falling for you

chapter 14

Nicole.

I'd swam with Dylan a bit more before I decided to just call it a night, well not actually call it a night I went to my room to shower before I knocked on Corbin's door again. I knocked three times and he still hasn't answered or had I heard any movement. so I went back to my room calling him but he didn't answer, so I sent him a text and just watched tv until I fell asleep. I figured maybe he'd fallen asleep.

the next morning after I gathered my things and went to the lobby, everyone was there but Corbin. I liked around for him but still couldn't find him.

I asked my brother where he was and he said he'd headed home last night. I tried to hide my surprise.

I got in my car and headed back to our small town. I got duke from my dad's house first and caught up with him then I went and put my things away at my house and texted Corbin once again. but he still hasn't responded to me. finally I had had enough, I needed to know if something was wrong.

I went to his house and knocked on his door standing there looking around, the garage was closed and since he hadn't answered I could only assume he wasn't home.

so now I'm standing at his mom's front door like a crazy lady as I knock.

I waited plagiarism with my fingers, nervous something had happen with her or maybe Corbin.

when she answered she smiled at me real big

" oh Emma! I wasn't expecting you today"

I smiled sheepishness at her clearinghouse my throat and trying to figure out how to go about this.

" hey Matthews, I was just coming by to check on you and uh everything"

her brows scrunched but she moved a bit and let me in leading me to the kitchen I breathed out, he's truck wasn't here either so honestly I don't guess he's here. I sat at her bar as she poured me a cup of tea and passed it over.

" what's on your mind sweet girl?"

I signed looking down playing with the glass.

" have you heard from corb?"

" no dear I thought he was with you guys"

my shoulders slumped. I still didn't have any answers.

she squeezed my hands.

" talk to me dear. I know a lot more about things that you know"

my eyes went to hers and she just gave me a sma smile and a nod telling me to go on.

did she know about me and corb? did she know my feelings for her son.

she squeezed my hand again I guess seeing me thinking this over.

" everyone was doing their own thing last night. I asked him to come down the pool with me but he didn't want to. so I went down for a bit but when I came back up I wanted to talked to him but he didn't answer.."

I breathed out shaking my head

" anyways mark told me this morning that he'd came back to town last night. he isn't answering my calls or text and I just didn't know if something was wrong."

I let my eyes fall and she huffed out

" ugh! that boy would run from a million dollars if he thought he didn't deserve it"

I giggled she patted my hand.

" well if he isn't here and he isn't at his house my guess would be the gym sweet girl"

her eyes were smiling at me as I nodded breathing in.

did I want to keep chasing him? did he want me to?

she came around the counter and pulled me in for a hug.

" he's just scared Emma. so scared of hurting you if not being enough. be patient but stern"

she pulled back and patted my cheek. I nodded thanking her blushing now, I'm sure as red as a tomato. when I got into my car. his mom knows I like him.

I giggled shaking my head, when we were younger we never could get anything by her. I don't know why I'm surprised.

I pulled up to the gym and breathed out. patient but stern Emma.

as I walked through I saw Caleb and smiled as he waved dropping the weight he was holding.

" well well look who it is"

he said smiling as I gave him a small wave looking aroun for Corbin.

" hey Caleb"

he chuckled

" you making my day and here to see my or Corbin?"

I laughed shaking my head

" I'm actually looking for corb"

he chuckled then nodded his head to a small hallway.

" well it's your lucky day, he's already in the boxing room if your needing to kick his ass"

I laughed

" good because I just might"

he laughed as I headed down the small hallway.

when I got to a door that said 'boxing ring'

I opened it finding Corbin's back to my across the room. as he punched a bag, his shirt off, sweat dripping down his muscles of his back. I had to shake my head of the dirty thoughts I was here for a reason.

there was a few other bags hanging around and a boxing ring on the other side of the room. it seemed like it was just him in here. grunting and cursing at the bag as he punched it.

I took a few steps forward clearing my throat. but he still didn't stop.

" Corbin Matthews!"

I bellowed and he turned his eyes wide. f**k he was hot. his skin was dark, a tattoo running down one side of his body, his dark chest hair running into a happy trail leading to only God knows what.

I saw his scar along his chest and stomach. I knew it was there, I'd gotten a glimpse of it that morning I went to tell him breakfast was ready. I had no idea it was so big, he really was lucky to have made it home. I finally let my eyes go to his and he's staring at me, his face hard.

" why are you avoiding my Matthews?"

I asked propping my hand on my hip. he looks me over, I'm just in comfy shorts and a tee with my hair up from the long ride.

he seems to snap out of whatever it is and he looks around and quickly throws his shirt over his head.

" I'm not avoiding you"

I scoff

" really that's the best you got? leaving the hotel. not answering the phone. sure seems like avoiding to me. what the hell Corbin? I thought we'd talked. I thought we were on the same page"

he sighed Shaking his head from side to side as he pulled on his hair a bit.

" well I guess we're not "

Corbin pov.

I knew leaving was messed up and I knew not letting her know what was going on or that I was even okay was a s**t move but. like I said I'm a coward.

I'd come to the gym after not getting much sleep last night, my head spinning with outcomes that could happen if we continued this.

the way she was looking at me f**k I could tell she was pissed, I knew I was about to get my ass handed to me and I deserved it.

she came closer to me standing toe toe toe with me her arms now crossed over her chest. if possible I could see fire coming out of her ears.

" Corbin Matthews why are you doing this?! why are you push I me away yet again."

she didn't yell her voice was just stern. I shook my head avoid I those beautiful eyes of hers burning into my face looking at me waiting for my answer.

" I'm too f****d up for this. I can't be the man you need by your side. I can't be the man that goes to the f*****g pool with you. I can't let me bring you down damn it! why can't you see that?"

she scrunched her brows pushing my chest

" why can't you see that you are only hurricane me by running? you can't go to the pool or you don't want to? you need to stop acting like you know what's best for me just because you're older"

" Emma just go"

she shook her head

" nope"

" Emma Lynn go damnit "

she raised her brow and stood straight shaking her head. I was pissed, pissed at myself. pissed at her.

I just wanted her to walk away. I wanted her to be the one to be done with this because then once and for all there would be nothing I could do.

pissed off I pulled my shirt from my body then the gym shorts I had on standing there in front of her in nothing but my boxers.

" what are you doing Corbin?"

" look at it Emma. this is what I've got to offer and to be f*****g honest with you I don't know which is worse my body or my mind. but either way this.."

I breathed out looking down at my own body, pulling the leg of my boxers up a bit higher so she could see the mangled part of my leg, skin grafts and a piece missing out of the muscle on my thigh.

I couldn't look at her, I couldn't face the look of disgust on her face.

" this is why I couldn't go to the pool, I can't let people see us together and see me. you deserve am man who can do things with you. who doesn't over think everything."

she was quite and I finally bent down pulling my shorts back up and and grabbing my shirt, I went to throw it on and as I raised my hand out her small one grabbed mine.

I didn't dare look at her. she squeezed it.

" look at me Corbin"

I shook my head, fighting the tears. first I was a coward and now I'm gonna cry like a little b***h.

her other hand made contact with my cheek as she rubbed her thumb over it.

" look at me corb"

her sweet voice a whisper. I took a deep breath and looked up at her face, a small smile on her lips as her eyes danced over my face.

' I'm so glad you made it back. I'm so happy we get this chance. I feel scars aren't gonna scare me away."

I scrunched my brows and she leaned in kissing my chest softly, my heart was beating out of my chest. then her eyes flicked to mine and she softly kissed my lips.

" we will figure the rest out. we will work through things together."

I went to say something, anything but I didn't know what to say. my mouth just hung open.

" you're taking me on a date tonight. pick me up at 7"

" what?"

my eye wide in shock. I didn't know what was happening. why wasn't she running?

" you. me. dinner."

she said giggling and I shock my head trying to wrap my mind around this.

" sunshine "

I breathed out. but she leaned in kissing me quickly once more before she pulled away walking towards the door.

" don't be late "

she hollered over her shoulder as I still stood there in shock