Page 43 of Sinful Nights
“Okay, what if I say this? What happens if you’re having sex, kissing all the time, and then Oakley gets a girlfriend? Or hell, even a boyfriend, since apparently he likes men too. How would you feel then?”
I think about what would happen if Oak told me he found someone he wanted to be with for the rest of his life. If he wanted to kiss them every day. Or fuck them. Or shit, have them fuck him. What if there was someone else who longed to cuddle all night? To wake up to in the morning or try to surprise at random times. My stomach twists, and tears prick my eyes at the thought of losing Oakley.
“Fuck. I’m in love with Oak. I’m in love with my best friend, aren’t I?”
“Yeah, sweetie, you are. You let your best friend fuck you, and now you’re in love with him.”
“Oh, god.” I roll my eyes, shoving at his shoulder. “That’s not what happened. I’m pretty sure I’ve always been in love with him.” Which is true. What I’m feeling for Oakley isn’t something new. I’ve always loved him, but now I see how deep I love him. The fact that there has never been another person for me and how every decision I’ve ever made in my life has included him should have clued me in a long time ago at how much I’ve loved him.
“I think you have been, hun.”
“I need to tell him.” Jumping off the couch, I stumble, tripping over my feet, catching myself on the sofa. “Shit,” I mutter, frantically smacking around my jeans, trying to find my phone. “I need to go tell him.”
Bash reaches out, trying to grab hold of my arm, but misses as he giggles. “I agree, but you can’t drive. We both drank way too much to operate a vehicle right now.”
“Damn it, you’re right.” Pulling out my phone, I swipe up on the screen, trying to call Oak.
“Well, shit, you can’t tell him over the phone either,” Bash huffs, trying to snatch the device away from me.
“No, shit. I’m going to call him and ask him to pick me up. Or should I Uber? Fuck, I need to see him.” Unlocking my phone, I pull up my contact list, clicking on Oak’s name.
“Hey, baby.”
Baby.
Fuck, he melts my heart. I don’t even remember when he started calling me baby, but it seems so damn natural falling from his lips. Like he’s always called me that. Damn, I must have been really fucking oblivious to never realize I’m in love with him.
“I need to see you.”
“Is everything okay? What’s wrong?” His voice becomes panicked, things scattering in the background as he starts moving around.
“I drank too much with Bash,” I chuckle, shaking my head. “So, I can’t drive. But I want to see you.”
“Do you need me to come and get you?”
“Yes, please. I’m at Bash’s.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Hanging up the phone, I turn to Bash, who’s staring at me intently. “He’s on his way. Fuck.”
“You’re not going to tell him at my apartment, are you? Like you’re going to wait until it’s just the two of you at your own place. Because if you start fucking on my couch, I can’t guarantee I won’t stay and watch.”
“Well, duh. Because if I tell him and he says he doesn’t feel the same, I’ll be crushed. I don’t need you witnessing that.”
“Trust me, honey, I doubt he’ll say he doesn’t feel the same.”
Bash and I sit next to each other, him tapping my leg while I bounce it up and down incessantly. There’s a soft knock onthe door, and I jump up, grabbing my stuff. “I’ll text you what happens.”
Hurrying through the entryway, I already know what I’m planning to do. After getting into his car, I’ll have a small conversation to pass the time until we make it back to our apartment. Once we’re in the safety of our home, I’ll sit him down on the couch and tell him about my realization. With any luck, he’ll tell me he feels the same, and then we can laugh about how neither of us realized this any sooner. Pulling open the door, I come face to face with Oak, who’s staring at me.
“Are you okay?” he asks, stepping forward and placing his hand on my waist. “You’re not one to drink too much.”
“I love you,” I blurt, unable to hold it in. Fucking hell. I guess to hell with my plan.
“I love you too,” he smiles, tilting his head.
“No, Oak. I’minlove with you. I want to be with you. Go on dates, maybe get married, and grow old together. I want all of that. God, I hope you want that too. Please tell me it’s something that you want.”
