He has the audacity to appear wounded again. “I honestly just thought you needed a little space. I didn’t think you meant it. I figured I would give you some time to cool off, and then things would go back to normal. I miss you.”
His hopeful expression lights a flame in me. It takes all of my self-control not to lash out at him.
I don’t even know what to say to this revelation.How could he think I didn’t mean it?
Before I can protest, Sam interrupts us. “Hey, Kat, your mom was wondering if your…friendis staying for dinner.” Sam says “friend” like it pains him. He walks fully into the living room and looks at Philip, assessing, finding him wanting.
“Who the fuck is this?” Philip snaps and waves his hand in Sam’s direction.
“Excuse me?” Sam takes a step forward. I quickly raise my hand to stop him and stand up from my seat. Sam’s reaction is bothinfuriating and delicious. He has never been afraid of standing up for himself; it’s incredibly attractive. I have to force myself to tear my gaze from him.
“Philip, you are inmyparents’ home, and you don’t have the right to speak to anyone in this house that way.” I’m all business now—no more beating around the bush with this guy. “I don’t know why you came, but I don’t want you here.” I just want him to leave before Sam and Philip can get further into whatever is going on with them. Or better yet, before Philip tries to become friends with my parents.
“Baby, I came all this way to see you.” I roll my eyes at Philip. As if he has any right to be upset that I’m not reacting the way he expected I would. As if we hadn’t broken up and haven’t spoken in two weeks. As if I’m not going through hell right now and need to consolehim.
Sam mutters something under his breath that sounds a lot like “what a douche,” but I can’t be sure.
“He is not staying for dinner.” Sam doesn’t leave the room like I expected him to. When I shift my attention to him, he’s glaring at Philip.If looks could kill…
I clear my throat, grabbing Sam’s attention. “Will you please give us a moment?” Sam eyes Philip suspiciously, as if he doesn’t trust him to leave me alone with him. But he nods once and walks out back towards the kitchen. I watch him briefly; his movements are stiff, his muscular back looks tense, and his hands are balled into fists at his sides.
I wait a moment to make sure Sam is far enough away before I speak again. “I didn’t break up with you because I needed a break.” I blow out my breath. “I broke up with you because this,” I gesture between us, “wasn’t working for me. You’re a good guy, but you aren’tmyguy.”
He looks as if I’ve slapped him, but he doesn’t speak.
“You deserve to be with someone who is head over heels for you. I’m not that person. I’m sorry you drove all this way to check on me. That was kind of you. But you need to leave.” I can tell he’s about to protest, so I quickly add, “Philip, please. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”
Giving him no room to argue, I walk towards the front of the house. He follows me, pausing before the front door I’ve opened. “I’m here if you change your mind,” and with that, Philip walks out of the house.
I text Liv as I walk back into the kitchen.
You won't believe who just showed up at my parents' house…
???
Philip. Sam and I just got back from a walk and there he was, chatting with my parents like they were old friends.
He. Did. NOT! Is he still there?
He did. And no. I had to ask him to leave. Fuck, he told me he didn't believe I actually wanted to break up with him.
Wait. Walk? With Sam?! Ok. I need ALL the deets, girl!
LOL. I'll call you later.
And you need to explain why you were talkingto Philip.
Slipping my phone into my back pocket, I join my parents and Sam back in the kitchen. Sam eyes me like he's trying to piece together my dynamic with Philip, and my parents just look at me questioningly. I slump down into one of the chairs and stare at the stove across the room, not seeing anything.
This fucking day.I can’t believeOliviais talking to Philip behind my back. I want to give her the benefit of the doubt, but this is too much. There’s a reason I never invited Philip to meet my parents or visit my hometown, and I hate that he violated this part of my life without thinking how it would make me feel.
I want to know what he said to my parents. But I don’t have the energy to navigate that—and especially not while Sam is sitting next to me.
I feel the tension radiating off Sam and don’t dare look at him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Sam possessive over me like that before. Just thinking about it has me feeling flustered.
And the feel of his solid chest against my back?
God.
