falling for you

chapter 9

Emma pov.

I was so excited to get the shopping done yesterday and hang out with my girls.

daddy came by and helped put the table together and just hung out with us and we all had dinner.

I didn't get everything done yesterday. I've gotta hang curtains and deal with boxes along with most of my clothing still isn't hung up.

and really just get a feel for my own space and see where I like things.

Casey got called in for an extra shift so today I have miss Miley. we spent our morning at the park then came back here with lunch. she's now napping in the tent we made in the living room.

I'm hanging curtains with some music playing lightly. the house smells of warm vanilla because of the candles I have every where and it just feels nice, although last night was kind of strange and I won't ever tell my brother or Corbin but I so think I'll sleep a little better once they hook my alarm up.

as I'm fighting with these curtains my phone chimes so I throw the rod down taking a break

Corbin - hey sunshine just wanted to check in on you how is the new place?

I smile and then shake my head. I can't keep letting him walk all over my heart so I've gotta get it out of my mind we could ever be anything, Dylan deserves a real chance.

me- so far I'm loving it just trying to get things in order still.

Corbin - well I happen to need a distraction I can come help if needed.

I think it over biting my lip. if I let him come over I'm gonna make him tell me what's going on.

me-if you really don't mind then just come on in once you get here Miley is napping.

corbin-- sounds good,n didn't know you had a side kick today.

I leave it at that and look over the curtain rod shaking my head. first some coffee then we will deal with this mess.

when I make it back to my room I roll my eyes at the rod once again. why'd I pick this? I mean yes the dark blue and cream are beautiful and goes so good with my new bedspread and sheer I have set up on my bed but so many curtains and I can't even get the stupid rod to hang straight.

I climb back on the ladder

I hadn't heard him come in but I felt when his body was close to mine, I could feel his heat. jumping slightly from being startled he chuckles in my ear and reaches up along side me and helps fluff the top of the curtains. yes I finally got it straight. well I think.

" I always forget how short you are"

" oh shut up we can't all be Giants"

I turn around to give him a shove but I'm met with his eyes smiling down at me. for a moment I just stand there.

I finally clear my throat and he backs away slightly looking around nodding every now and then

" so?"

waiting for him to tell me it's over the top or make fun but he just looks back at me and smiles

" I like it. alot"

I smile " you don't have to say it just to be nice"

he chuckles

" no really I'm not. I haven't been home much but my room is literally a bed, a dresser and TV. no decorations. no"

he pauses and looks around

" no warm relaxing feeling like this"

I give him a big smile

" well ya know I can help with that"

he raises a brow at me

" you trying to break my bank"

I laugh

" no not at all. I got most my things on a deal"

with that I stick my tongue out at him.

he helps me break down some boxes and bring them out back. I'm gonna burn them later.

I take a seat in one of my chairs and he follows

" I'm a little jealous of the tent you fixed up in there"

we share a laugh

" yeah she insisted and to be honest it was a lot more fun than trying to get those stupid curtains straight"

he nods

I know we're enjoying our moment and I shouldn't ruin it but of course me being me I my filter isn't great

" so you gonna tell me what's been going on or you and mark for some kind of bro code thing happening"

he chuckles lightly but rubs the back of his neck

" I'm all messes up em."

he shakes his head before continuing

" I was already hardly holding on when I got back and things got a little out of hand with pills, alcohol and other things "

I raised a brow looking at him confused. how could he go down hill so fast?

" other things?"

my voice comes out as a whisper

" mark caught me with some coke"

my eyes are big and he hangs his head in shame.

oh my God! I had no idea he was dealing with things like this I thought he and sage were just held up doing it like rabbits.

I reach out and grab his hand giving it a squeeze

" but it's done now?"

he looks at me confused

" uh yeah. coming off of it has been a b***h. only been a day without the pills and my leg has been killing me. but I went to the therapist this morning and did a little work out also"

he shrugs slightly.

" and the coke?".

he sighs

" honestly that was real new when he busted it so I don't think I'll have to come off it"

he shrugs again and I try to wrap my head around all this information. sage. she did this!

I quickly realize our hands are still joined. and I pull back maybe a little to quickly and he jumps slightly looking me over

" sage she did this?!"

she shakes his head slightly then takes my hand back softly

" can't really blame her. yeah she has the connections but I'm a grown ass man I knew better than trying to drown my problems with it"

I nod my head. I want to ask about the kiss. but I don't I'm with Dylan and clearly Corbin has problems he doesn't really want me helping him with and he doesn't see me that way that much is clear. so I shake the thoughts from my head

" well just get better okay? we're all here for you"

he nods smiling at me I just wanna wrap my arms around him and make it all go away

Corbin pov.

I know I shouldn't be here but after my therapist she basically told me I was running from Emma. yeah we touched base on that today she told me I don't have to ruin her relationship she's started but doesn't mean I have to completely hide from bed considering she's marks sister and she hasn't brought up the kiss she obviously doesn't think about it . I know Emma if she wanted to she'd drag the information out of me, just like when I say there and told her some of my demons.

I was wrong to walk behind her in the beginning but damn she looked so good in those short shorts a shirt her hair thrown up.

being near her definitely didn't help me any and for a moment I thought maybe she was gonna kiss me again or maybe say something about it but she didn't.

I was surprised at how well she's got her place looking, although I guess I shouldn't be she's always been great at decorating. but bed bed. oh man that is a sinful bed. the dark drapes she has hanging from the canopy. the blankets and pillows neatly stacked inviting me to throw her on his and have my way with her under the candle light she had going all over her house.

I had to shake those thoughts from my head. she's with Dylan

and to be honest she's world's away from me I can tell that much from her house. sages was messy boarder line nasty. and sunshine she's clean and well sunshiny. she wouldn't ever want to deal with my issues.

Miley woke up not long after our little heart to heart and she was excited to show me the cool tent they'd made. we all played and I helped out some installing the alarm, the real reason I came over here. to be honest I didn't sleep great last night knowing she was alone here without it. yes I know she was alone because mark told me their dad had been over to have dinner with her and Casey when I talked to him last night. well he was checking on me.

a part of me was glad they weren't Shaked up but the other part of me was worried about her being all alone. I tried my hardest not to text her and ask if she was okay.

the girls are currently making some cookies, the kitchen is mess but the smell of the spaghetti and meatballs she has going in running through the house. I watch them with a smile as she has Miley sitting on the counter stirring the bowl own cookie mix. not long after they let me try and they start purring some in the oven.

the doorbell rings and Emma looks at me with surprised eyes.

" I wasn't expecting anyone yet, Casey isn't off till 8"

I nod towards her

" I'll go get it you two just enjoy".

she send me a greatful smile.

I head for the door and as I swing it open I'm face to face with Dylan standing there with some roses. I raise a brow slightly he obviously doesn't know sunshine she prefers daisies. says roses are funeral flowers as that is what was spread along her mom's graves.

he clears his throat after looking at me confused.

" I was just here to see Emma".

I give him a nod and a small smile I can see he's confused as to why I'm answering her door and I know I said I wasn't going to mess things up for her but damn she makes it hard.

" she's just in the kitchen".

I say as I swing the door open and he makes his way in. I follow behind not really sure what to say at the moment that won't make me out to be the asshole. because I could say so much. as we round the kitchen she doesn't look up from Miley as they are cleaning up

" who was at the door corb?"

I can't stop the smile but he answers before I can

" just me babe thought I'd drop by if that's okay"

she looks up wide eyed as she swings Miley. down from the counter

" hey Dylan I wasn't expecting you"

he leans in and kisses her cheek

" just wanted to see how you settled but I see you've been busy".

his tone is soft and to be honest if it were me in his shoes I'd be hell a pissed

she gives him a smile nodding to the flowers

" pretty good you didn't have to bring those".

he gives he a big smile

" just couldn't help myself"

she gives a small smile looking over the flowers and I cAnt help but wonder how she feels about it

she is course invited him to dinner so as she was fixing the flowers in the vase I walked out and was hanging with miley but could help but over hear their conversation

" hope you don't mind me dropping by"

" oh of course not but you don't have to bring flowers Everytime"

" just thought of you when I seen them beautiful"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at that if he only knew her

" so I'm if I'm not overstepping can I ask why he is here?"

there's a small pause before she replies

" he's a friend Dylan but he was helping out"

another pause

" you can always call me you know"

" I know. he just wanted to help and honestly I needed it"

I couldn't help but smile to myself she didn't say I just invited myself nor did she seem irritated that I was here.

maybe they won't work out and I can get myself together enough see if she wants a future with me?

man there is just so much I need to deal with and on top of her being marks sister. but he's marks friend to right? but then again I don't think the age gap is as large? maybe he thinks she's better off with him.

dinner was of course amazing and I couldn't keep the smile from my face aside frome mama I haven't had a home cooked meal in ages.

I could feel Dylan staring at me at times when Emma and I would joke back and forth or when I helped clean up Miley but I couldn't care less about him being here. I get it she is with him but I know her better. he maybe better for her but If I learned anything from therapy today is I can't keep myself from her. I just need to keep working out, staying clean and going to therapy and maybe just maybe I can get myself good enough to be with her.

after Casey picked up Miley after a few looks thrown my way and I a small goodbye I was left even more confused. had she told her about the kiss? had she told her how I ran or maybe it was just because she knows I have no chance at being with her so it was pitty either way I know for sure after I work on myself more I need to talk to her and see what the deal is. I tried to wait out Dylan leaving as I didn't really want to leave them alone. we all ended up cleaning the kitchen together before she walked out for a moment to talk to her dad on the phone

" so how are you doing with being back?"

he asks and I raise a brow what does he know?

" I'm hanging in there just staying busy"

he nods

" I really like her"

he says with a sigh and if I was a better man I would let him know he didn't need to worry about me but of course I'm not and I didn't I just nodded my head slightly.

after finally saying my goodbyes and letting her kid text her soon I shook his hand as gave her a hug to which she returned.

that might I laid in bed trying to fall asleep but I couldn't I couldn't get the thought of him beualine with her out of my head. so I caved and texted her

me- hey sunshine just checking you set the alarm

surprisingly she responded which hopefully meant he hadn't spent the night

sunshine- I did. thank you again for your help and company. please don't be a stranger even on the bad days.

her message made my heart rate pick up. f**k I'm a lost cause and pursuing her while she's in a healthy relationship is so stupid but I can't seem to help myself

me-thank you. really. and thank you for the home cooked meal. sorry if I caused you any problems with Dylan

sunshine- any time! seriously. you know I love cooking. and no. he will have to learn k have friends outside of being with him

her message once again takes me by surprise

me- well I definitely won't be a stranger. I'm working on myself and trying to find my way outside of combat.

sorry for worrying you.

I hope you have sweet dreams

sunshine - you will get there. and if you ever need anything you know where I am.

Sweet dreams to you corb.

I leave it at that because at this point if I replied I would say something that would just mess with her mind. I want her to know I'm serious about changing. I want her to want me the same way I want her but even if Dylan doesn't know her as well as I do about the little things I can see that he is a good guy and cares for her. it's gonna be hard to be her friend but I know that's what I've got to do. for the both of us.