“Yes, I’ve wanted you to be honest with me. How am I suppose to make you happy when you won’t tell me how?” His temper cooled, her tears leaving his anger simmering deep in his belly, even the mention of Everest did not make his jealousy flare as she continued to cry. He watched as she barely held herself together, her thoughts causing her to burst at the seams like his was, only it showed itself in a different way. It was a relief to find out she was scared too, not that she should be, but it was comforting to know that his growing affection wasn’t going to complete waste on a girl who cared nothing for him. “You should have just said you didn’t want to– I told you I would wait if that’s what you wanted. I didn’t– don’t– know what to do; you’re not the only one whose scared,” He frowned, his arms falling limply at his sides. “I’m scared for the same reason you are– only I know I’m gonna be the one fucking things up, that’s what I do– fuck up the lives of others. You want to know why I don’t do relationships, because, believe it or not, I did love someone once. She belonged to someone else, but it didn’t matter cause I thought she felt the same about me– all it took was a faulty condom, and a positive pregnancy test for her to tell me that what I thought we had was all in my head. Now I’m watching my brother live what should be my life, and raising what should be my family– and it kills me. God, I trusted her, believed she would be mine one day– didn’t hide anything from her and it blew up in my face. The shittiest part about it is part of me still holds hope that she’ll choose me one day, and I’ll get that white picket fence life, and my boy will grow up calling me dad.” His eyes burned with tears he’d never allowed to flow, each breath felt like he was inhaling knives as his words brought back painful memories. He’d never got the chance to talk to anyone about what happened, he didn’t want people looking at Hayley as if she was some harlot, or treating Bentley different. It felt like a heavy weight had lifted from his body, each syllable he spoke another pound being lifted from his shoulders.
“I’m not good at this stuff either Drake- we’re both learning.” She muttered, sighing slightly before her hands dropped back to her sides. It was almost ridiculous that two people who could be so good at other things, were utterly disastrous when it came to talking about their feelings. He seemed confused to her, but there was an obvious mirroring of her feelings for him, in his feelings for her. “That’s not what I’m trying to say- I wanted to have sex with you. Because I was already getting attached... You didn’t force me to do anything- I just. I’m the one who screwed everything up this time. Not you.” She insisted, biting down on her lip as she shot him a weak smile. “You don’t seem scared Drake, you’re always so confident, so sure about things. Sometimes I wish I could be more like you.” She explained, taking a step forward as she picked his hand up in hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I just need to know if you really want to give us a go. Because if you do, then it’s worth the risk. You’re worth the risk.” Taking another deep breath, she shot him a tentative smile, before she paused again as he began to explain what had made him this way. So he’d had a secret affair with a married woman- his brother’s wife. She broke his heart. He had a kid- he had a kid. A son. The thought was like a slap to the face but she knew now wasn’t the time to be thinking about that in relation to them... Now she had to be there for Drake. Blinking slowly as she tried to make sense of what he was telling her. Suddenly a lot of things made a lot more sense. “Drake... That wasn’t your fault.” She began cautiously, hands moving up to rest on both of his shoulders as she turned him to look at her. “She’s the one who cheated on your brother- she’s the one living a lie now. Don’t let her hold that power over you, you deserve somebody better.” She insisted, cupping his face gently in her hands as she stared earnestly into his eyes. “I’m so sorry she hurt you Drake, for everything she’s put you through.”
