Chapter 26
Tessa’s POV
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The second I opened my eyes this morning I had jumped out of bed with thoughts of seeing and comforting my friend.
I showered and pulled on a fresh change of clothes before instinctively grabbing spare stuff to take to Erin in case she needs to change.
I rush towards the door – grabbing the handle with my free hand – twist it before swinging it open to
be met with a hard chest.
I am knocked backwards to the ground, with the clothes spilling out everywhere as result. “Here’s
me thinking you had slept in!” I hear Kanes voice laugh loudly, before he bends forward and grips
my elbow pulling me back up to standing.
–
“Nope! Today is a g–good day!” I confirm, gathering up the clothes once again before exiting the
room and having him follow behind me – his face filled with amusement.
He allows me to walk on for a few minutes; before I pause at the top of the grand staircase and turn
back to face him.
“Lost?” He mocks with a raised brow, as I glare playfully at him.
For a moment there I forgot that this wasn’t actually my home…
“She’s in a room downstairs.” He informs me, as I smile and begin my descent happily – each step
bringing me closer to my best friend.
At least today she will be waking up in a warm comfy bed!
As I reach the bottom, I step aside to let Kane bypass me before I follow him in the direction of her
current room.
“This door… I’ll give you your privacy but I want to see you both at breakfast in twenty!” He
instructs checking his expensive wrist watch as I nod and playfully salute him with my free hand.
“Yes sir!” I confirm, as he smirks and shakes his head – going off towards the dining room.
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Let’s just hope I can find it from here this place was like a whole damn maze!
I knock twice on the door gently, before trying the handle to find it to be open. “In the bathroom.” I hear a soft voice call from behind a locked door, as close the main door to her room and sit on the bed to wait.
Moments pass, before a click is heard, before she pokes her towel covered head out first.
“Oh my god! Tessa!” She cries out, her whole face lighting up as does mine at the sight of her. She rushes out, wearing a thin dressing gown which had probably already been in the bathroom for her – before she attacks me in a tight hug – collapsing us Both back and on to the bed.
“I’m so happy you’re here!” I confirm, my eyes watering at seeing her look fresh faced and happy again.
“I’m just really glad to have had a shower you know…” Erin confirms, as I smile gently- understanding that this must be a lot to digest from what she’s been through.
“Here! I brought you clothes!” I state, handing her the bundle as her eyes light up and she rushes back to the bathroom to dress.
I wait another moment, tidying up the bedding again since we had crushed and crumbled it all – before Erin exits back out looking like her normal self again… almost!
“I’m so glad Seth done what he done…” I breathe out, as she takes a moment to sit down on the
edge of the bed beside me – grabbing a small hairbrush she had found before raking it through her
tugs and knots. 2
“Me too… it was a true miracle when he said he would be back to help me…” She admits, pulling the
brush through each strand until it were detangled.
“Kane said he’s going to deal with Leo you know… I’m not sure what exactly that means… but I know that he’s not happy with him.” I inform my friend, as her face falls ever so slightly at the mention of the abusive drunk man in question.
“You don’t think that… they will send me back with him do you? I’d rather die…” Erin sighs, as I shake my head furiously and take both her hands in mine – giving her a squeeze of reassurance.
“No way! Seth wouldn’t let that happen either! I actually think he sort of likes you Erin…” My smile
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grows as I update my friend on my suspicious, seeing her face grow flustered shortly after.
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She seems to think on the idea, as we both giggle a little at the thought of Seth being her knight in shining armour…
“I would take him over going back with Leo any day that’s for sure!” Erin confirms, trying to force herself to find the humour in her current situation.
“Speaking of him… how are your arms?” I ponder, as she tucks a strand of damp hair back behind her ear before yanking up her sweater sleeve.
“What’s those little white patches?” I question, seeing her covered in what looked like little waterproof white dots.
“Burn healing plasters or something they called them… Seth told me to put them on before I slept and that he would check them again later today! He is really nice and easy to talk to…” Erin speaks her mind on Seth as I almost swoon at the thought of the pair becoming a thing.
It would be my dream… for us both to live under the same roof with two decent males who treated
us fair. We would have so much fun being here together!
“Kane said he wanted to see us at breakfast soon so we better go… he likes things going to his plan.”
I chuckle, as Erin stands from her position on the bed and follows me to the door.
I manage to make my way towards the kitchen which then leads me in the right direction towards the dining room as we hearing male laughter echoing from the inside.
Erin slows a little, causing me to turn back to face her – concern covering my face.
“Sorry I’m just a little… nervous now!” Erin grows flustered, as I hush her and pull her to me in a
brief hug.
“You’ve got this! They are nothing like Leo – trust me! We are in this together!” I offer my support in which she takes a slow deep breath before nodding in agreement.
With that, I take her hand in mine – leading her in to the dining room behind me – with breakfast buffet on full display.
full
All of them were here – Kane, Seth and Anthony, as they became quiet when seeing us both enter.
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“Erin! Glad for you to join us for breakfast today!” Seth is the first to break the tension as we take our seats and 1 hand her a plate next to me.
“Yes – please help yourself to anything!” Kane adds, gesturing to the packed table with his hand,
Erin’s eyes grow wide as she scans the length of the table and its contents being the same way [ had been at my first breakfast – unsure of where exactly to start!
“What are you both wanting to drink? The staff are off today because it’s Sunday, so I’ll get it from the kitchen!” Seth offers, standing with a half eaten bagel in hand.
“I–If the staff are off today… then who m–made all of this?” I question, unsure of where all of this food had came from.
“Well obviously it was us!” Anthony chimes in, taking full credit for the three of them as my eyes
widen.
They all did this?
“Wow!” I comment, as they nod – the evident pride clearly filling the three of them as they smirk at
one another.
“So what will it be?” Seth asks again, still standing as I think on it quickly.
“Oh! Um maybe an orange juice?” I ask, earning a nod of approval before he looks straight at Erin to
answer next.
She seems to think, seeming hesitant at first as she eyes Anthony and Kane briefly before her gaze
lands back on Seth.
“It sounds crazy… because it’s only breakfast… but is there anything fizzy? I’ve only had water and even at that, it was mostly warm and not even cold…” Erin sighs, seeming somewhat embarrassed by
her explanation.
“Nah look – I’m eating breakfast with a full fat cola! You want the same?” Seth laughs, finding the humour in it and I’m glad that he does as it helps to remove any awkwardness that Erin had felt
before.
“Please!” She smiles up at him, as I enjoy watching their interactions together.
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Seth exits the room, before we begin to pile up our lates as I decide to start with pancakes and Erin follows suit. We add strawberry’s, chocolate sauce and chocolate chips for toppings – as Kane sniggers and shakes his head at my plate.
“Well since the both of you will be full of sugar today, what do you both plan on doing since us three will be busy for most of today?” Kane questions, before Seth reenters the room with our drinks.
“What d–do you suggest?” I question, making small talk as I stuff a piece of pancake in to my mouth.
“We have a huge back yard with a pool… lots of stuff to do out there and it’s private… you could
hang out there all day – it’s warm out.” Kane informs, as I look to Erin who nods her approval with
the suggestion.
Perfect! I’m looking forward to spending the day with her… to bring us both back to reality a little bit. I think we both need it after the past week’s events… we will call it ‘free friends therapy‘.
