"we met for a reason"

⋆✧⋆✧⋆

I watch as her chest rises and falls with every sleeping breath, the way her eyelashes flutter as she stirs, and how her hair messily lays across my arm.

When Laney came to my door last night, I had no idea what was going on, and to tell you the truth I still don't fully. She was basically hysterical and I got very little information about what had made her so upset. Something about Jemma and Chase and them being together now?

I saw that coming.

But when she said she needed me, I didn't really care about what had happened, I just knew I would be there for her, to provide anything she needed.

She cried into me for a few minutes, muttering incoherent things between sobs. Eventually, I got her to calm down and she tried telling me about what had happened. But this time it was different than just sadness, there was hurt and anger in her tone.

"Laney, I need you to tell me what's going on," I plead as I lose my mind over thinking about what could have possibly happened to her. "Please, baby, you have me really worried."

My head clouds at the thought of someone having hurt her or someone she loves.

She nods her head into me, wiping the tears from her face and unsticking stands of her hair from her cheeks. "Right, sorry. I'm a mess right now and I just showed up with no warning." She clears her throat and blows air out her mouth, "I um– I caught Jemma and Chase, together. They were together, and they didn't tell me. Why wouldn't they have told me? Keeping it from me and making me find out about them like that? Walking in on them. God, that's just- ugh!"

My brain words double speed to gather the information from her yelling rant and I subconsciously stoke up and down her back to try and calm her down.

"I'm sorry, Laney. I know what they did was unfair, but I think, just for tonight, you should stop thinking about it. Sleep on it, let your mind process what happened because I know you and I know you love them, I don't want you doing or saying something you can't take back." I almost wince at my words, fearing I've overstepped or said something she didn't want to hear, but when she nods her head and gives me a small smile, I know it's going to be okay.

"How do you always know what to do, what to say? Thank you, darling."

I spent the rest of the night trying to distract her, so we watched a movie with Luke and went straight to bed. I offered to let her take my bed and I could sleep on the couch if she needed some space, but she quickly disapproved of that.

Knowing she wanted to be with me, that she felt comfortable within my arms, that felt good. Better than good actually, much better.

She changed into a pair of my sweatpants and old t-shirts because she had forgotten her pyjamas and I was definitely not complaining. Luckily, her toothbrush from the last time she stayed the night was still in my bathroom and she was able to make do with everything else I had.

Now, she's fast asleep and finally at peace with her body burrowed into mine.

I could definitely get used to this.

Not wanting to wake her by moving and getting up, I decide to stay in bed and fall back asleep.

Maybe an hour or so later and I've reached the limit on how long my body can be asleep. Fortunately, Laney seems to be in a similar situation as I open my eyes and see her staring mindlessly at the ceiling.

"How're you feeling?" I nudge her shoulder and turn to face her.

She lets out a deep sigh. "Honestly, I don't know. I'm not sure what to do, who to talk to, where to go. I feel stuck, angry, and betrayed."

I just nod in acknowledgement and wait for her to go on.

"I probably sound dramatic." I shake my head, assuring her that she doesn't. "But I'm just so pissed at them. I don't even know why I'm so upset."

"You'll get through this though, Laney. You and Jemma are inseparable from what I've been able to gather in the time I've known you. And Chase is your big brother, he wants the best for you, even if he messed up."

"I hate you and I hate that what you're saying makes sense."

I smirk at her. "No you don't."

"No, I don't."

She gives me a grateful smile and the two of us make our way downstairs for breakfast.

⋆✧⋆✧⋆

After last night and breakfast this morning, I was able to clear my head. Well, sorta. I still don't know what to say or do.

I decide to call Beth, needing someone logical and insightful.

"Hey, Dell," she answers her phone with her usual sweet tone but there's something else hidden in her voice. Concern? Pity?

"You know, don't you?"

"Yeah, Jemma came over after you left last night. Confessed to their relationship and asked for help on what to do. She's pretty upset, Dell."

"Good, she should be upset. This is her own doing." I quickly feel bad about my words, but I don't take them back. I'm angry at her, I remind myself.

Fuck, I hate fighting with friends, especially with Jemma and the fact that this involves Chase too.

"So what exactly are you mad about? I mean, rightfully so, what they did was not right, but just explain your thoughts."

I humourlessly laugh into the phone. "I don't even know why I'm upset. Honestly, I love the idea of the two of them together, I think they work really well. But, the fact that neither of them told me, and they kept it from me for so long. Not only did they keep it from me, but they lied about it." I pause to take a deep breath, remembering Sterling's words of keeping a clear head. "I would ask Jemma if she was seeing anyone, she said she wasn't. I talked about her with Chase, he said they were just 'becoming good friends'." I scoff and roll my eyes.

"And those are valid thoughts and feelings. What you're saying makes sense, and I'm glad you can wrap your head around this whole thing enough to explain your feelings."

"And I think that's why I'm so mad. The fact that part of me is still happy they found each other and 'fell in love' or whatever despite what they did. I would've supported them, I would've been so happy for them, if they had just told me."

"I completely agree, but, and maybe you don't want to hear this, think about it from their point of view. This was new for them, they were confused and just didn't want to hurt you. Obviously, they love you very much and didn't intend to cause you any pain."

"Ugh, who let you be so smart and shit?"

"I think the three of you just need to talk this whole thing out. Maybe give yourself another day to process it, to let the anger reside, and then go to them. I haven't seen Chase, but I have seen Jemma and she's– well, she's pretty distraught."

I promise Beth I'll hear the two of them out and she passes the phone to Aspen.

"Hey babes, how're you holding up? Oh, and where are you by the way?"

"Um, I think I'm okay. Better than last night, that's for sure. And I'm at the boys' house. I would've gone to see you three but I panicked and Sterling was the first person that came to mind."

Aspen laughs at me, "It's okay, you can just admit it. You can admit you wanted his big strong arms to hold you," she jokes.

"Ha ha, you're very funny."

I spend the rest of the afternoon on the phone with Beth and Aspen, going back and forth between talking about the situation and anything random that came to mind. Harper was busy at brunch with her parents but I told them to say hi to her for me and I hung up our day long call.

I walk back upstairs and turn into Sterling's room to look for him.

"Sterling?" I call out but I get no answer.

Just as I'm about to walk back downstairs to find him I hear the bathroom door open and watch as he walks out.

Clearly just having taken a shower, his hair is wet and he is only in a pair of sweat pants hanging low on his hips, giving me full view of his body.

Sterling is, well, he's jacked. Water glistens off his abs and he shows off his impressive biceps. It's no doubt the endless hours of hockey practice and going to the gym have done him well. Really well.

Jesus.

I watch his back flex as he reaches into his closet for a shirt and I literally feel weak in the knees.

"Get a good show there, sweetheart?" A cocky smirk plays on his face as his words snap me out of my trance.

"Mhm, I did, thank you."

"Um, I think I'm going to go," I blurt, in desperate need of changing the subject.

His smile falters slightly, "Go?"

"Yeah, I'm going to stay at Harper, Beth, and Aspen's place. I'll just crash on their couch for a little while. I don't think I'm ready to go home to Jemma, the two of us need some space right now."

He nods his head slowly, "Ok, I can take you there now. Unless you want to stay?"

"Stay here? Thank you, but I feel like I'd be overstaying my welcome."

Sterling walks over to me and I have to consciously avoid dropping my eyes to his V-line on display. "You are not overstating, Laney, I'm asking you to stay. I mean, if you don't want to that's fine, but I think my bed would be more comfortable than their couch. Plus, I think the rest of the boys like having you here."

The thought of staying does sound way more appealing than the other option. I mean a couch versus a king-sized bed with a hot guy, c'mon. "Are you sure?"

"I'm positive." He rests his hands on my hips and I shiver from the contact.

Harper, being the world's greatest friend, picked up some things I needed and dropped them off for me on her way back from her parents.

I open the duffel bag, pulling out my toiletries, some school work and my laptop, a few outfits she made for me, and undergarments. At the bottom of the bag, I find a folded piece of paper and read the note she left me. 'Hi bitch, here's some things for your stay. I hope I got everything you needed. PS: I forgot your pyjamas on purpose, keep wearing your man's clothing, I know you want to. You're welcome.' I snort at the note and blush at the callout.

I shoot her a quick text thanking her for getting my things and to remind her that Sterling is not in fact, 'my man'.

I make some pasta for me and the boys to show my gratitude for them letting me stay with them and we all eat dinner together.

As I talk and laugh with them I can't help but think about how fucking lucky I got.

⋆✧⋆✧⋆

Sorry if this chapter was a little boring, I needed some filler to address the events of last chapter. I also had the worst writer's block the entire time and had no idea what I was going to write about.

Question of the chapter: Who's side are you on: Delaney or Jemma's and do you agree with how angry Delaney got?

I had a difficult time gauging how mad to make her because I feel like stories with this plotline make it way more dramatic and drag it out for way longer. And considering this book isn't about Jemma and Chase I thought it would be boring turning this into a huge thing.

Also!! I am trying to make my chapters slightly longer because I feel like I could do better. They're still pretty short compared to some people's preferences and other stories I'm sure you've all read, but this length is the best way for me to write this book.

Please vote and comment on this chapter if you enjoyed it and I will talk to you all soon ;)

Stay safe and healthy <3