Emma has always been the good girl, keeping her feelings in check and respecting boundaries- especially when it comes to her brother's best friend, Ryan Carter. He's the star quarterback, confident, and completely off-limits. But when they both end...
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I never would've thought my relationship with Luke would reach my brother as quickly as it did, but nothing stays quiet in a fraternity. It felt like just yesterday when I first met Luke at a party, his easy laugh and warm smile drawing me in. But now, I found myself standing on the edge of a much deeper conversation with Jake looming ahead.
I still remember the day Jake called me, asking me to come over to the frat house to "chat." My stomach churned at the thought. When my brother wanted to chat, it was rarely casual—it was more like an interrogation with a side of brotherly concern. As I walked toward the frat house, the weight of uncertainty pressed down on me. What if Jake was disappointed in me? Or worse, what if he disapproved of Luke?
When I arrived, Jake wasted no time, firing questions about this guy I was seeing. My hands twisted together nervously, and I fidgeted with the hem of my shirt as I tried to explain. The heat rushed to my cheeks, making my embarrassment palpable. The walls of the frat house felt like they were closing in on me. Just when I thought he'd let up, I mentioned that Luke was a fan of his favorite football team. I saw Jake's expression soften, a glimmer of approval flickering in his eyes.
"Does he treat you right?" Jake asked, his protective instincts kicking in, the big-brother persona surfacing.
"Yeah, he does," I replied, relief flooding through me. It felt good to see Jake come around, but I couldn't shake the anxiety curling in my stomach.
Still, I contemplated asking if Ryan knew about Luke. My heart raced at the thought. What if I opened a can of worms I wasn't ready to deal with? So, I decided to keep that to myself—for now.
As I paced my room later that night, I felt like I was at war with myself. The silence of my apartment was deafening, my thoughts spiraling. What if this conversation with Ryan opened a door I wasn't ready to walk through? What if I heard something I didn't want to know? The weight of the secret felt like an anchor, holding me back from everything I wanted.
Fuck it.
Emma: Hey, can we talk?
Ryan: Sure, the park next to the humanities building sound right?
Emma: Sounds great. See you in a few.
With dread and determination swirling inside me, I headed out. This talk had to happen—if not to clear the air, then at least to clear my head. The night was cooler than I expected, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves overhead, but my heart felt heavy.
When I arrived at the park, Ryan was already seated on a bench overlooking the campus, the glow of the streetlights casting a soft halo around him. The rustling leaves whispered secrets, and the faint scent of blooming flowers mingled with the tension in the air. It was a beautiful night, but all I could feel was the weight of the moment.
"Hey," I greeted him as I slid onto the bench, trying to project a sense of calm I didn't feel. He looked at me, his gaze searching, and replied, "Hey." The silence stretched between us, heavy and uncomfortable, filled with all the words we weren't saying. I could see the confusion in his eyes, the way he clenched and unclenched his hands.
"So, how's football going, captain?" I joked, attempting to lighten the mood. He shrugged, his usual enthusiasm absent, and replied quickly, "Good." I nodded, but the tension lingered, thick and suffocating.
"How's...everything else?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. I sensed the underlying worry in his question, and it sent a shiver down my spine. The air was thick with unsaid things, each moment stretching longer than the last. "Good." I replied but it was met with silence.
"Were you ever going to tell me?" he finally asked, breaking the silence. My stomach dropped, guilt flooding my body. I struggled to find the words, my heart racing. Before I knew it, they slipped out.
"Well, what did you expect, Ryan? For me to wait an eternity for you to grow a pair and ask me out? No, I won't do it," I said, my voice breaking. "I've waited my entire life for you just to not want me. I deserve someone who likes me openly, not in the dark." Tears spilled from my eyes as I turned to look at the sky, too embarrassed to meet his gaze.
"I'm sorry." His voice was barely a whisper, but I heard it. There was a vulnerability in his expression that made my heart ache.
"It's too late now, Ryan. It's time to move on. I did, and I think you should too." The finality of my words crashed over me like a wave, leaving me feeling both liberated and crushed. Moving on meant letting go of a dream I had held onto for so long.
As I stood up, I turned away, leaving him behind on that bench. A part of me wished I could turn back, but as I walked away, the pain in my chest felt like a bittersweet release—maybe moving on was the first step to finding myself again.
When I reached my apartment, I paused at the door, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. I had finally confronted Ryan, and it felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders.
"Where were you?" Kaitlyn exclaimed as I walked through the door, her eyes wide with concern and curiosity. Her vibrant personality always brought life into the room, and I found comfort in it now.
"I went to talk to Ryan," I replied, my voice steadier than I felt. She raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued, gesturing for me to continue.
I took a deep breath, the memory of the conversation still fresh. "I told him everything. About Luke. About how I felt."
"My baby! You've grown up!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around me in an embrace that felt both comforting and celebratory. I laughed at her enthusiasm, feeling the warmth of her support wrap around me like a cozy blanket.
"This calls for wine and a movie night, don't you agree?" she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. The thought of a cozy night in with my best friend brought a smile to my face, the stress of the day beginning to fade.
"Absolutely," I replied, my smile broadening as I moved toward the kitchen. "I'll start making the popcorn, and you can get the wine and movie ready."
As I busied myself with the popcorn, I couldn't help but reflect on how far I had come. Life felt good again. I had amazing friends, a guy who liked me openly, and a sense of peace I hadn't felt in a long time.
The scent of popcorn filled the air as I prepared for our movie night. I felt a flicker of hope and excitement—maybe this was a fresh start, a chance to embrace the happiness I had fought so hard to find. The anticipation of laughter, shared snacks, and the comforting presence of Kaitlyn was just what I needed.
As the movie played, we settled into the couch, the laughter flowing easily between us. I glanced at Kaitlyn, who was animatedly describing the characters, her enthusiasm infectious. For the first time in a while, I felt light. The tension of the day melted away, replaced by the joy of friendship and the comforting realization that I was not alone.
With every pop of the popcorn and every shared smile, I felt a sense of belonging. I had faced my fears, spoken my truth, and now, as I sat next to my best friend, I knew I was ready to embrace whatever came next. Life was finally good again.
——————————————— A/n
Chapter 8 done! How was it? Comment, vote and share! Love and appreciate you guys!
