The One

by Holly C. Webb

  “Who’s pregnant,” I asked, almost afraid to hear the answer. In my heart I knew he couldn’t be talking about Savannah, but if I was honest, right in that moment I didn’t know what to think.

  “Seth, I’m not ready to be a father,” he said as tears danced in his eyes. “I don’t know how to be the guy that steps up and does the right thing.”

  “You don’t have a choice,” I said, knowing that no matter what happened, Jared needed to do the right thing. I knew what it was like to have shitty parents. I’d grown up the kid that nobody wanted. Jared couldn’t give his child that same life.

  “Maybe I do,” he said as he pulled back from me, giving me a look that confused me completely. That’s when he noticed the table. “I didn’t realise you we’re expecting someone. I should be going. I will call by tomorrow and we can talk. Maybe then I will have a better plan.”

  “Jared,” I said, stepping closer to him once more. “Who’s pregnant?”

  “Nobody that matters,” he sighed, giving me a look that said he was completely broken. “Because it’s just not Sav.”

  Without saying another word, he turned and headed for the door, leaving me standing in the middle of the room feeling like my heart was going to burst out of my chest. I knew right at that moment that Jared would never accept me and Savannah being together. He would never forgive me for falling in love with her too.

  In my heart I knew that in the end, it would come down to a decision. I would have to choose between my best friend and the woman I knew I was meant to spend my life with.

  I sat down and stared at the candle that was flickering away in the centre of the table, as I tried to process everything that Jared had just said.

  He’d got some girl pregnant. He’d cheated on Savannah, but he was still in love with her. I closed my eyes and buried my face in my hands. This really was an unholy mess.

  Suddenly another soft tap on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I sighed as I pushed up from the chair, surprised I’d almost forgotten about Savannah coming by. I hurried to the door, to let her in.

  “Hi,” I said with a smile when I opened the door. Tonight was about me and her. For now, I needed to try and push Jared from my mind. If I was honest, looking at Savannah, right at that moment, it wasn’t hard to do. She looked breath-taking in a beautiful white summer dress, a white faded denim jacket over it. Her blonde hair was hanging down in soft curls around her shoulders, making her look almost like an angel.

  “Hey,” she said, giving me a worried smile. “Are you okay?”

  “Of course,” I replied, pulling her into my arms before I softly kissed her on the lips. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Well,” she said, looking up into my eyes, and once more I could see the worry in her eyes. “I just saw Jared leave, and he looked like he was ready to kill someone.”

  “He dropped by because he was having a bit of a bad day,” I said, unsure if I should tell her everything or not. I knew that she would have to be told eventually, but if I was honest, I wasn’t sure of the whole story myself, so I thought there was no point in only telling her half.

  “I actually saw him coming into the building when I pulled up,” she explained, giving me an uncertain smile. “So, I waited in the car.”

  “I’m sorry that everything is such a mess,” I replied, as I released her from my embrace, then taking hold of her hand before leading her into the living room. “This is not how I wanted tonight to go.”

  “So, I see,” she said, as the most beautiful smile spread across her face. “Seth, this looks… wow.”

  “You like?” I asked, pleased that she looked happy.

  “I love,” she replied as she looked up at me, and her smile widened but tears danced in her eyes. “I don’t think anyone has ever done anything so incredibly sweet for me before. Thank you.”

  “Why are you crying?” I asked once more pulling her into my arms.

  “These are happy tears,” she laughed and cried at the same time. “I never imagined I could ever feel this happy.”

  “I’m happy too,” I whispered as I pressed my forehead against hers. Looking down into her eyes, right at that moment, I knew that there was no decision to be made. I would pick her over everything else. I loved her more than I had ever loved anyone else before. She was my future; I couldn’t keep looking back to the past. “And I love you so much.”

  “I love you too, Seth,” she smiled, as she slowly leaned up and kissed me softly.

  The taste of her lips on mine, the smell of her perfume in my nose, my heart just swelled with love for this girl. She was everything. She was mine.

  Returning her kiss, I pulled her closer to me and the longing I had for her almost consumed me. I quickly scooped her up in my arms and took off towards the bedroom.

  “What about dinner?” She asked as she wrapped her arms around my neck and giggled.

  “Fuck dinner,” I growled before I slammed my mouth against hers. When we reached the bedroom, I set her down on the floor, before I kissed her once more. As I kissed her, I moved us back slowly to the bed.

  When I reached it, I sat down, but Savannah remained standing in front of me.

  Smiling up at her, I reached up and pushed the jacket from her shoulders, letting it fall to the ground. Then I grabbed her hips and pulled her closer to me as I buried my face in her stomach; the smell of her perfume engulfing me as I closed my eyes.

  Suddenly I felt overcome with emotion. Like everything that ever happened to me in my life didn’t seem to matter anymore. My father leaving, my mother being the disaster she was. None of it mattered because I had finally come home. In Savannah’s arms was where I belonged.

  “Seth,” Savannah whispered as she cradled my head in her arms, as her fingertips softly brushed my hair. “Talk to me.”

  I looked up at her and smiled, even though hot tears were stinging my eyes.

  “I just fucking love you so much it scares me,” I breathed out softly. “Being with you is like finding that piece of my soul I didn’t even know was missing. Everything makes sense, yet nothing does. All I know is, you are everything to me.”

  “Why does that scare you?” Savannah asked, taking my face in her hands.

  “Because everyone I’ve ever loved has left me,” I whispered, knowing right in that moment I was giving this girl the power to destroy me once more. “And I know, when Jared finds out the truth, he is going to leave as well. I just need you to promise me that you won’t ever leave me too Savannah.”

  “I promise you,” she breathed out as she leaned down as she softly pressed her lips to mine. “My heart belongs with you, Seth Reynolds. You are my home too.”

  She kissed me again, but this time it was deeper, and filled with so much passion I could hardly catch my breath.

  She gripped my hair as she drew me closer to her, and her kiss grew deeper still.

  Dropping my hands down to the back of her legs, I slowly glided my fingertips back up her soft skin, until my hands disappeared beneath her dress. I stopped when I reached the soft lace of her panties.

  Hooking them in my fingers, I eased them down her legs, holding them as she stepped out of them, before I dropped them to the floor.

  Lifting her head slowly, she smiled down at me before she climbed on to the bed too, straddling my lap. I held my breath as she reached between us, grabbing hold of my belt in her hand, pulling it open with one tug. Next, she opened the buttons on my jeans before she reached inside. She smiled as her fingertips glided across the slick head on my cock, and instantly I sucked in a sharp breath.

  This girl did things to me that no one else ever had, and each time she touched me, I became more addicted to her.

  Leaning up onto her knees, she gave herself just enough room to reach down and freed my cock from my pants, the whole time her eyes never left mine.

  Pressing her lips to mine, she lowered herself back down, taking my full length in one go.

  “Ohhhh!” She moans loudly against
my mouth, as I filled every inch of her. She closed her eyes as she allowed herself to become accustomed to my cock, while I held my breath, waiting for her next move.

  Finally, she opened her eyes again, letting them meet mine and smiled once more as she began to move slowly. I pulled her closer to me, kissing her hard and she continued to grind her body against mine, taking me deeper each time.

  “Savannah,” I groaned against her mouth as she picked up her pace a little. I reached for the hem of her dress, pushing it up her body, then over her head. Dropping her dress to the floor, I turned my attention to her crisp white, lace bra, making short work of it. Then I reached for my own t-shirt, quickly pulling it over my head. I wanted to feel her soft skin pressed against my body.

  I quickly wrapped my arms around her body, holding her so close, we were almost one.

  “Seth,” she gasped as her breathing became shallow, and her movement more urgent. I could feel her whole body begin to tremble with desire, and it sent a thrill through my entire body.

  “Oh, Christ, Savannah,” I gasped, knowing I was so close. “I fucking love you.”

  “SETH!” She cried out once more, and her whole body began to shake as her orgasm thundered through her entire body. This was my undoing. I pulled her down, pushing myself in as deeply as I could, before I erupted deep inside her.

  We both collapsed back on the bed, me on my back, Savannah still on top of me. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her so close to me.

  “I wish we could stay like this forever,” she finally whispered after what seemed like a lifetime of perfect silence.

  “We could,” I said, pulling her tighter to me, as I kissed the top of her head.

  “Until the real world finds out about us,” she whispered, and I could hear the sadness in her voice. I instantly rolled onto my side, so Savannah was now on her side too.

  I reached up, taking hold of her chin, bringing her face up to meet mine.

  “I don’t care what the rest of the world thinks,” I assure her, holding her eyes with mine.

  “What if Jolie doesn’t approve?” She asked, giving me a worried look.

  “Are you kidding me?” I exclaimed. “That girl loves you so much. Sure, she will probably be surprised, but I know as long as she still has me and you in her life, she will come around.”

  “Do you really think so?” She asked, giving me a hopeful look.

  “I know so,” I replied. “So, stop worrying.”

  “Okay,” she smiled, before I kissed her once more, rolling her onto her back.

  “Now it’s my turn,” I growl against her lips before I claimed them once more.

  “This pasta is amazing,” Savannah said as she sat on the sofa, wearing just my t-shirt and her panties, her legs crossed in front of her. “You never said you could cook. I’m impressed.”

  “Don’t be too impressed,” I laughed as she shoved another spoonful into her mouth. “That and beans on toast is the entire extent of my cooking ability. Well that and a grilled cheese sandwich that I think is tasty, but Jolie said it tastes like feet.”

  Savannah laughed out loud, almost choking on the food that was in her mouth.

  “I think I will take Jolie’s word for it,” she coughed, as she wiped her mouth. “But maybe I could teach you to cook?”

  “I’d like that,” I replied, giving her a broad smile. “I’d like that very much.”

  She smiled once more before she returned her attention to the food. I think it was fair to say that we’d both worked up quite an appetite in the bedroom.

  I sat on the floor, holding the plate of pasta staring up at this girl who’d completely stolen my heart, and I couldn’t remember how it felt not to be in love with her.

  As she ate, a small v formed above her eyebrows and I knew something was bothering her.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked, hating that she was worried about anything.

  “I was just wondering,” she said as she leaned forward, setting her plate down on the coffee table. “When are you going to tell Jared about us?”

  “I was planning to tell him Friday,” I replied, giving her a curious look. “Once Jolie’s party is done.”

  “I see,” she replied with a smile, but her eyes told me she was still worried.

  “Savannah,” I said, setting down my plate, then climbing from the floor, joining her on the sofa. “I promise you, no matter what Jared says, nothing is going to come between us.”

  “I know,” she replied, once more her smile was less than convincing. “I just hate that because of me, you might lose your best friend.”

  “I don’t want to lose him either,” I replied, honestly. “But the way I see it is, if he was my friend, he would get mad, and maybe yell, but then he would understand that I love you more than anything else in the world, if I am willing to wreck one of the most important relationships I have to be with you. Besides, Jared really isn’t in a place to judge…”

  The words were out before I even realised what I had said.

  “What does that mean?” She asked, giving me a questioning look.

  “It’s complicated,” I replied, leaning in and kissing her softly. “And I will tell you everything, I swear. But not tonight. Tonight, is about you…”

  I kissed her on the lips

  “And me!” I kissed her again.

  “Okay,” she replied, then grinned before she added. “So that thing you do with your tongue… do you think I could get you to do it again?”

  “I think that can be arranged,” I replied, as I pushed her back onto the sofa and claimed her mouth once more.

  Chapter 18

  Seth

  “I really don’t know about me going to the party tonight,” Savannah said as we sat eating breakfast in my kitchen. “Don’t you think it’s a little weird me going to Jared’s mother’s house?”

  “But if you don’t go, Jolie will be heartbroken,” I replied, hoping she wouldn’t change her mind about coming to the party. I knew if she didn’t come, Jolie would be so disappointed. Also, having her there meant a lot to me too. Okay, so I couldn’t walk in with her on my arm the way I would have loved to, but I would know she was my girl, and I wanted her to be there as much as Jolie did. “Please, Savannah.”

  “Oh, okay,” she replied, giving me a shy smile. “It seems saying no to you is almost as hard as saying no to Jolie. Must be a family trick.”

  “Maybe,” I said with a laugh, as I leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. “That and the fact you love me.”

  “I do,” she whispered as she now leaned in and kissed me back. “I also love how you call me Savannah. I think you’re the only person that does.”

  “It’s your name,” I replied, with a smile. “And it’s almost as beautiful as you are.”

  “Why thank you kind sir,” she replied, her face flushed with embarrassment, and I couldn’t help but smile once more as my heart swelled with love for her. Still, I knew she was worried, and I needed to reassure her somehow.

  “Please don’t worry about Jared,” I said reaching out and taking her hand in mine. “We just need to get through tonight, then I will talk to him, I promise. After that, we don’t need to hide or pretend anymore.”

  “Okay,” she replied with a nod, giving me a smile, but I knew she was still far from convinced.

  We spent the morning together looking for the perfect gift for Jolie, before we reluctantly said our goodbyes and Savannah went to collect Jolie, and I ran the last few errands I needed to complete, before I too headed to Sylvie’s house.

  When I got to the house, Savannah’s car was gone, so I knew she and Jolie had already left to go shopping. I looked at my watch. We had a little less than four hours to get everything ready for the party. I quickly climbed out of the car and hurried into the house.

  “Hello!” I called as I walked in through the door, trying not to think about the fact that this might be the last time I will ever be welcomed into the Walker’s home. “Is anyone here
?”

  “In here,” Sylvie’s voice floated out from the kitchen, and instantly I smiled as a million memories from my childhood filled my thoughts and the tiniest part of me felt so sad. “You’re just in time.”

  “Oh?” I replied as I walked into the kitchen and found Sylvie frosting the most beautiful birthday cake, and once more I smiled. She held up the wooden spoon, covered in frosting “Don’t tell me. Red velvet with cream cheese frosting.”

  “Jolie’s favourite,” Sylvie said, giving me a broad smile. “Hey, Sweetie.”

  “Hey, Sylvie,” I replied walking over to her and kissing her on the cheek. “It looks amazing.”

  “You want to lick the spoon?” She asked, holding out the wooden spoon for me to take as she had so many times when I was little.

  “Do you even have to ask?” I laughed, taking the spoon from her, before I took a seat at the table. “So, where’s Jared?”

  “I have no idea,” Sylvie replied, glancing up from the bowl, giving me a worried look. “I really have no clue what is going on with that boy lately.”

  I smiled, but I didn’t reply. Instead I just continued to lick the frosting from the spoon.

  “You know something,” she said, giving me a knowing look. Sometimes I loved how well Sylvie knew me. Some people say a mother knows what her child is thinking before they know themselves, and the fact that Sylvie always seemed to know what was on my mind, made me feel like I belonged a little more. But right at that moment wasn’t one of those times. The last thing I wanted to do was tell Sylvie just how much trouble Jared was actually in.

  “I just think he just has a lot going on,” I shrugged trying to seem as casual as possible. “I think maybe he just needs a little time and a little space.”

  “This isn’t about Sav, is it?” She said, surprising me with her question. I tried not to react to the mention of Savannah’s name, but I knew I’d failed miserably. “This is something bigger. He’s in trouble.”

  “It’s complicated,” I shrugged, knowing it was not my place to tell Sylvie that Jared had gotten some random girl pregnant. “It’s nothing he can’t work through. I don’t know, everything is just such a mess.”