Comfort Zone (Awkward Love 4)

“I’m not saying that I’ve been the perfect father. Far from it, but don’t you ever think that I don’t love you. I don’t do things to try and hurt you. I always want what’s best for you.” He sits back and examines me, his arms crossed. “Why does it worry you if I’m here for Jake? You don’t want a relationship with me.” He frowns.

“It’s all I ever wanted,” I say with a bitter laugh. “Nothing was ever good enough for you.” I sigh. “If you mean any of that, then leave Becca alone.”

“Leave her alone?”

“Yes. Just leave her out of this. She’s broken school rules, but I broke the rules too. Deal with me.” I stare at him for a long time. “How do you even know about us?” I ask. “You weren’t shocked when you saw her.”

He stares at me for a moment. “Do you mean aside from the video?”

“Video?”

Dad laughs. He points at my phone. “Google Sombrero Girl. It’s all over the Internet.”

I swallow a laugh. Secretly happy that someone recorded it.

“That’s you at the end,” Dad points out.

I smirk. “One point for captain obvious.” Then I frown, watching the video again. “This still doesn’t tell you that we’re…together,” I finish.

Who do you think administrates the administration, Liam?” He stares at me, a trace of a smile on his lips. “Do you think you’re the only one who gets fed those IM’s

Fuck. “So every message I saw…you saw too?”

I laugh when he nods. I can’t help it. Becca would die all over again if she knew that.

“When did you realize that there was something going on?” I ask, still smiling.

“After the bachelor party.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

He sighs. “Because if I did that, I’d have to discipline you. And despite what you think, I don’t want that.”

Wow.

“What do you want?” I frown.

“My son?” he finally says. “I want a relationship with you. I want to tell you that although I’ve had trouble admitting it in the past, I am proud of you. And I do love you.

I cough, a strange feeling rising in my chest. I’m not sure how to respond to that. I think what I need to do is think about what I want, before I say anything I might regret.

“I have to get back to Becca.” I pause, I need to give him something. “Maybe we can catch up sometime for a drink?” I suggest.

He nods, trying not to appear too enthusiastic.

“That would be great.” I nod and give him a tight smile, then I get up.

“Liam?”

“Yes?”

“No more games. I promise. Your job is secure for as long as you want it.”

“And professional development? Becca?” I ask, frowning at him.

“As I said, no more games.”Chapter TwentyBecca“So.” I glance at Jake, who fiddles with the cap of his beer. Anything to avoid looking at me. “You want to tell me about it?”

After Liam left, Jake completely shut down. I’ve never felt this awkward around him and it’s a feeling I hate. I just want my friend back, the one I could talk to about anything. The thing I loved most about our friendship was how comfortable we were with each other. But this isn’t comfort. We’re so far out of the comfort zone at the moment that it’s scaring me. If I knew what the problem was, then I could at least try to fix it.

“Jake, will you fucking talk to me?”

I stand up and walk over to the bed and plonk myself down next to him. I take his hand, but he pulls back and mutters something under his breath about space.

“Jake, look at me,” I demand. His eyes dart to me and he stares right into my eyes, but I don’t recognize him. “What’s going on with us?”

“Nothing, I—”

The door opens and both Jake and I look up. Brooke stands there, her eyes wide with shock.

“Are you kidding me?” she whispers.

Oh fuck. Even when I’m trying to help, I seem to mess things up.

She stares at Jake for the longest time, then she glances at me. If I thought she hated me before…I shudder. This makes everything else look like we were best friends. He eyes flash with anger as she glares at me.

“You fucking bitch. This is what you wanted all along, isn’t it? To ruin our wedding and break us up, so you can have him all to yourself. Well, you deserve each other. I’m done.”

I sit there in shock as she storms out. I have no idea what just happened. I glance at Jake, who doesn’t look as shocked as me. Like he was expecting it. He might be okay with her talking like that, but I’m not. I stand up. Jake reaches from my arm, but I shrug him off.

“Wait, Becca.”

“No,” I snap. “I’m doing what I should’ve done a long time ago.”