Liam's POV
As Valerie walked out the door, I felt an overwhelming wave of guilt wash over me. The way she had looked back at me—there was something in her eyes that told me she was just as conflicted as I was. But it didn't change the fact that I felt like a homewrecker. I was suddenly acutely aware of my position in this mess, like I was just a side piece in a game that was far too complicated.
I felt like someone who was hidden away, tucked into a corner of her life where I didn't really belong. I was just the fun distraction, the one she turned to when Julien couldn't satisfy her. Had it really hit me that I was breaking apart a family, one that was just trying to figure itself out? The thought made my stomach churn.
I stood there, the door still ajar, feeling the cool breeze seep into my apartment. The silence that followed her departure was deafening, filling the space with an emptiness that echoed my thoughts. I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to shake off the heavy weight settling in my chest. Was I really willing to risk everything for this?
In that moment, I couldn't help but think about how easy it would be for Valerie to move on, to find someone else who could offer her the stability that I couldn't. She had a life with Julien, a guy who was good to her, who had been through hell and back. Did I really think I was worth the trouble? The guilt festered in me, pulling me under.
As I walked back to my couch, I sank into the cushions, feeling lost. What the hell was I doing? My mind was racing, thinking about all the moments we'd shared—the laughter, the chemistry, the kisses that left me breathless. I had never felt this way about anyone before, and now I was staring down the barrel of potential heartbreak.
I picked up my phone, staring at it for a moment, contemplating reaching out to her. But what would I even say? I could just picture her face if I told her I wanted more than a fling. Would she laugh it off? Would she pull away? I didn't want to come off as desperate, but I also didn't want to hide my feelings any longer.
Taking a deep breath, I began typing. "Val, can we talk?" I hesitated before hitting send. There was so much more I needed to say, but how could I convey the whirlwind of emotions inside me in a single text? I wanted to shout from the rooftops that I didn't want to be just a temporary fix, that I wanted to explore whatever this was between us fully.
But at that moment, all I could think about was how she might react. Would she view me as just another distraction? Would I be one of those guys she had used to fill a void? The thought made me feel sick.
I set my phone down, leaning back against the couch, the weight of uncertainty heavy on my shoulders. I wanted to know if what we had could be real. I needed to find out if Valerie and I could be legitimate, not just some small, shitty fling that would leave us both heartbroken in the end.
After what felt like an eternity, my phone buzzed. My heart raced as I reached for it, hoping it was a message from her. But it was just a notification about a class assignment. I cursed under my breath, frustration bubbling to the surface. I didn't want to think about school or assignments; I just wanted to know what Valerie was feeling, what she wanted.
The longer I sat there, the more I felt like I was losing control. I pulled out my laptop, hoping to distract myself, but my mind kept drifting back to her. The memory of her laughter, the way her eyes lit up when she smiled—it was all consuming. I closed my eyes, trying to block out the thoughts, but they rushed back in like an unrelenting tide.
What if I pushed her away? What if I pushed her back into Julien's arms? I couldn't bear the thought of being the reason for their breakup, yet I couldn't ignore the growing connection I felt with Valerie. I was caught between two worlds, and neither of them felt safe.
As the night dragged on, I found myself pacing the floor, my mind a jumble of what-ifs and regrets. I hated that I was waiting for her to make a move, but I didn't want to pressure her either. The fear of ruining what we had kept me rooted in place, trapped in a loop of indecision.
Then, a thought struck me. Maybe I could reach out to her again, this time not asking to talk but just checking in. I wanted her to know that I was here, that I wasn't going anywhere. "Hey, just wanted to see how you're doing." It was simple, but it felt right.
After hitting send, I paced some more, waiting for her response. Every minute felt like an hour, and I could feel the anxiety clawing at me. What if she didn't respond? What if she needed space and I was just making things worse?
Eventually, the familiar sound of a notification broke the silence. I snatched my phone up, heart pounding, only to see a single word that made my heart drop: "Okay."
Just okay? Was she okay? Or was she just agreeing to give me a moment of her time? I felt a mix of relief and frustration. I needed to know what she wanted, and her ambiguity only added to my anxiety.
It was then that I realized I couldn't just sit back and wait anymore. I had to take control of the situation, even if it meant putting myself out there, even if it meant risking everything. "Okay" wasn't enough for me. I needed to know if we had a chance or if I was just another passing moment in her life.
I took a deep breath, resolved to find out what was really going on between us.
