Queen of my Heart

08

"HELLO?"

"Who's this?"

"Bryan . . ."

"Liar. I am Bryan."

I sighed. "You know I'm Juliet."

There was a pause. "I don't know a Juliet."

"This is the girl you were kissing a few days ago," I was forced to admit.

"I've kissed a lot of girls this week," he replied monotonously.

I was on the verge of tears. "Bryan, let's talk," I pleaded.

"We're talking right now," he said wittily.

"I'm sorry, okay?" An involuntary sob escaped my lips. "I just want to see you again. I want to explain." Tears rolled down my cheeks, making it hard for me to focus.

I didn't even know why I was crying.

A sigh. "Where are you?"

"Home," I choked out.

"Stop crying, Juliet. I'll meet you there in 10."

I nodded vigorously although he couldn't see me. "Okay."

"See you," he said as he hung up.

***

I managed to calm my nerves and comb my hair before Bryan came exactly ten minutes later.

I had opened the door before he could even knock the second time.

"Bryan," I breathed out, letting him in.

He glanced around the living room. "Where's your grandmother?"

"She went to her friends."

He met my eyes. "What do you want to say?"

I didn't want this version of Mr McFadden. So straightforward and cold.

Gesturing to the sofa, I said, "Let's sit fi—"

"I'm fine here," he cut off, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "Make it fast. I've got places to be."

It was twice this week that I felt so much pain in my chest that I could hardly breathe.

I nodded, swallowing up the shattered remains of my pride. "Okay." I took a deep breath, looking into his deep blue eyes. "What happened between us in my room—it was all real. I'm Juliet and you're Bryan. I let you do those things because I know it was you. Not someone else." I forced myself to say the next words. "Not Shane. You, Bryan. I kissed you because I liked you to kiss me. I let you touch me because I wanted you to do so."

There was a momentary silence as he took everything I said in. He inhaled sharply, his eyes softening slightly.

"Then why did you mention him?" he asked, no longer seething mad at me.

I smiled bitterly, deciding to tell him the truth. "I've been in love with Shane for as long as I can remember. It was completely unintentional on my part when I said those words, because I really enjoyed our time together," I confessed softly, willing myself not to cry again.

He nodded in contemplation, then asked the million dollar question. "Then what am I to you, Juliet?"

These past few days had been a whirlwind of confused emotions. I couldn't even remember the last time I was sure of anything.

"I like you, Bryan. Believe me, I do. I want to know you more and see if we would work out," I told him with a hopeful smile.

He frowned. "Then what about Shane?"

I scoffed, irritated at the mere mention of his name. "He can stick his nonexistent heart up his arse. I'm done waiting for his feelings to reciprocate mine."

For the first time since forever, he gave me one of his mind-shattering genuine smiles. "Would you look at that, I happen to like you, too."

I grinned, not thinking twice when I wrapped my arms around him. "I missed this side of you," I admitted against his chest.

His body vibrated with chuckles. "What? The flirty side?"

"The caring and sweet side," I specified.

Pulling away slightly, he slightly flicked my nose. I pouted. "Does this mean you're my girlfriend now?" he asked, genuinely curious and expectant.

I smiled, placing my arms around his neck as his hands automatically came around my waist. "I don't know. What do you think?" I teased.

"I think—" He pecked my lips. "—you're my girlfriend now."

Nuzzling my nose against his, I replied, "I think you're my boyfriend now, too."

He raised his eyebrows in question. "Want to let the lads know?"

"I'll answer that question after you kiss me properly," I challenged.

He didn't even waste a second before he connected his lips with mine.

And kissed me he did indeed.