20 Days In His Bedroom

Chapter Fifty eight

"Someone like me?" I narrow my eyes.

He grins. "I mean... beautiful like you."
Is he flirting? I don't really get him. I'll just take it as a compliment. He's nice, I can't deny that.

We take a break and eat together. Jakob talks almost non-stop—about his family in England, his close friends. I barely say much, but he's easy company, cheerful and open.

My phone rings again. The same number. This time, I'll answer it myself. No need to bother Jakob.

"Hello?" I say, hearing the same strange noises on the other end. No one speaks.
"Look, if this is some kind of joke, please don't call me again."
Before I can react, Jakob snatches the phone out of my hand.

"Whoever you are, don't call here again. I'm her boyfriend. If I catch you again, I'll split you in two."
He ends the call.

Boyfriend? Did he really say that? I know he was just trying to scare off the creepy caller—but still.

"Don't worry." He hands the phone back.

I force a small smile. "I hope it's someone I don't know. Otherwise, it'll be so awkward."

Jakob shrugs. "I doubt anyone who knows you would do that. Unless it's a prank or something."

"No. My friends don't joke like that." I shake my head.

"Fine. Then an annoying dude." He pats my shoulder.
Oh no. He's touching me already.

"I'm strict," I warn, pushing his hand away and sticking my tongue out.

"No, you're silly." He chuckles. Thank God he's not offended.

We finish the day and I sign out. I can't deny Jakob makes the job more interesting—more fun. I'd be happy if we became friends. Just friends. He's handsome, but maybe Kyle still has my attention. It hurts that Kyle didn't show up today. Will he ever come back? No, Kyle—please—I need to see you. I hate missing you.

"How was your day?" Mom asks as I walk in.

"Kind of okay," I nod.

"Emma's in your room waiting for you," Mom says.

"Oh, really?!" I smile. I miss Emma so much.

I hug her tight when I see her. I tell her everything—about Kyle and my feelings.

"Twy, I think he still loves you. Give him a chance. What he said to you wasn't easy. You should stand by him." Emma says, blinking behind her glasses.

"But what if he never shows up again?"

"He will. But don't push him. Why don't you call him?"

"I don't have his number." I sigh.

"Your mom has it." Emma's eyes widen.

"Mom has Kyle's number? When? How?"

"Yes. On your birthday night, your mom called me and told me Kyle had called her to plan a surprise for you. So when you call me, I pretend like I'm busy so you don't find out."

A flashback hits me—Kyle and Mom whispering that morning.

"Exactly." Emma nods.

"But I won't call him. No. He needs to try harder. He's the one who hurt me."

⸻

Kyle's POV

She has a boyfriend? Even if Jakob was bluffing, who is he? And why did he answer her phone? Twyla wouldn't date so fast—she's nineteen and hasn't dated before me.

I can't get this out of my head. If she really has a boyfriend now, I'm ready to kill him. No, Twyla is mine. What if he kissed her? No, no, she wouldn't allow that. But what if... he forced her? I can't bear that thought.

Why did I say those things on her birthday? I'm such a jerk. But I want her—I love her so much. I want to drink, but I know she hates it when I do. Does she love another guy?

Or was he her boyfriend before I met her? Maybe she lied.

"Kyle! Kyle!" Mom's scream pulls me back.

"What? What's wrong?"

"Your dad's unconscious!"

I race after her. Dad's lying on the floor, pale. I slap his cheek gently but he doesn't wake.

"Call an ambulance!" Mom screams.

I call emergency and follow the ambulance in my car, Mom beside me.

We fight a lot, Dad and I. But I care about him—more than I realized. My heart pounds in my chest.

"Was he complaining of anything?" the doctor asks once we arrive.

I don't know. Shame fills me. I didn't even ask.

Mom looks at me with tears in her eyes.

"He had surgery almost a month ago. Heart problems." She sobs.

Dad had surgery, and I wasn't there? I hate myself. I envy Twyla for missing her parents like that.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I ask Mom after the doctor leaves.

"He was fine after the surgery. I don't know what's happening now." Her tears fall harder. I've never seen her cry like this—she's always been the strong one.

I stand and wrap her in a hug. Maybe she needs me now more than ever.

⸻

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