Page 132 of Don't Puck His Best Friend
He nods, looking at my lips. "Don't cry. I don't like seeing you cry."
For a moment, I think I might kiss him. I want to. But I know I shouldn't.
I climb further onto his bed and slip under the covers, hiding.
He watches me and grabs my leg through the blanket. "You look good there."
I cover my face with the covers, shutting out the world.
Then I hear the front door slam open downstairs. Footsteps pounding up the stairs.
"Where the fuck is she?" Cole's voice is raw, terrified.
Liam stands and walks out the bedroom door. I hear them in the hallway—tense, quiet words I can't make out.
Then Cole is crawling onto the bed, hovering above me. "Harper?"
I'm trying not to cry, failing miserably.
"Talk to me."
"Will you just lay with me?" I ask, my voice small.
He drops to my side and wraps his arm around me, pulling me close. "Did he do anything stupid?"
"No, he apologized."
Cole presses his forehead against mine. "I love you, Harp."
"I love you too."
"I love you too," Liam mocks from somewhere beside the bed, and I hear him sit down.
I look over at Liam, and my heart squeezes. My stomach flips. After all this time, he still has an effect on me that I can't explain. Can't rationalize. Can't make go away.
I pat the bed to welcome Liam next to me.
Cole goes completely still.
I face Cole, guilt written all over my expression. Liam scoots behind me on the bed, and suddenly I'm sandwiched between them.
"Is this okay?" Liam asks, gathering my hair to move it out of the way.
I nod.
Cole's watching me closely, searching my face.
"I love you," I whisper to him, and then I'm kissing him, trying to prove it's true.
He keeps his eyes open, watching me.
Liam's hand snakes onto my shoulder, and I lean into his touch without meaning to.
"Harper," Cole says breathlessly, pulling away. "You don't—"
"I want to."
"You do?"
