CHAPTER 26
KEITH'S POV
I was hurt when she said that, more than hurt. I was broken. I was angry at myself for ever thinking it could work between us. I'm angry at myself for not realizing that this little thing we've been on is actually one-sided.
I'm such a fool.
But it doesn't mean I don't care. I do care, more than I'm supposed to.
My life is such a mess!!!!
After a while of wallowing in self-pity, I showered and wore my favorite kind of clothes, black tee and pajama pants. Just then, Jess came in to call me down for dinner.
The same time I left my room was the same time she came out of hers. Why did Matt gimme a room directly opposite hers??!!
"Hey", she breathed out but I didn't respond. I just walked down the stairs to the dining room.
"So, what's for dinner?", I asked Jess as she started placing a few plates on the table.
"Lasagna and a few cupcakes for dessert", she replied casually and then Matt came out of the kitchen with the silverware.
"Can I help?", I insisted.
"Don't worry, Matt and I have got it all covered, right babe?"
"Yeah but he could still help though", Matt said but she shot him a glare.
"Chloe, could you please sit your ass down", Jess said to Chloe who was just entering the dining room.
I sat down and she sat right next to me.
I tried not to think much of it but there was a kind of tension between us.
The table was set and we started eating. Matt and Jess started a few conversations but I only butt in when necessary.
I guess they could feel the tension too.
Dinner ended and I went to my room. I'm not really in the mood to talk to anyone right now so some alone time should probably clear my head.
I laid down on the bed and stared at the ceiling, not really sure of how to act around her anymore.
I jolted out of my thoughts when I heard a knock on the door. I was a bit hesitant but I opened it, and she was standing right there, looking as beautiful as ever in a pair of shorts and a big tee.
"What do you want?", my voice came out harsher than I wanted it be.
"Can we talk?", she asked in her innocent voice.
"What'd you wanna talk about?"
"Can you at least let me in?"
"Fine", I scooted a bit for her to pass before shutting the door.
"Talk"
"Why are you acting like this?", she asked, her voice cracking.
" How?"
" Ever since I didn't let you kiss me, you have been avoiding me. I can't take it anymore. Please, talk to me", she sobbed. I went to her and hugged her.
" It's just I've been fighting off a lot of things lately "
" Then tell me"
" I've been fighting off my feelings"
"What feelings?"
CHLOE'S POV
" I've been fighting off my feelings for you", he said and I gasped.
" You must be joking. You can't possibly have feelings for me or even fall in love with me"
" I love you, ok. I've been in love with you ever since. I couldn't say anything about it because when I wanted to tell you, you were in a relationship with Nolan", I froze at his words.
" I was a bit angry that you chose that punk over me but then again, you didn't know about how I felt"
" Why didn't you tell me earlier when we became friends?"
"Cos I thought it was too sudden, you were heartbroken at that time and I didn't want to take advantage of the situation. I didn't want you to see me as a distraction from Nolan but as someone who you could love and trust"
" This is all too much to take in", I said, massaging my temples.
Now, this explains his sudden change in attitude right after the kiss.
" So, you're really in love with me?"
" Yeah, I've always been in love with you"
" I think we should talk about this tomorrow", I got up and left his room before he could say anything.
I shut my room door and leaned against it.
What is happening???
My nextdoor neighbor that I haven't spoken to in years, suddenly started speaking to me and we were making out.
No wonder, his kisses were always intimate and the way he looks at me.
I can't believe it!!!
He can't know I have a little crush on him.
Or should he?
My mind is a mess.
After a few minutes, my phone buzzed.
I got up and grabbed it before plopping on the bed.
Keith - I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner :(
Me - It's ok, I understand.
Keith - I can't sleep, can I come over?
Say no
Say no
Say no
Me - Sure
I dropped the phone and stared at the ceiling.
I can't deny I have feelings for him but we can't be friends with benefits. I don't wanna be selfish.
"Hey", Keith's voice brought me back to reality.
"Hi"
"Can I sleep with you?", he said, unsure of my answer.
"Sure, you can"
He got on the bed and lay down beside me.
"Can we cuddle?", I asked out of the blue.
"Sure", he pulled me closer to himself and I laid my head on his chest, that was when it dawned on me that he was shirtless.
"Why do you always sleep shirtless?"
"Sleeping with shirts make me uncomfortable"
" Oh", I said and we fell into a deep silence. All I could hear were our hearts beating and our heavy breaths.
"Good night Keith", I said when I felt my eyelids getting heavy.
"Good night, peanut"
I just smiled and let the sleep consume me.
============================
TUESDAY
"Let go of me, peanut"
"Why??",I groaned.
"You make a really good pillow", I drawled.
"C'mon, Matt and Jess can't find me here", he chuckled in his deep and sexy voice.
"Fine"
"Good, I'll see you later?"
"Yeah, sure"
He left my room and I got up groggily.
I feel kinda weird knowing I'm gonna be spending the rest of the week seeing Keith.
It should have been a normal thing but after his confession, it's gonna be very weird.
I showered and put on a tank top and a mini wrap around skirt.
I made my hair in a messy bun and I head downstairs.
"Good morning lovebirds", I chirped, when I spotted my sister and her boyfriend.
"Good morning peanut. How was your night?"
"Meh", I said and we laughed.
"Breakfast is ready and Keith isn't here yet. Go call him", Jess said, arranging a plate of bacon and eggs.
"Ok", I head back upstairs and knocked on Keith's room.
"Come in", I heard his muffled voice from the other side of the door and I obliged.
I was stunned by what I saw.
KEITH WAS SHIRTLESS IN HIS SHORTS!!!!!!
The abs
The muscles
The chest
That tattoo
O--M--G