Never Stop

3. Ander

Chapter three

Ander

2015

M y friends back home didn't get it. They all fucked with me and would give me shit for constantly talking to "my summer fling" when I could easily get a girl here at home. I'd also get questioned by girls as to why I "had her" instead of a "real-life girl," as if she were just make-believe. None of that phased me.

The thing about Via is that she's always had me —since the first day I saw her. She had me when I saw her strength—she still has to be happy even though she has every reason in the world not to be. She had me when she took the time to understand the boy behind the grimace and pulled me out of my shell. She had me when I felt comfortable enough to open up to her about what happened with my Grandfather. I was able to tell her about how much it still haunts me every single day. She had me when she pulled us both out of dark places and radiated them with her light.

I'm not sure when things started to change between us. When I stopped considering her my best friend and just mine , I tried talking to her about it and acting on it, but she would always back out somehow.

The girls back home kept trying to get with me. A few years back, I gave in a few times and kissed some of them back. I even had sex with a few of them. They weren't Via . It didn't mean shit. If anything, it pissed me off— at myself. All these girls would throw themselves at me and make it seem so easy, yet the one I really wanted would make it so hard. It made me want her even more that she was so different from everyone else. Part of me worried she wouldn't want me back that way.

This past summer was my breaking point. From the moment I saw her step off that porch and run my way on my first day there, I knew things were different between us. The way my body reacted to her body was so much more than a friend. We both turned sixteen this year, and our bodies were changing even more; our hormones were raging, and I was already falling in love.

We spent this past summer attached to each other's hips like we always did, but every laugh, every touch, every adventure, every conversation, and every second spent together felt like more .

I'm not scared of much, but I was afraid of fucking it up. I was terrified of pushing too hard or too far, spooking her, and ruining everything we had. I couldn't lose that. I couldn't lose her .

I held it together all summer—well, I tried to. I'm only human. My eyes would stay grazing over her perfectly curvy body longer than they should, my hands would linger on her skin more than ever, and I would hug and hold her tighter. I know she noticed, and I could tell things had changed for her, too. I tried to hold out—hold on to our friendship.

Until I couldn't.

On our last night together, I tried to kiss her. I did exactly what I was scared of doing, and I spooked the shit out of her. She should be on the track team because I've never seen someone dart away from a situation as fast as she did that night.

I wanted to talk to her about it the following day before she left. I couldn't. She wouldn't let me. Liam pulled another one of his asshole stunts and hurt her. I wanted to yell out exactly what I felt, but I couldn't get myself to do it; the timing wasn't right, and I was worried about her.

Coward .

Part of me was scared of her rejection. The other part was afraid that moving forward would ruin all our years of friendship. She means too much to me. A life without Via isn't the life I want. We had our dumb ass 'no goodbye' rule, and god forbid I break that shit.

So like the chicken-shit that I am, I turned and walked away. After looking her over once more, I got in the truck. I immediately texted her, telling her exactly how I felt. No regrets. There was no immediate response. I didn't expect one. We don't have good cell service out on the island. Part of me isn't even expecting a reply. Not after she ran away the night before, but then closed the door in my face today. I knew I was throwing a lot at her, but I couldn't lie to her or myself anymore.

I'm not seeing anyone else. She is all I have thought about lately—all I want to think about. I didn't take the traditional route and asked her to be my girlfriend. I probably should have, but I didn't. Instead, I was just honest. Finally, I am completely honest.

A little over an hour later , my cell finally buzzed with her reply: "It's about time. I love you, always." It was her simple reply, and I couldn't help but laugh.

I want to say that was the start of " us ," but that would be a lie. We started the day we met when we were only eight; we didn't know it then, but we know it now, and we'll never be the same .

2016

"Nirvana or Blink-182?"

"Oh, that's such a bullshit question," Via said, giggling into the nape of my neck as I threaded our fingers together, observing how perfectly her hand fit in mine.

"Does this have anything to do with your weird infatuation with Tom—"

"You cannot ask me to pick between Tom Delonge and Kurt Cobain; that's just cruel. Even for you, Ander! Asking me to choose between either of those is the equivalent of me asking you to choose between Metallica and Black Sabbath." She glared at me as one corner of her mouth curled into a half smile.

"Okay, you got me there," I said, laughing. I pulled her into me. We were lying on our sides, with her backside pressed against my front, as we lay in our field, entangled and intertwined, lost in our own time. Her long, brown, bouncy curls fell into my face. I can't help but breathe in her fresh scent. She always smells like lavender with a hint of vanilla. I could get high off her scent alone.

Her giggle turned into a soft moan as I leaned down and kissed her neck. I'd be a damn liar if I said I didn't instantly stiffen at the sweet sound.

"Mac and cheese or chips?" Via blurted out, her cheeks and neck flushing the perfect tint of pink as I kept kissing, and she leaned into each one.

"Pshhh! Easy Mac for life." I say softly, whispering directly into her ear in a seductive voice, which only causes her to laugh again.

"Favorite person? Other than Natty, of course."

She turned over to her other side so that we were facing one another, mouths mere inches apart. Her mouth curled up into a smile, and her eyes softened. She ran a hand through my hair and stared directly into my soul, not breaking eye contact. My hand around her waist tightened its hold. She leaned in slowly, her breath causing my skin to shiver as it danced its way across.

I leaned in and placed my lips to hers without giving her a second to think about it. My lips caressed hers, and she caught up after a second of her undoubtedly overthinking it. Following my lead, she moved her lips along with mine. Goosebumps erupted over my skin at the sheer electricity spreading through us. She pulled away slowly after a few moments of being locked in heaven while tasting one another.

"Anderson Cole, if that's your way of trying to convince me to choose you, then that's playing dirty." She chuckled breathlessly as she broke our kiss. I couldn't contain the rumble of the laugh that spilled from me. This girl is swift and always on my ass. I love it.

I love her.

Faining mock offense, I cover my chest with one hand and mouth with the other. "Me? Play dirty? I'm appalled you would insinuate such. I would never dare!" This only causes her to cackle like a hyena to the point she can barely catch her breath as she swats at me playfully, and I'm stuck watching her in awe. I'm always in awe of this girl.

"Bull shit, Ander!" She yells out through her laughs as she pins me down and pulls herself on top, straddling me. "You're the master of playing dirty, but you aren't the only one who can—"

Snaking one arm around her waist, my palm resting on the small of her back as the other fists into her hair, I pull her closer into me and lean up, cutting her words off with the press of my mouth to hers. This is all new to her, and the last thing I want to do is scare her off, so I keep it simple. Damn her for not making it easy.

"I love you, Rosie," I mutter through our soft kisses. I can feel her smile fade beneath my lips.

"So, what are you gonna do about it?" She asks with a little bite to her words. Without another second glance my way, she pushes herself off of me and is now standing, pinning me with her glare. I pull myself up quickly and stand in front of her, our eyes locked. I move toward her, but she holds a hand up, halting my efforts.

"Damn it, Ander!" She huffs under her breath with a sigh as she walks away.

I'm confused as all hell about what the fuck is going through that hard-ass head of hers. I reach out and gently grab her wrist, stopping her in her tracks. At lightning speed, she spins to face me. I lose all protest in me to argue with her when I see a lone tear trickle down her cheek.

"V... Tell me. Whatever it is. Just say it," I say softly as I lean in and wipe her tears away. I open my arms for her to come into, but she protests with a shake of her head, so I don't argue. Shoving my fists into my pockets, I take a step back.

Still shaking her head softly, as if she's trying to process her thoughts, she finally speaks up. "Do you ever want… More?" Her voice is small, and I can tell she's nervous. I let her words sink in, and then it hit me why she was upset.

"You know, I'm always the best friend. The best friend that gets to hear about all of your sex capades and give you advice on other girls. Now, I'm the best friend that you love and make out with. It's getting fucking confusing, Ander!" She spits the words out so fast that she's out of breath by the time she finishes. "Quite frankly, I'm sick of being your best friend."

Her eyes are glaring through me, and if looks could kill, I'm pretty sure I'd be up in flames at this very moment. She's speaking nothing but facts, and I hate that she's so worked up. I wish she would have talked to me about this long ago; I wish I would have had the courage to speak to her about how I feel, definitely before now. She's so cute when she's feisty and fired up, and I can't help but smile and chuckle.

Oh shit.

"You're seriously laughing at me, Ander? That's fucking rich!" She rolls her eyes, the frustration rolling off of her as she spins out of my grasp and storms off, not giving me a second thought. I ran behind her to catch her, but I didn't bother trying to stop her with my words. I know her too well; they won't work.

Once I finally reach her, I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her into me and swooping her off the ground for a split second. Letting her stand, I refuse to let her go as she thrashes beneath me and tries to pry my hands off of her.

Still chuckling, which definitely isn't helping my case, I whisper, "Shh, V. Can you let me talk now?" She whips her head around, looking over her shoulder at me. She flashes me a death stare before she lets a huff and mutters, "Fine. Now, let me go!"

I shake my head against the back of hers. "No. I'm not letting you go. Don't you get it? I don't want to ever let you go." I spin her in my arms to force her to face me and pull her in close, but close enough that I can still look into her beautiful, piercing light blue eyes.

With a sigh, I begin. "Rosie, you are my best friend, but you are also so much more than that…"

I can feel the frustration radiating off of her slowly subside a little when she hears me call her by my nickname for her. When we were younger, it was a joke about how red her cheeks would get, and it quickly became my term of endearment for her. She practically lights up when she hears it, and it's the cutest thing to witness.

"It doesn't feel like it, Ander. I can't—"

"Are you going to let me talk?" I ask, cocking one eyebrow in question as my mouth turns up into a half smile. She rolls her eyes and signals with her hand for me to continue. I put a little more distance between us but still holding on to her. I want her to see me when I speak, really see me.

"You've been my best friend for years. Talking to you about other girls was never to hurt you but to try to prove something to myself. I was only ever with them to try and prove to myself that you are just a friend, but you aren't, V. You never have been. You're everything to me. You've always been everything to me, and that's scary. It fucking scares me. Because if I lose you, I lose a piece of myself. A piece I genuinely cannot live without."

I'm cut off by the sound of her soft whimper as the tears flow freely from her eyes, and I work diligently to wipe each away as they come. Before continuing, I lean in and kiss her forehead.

"I haven't been with anyone since long before last summer. You know that. When I tell you that I love you, I mean it with every fiber of my being."

"I love you too, Ander, but where does that leave us? I'm so tired of wondering."

"Isn't it obvious?" I scoff, playfully.

"Apparently, it's not, asshole." She rolls those beautiful eyes at me again as she spits her words at me.

"You're mine, Rosie. You've always been mine. You always will be. You're it for me."

"I'm your. . . What? Best friend? Property? Hook up? You know, calling me yours doesn't really clear anything up." She arches an eyebrow as she eyes me playfully, undoubtedly trying to get under my skin. I can't help but laugh. This girl and that mouth of hers drives me absolutely mad, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

"You're maddening. My beautiful, infuriating, funny, sarcastic, witty, absolutely fucking perfect girlfriend ."

"Hmm, are you asking me or telling me? Because I mean, I've never actually had a boyfriend. I'll have to think this over to see if you're the one I want to—"

Laughing along with her little giggles, I pull her into me and take her lips with mine. A slow, soft kiss that sends my heart racing with each passing second.

"Rosie, will you be my girlfriend?" I ask, still chuckling and kissing her lips between each word.

"I mean, I guess I will."

Absolutely perfect.

"So it's finally official?" Jett asks as we walk down the shoreline to meet with Via and Izzy.

"Yeah, it is." I can't control the feeling of pride that fills me. Official. She's mine. Finally mine .

"Well, it's about damn time. You've only been obsessing over her for years. If you weren't going to jump on it, I was about to."

"Fuck off, asshole. Don't you even think about it—" I stop in my tracks, anger filling me instantly as I shove him to the ground.

I'm ready to attack as Jett stands up, laughing. He may be my brother, but I'll beat his ass here and now to put him in his place.

"Would you fucking chill, bro. I'm just busting your balls. V is like a sister to me, and she clearly only has eyes for you. It's about time that you see it for yourself." He dusts the sand off himself and swats at my arm playfully.

"Don't play like that, not when it comes to her ." I deadpan, trying to rear back the anger that was surfacing.

"Don't be such a moody prick. It was a joke." Jett says as he rolls his eyes and continues walking.

"You have the worst idea of jokes," I say bluntly as I walk a few steps behind him. Jett laughs in return.

Jett and I are different. He's bubbly and outgoing, while I'm reserved and keep to myself. He doesn't know how to shut up sometimes, and I'd rather listen than talk. One thing we have in common is a fierce feeling of protectiveness regarding the people we love and care about. Our anger and aggression are identical. He controls his anger better than I do. I'm the hot head, especially when it's over something I'm passionate about, especially concerning her.

We make our way down the beach as a group of people come into view.

Via.

She's always the first one my eyes are drawn to in a crowd. She's dressed in a light blue bikini that ties on the shoulders and her hips, with a white see-through coverup over it. Her wild, curly, dark brown hair blows in the breeze, making her even more alluring.

"Is that—"

"It's fucking Marcus and his crew of douchebags," I say as the entire group comes clearly into view.

Marcus has been after Via for about two years now. His family owns a house further down the island, and he's also a summer regular. He's one of those guys who thinks he can get any girl he wants and uses them like disposable trophies. He wants to get his reward, then toss them aside after he brags to his buddies of idiots.

"He's talking to V," Jett says directly, and we both pick up our pace.

As we get closer, Izzy screams, "She said she isn't interested. Go creep on someone else, Marcus!" Marcus laughs and wraps his arms around Via, swooping her off the ground and whispering something in her ear. His hand is gripping her ass. Via swats and shoves his chest.

"Put me down, you fucking idiot!" Via's scream pierces through the air of the distance that separates us.

That's all it takes for me to see red. Before I know it, I'm full-blown running, and I make it over to them just as he sets her down.

"Ander!" Via screams just as my fist connects with his jaw, and he stumbles down to the ground.

"Fucking chill, Anderson! He was just fucking with her!" Alex, one of the guys in his douche crew, calls out as he helps Marcus up off the ground.

I push past his little posse, getting face-to-face with Marcus. Jett, Via, and Izzy are all screaming at me, but my ears are ringing with rage from seeing him touch her, and I can't hear what they're saying.

"Mommy and Daddy may have never told you 'no' in your life," I shove at his chest, causing him to stumble backward. "So it may be weird for you to hear, but if a woman tells you 'no,' you fucking back down! You don't touch her just because you want to!"

Seething, I shove at his chest again.

"You fucking know Via is with me!"

Another shove right before my fist connects with his nose. He stumbles and falls to the ground again; his friends surround him, but none of them can step up and help him. I wouldn't care if they would. I'd take them all if they tried.

You don't put your fucking hands on her and get away with it.

"Bro, back down. He's down." Jett's voice rings in as I step back, still seething.

"Ander!" Her voice in my ear causes my head to snap toward hers in full attention. She runs her hand up and down my bicep soothingly. Taking a few more steps back, I spin around, our eyes connecting instantly, and my anger begins to subside with the look she's giving me, a look that says everything she feels for me.

I pick Via up in my arms. Her legs wrap around my waist without hesitation. I stare into her eyes for a moment before I turn my head and glare at Marcus. "You'll never have this. Never have her. She's mine." I lean back in and take her mouth in a hungry kiss.

Breathless, we separate as the crowd that previously surrounded us walks away. My eyes connected with hers, I whisper. "I love you so much. I'm so in love with you, Rosie."

"I know." She nods with a smile. "I love you, too. Now, come on, monkey man," Via giggles as she grabs my hand and leads us toward the levee.

"Monkey man?" I chuckle, raising my eyebrows at her, as I tug her arm, pulling her into my arms and wrapping her in my embrace.

"Yeah. You went all Tarzan on him. Me, man. You, no man. Via, Mine. Whoo ha ha."

Jett and Izzy erupt with laughter beside us, and I follow along with them.

She isn't wrong, but I lose all sense of control when it comes to her.

I'm fucking crazy for her.