I walked inside the living room to find Nate and a guy who I think was his friend, playing video games. I tried to walk past them but Nate interrupted me just as I was about to cross the couch.
"Hey, why didn't you wait for me in the morning?" he asked, not peeling his eyes off the screen.
"Had some pending work at school," I lied effortlessly and he paused the game to look at me.
"You could have told me, Becs. I would have woken up early," he stated genuinely and I wanted to punch his face for acting all normal.
"It's okay. I didn't want to bother you," I gave him a small smile, tucking my hair behind my ears.
"Woah, dude. You didn't tell me your friend was hot," I heard his friend speak and looked at him for the first time since I entered. He was a fairly good-looking guy with shaggy blonde hair and hazel brown eyes that roamed all over my body and I mentally scoffed, walking away.
"Back off, asshole. She is my best friend," I stopped dead in my tracks and turned around, folding my arms in front of my chest.
"So?"
"So she is off-limits and she doesn't like guys hitting on her," Nate added, resuming his game.
"I think I can speak for myself, Nate," I smiled sweetly and he stopped playing.
"Ooohhh...burn," his friend chuckled and got up from his seat. He started to walk towards me and I smile at him just to irritate Nate.
"Ryan Paulson," he extended his hand, giving me a huge grin.
"Rebecca Thomson," I smiled, shaking his hand and he lifted it to his lips. I saw Nate staring at us and kept gripping the game control so tightly and I was worried he might break it.
Take that, you asshole!
"Would you like to get a cup of coffee?" he came to the point directly. I raised my eyebrows and thought for a while, not knowing what to say.
"I'll get your number from Nate and give you a call when I'm free," I blurted out. Fuck, I had no idea why I said that. I wasn't interested in him at all. Maybe I just wanted to piss off Nate. I tried to flirt with him for a few more minutes before Nate pulled him back.
"Are we going to play or what?" he asked in an irritable tone.
"Jeez, relax man. It's not like I'm hitting on your girlfriend," That seemed to piss him off more. He walked towards his room, slamming the door shut.
"I better get going before he comes back and kills me," Ryan chuckled and grabbed his coat. He started walking towards the door but stopped midway and turned around, "Also, you don't have to call me. I know what you were trying to do. Happy to help anytime, babe," he winked at me.
"You are smart," I smirked, pointing my finger at him and he just laughed before walking out of the door. I let out a huge sigh and went to my room to change.
Damn, that felt good.
I changed into my PJ's and threw my hair in a bun. Just then, I heard a knock on my door. I went to open it and found an angry looking Nate, his hand in the mid air, ready to knock again.
"What?"
"What the hell was that?"
"What the hell was what?" I raised an eyebrow and tried to play dumb when I knew exactly what he was talking about.
"Why were you flirting with him?" he ran his hands through his hair, walking away from my door.
"Last time I checked, I don't need your fucking permission, Nate." I slammed the door behind me and followed him.
"I thought you weren't interested in dating,"
"Well, I didn't go on a date yet, did I? Stop acting like a jerk," I rolled my eyes and a small part of me wondered if he was feeling jealous. He pulled my arms, bringing me closer to him.
"He is not the type of guy to date," he hissed.
"You mean he is the type of guy like you?" I spat and he let go of my arm, immediately.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," I shrugged to free myself from his firm grip.
"I see what this is about. Listen, I know we slept together but that doesn't mean you are like the other girls Becca,"
"Oh yeah, Nate. How could I even think like that when you made me feel so fucking special?" I muttered, sarcasm dripping in my tone.
"What do you want me to do?" he asked in a helpless tone. I let out a small laugh, my hands itching to slap him. Why was it this way? Why the fuck did I give in to his touch?
"I don't want you to do anything," I yelled in frustration. I had no idea what the fuck I was feeling. All I wanted to do was scream out loud. I noticed him looking at me with concern and he pulled me in for a hug. I tried to fight him but he was way stronger than me and held me tighter, not letting me go. I finally gave in and hugged him back. We both didn't say a word. Maybe I just needed my best friend now and not the guy I fell in love with.
Irony, how I sought comfort from the same person who hurt me!
"I'm sorry if I made you feel any less. I didn't want this to happen, Becca and I feel like things have already changed between us. This was exactly what I was scared of," he spoke against my shoulders. I blinked back my tears and realized one thing that was clear as daylight to me.
I would always be his best friend and he was just attracted to me physically.
When I thought from his point of view, he did have no idea about my feelings and he did ask my consent. I felt it was unfair to be mean to him. After all, he didn't want to ruin our friendship. Maybe I should just bury my feelings and try to be normal.
Lord knows I was good at it.
"It's okay," I mumbled against his chest and he pulled back, looking into my eyes.
"Please tell me you are not going on a date with that asshole," he whined and I chuckled at his reaction.
"I'm not. I just wanted to piss you off," I sighed and pulled away from him.
"Thank god, I care about you too much that I just can't see you with a jerk like him," he laughed and I gave him a small smile. Looks like he was pissed off for a completely different reason and it was definitely not jealousy, "Now, Let's order some pizza and watch a movie," he announced, breaking my thoughts and I flicked my eye to meet his gaze. I couldn't help but think about the last time we saw a movie and how it ended.
"I know what you are thinking. I'll keep my hands to myself," he raised his hands in defense and I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah whatever, I've had my fill of you," I teased to lighten up the mood and he rumbled up with laughter.
"I don't think I have had my fill. How about a quickie, baby girl?" he added and I hit his arm so hard, "Jeez, kidding, just kidding," he laughed, walking past me to order pizza.
I kept staring at his back as he ordered the pizza and felt a lump in my throat.
God, would I ever be able to move on?
Some things were just meant to be the way it was and life was not a movie or a friggin fairytale.
"Done, Becs. So how was work today?" he asked, sitting down on the couch and just like that I put on a smile, ready to talk to my best friend.
Life was just so fucking real sometimes and I guess I should just accept it.