If You Wanted To - Chapter 5

"I can't find the best in all of this, but I'm always looking out for you." ~ After Midnight by Blink 182

We pulled up to the apartment and I jumped out of his truck, "I'll be down in a minute, we can just take my truck if you need to go," I whispered since Conor had been quiet since he froze up in the living room. "No it's fine, can I go up with you? I have a late practice today so I've got all the time in the world." He smiled, that heart-melting smile.

"Sure." I smiled as he turned the ignition and pulled the key out of his truck. "I'm sorry about earlier, my family is just... in a bad place right now." He mumbled as we started climbing up the icy stairs. "I understand," I started but Conor interrupted, "Seriously though, I really like you and I feel bad for being rude earlier." He whispered and put his hand on my hip as we stood outside the front door. "So, tomorrow afternoon I'm going on the road, and I won't be back for few days... But there's something I'd like to get out-of-the-way before I go," he paused and took a deep breath as he moved his hand to my cheek as he pulled me closer, and I closed my eyes as his lips lowered toward mine.

"Where the hell have you been?" Stacie yelled after flinging the door open causing Conor and I to pull apart. "I've been waiting around all night for you Sydney!" She continued and turned away from us and stomped into the living room. "Stace, I'm sorry! We just drank a little too much and I didn't think about calling!" I shouted back as I followed her and Conor followed me. "You were drinking?" Stacie shrieked and turned back toward me, "How could you? You knew I was sitting here waiting for you when you took that first drink! You knew what conclusions I would come to!" That was a low blow.

"Stacie," I whispered as tears started flowing down her cheeks, "I'm so sorry!" I whispered as I tried to hug her. "Stop!" She yelled and pulled away, running to her room. Groaning I turned toward the kitchen and stomped to the coffeemaker. I turned on the sink and started filling up the pitcher to make coffee. A hand reached in front of me and turned off the faucet before I could do anything. "What was that all about?" Conor asked and I slowly spun to face him. "Nothing." I mumbled, "Let's just go, I can talk to her later." I whispered and stepped passed him.

Grabbing my hand, he stopped me from walking away and looked me in the eyes, "Go talk to her. I can wait as long as you need." He smiled sweetly and somewhat sadly. Nodding I quietly walked over to the door to her room and knocked gently before stepping in and shutting the door behind me. "Stacie," I whispered and walked over to where she was sitting on the floor with her back against the footboard to her bed. Sliding down next to her I whispered, "I'm so sorry Stace, I shouldn't have drunk, and I should have called you but there's nothing I can do to change that anymore; with mom and dad, I remember that night that the two of us were waiting in the hospital for them, and I promised myself I'd look after you and take care of you, but last night I didn't. I'm sorry." I whispered as tears started streaming down my face.

She let her head fall onto my shoulder, and glanced up at me through blue eyes. "I'm sorry too, I just freaked out and assumed the worst, it scared me." She whispered with a heartbreaking crack of her voice.

"Don't apologize, it's my fault." I whispered and wrapped my arms around her waist. "I love you Stacie," I whispered a few minutes later and pulled away from her. "Now, there's a hot hockey player waiting to take us to breakfast, so let's go!" I smiled and grabbed her elbow, pulling her onto her feet and toward the door.

We walked into the living room to see Conor sitting at our table with a cup of coffee in his hands. "hey," I said awkwardly and his neck snapped up to face us. A smile spread across his face and Stacie and I couldn't help but smile as well. "Let me get some coffee, and then we can go." I smiled and walked past the table to get to the kitchen. "I'm sorry I kept Sydney out all night, but I was drinking and couldn't drive her home. It's my fault." I heard Conor explaining as I poured my coffee.

"It's ok, Syd said you're buying breakfast, right? Then I'll forgive you." Stacie smirked as I turned to watch them. "Syd! Let's go!" Stacie smirked at me and started walking toward the front door. Conor stood up slowly and flipped his hair out of his face as he turned to me, "You're ok?" He whispered with concern written all over his face. I nodded and pushed my hair behind my ear and his eyes caught mine as my bangs slowly fell in front of my eye. Without another word he was taking the last step towards me and pushing the bangs out of my face as his face slowly lowered toward mine. Just inches away, "Come on you two!" Stacie yelled from the living room and Conor and I jumped apart quickly; my face turning red instantly. "We're coming." I groaned and stepped past Conor.

Stacie had an annoying smirk on her face, so I know she was watching us. Pushing her forward, she hit the door and her jaw dropped, "Sydney!" She squealed. "What happened?" Conor asked as he walked up behind me.

"Nothing." I said innocently with a smirk. Conor grabbed my hand as we started to walk out, and after Stacie started walking down the stairs he pulled me toward him, pressing his lips to mine gently. My whole world stopped and I could feel our lips fit perfectly together in an innocent kiss. He pulled away slowly, yet too quickly, and I let out a quick breath. Blushing I smiled up at him and we held hands as we walked out onto the deck. He smiled as he pulled the door shut behind him and we saw Stacie standing at the bottom of the staircase.