Torn By Two- Book One

Something Wicked This Way Comes- Chapter Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty Two

Hours turned into days and days turned into weeks , with no contact from Bennett.

By now her family knew that the wedding had been "postponed" and everyone was waiting on tenterhooks to see what was going to happen next.

Emma hated feeling so distant from Bennett, even though she knew he was still so close. She felt like a prisoner at his mercy, waiting to see what his next move would be. Waiting and waiting for something, anything, to let her know what was going to happen next. Everyday she resisted the urge to pick up her phone and call him, afraid of what he might say.

He needed time, she knew this, but time was not on anyone's side when waiting right beside her was Adam.

He stayed, loyally by her side, hidden away from the outside world, venturing out every now and then, but mostly keeping out of the public eye. He understood he needed to stay away from her family and even from Bennett, although he did not agree. Emma could not bear it if he left her now, but she knew nobody could find out he was here. He was her support, another shoulder to cry on. And even though his presence made her question her feelings for Bennett everyday, she refused to send him away.

Knowing all of this, Adam still settled into her life. They had spent evening and nights talking, Emma telling him all about how she had waited and waited for him for years and had only just moved on after meeting Bennett. Adam knew what she had done with Seth and that she was now waiting to see what Bennett was going to offer her, if anything. It did not seem to make a difference. He listened, and he remained.  It was much to Emma surprised he stayed, and believed anyone else would just press on, but Adam vowed he was not going anywhere, unless she told him to go.

. Emma was grateful for her summer vacation and for her few shifts at Rock's Deli, because it meant she could spend the majority of her time at home all day. She hardly ever went out anymore. choosing to stay home, safe from the prying eyes of paparazzi who must be wondering by now what was happening with the two of them.

Week three came around, post Bennett, and it was yet another miserable day. The only upside to it, of course, was Adam. He had gone out and hired some DVD's for the two of them to watch, as yet another Friday night was going to be spent on the couch.

As the sun set, they appointed themselves to their usual positions on the sofa. Abby had gone out to a bar with friends, seeing as though it was another beautiful Friday summer's night. For Emma though, there was no other place she would rather be. The thought of being out there was unfathomable, and she had no idea how she would cope in a social setting now that she was lost  once again.

Most evenings, Adam would sit not too close to Emma, respecting her wishes that she was still waiting for Bennett's answer. Apart from their embrace on the sofa after his return, they had maintained a safe distance between one another, so as not to blur the lines. Tonight, though, Emma found that he had inched his way a little closer to her.  She did not move away.

The movie began and they watched on in peace. Apart from the sounds of them both munching on their snacks, the only other sound was from the television.

Emma did not know why, but tonight the silence between them spoke volumes. There seemed to be something in the air. Tension of some sort. She was acutely aware of him beside her, fully alert and responsive. Peering over at him, he seemed comfortable enough. He was wearing grey sweats and a white singlet that showcased absolutely every defined muscle, sinew and tattoo. Emma had tried not to get caught studying his tattoos, but she had managed to see the majority of what he had. Tribal tattoos, stars, fire and a variety of other designs , in colour, but mostly in black, now covered his arms from shoulder to wrist. Emma found it sexy, and knew that any girl in their right mind would.