Page 67 of Accidentally Falling For My Best Friend
“There’s a good chance he’s already told my entire family in explaining my sudden disappearance. I’m so fucking sorry, babe. I never meant to out you.”
“Babe?” I repeat with a smirk, getting hung up on the nickname he’s only ever used during sex.
“Can I call you that now? Are you mad Beck and Cody know?” He sounds so concerned, and I never want to be the cause of his worry again, so I quit my teasing.
“You can call me whatever you want, my love.” My responding nickname has him looking at me like I hung the moon. I can practically see the hearts in his eyes and I wish I could somehow freeze this moment so that I had time to properly appreciate that the man of my dreams is somehow lookingat melike that. I don’t know what he sees in me that’s so special, but I vow to never take it for granted.
“And I’m not mad that they know,” I continue. “I’m not upset that you think you outed me. Plus, we don’t even know for sure that they’ve told anyone. Adrian has known about my feelings for you for a while, and I don’t think he’s told anyone.”
“Adrian knows?” Oak asks, tone full of disbelief.
“And Beck and Cody know,” I remind him with a smirk as a nurse comes in to check my blood sugar again. She adjusts my insulin drip accordingly and lets us know that my glucose level is almost back to normal, so I should be able to get out of the ICU and into a regular medical room soon if the rest of my labs are also improved. She warns Oakley that the charge nurse approved him to stay overnight, but that if he causes any trouble, she won’t hesitate to have security escort him out, so he promises to stay outof her way.
He moves back to the edge of the bed, taking my hand in his. “I know we don’t have all of the answers right now, but we love each other, and that’s really what matters in the end, right? If we get back and find out that people already know and we need to be public about it right away, can we promise to find a way to work it out?”
Of course I want to find a way to make it work with him. I just wish there was a way for us to move forward without there being so much risk involved. His eyes are filled with so much hope as he waits for me to respond, and I know this isn’t truly a decision at all. Oakley said that I was his everything. Well, he’s mine, and there’s no way I’m about to turn him down, no matter how complicated what he’s offering may be.
“So does this mean you’re my boyfriend?” I ask, and the joy that replaces his previous worry makes every risk worth it.
“I sure fucking hope so.”
31
OAKLEY
December
Myboyfriendgets moved into a regular medical room first thing the next morning.
We called his mom last night after things settled down and again this morning with updates. I still can’t believe he agreed to date me. When I rushed to see Parker in the hospital, I was really hoping he might admit to having feelings too, but I hadn’t dared hope for what that could mean for us.
Honestly, I hadn’t given much thought to the consequences of that for us professionally until Parker voiced his concerns about it, and I don’t know how exactly we’ll get around the things he’s worried about, or if they even matter at all, but I’m sure we’ll think of something.
Even though I hate that Parker is here and I never want him to have to go to another hospital again, things are definitely looking up for us.Parker is my boyfriend. The smile on my face might be permanent at this point with how fucking happy I am.
That is until Aspen waltzes into the room with her own smile aimed at me as she sets down luggage before handing me acoffee. My gut drops. I had kind of forgotten about the fact that she’s still technically publicly dating Parker. I don’t know if her parents are about to follow her into the room expecting their daughter’s boyfriend, or how she’ll take the news that we’re together.
Aspen takes one look at my conflicted expression and bursts out laughing. “Calm down, Oakley. I caught you two in the same bed and then you rushed across the country to be at his bedside. I know you’re together.” Then she turns to give Parker her attention, pulling up another chair to join me at his bedside. “I wanted to come and tell you in person that you’re officially off the hook.” She’s still smiling as she continues, so I guess she’s happy about how things have turned out so far. “We’d always intended for this arrangement to work out for us temporarily.”
Parker doesn’t look nearly as nervous as I feel about this conversation. Aspen doesn’t seem mad at us though, and assuming this coffee isn’t spiked with anything unpleasant, I think she seems to be handling their arrangement ending gracefully.
Parker gives Aspen a soft smile before asking in a teasing tone, “Aspen, are you fake breaking up with me?”
I relax a little, sinking back down in my chair when her expression doesn’t change. Then he sits up a little straighter in the hospital bed, looking very serious as he continues. “Aspen, I really hope you got what you needed while I was in here, but even if you didn’t, I would just like to wholeheartedly say, fuck your asshole family. Fuck what your evil parents say. You deserve to be happy with Sage.”
I’m kind of surprised he said that so bluntly, even though I wholeheartedly agree with him.What happened before he ended up in here?Aspen’s eyes are watering like she’s trying to hold back tears as he continues.
“You’re one of my best friends and you’ll always be important to me. I want you to be happy. I know it isn’t always that simpleto be with the person you want to, especially when your family is against it. Oakley and I have had Beckett as our example of queer relationships, and how easy they can be when the people in your life love and support you. But I know that wasn’t the case for you growing up here. No matter what you work out, I hope you find a way to be happy, and I would love it if the four of us can remain friends even though our arrangement is over.”
I nod along, not wanting to interrupt their moment, but also trying to show my support. Aspen stands up, clearing her throat before leaning over Parker to leave a kiss on his forehead. “I hope you two can find that happiness too,” she whispers before straightening again. “I think I got what I need and I’m planning to go straight from here to the airport, so hopefully I won’t be seeing anyone I’m related to any time soon. Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with us as your friends. I’ve brought the rest of your stuff too,” she says, motioning to the bags she left near the door. “Will you head back to Chicago when you’re discharged?”
“I haven’t gotten that far, but I assume so. Thanks.”
“Sorry you ended up in the hospital,” she says quietly, like she’s also felt some of the guilt I’ve been dealing with since I found out he was here.
“Eh, I think it’s worked out pretty well for me,” Parker says, winking at me.
How is a wink so fucking hot? And how much longer does he need to be in here before I can jump him?
