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Chapter Seventeen: Don't Strip On Top Of The Pool Table Nana

The members of the Stone family, well at least the ones I know are not the kind of people who subject themselves to conformity. Growing up, I always found it rather odd that Sheriff Stone was so strict and disciplined while the rest of his family were anything but. Nana Stone was far from being a sweater knitting, cookie baking, slobbery kiss giving kind of grandmother. Her husband always seemed as if he were the older version of Cole himself. They even looked alike so it wasn't really a surprise that they were like two peas in a pod. When his Grandpa died, Cole lost his partner in crime. I remember my heart breaking for him. I remember the funeral, where he silently shed tears. A thirteen year old boy had just lost his best friend and it didn't matter how I felt about him, I still wanted the tears to go away.

I think about our pasts as we drive through an obviously elite beach town. It's kind of like the Hamptons but the glamour is more subdued. It looks like the kind of place where the extremely rich would come to retire. I can see the ocean from the car window and the large Spanish villa style houses that line the streets. It's beautiful, of course it is but everything screams money and it's kind of confusing me.

That's not the only thing that's confusing me right now.

"What do you mean she ran away?"

"I mean exactly that, damn that crazy Nana." Cole slams his fist against the steering wheel and hangs up on whoever he's talking to. His free hand is still clutching mine and while I'm all for caring about his escape artist Grandmother, I cannot for the life of me concentrate on anything but the small touch. Oh boy, we've only just established this thing between us and I'm already turning into the psycho from Swimfan.

"So you're saying that she knocked out her caretaker and busted out from the senior's home after stealing said caretaker's car?"

I find it a little hard to believe that a sixty-five year old woman is capable of doing all that. I mean seriously, she might be a Stone but even they aren't invincible.

"I told her to wait for me; I would've gotten her a much better car than that beat up old Mustang."

Ha! He's not mad that his elderly grandmother ran away from a facility which obviously provides excellent care, he's mad that she made a poor choice of car to steal. Who says I know boring people?

"Well then, since you obviously were going to help her you'll know where she went. Problem solved, call your dad and tell him everything's fine."

Sheriff Stone had called us about half an hour ago. Apparently he'd been informed that his mother attacked an employ before busting out, oh and stealing a car. He's fuming and he thinks Cole somehow assisted her. That's where I came in, I told him feeling absolutely mortified that Cole had been with me for the better part of last night and today. Obviously, things got really awkward really fast and he dropped the subject. When he found out that we were on our way to meet Nana Stone, in some cruel twist of fate, he asked her to find her and take her back to the Home.

Cole, it turns out has done this a few times. He's a Nana Stone whisperer and whenever she pulls a stunt like this, he's more or less involved in the process. He knows how she thinks, so if she's hitchhiking her way to Texas, we'll find her.

"It's not that simple Shortcake. If she didn't wait for me, then she's obviously planning something big. She knows that in the end I'll tell my dad where she is because we all worry about her. She doesn't want to be found."

He squeezes his eyes shut, tapping fingers against his forehead as if willing for the answers to suddenly come to him. I've known Nana Stone for a long time but even that doesn't qualify me to figure out where on earth she is. It's one thing to help her carry water balloons to the terrace to throw on the mailman but it's another to pinpoint her location after she runs away. The woman is an enigma that I can say honestly.

"Well, maybe you should let her be on her own for a while. I mean she obviously wants some space so what's the harm in that? She's more than capable of taking care of herself."

Opening his eyes, he sighs. I can see the worry written all over his face and it's kind of making my heart race in the worst of ways. Whenever he's around me, he does whatever's possible to make me smile. Well, that's true for the past couple of months. He's never made me aware of his own problems, except maybe the ones he has with Jay. I cannot believe how selfish I've been. I've never once asked about how he's doing. I haven't talked to him about military school, about why he came back, about...anything.

I am such a self obsessed cow!

Okay, time to change Tessa. He needs you. He's been your Fairy Godmother and now you need to return the favour. Obviously this means a lot to him and you need to stick with him through this, no matter what.

"She has asthma Tessie, and it's bad. She doesn't take it seriously enough. I humour her by letting her run away but I've always got an eye on her. I know where she is, what she's doing and if she gets sick, I find her and bring her back immediately. Right now I'm scared shitless because I know the woman doesn't give a damn about her health."

The knots begin to form in my stomach. All of this sounds bad, really, really bad. A woman Nana Stone's age, one with asthma and a wild streak out there all by herself, doing god knows what. Suddenly I feel like I can't breathe. I fear for the boy sitting beside me, who's probably going out of his mind right now. He's lost his grandfather, he can't lose the only other person who understands him and loves him unconditionally.

I scoot closer to him, between the gaps of our seats. He's stopped the car, holding his head in his hands and breathing hard. The need to comfort him is so powerful that it takes me aback. I never feel this way about anybody. I am not a touchy feely kind of person, I like my space but this is something else entirely. I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head on his shoulder. His breath hitches as he realizes how close I am but it's probably due to surprise. I couldn't get that kind of a reaction out of a boy as hot as he is, even if he liked me.

"It's going to be okay, we'll find her." I mumble into his shirt. His heart's beating so fast that I can almost feel it. I'll only have to slide my hand up his chest to rest on the place that's practically pounding to confirm my suspicions but now's probably not the best time to feel him up. Focus Tessa, focus.

His arms come around me almost instantly, like it's a knee jerk reaction. If he's shocked by my actions he doesn't show it. He buries his face in the crook of my neck, holding me tightly and just like that we're wrapped all around each other in the middle of a residential parking lot. If one of the Stepford Wives that live here gets a glimpse of us, they'll most probably get the wrong idea since I'm practically straddling him.

Awareness overwhelms all my senses. I'm hugging Cole. He's hugging me back. Something as innocent as a hug suddenly has a whole new meaning. I don't know what to do next. Do I just let go of him? Do I keep sitting right where I am? Somehow the latter seems like the best available option. I can feel his breath on my neck; it raises the hair at the back of it and sends tingles down my spin. If his hold wasn't so tight, I'd probably shudder in pleasure. How is all of this happening from just one hug? I know what it takes to feel this way; I've read my fair share of romance novels. So why is everything I believed to be true, being proven so darn wrong?

"Tessie," He groans into my skin and that one sound basically tears me apart. He sounds so, so...seductive. What do I do? Do I kiss him? Do I say something just as exciting? I need an instruction manual right now, please.

He chuckles and I feel the sound reverberating through my own body. Why is he laughing, I pout. Obviously he's amused by my lack of skills. This is the point where he'll tell me that this morning was a mistake and that we were better of being frenemies.

Ouch. We haven't even been together for fours hours and I'm already facing rejection. That has to be some sort of a record.

"Remember what I said about not over thinking and enjoying the moment?"

My face heats up rapidly as I remember the pool incident. I thought we'd both boxed up that particular memory and stored it until further use. I guess that would be now.

"Uh huh."

Where's Shakespeare when you need him? If I were the kind of girl, a guy like Cole is meant to be with I'd say something sultry and confident. I'd charm him into thinking that I am the most addictively attractive woman on the planet but right now he's probably contemplating ways to end whatever it is between us without breaking my pathetic little heart.

"You really need to work on that."

Despite myself, I chuckle. We both know that despite my best attempts I'd never be able to let go in his presence. He winds me up in both the best and worst of ways. If I'm not raging at him, I'm melting at his feet. There is no way that I can ever 'enjoy the moment' when he's around and the gorgeous cocky bad boy is well aware of it.

"I don't think I can."

The smug look on his face says it all. He knows what he does to me and he's proud of it. Jerk.

"Well, we can try; we have a really long time to work on that." He promises.

I don't know if he's doing this on purpose. I don't know if he wants to kill me with his words alone but if that isn't his intent then he's doing a pretty good job of it otherwise. The word 'we' and 'time' sound sweeter than any of the lyrics of the love songs I've listened to my entire life. He's not even being poetic, he's just being...Cole. The impact of the words weighs down on me, as I try to comprehend what this means for us. I'm a girl; I'm supposed to over-analyze myself to death right? Well, this is me doing just that-after my heart recovers that is.

I don't get to say much before his phone rings. I shift from his lap and return to my seat, immediately missing his warmth. The relief on his face is more than evident so I realize it must be something to do with Nana Stone. The ringtone he's set for her is a Beatles' song I remember hearing a lot when she babysat me.

"Nana, I told you to wait for me." He groans, clutching the phone to his ear with one shoulder and starting his car with his free hand.

I try to make sense of a conversation but when he casually drops in words like breaking and entering, theft, and car chase my head starts to spin. What is that woman not capable of doing?

"Wait, what? What did you say you were doing?"

He falls back into his seat, hitting his head against it several times. I watch all this with an emotion I can only describe as concern coupled with amusement. If someone could make Cole, prematurely gray it would his grandmother.

"Don't strip on top of the the pool table Nana." He says patiently, like talking to a toddler.

"What? You can't expect me to just leave you? I'm coming to get you right now, tell me where you are."

I can hear her arguing and then the sound of her infectious laugh. Cole grinds his teeth, obviously feeling annoyed and irritated. It seems like Nana Stone is going to get her way since he mutters several 'okays' before hanging up.

I quirk an eyebrow, feeling more like myself now that we have some space between us.

"I suppose that could've gone better."

"She's staying at some bar with a friend I never knew existed!"

I open my mouth to say something but he continues to ramble. "I cannot believe she's doing this. We had a plan, I had a plan for her and now she's going to start flashing drunken idiots. It'll be all over YouTube tomorrow. Great, my grandmother, mayor of Cougar Town."

He's out of breath by the time he stops to rant and I have never found him more adorable than this. I know, it's slightly sadistic of me to enjoy his misery but I cannot help it. Cool, reserved, in control Cole Stone can lose it too and this trait makes him all the more appealing.

"Cole, calm down. I'm sure she knows what she's doing. The woman is more than capable of taking care of herself."

"But..."

"But, nothing. I heard her saying that you can pick her first thing in the morning and bring her back to the Home. Give her this one day and then tomorrow you can tie her to the bed if you want."

I am not someone who possesses or might even remotely want to possess leadership qualities. I'm more than happy to take a back seat; you can super glue me to said seat and I will not complain. I think that's why we're both surprised by my authoritative tone. He blinks at me, once, twice and I feel my cheeks beginning to heat up.

Then when a full fledged grin makes an appearance, I know I'm doomed.

"You're sexy when you get bossy." He winks and blood boils beneath my cheeks. Yes, he's made such remarks before but after the developments this morning, his words take a whole new meaning and I'm sweating buckets. He's flirting with me right? This is flirting? What do I do? Think, think, think about all the slutty girls you've watched on The Hills! What is it that Megan's always saying? WWHMD? What the heck would Heidi Montag do?

"Shut up."

Yeah, that's exactly what the world record holder for most plastic surgeries in a day would say.

I'm thankful that he doesn't try to further my embarrassment. He knows being social is my handicap so he'll just have to make do with what he's got. For some preposterous reason, he's interested in me. I like that, I really like that but I can't change who I am-not for the lack of trying obviously.

"So what now?" I ask looking at our surroundings. We'd driven all the way here for no use. But it seems like such a waste to let go of all the beauty. I feel disappointed but don't let it on. It would be out of place to suggest that we stay here especially when the person we'd come to visit was more or less honky tonking god knows where.

Cole studies my face for a while. It's like he's questioning himself but then seconds later a half smile lights up his face and it seems like he's reach a decision. He drives us to a near by restaurant which is right in front of the beach, I'd ogled at.

Oh My God!

We were having lunch? Is this a date? I start hyperventilating at the idea. A date. A date with Cole. An opportunity where I could totally and utterly embarrass myself. I need time; I need time to adjust to how things have changed between us. I need to commit Cosmopolitan to memory, darn it!

"Calm down, we're just eating. I wouldn't let our first date but this...unplanned." He decides after pausing, wrinkling his nose. I sink down into my seat as we park. There he is again, giving my heart attacks with simple words. How can he not know that mentions of things like dates and an 'us' is just going to add to my already jittery nerves.

"Sorry," I mutter feeling embarrassed. Talk about being inexperienced.

We make our way into a pleasant diner. It's more or less like Rusty's except cleaner. There aren't a lot of people around since it's the middle of the day but a steady service continues from behind the counter. We take our seats at a private both, my stomach somersaulting throughout the process. For something which isn't a date, this seems extremely date like.

I look out the window which gives a clear view of the ocean. Attempting to calm myself down by watching the waves, I don't realize it when Cole's fingers come to rest on top of mine on the table. I jump in surprise but his hand is firm. My breathing and heart beat both become erratic as I take in the expression on his face.

"You don't mind do you?" He seems nervous. I remember him acting like this when he gave me the dress. It looks like the two people who can bring out this side of him are his grandmother and me. How wonderful. I don't like it when he thinks twice about what he does or says around me. It's sweet, god it's sweet but it's also not him.

"I-I...don't like it when you have to ask."

He seems surprised by my answer and if you concentrate enough, also a bit flushed. I redden myself at my boldness but oh well, I'm on a roll so might as well continue.

"You shouldn't change, not for me."

"So if I do this," He quickly leans forward and kisses me on the cheek, making my eyes bulge out of their sockets and causing fireworks to erupt inside of me. "Without asking, you won't mind?" He gives me a cheeky grin and I all but disintegrate. My hand touches the spot on my cheek where his lips were mere seconds ago and all I can think about is how I want more of it. I stutter some incoherent response and he just laughs. Douchebag.

An elderly waitress comes to take our order before I get to answer him. I order a chicken salad sandwich and Cole gets his usual double patty cheeseburger. He goes ahead and orders a strawberry milkshake for me even though I just ask for water. Secretly, I'm jumping for joy since I really do love a strawberry milkshake.

We eat in silence but I'm distracted by how Cole's constantly rubbing circles over the back of my hand. I catch him looking at me once or twice when I was stuffing my face with lettuce, appealing I know. That's how the lunch went-filled with sneaking glances and coy smiles. It was different but in the best kind of way.

Now we're at the beach and Cole's gone to bring some sleeping bags that were in the trunk of his car, great coincidence right? The sun's hanging low in the sky, letting me know that it's around five in the evening. I take out my phone and send quick texts to Travis and the girls. I hope I don't get too hounded when I get back. Remembering how Travis acted about Cole yesterday tells me that this needs to be handled carefully. While I appreciate him going all caveman protective brother on me, I need him to understand that things are going to be different from now on.

"How long before you have to get home?" Cole asks, spreading the bags on the sand. Thank god there are two of them, while I'm all for cuddling-the idea of being so near Cole has me ready for another coronary.

"My curfew's at ten but I should go back earlier. Mom and Dad aren't home but Travis might ask questions."

He nods, as if understanding why my brother might be an issue. I really need to know what it is that's going on between these two. For now, however I concentrate on his sitting form and how he pats the space next to him, motioning for me to sit down. I sit, leaving plenty of space between us. Drawing my knees up to my chest, I hug them so that my hands are kept busy. If I were to let them free, they'd most probably end up in Cole's hair. I'd resisted the urge to run my fingers through the thick silky mess for so long but now that we were on the verge of becoming something more, the limitations and boundaries I'd set were starting to become hazy.

"Sorry about making you come all the way here. If I'd know that she'd be pulling a stunt like this," He shakes his head but I know now that he's starting to see how hilarious the entire situation is.

"That's okay. I'm used to dealing with crazy Stone family members. It's like my specialty now." I grin, lightly bumping my shoulder with his. Turns out I'll take any excuse necessary to touch this boy, wonderful.

"That reminds me, I'm sorry Tessie." He says a little gruffly, his voice thick.

I think about what he could possibly be apologizing for. Hard as I try, I don't really come up with something which could make him look so forlorn. He'd been so perfect, caring and attentive to me so I couldn't really fault anything.

"What for?"

"Everything. Take this as a combined apology for fourteen years of making your life miserable."

WOW.

Stunned. I am stunned. He's bringing our past up now? Now, after ignoring it altogether for so long, he's chosen one of the most perfect days of my life to remind me of how things were between us. All of a sudden, my walls go up again. I try to convince myself that he means no harm but as a slideshow of our time through the years plays in my head I have so many reasons to run away screaming. Breathe, Tessa just breathe. He's not that guy anymore and you haven't had to go to the emergency room in a while so this might not be as bad as it seems.

"I was a stupid kid," he continues ignoring the panic attack I'm currently having. "I thought you were the prettiest girl I'd ever seen and I got your attention the only way I knew."

"By shoving me into a ditch full of mud?" I ask dryly, interrupting his monologue.

I'd worn my favourite blue dress that day and my mother had woken me up early so that she could braid my hair with ribbons in it. It was the first day of kindergarten and also the first of many times that Cole would humiliate me.

I watch his face as he winces and messes up his hair, "Yeah, I could've gone about that better. I wanted to be your friend but the other kids, they would've..."

"Made fun of you for hanging around a girl?" I remember the unruly kids he used to be friends with in elementary school. They'd been right with him every step of the way but now that I think about it, they themselves never bullied me. I shudder thinking about how much worse those other kids would have been like, having seen what they could do in the hallways many times.

"Like I said, I was a stupid kid."

"What about when we grew up. Why did you do it then? Was it because I was fat?" My voice shook slightly as I asked him that. I couldn't bear to know that he'd been just like the rest of them, that he let my weight dictate how he saw me. Yes I'd been overweight but that didn't mean that I deserved everything he'd done.

His eyes were a stormy dark blue when I looked at him. His jaw clenched, nostrils flaring-he was angry at me and I couldn't think why.

"Is that what you think of me? I would never..." He stops himself before groaning and tugging at his hair. I'm half afraid he'll pull it all out with the way he's going at it. He hides his face behind his palms and I hear some distinct curse words.

"I deserve that, I actually do. You should think the worst about me so I'm not going to complain." He twists his body so that he's facing me, sitting Indian style. I don't freak out until he's cupping my cheek and rubbing his thumb across it.

"You were always the prettiest girl I'd ever seen. I don't care about your weight Tessie, never have never will. I don't give a shit if you're as large as a house or as skinny as one of those skeletons on the runway, though I wouldn't encourage becoming anorexic. Anyway, you'll always be my Shortcake. The girl who's gorgeous but doesn't have a clue about it. The girl who's so forgiving and kind, funny and sarcastic as hell,"

How exactly do you breathe? I remember reading something about lungs and oxygen but I swear I can't link either of the two together right now...

"You're not afraid to talk back to me, you treat me like the idiot I am and I...I was scared. Having those kinds of feelings at thirteen wasn't normal. Before, I wanted to only be your friend but I didn't know how to do that. When I started feeling more, you only saw Jay. I was jealous as hell so I took it out on you. I'm sorry."

Huh, would you look at that. I should remember to give Beth a gift card for her favourite music store or something. She'd figured it all out eons before me.

"Cole, I-I..."

His thumb brushes my bottom lip and I promise you could've heard how loud my heart is beating.

"Don't. I don't expect you to suddenly feel how I do. I'd be crazy to think that after everything I've done, you still want something to do with me. I took a shot by coming back but it's the best decision I've ever made. Give me a second chance Tessie and I promise I'll do it right this time."

How do you respond to that? How do you tell a guy, who's trying to woo you that he's already won your heart. The dreaded four letter word makes an appearance but I shove it in a corner. Now is not the time, he doesn't need to find out that I'm a bigger freak than everyone takes me to be. We're taking it slow so if he wants to win my heart than that he shall do. I really could use the special treatment.

"Okay," I whisper not really knowing what else to say. However his reaction is like he's been given the map to the Holy Grail. From looking absolutely crestfallen he goes straight to elated, his eyes sparkling with the sun's rays making the impact so much stronger.

"Okay? Did you just say okay? Will you go out with me?"

"Yes, Cole. Yes I'll go out with you."

In honesty, I want more-I want a lot more.

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Come say hi on social media!

GAH-FINALLY GOT THIS MONSTER OUT.

I am terribly sorry for making you guys wait. But I promise it's not going to become a habit, I just needed some time to deal with personal stuff plus I had massive writer's block. Also my wrist's is acting funny so when I type it actually hurts a little. Weird.I think I should get that checked out.

TBBG has more than 45000 votes which is just...incredible. Thank you so much! <3  Oh and Directioners-HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZAYN (Belated, oops?)  <3 I love you (I love Niall most so umm yeah)

P.S I'm making minor changes to the cast, Sterling Knight for Jay and Shay Mitchell for Nicole. Travis will be played by Chad Michael Murray. Not the weird hobo he looks like right now but hottie Chad-like Lucas from the first season of One Tree Hill and Austin from A Cinderella Story *sighs* He was so perfect <3 

I also have something to rant about. When I was starting to plan TBBG I didnt pay a lot of attention to detail. This means the name of the story. I really have this urge to rename the story, the whole 'Bad Boy' in the title thing is so over done and people get the wrong impression, thinking it's just another book about a bad boy/good girl. TBBG for me, is so much more and I want everyone to see that. What are your opinions about that.

Another major problem which is making me MAD. There's this writer who will not be named who is blatantly copying me. I mean I get the whole bad boy thing I do, but it's not just the story it's my author's notes and chapter titles too which is just creepy. DEAR PERSON-please be original. Anyone can write a bad boy story but please try making it your own? I wont point you out but just...TRY. Thanks 

P.S Reading suggestions? Join me on Goodreads and you'll have plenty of stuff to read. I just finished the first and second book of the Breathe series by Rebecca Donovan, Reason To Breathe is the first book and OH MY EVAN-I AM IN LOVE. It's a serious topic but the simplicity of the style and the characters just makes it worth every tear. 

Alright, I'll end this now :) Hope you guys had a wonderful start to the year! :)

Random Question: Who is your favourite character from TBBG and why? No you cannot say Cole, so I'll re-phrase. Who, apart from Cole is your favourite character? MUAHAHHAHA