Page 39 of Don’t Love the Boy Next Door (Hotties Next Door #2)

Chapter Thirty-Five

Katie

I’ve been staring at my phone for at least ten minutes, the words entering my brain over and over again.

Eric: Can we talk?

The answer should be no way. Because I don’t want to have anything to do with him for the rest of my life. Which is a complete lie, of course. Because despite everything he’s put me through, I still…I still like him.

Ugh, what’s wrong with me? How can I still like a guy who treated me so rotten?

Because you know he’s a good guy, the little voice in my head reminds me . You know there’s a reasonable explanation for what he did.

Still I don’t know if my heart could handle any more rejection.

My thumbs hover over the screen. I shut my eyes for a second and type back a response.

Katie: Okay.

Eric. Can we meet at your house?

I don’t know if I can handle being in the same room with him, alone. But no one else is here. Dad is at work, as usual, and Phoenix is at her house with Ethan. I think they’re doing a video together for her channel.

But a part of me does want to be alone with him, because there’s a small chunk of me—okay, a big chunk—that’s hopeful he wants to make things right between us. But I tell myself not to get too hopeful. I won’t be able to bear the disappointment.

Katie: Sure.

Eric: Thanks. Be there in five.

I sit on the couch, wringing my hands together.

It feels like forever until the doorbell rings.

But in reality, only four minutes pass. I get up from the couch, yanking in as much oxygen as I can, and open the door.

Eric stands there with an uncertain expression on his face.

His lips lift a little like he wants to give me a smile but isn’t sure if I’d like that.

I widen the door for him to enter. He sweeps past me, bathing me in his delicious smell. I force the thought out of my head and follow him into the living room, where he slowly sits on the sofa. I take the adjacent recliner.

We sit in silence for a long, long time. The only sound in the room is the ticking of the clock on the wall. I keep my gaze on my lap, not looking at him once. I have no idea if he glances at me.

After what feels like another eternity, he shifts on the sofa and clears his throat. “Thanks for letting me come over.”

I slowly lift my eyes to his and find them pasted on mine. But he yanks them away. “No problem,” I say, noticing how stiff my voice is.

Quiet again.

“So…um…” He shifts in his seat again. “The concert was Friday night.”

“I know,” I say. And I also know what a disaster it was. I saw clips all over the internet and Phoenix told me all about it. “Have you come to accuse me of ruining everything?”

His eyes get so big he looks like a cartoon character. “What? No way. That’s not it at all. I came over to apologize.”

My brows knit. “Apologize? But I’m the one who quit the band. I’m the reason why you guys…um…”

“Why we sucked. You can say it. It’s no secret.”

“I would never say that.”

“But it’s not your fault,” he says. “We weren’t prepared. We should have canceled. That’s all my fault. I pushed too hard.” He falls back on the sofa and rubs his forehead. “I just wanted it so badly. I didn’t think we’d ever have an opportunity like that again.”

“I’m really sorry,” I say. “I guess I could have forced myself to play at least one more gig.”

“No, Katie,” he quickly says. “This isn’t your fault at all. It’s all my fault. Everything that happened the past two weeks is my fault. Man…” He rubs his forehead again. “The fact that you’re apologizing just shows how amazing you are.”

I give him a confused face.

He swallows so hard his Adam’s apple bobs. “I broke things off with you…when I didn’t want to,” he says.

I give him an even more confused face.

“I guess…” He sighs. “I guess I didn’t want to hurt you. But I hurt you anyway. I hurt you, I hurt the band. It’s a good thing you’re such a great person or I would have wrecked the musical, too.”

“What do you mean you didn’t want to hurt me?” I ask.

He takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out.

“I was scared I’d end up like my dad. He’s always on tour and he…

well, he hasn’t been the best dad in the world.

Nor the best husband. It was hard on my mom when they were still married.

I can’t tell you how many times Ethan and I heard her crying.

When I realized how much I…cared about you, I freaked out that I would hurt you the way he hurt my mom.

But after talking things over with my dad and brother, I realized that I don’t have to follow the same path he did.

I can still be a good husband and father while still having a career in music.

I mean…” His face turns as red as a tomato.

“I don’t mean with you necessarily,” he stammers.

“I mean, I kind of do. But I don’t want to freak you out or anything.

What I mean is…” He takes another deep breath.

“I like you, Katie. A lot. I’ve never felt about a girl the way I feel about you.

You’re amazing in every way. Beautiful inside and out, such a kind heart. And you’re crazy talented.”

My heart is beating in every part of my body. I can barely think straight.

“I know I don’t deserve it,” he says. “But I would really like to have your forgiveness. I shouldn’t have treated you that way. I just didn’t want to hurt you.”

It takes a few seconds for my heart to return to a normal pace, though it’s still racing through my body. “Of course I forgive you,” I say. “I’m sorry I made you feel all that pressure.”

He holds up his hand. “No, Katie. There’s nothing for you to apologize for. You’re perfect in every way.”

I shake my head. “I’m not perfect. Not at all.”

“Well, you’re perfect to me.”

I slowly move my gaze to his.

“And I messed up the best thing that could have happened to me. Just because I freaked out.”

My brows crinkle. “Who said you messed up the best thing that could have happened to you?”

He gapes at me. “Are you saying…?”

I get up from the recliner and lower myself next to him, so close we are only inches apart.

“I know you’re a good guy, Eric. I knew there had to be a reason why you acted the way you did.

That’s why I never got mad at you. I was just hurt.

And I understand about your dad issues, because I have dad issues, too.

And I used to worry that I’d end up like him, too. ”

He searches my eyes. “You did?”

I tell him about the amazing relationship my parents had, the deep love that went beyond this world. I tell him how I dreamed to have a relationship like them one day.

“And then my mom died,” I said. “It was so sudden. A car crash that killed her instantly. Dad and I…” My lips tremble. “We didn’t even have a chance to say goodbye.”

He slowly stretches his arm over my shoulder and draws me close to his chest. “I’m so sorry,” he whispers.

“I was broken,” I said. “I didn’t think I could ever smile again. Ever be happy. Ever live . But what made it worse is that my dad…” My throat chokes up.

“It’s okay,” he says softly. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t feel comfortable.”

“No, I want to talk about it,” I say. “I hardly talk about this with anyone. Not even Phoenix. But I feel like I can be open with you.”

“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 into my 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.