My Dad's Bestfriend



Evelyn

Dad's idea of the picnic to lighten the mood was a total flop. After my conversations with Jacob and Cameron, not a single part of me felt light. I felt heavy-really heavy. It was as if a crushing weight was pressing down on my heart, threatening to tear it apart from within. Throughout the picnic, even though I managed to force a smile, I couldn't genuinely enjoy or feel happy, even for a moment. That was just it-I am not gonna lie-my mental state was getting worse.

After Cameron's comforting words, I hoped I could relax and enjoy this mini vacation with my friends and family. But that sense of ease, which Cameron had offered me on a silver platter, vanished quickly. With each passing second, and with Jacob's presence in front of me, I was starkly reminded that the person I might end up hurting could be... Cameron.

But I didn't want it to be this way.noveldrama

I'd do everything fucking possible to ensure I didn't return to Jacob.

As beautiful as the memories with him were, the trauma he inflicted through his words, indifference, and actions was equally horrific. The scars were still there, and I didn't know how to erase them. With Cameron, at least I could try to ignore that pain, that ache that often rose from the deep marks on my skin.

Despite the chaos in my mind and whatever the fuck I was saying now-both rational and irrational-my decision was to avoid both Jacob and Cameron. Yeah, I was ridiculous for doing that. But......

That's how the entire picnic went, and surprisingly, both men respected my choice and understood my situation without needing an explanation. They didn't barge into my comfort zone or brush past it.

Now, as I stared at the ceiling, at three in the morning, I could say I had officially spent a day without seeing either Jacob or Cameron. And I still couldn't determine if I felt any better. I felt worse, unable to pinpoint whether it was the guilt of not contacting Cameron or my body's addiction to Jacob's presence the sight, scent, and touch.

With a sigh, I slowly got off the bed and headed outside.

A stroll in the garden wouldn't be a bad idea, would it?

I didn't have time to think. My feet were already moving, and before I knew it, I was outside my room and heading to the garden. Thankfully, no one was in sight-well, part of me had expected him to be here, like last time. His absence was a relief, but the other part of me felt a twinge of disappointment.

I could say, the title of the most confused human being in the world would go to me if there was any such thing.

In the garden, I wandered among the flowers, lightly brushing my fingers over the soft petals and wiping away the dew. The weather was cool and calm, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me. There was always a war between my mind and my heart and I was tired of constantly trying to adjust to it.

I didn't know when would this end but surely not so soon.

As my thoughts drifted, I suddenly felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist, pulling me into a warm, solid chest. His masculine, comforting scent enveloped me, and I froze, my mind momentarily blank.

He nuzzled my hair, inhaling deeply, his hands circling my waist. His touch ignited a warmth I had missed so much. Without thinking, I leaned into him, placing my hands over his as they rested on my belly. His fingers brushed against the bare skin exposed where my top had ridden up slightly.

Fuck the whole 'avoiding' shit I'd thought as my savior. I needed his touch more than I'd realized.

"How's the injury?" he asked softly.

The moment he spoke, I knew he wasn't referring to my knee. He was talking about something else. Us.

I gazed up at the sky, allowing myself to settle into his embrace. His chin rested on my head as he looked up too. The sky was beautiful-filled with stars and so clear that I almost felt I could reach out and touch its colors.

“It's fine. Just hurts a little from time to time," I replied, letting out a soft sigh.

"Did the ointment help?"

"Just a little bit," I replied softly.

"Do you... do you think it will ever heal?" His voice trembled slightly, and it left me shaken. Honestly, I didn't know the answer.

"I don't... I don't know," I said, finding

et

the courage to turn and face him. "Sometimes I want it to heal, but other time's I want the pain to stay as a reminder of which path to avoid. The path that almost destroyed me."

My eyes grew watery as I looked at Jacob's face his mesmerizing

features. I had never imagined that looking at him would be a source

my pain. The person who once for

made me feel safest, most secure, and happiest had also hurt me so deeply that I was struggling to find myself again.

Even if, for a moment, I thought what Jacob did wasn't so terrible, it still hurt like hell. I had never expected him to act the way he did, to lose trust in

me.

I didn't know if I was right or wrong or if I was exaggerating or not. All I knew was that I didn't want to get hurt again—that was it. Just that.

"What if I promise you'll never get hurt again?" he asked, his voice even softer. "People break promises, don't they?" I sniffled as a tear slid down my cheek.

Jacob reached out and wiped away the tear from my cheek. "I know..." He sighed, his voice trembling. "I've hurt you a lot, Evelyn. I know I was the last person you'd expect to hurt you, and ruined what we had. But Evelyn.. I'm nothing without you. You gave my life meaning. For me, life means you. I can't do this anymore... I need you. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make you forgive me. Whether it takes days, months, or years, just tell me you'll forgive me and come back to me."

My heart...

It had never hurt so much.

"I love you, Evelyn," he said, pressing his forehead against mine. His breath was warm against my skin. "I'm sorry for hurting you. Please, come back.

I beg you come back to me."

"I..." I struggled to speak. His scent, warmth, and touch were overwhelming, like they were trapping me.

"Please, please, please," he begged, his voice so weary that I wanted nothing more than to pull him into a hug and kiss away his pain and exhaustion.

Before I knew it, I was doing just that. I cupped his face and pressed my lips against his, not caring about the consequences.