He steps back. “Night, Sean.”
“Night.”
As I close the door, I catch his whispered, “Shit,” as he walks away. I obviously wasn’t meant to hear it and probably wasn’t meant to see the way he pulls off his hat and tugs his hair in frustration.
My chest constricts knowing I caused that, but it’s for the best.
It is.
I repeat that over and over as I start the engine and all the way out of the car park.
The drive back to my house isn’t long enough to sort out all the thoughts racing around my brain. I’m still unsettled by the time I’ve picked up Lucky and made myself some food.
My phone chimes with an incoming text as I’m getting into bed later. I know who it’s from before I even look at the screen.
Vic: I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. We agreed to be friends and I should’ve respected that.
Fuck.
I scrub a hand over my face, feeling like shit.
He wasn’t the only one involved in that kiss, I could’ve pushed him away at any time, but I didn’t. Even though I know we can’t do it again, I don’t want him to regret something so amazing.
Sean: You don’t need to apologise. I kissed you back.
Vic: But I did make you uncomfortable, though. Right?
Christ, I hate having this conversation via text. I can’t seem to find the words to explain what’s going on in my head. Maybe if I can see his face...
Fuck it.
I hit the FaceTime icon and wait for Vic to answer. Hoping that he will.
It rings once before the call connects, and a couple of seconds later, Vic’s face fills my screen. His hair is all over the place, dark curls a riotous mess, like he’s had his hands in it ever since I left him.
“Hey.” His smile isn’t half as wide as I’ve got used to seeing.
“Hey.” I need to come up with words soon or we’ll be sat here staring at each other in silence. I’m a firm believer in being as honest as possible, so that’s what I do now. “Don’t apologise for that kiss. I wanted it as much as you did.”
He frowns, and I know what he’s going to say. “Then what’s wrong? Why did you run off?”
“I didn’t run off.”
He huffs, but his eyes are full of amusement. “Drive off, then.”
Now it’s my turn to mess up my hair, except I don’t have as much to run my hands through. “I’m not a fan of one-nighters, Vic.”
“Awfully presumptuous of you.” He raises both eyebrows. “Who said I was that easy?”
“You saying you wouldn’t have come home with me if I’d asked?”
His eyes darken, and heat stirs in my belly. When he answers, his voice is rougher, deeper.
“You know I would.”
Fuck, now I’m imagining it. I close my eyes, trying to block it out. Trying to ignore the fact that I could have him here in my bed instead of on the other end of a phone. “We’re too different,” I whisper, needing to get this out. “I can’t start something long-distance with someone who’s used to city living and thinks my home is like living in the dark ages. Even if he’s as hot as you,” I add with a huff of laughter. When I focus on my phone again, Vic is staring at me.
Well no, that’s not true. He’sglaring. I can almost feel the weight of it through the screen. “What?”
