Page 102 of Don't Love the Boy Next Door
“You can,” he says, his warm breath tickling my cheek. “I’ll be here for you no matter what.”
“Thanks,” I say, resting my head on his shoulder. “What made all this even worse is that my dad shut me out. He refused to talk about my mom in the beginning, which was fine with me because I couldn’t bear talking about her, either. But after some time passed, I wanted to talk to him. He was the only one who understood what I was going through. I thought we could help each other, heal each other. But he pushed me away. I was worried I’d lose my dad, too. I’m still worried about that.”
Eric’s lips softly skim along my cheek. “I’m so sorry you’re going through this.”
“I don’t want to be sad,” I say. “I want to be happy. I want to live my life to the fullest. I want to find love. My mom wouldn’t want me to mourn over her for the rest of my life. I just wish my dad wouldn’t push me away.”
“Have you tried talking to him?” he asks. “Tell him how you feel?”
“I tried. But he shuts down.”
He’s quiet for a few seconds. Then he says, “I tried to get through to my dad, too. He also pushed me away. But since last night…things have changed. We’re in a much better place now.”
I lift my head and look at him. “What do you mean?”
“Ethan and I told him how we felt. Well, Ethan kind of yelled at him and got me to admit what was bothering me. My dad talked to us and promised he’d be more present in our lives.”
I look away. “I think my dad would prefer not being in my life. Sometimes I wonder if he even cares about me.”
He gently grips my chin, turning me to look at him. “Of course he does. You’re his daughter.”
“And I remind him of his late wife he loved to death.”
He softly caresses my hair. “I’m sure he wants to have a relationship with you. Maybe you can try talking to him and telling him how you feel. Don’t give up when he tries to push you away. Don’t give up on him, Katie. I’ve lost out on years because I didn’t push hard enough with my dad. I’d hate for you to lose out, too.”
I know he’s right, but I doubt I can get through to Dad. It’s like he put up this thick brick wall between us.
I slide my hand into his. “Thanks for listening. I feel much better.”
“I’m glad. Because I want to chase away all your pain.”
I gaze up into his face.
“I really like you, Katie. I know I said that already, but you’ve become such an important person in my life. It means so much to me that we’re talking again.”
“Me, too,” I say. My heart rate has spiked now that my worries over Dad are slowly seeping out of me. I’m in Eric’s arms. In his soft, warm, yet strong and protective arms. And I don’t want to be anywhere else.
“You’re the most amazing person I’ve met in my life,” he continues. “You’ve been through so much, and you’re so brave and strong. Throughout all of this, you never once lost who you are. You have stayed true to yourself. You inspire me in so many ways. I want to be a better person because of you.” He gazes intomy eyes with so many raw emotions. “Katie Lane, I’d love it if you’d be my girlfriend.”
That causes every part of me to heat up. I give him a smile. “You’re one of the most amazing people I’ve met, too, Eric. I’d love to be your girlfriend.”
He rests his forehead against mine, his breathing growing heavy. “That would make me the happiest guy in the universe.”
I stare into his eyes. He stares into mine. Then his gaze falls to my lips. And mine falls to his.
He bends his head closer to mine, closer and closer, until there are only a few centimeters separating our mouths. Closing my eyes, I press my lips to his. It’s like an explosion goes off around us, sending sparks everywhere. An orchestra plays in the background. Our lips move over each other’s desperately, as if this has been building between us for a very long time.
His hands slide down to my waist, where he gently yanks me closer to him. My hands tangle in his dark locks as my lips continue to move over his in a leisurely yet frenzied manner. We’ve kissed twice before, but those were nothing compared to this. I feel so much in this kiss, his guilt for causing me all that pain, the anger and disappointment in himself, his hope and dreams for the future. The promises he yearns to keep.
I don’t know what he feels from me, but I know that my heart is finally opening up. Maybe not completely, because I still have a long way to go, but Eric has knocked down some of the walls I built around my heart. I know he’ll continue knocking the rest down. And then I’ll finally be the happy person I used to be.
He lays his forehead against mine as both our chests rise and fall heavily. “Katie,” he breathes.
“Eric,” I breathe back.
Our lips find each other’s again, and we don’t let go for a long, long time.
Chapter Thirty-Six
