's light eyes turned a little bit darker, "Should I be worried about losing you to her?"

I rolled my eyes, "Please."

"Please what?"

I just watched her, realizing she was teasing me now. She was smiling playfully, but there was still a bit of worry in her eyes. I could tell she did in fact feel threatened by my ex, but literally had no reason to. Ashley was nothing compared to Drew, but it wouldn't hurt to mess with Drew for a bit.

I teased along with her, "Please... show me why I shouldn't run away from you and back into Ashley's arms."

Her look grew serious, as if she believed I was actually challenging her. She stopped walking, her body turned to me completely as she studied me intently. I heard her respond almost silently, "I will if you want me to."

I looked up at her, the echo of her delicate voice ringing in my ears. Listening to her talk was heavenly, even when her words were dark. I stood on my toes and wrapped my arms around the back of her neck, careful not to freak her out.

"I want you to," I commanded, actually demanding Drew to show me the side I was desperate to see. The romantic side, the loving side I knew she had but had buried it deep inside herself.

I wouldn't really leave her for Ashley though, that would just be plain stupid.

She nodded, "Fine, I will," another teasing smirk pressing her lips, "Although, I wouldn't decide to quick. You haven't slept with me yet."

I felt my skin heat up at her response, my cheeks blazing with heat as I processed her sexual comment. I understood Drew could be a few different people but I had yet to see this side of her, and I wasn't sure how I felt about it.

I grabbed her jacket as she tried to run away from me to leave the conversation there, "Are you saying I shouldn't decide until we sleep together?"

She laughed, "I was joking you know."

"I'm not," I spoke too soon, wishing I hadn't because it only made me sound like a nympho. I mean don't get me wrong, I enjoyed sex just as much as the next person, but it wasn't all I was about.

This time she blushed, but her attitude remained passive, "Just keep that in mind."

I liked most parts of Drew, excluding the part that fought for money and hated being touched intimately. Although, I did love her gentle side, and her strong side, and the side that was caring too.

But I wasn't sure if I liked Drew the Tease, and that was a decision I would find myself struggling with on a daily basis.