28. Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Sean

As I watch Jessica walk into the house, an involuntary smile creeps across my face confirming what I've known for a long time. I'm in love with Jessica, madly, deeply, and irresistibly in love with her. She consumes my thoughts day and night. The last few days have been challenging to navigate. We've been spending a ton of time together and I'm not sure how she feels about me.

I walk back to my car on legs that feel like lead, and as I back out of my driveway, I rehearse what I will tell Jamie. It's not easy to tell your best friend that you're in love with his sister, and as much as I love Jessica, I'm also scared that it will affect my relationship with him. Or worse, cause friction between our families.

As things stand right now, I don't think I can do anything else. I want to spend the rest of my life with Jess and can't imagine my life with anyone else.

I've been planning to talk with him for a while now, and when I woke up today, I knew I couldn't continue to put it off. I need to let Jessica know how I feel and I can't wait another day. There's always the chance that she won't feel the same, but I have to try.

When I arrive at Jamie's house, my heart is already hammering against my ribcage. I wipe my palms on my shorts, and a side of my head starts to ache. I knock on the door, dreading this conversation. I rub my temple as I wait for Jaime to open the door.

When he finally opens the door, his eyes are still drowsy from sleep. His eyes widen when he sees me. "Sean," He steps aside so I can come in. "Is everything alright?"

"Yup." I nod, immediately sitting on the couch, not sure my legs will hold me up. "Did I wake you?"

"Yeah." He sits beside me. "I had a rough night."

I think about putting the focus on him and then leaving without saying anything, but I can't put this off any longer.

"What happened?" I ask.

"Just a late night out." He laughs. "And then I got carried away. Gosh, I'm starving." He groans.

"We can go for breakfast after, if you want. But I need to talk to you about something first."

Jamie really looks at me, and his eyes narrow. "Are you okay, Sean? You seem nervous. What's going on?"

My stomach swoops, and I swallow past the lump in my throat. "I'm in love with Jessica."

His expression doesn't change, and I tug on the collar of my shirt that suddenly feels too tight. "Jamie, I'm in love with your sister," I repeat.

"I heard you the first time," he says. "Excuse me." He rises to his feet and disappears into the kitchen. My mouth opens when he reappears with two bottles of soda and a protein bar. "Sorry, I have to eat something. Do you want some?" He sits.

I just bared my soul and he gets soda and a protein bar? My stomach turns. I have no words, so I just repeat myself again. "Jamie. I just said I'm in love with Jessica."

He bites his protein bar and laughs. "I heard you the first two times. This isn't a surprise, Sean. Everyone knows you're in love with her. You're saying it like it's news."

"What?" I gasp. "Everyone knows what?"

Jamie rolls his eyes. "That you're in love with Jess. You might be a great actor, but you did a poor job here. It's pretty obvious to anyone who sees the two of you together."

I run a hand through my hair, my heart roaring in my ears. I thought this would be a battle, but it turns out I was mistaken.

"I—I'm shocked."

Jamie finishes off the protein bar and sips the soda and laughs. "Yeah, we all knew."

"We?" I echo. "Who is we?"

"Me. Evelyn. My parents. Your parents. And probably everyone in town."

My body temperature suddenly drops like a bucket of cold water was emptied over my head, and I gape at Jamie silently while waiting for the shock to pass. "You're saying everyone knows I'm in love with her?"

"I'm saying everyone knows you're both in love with each other."

My breath leaves me as I collapse all the way onto the couch, my eyes wide and my mouth agape. "Are you telling me that Jess feels the same way?"

His eyes widen and he laughs at me. "Yes! You're not dumb, Sean and you're usually much more self aware than this. How are you not seeing this?"

My heart picks up pace and my mind swims with possibilities. I shake my head to keep the focus on what Jamie is saying.

"You know," Jamie says. "For someone who claims to be a guru when it comes to romantic matters, you sure are clueless."

My heart soars as I hold on to the belief that Jessica feels the same way about me. Despite spending time together, Jess hasn't given me any inclination of how she may feel about me. If what Jamie is saying is true then I don't have to worry anymore. Jessica is in love with me too. A smile spreads across my face and I suddenly feel light.

I look at Jamie, laughter bubbling to the surface. To think that I've been worried about what he'd think, and all this while, he's known my feelings for his sister. "I thought you would be upset with me," I mumble. "Because she's your little sister," my voice trails when he narrows his eyes.

"Upset with you?" He echoes. "Why did you think that?"

I shrug. "I don't know. I just–"

Jamie nudges my shoulder. "You are a great guy, Sean. You might be an idiot at times." He laughs. "But if there's anyone I'd want Jessica to be with, it's you."

His words fill me with a sense of pride. "I'd die before I hurt her," I assure him.

Jamie nods seriously. "And I'd murder you if you did."

We stare at each other for a few seconds before bursting into laughter.

"Wait–" Jamie frowns. "Would you be upset if you found out that I was with your sister?"

I arch my brows. "Evie?"

Jamie's eyes narrow and his head tilts to the side. "Do you have another sister I don't know about?"

"Ha. No," I pause for a moment before responding. "That actually wouldn't surprise me at all, to be honest. I always wondered about the two of you. Are you and Evie dating?"

Jamie's mouth falls open, and he lets out a nervous laugh. "Of course not. Are you crazy? Evelyn?" He waves his hand like it's the most stupid idea in the world. "Nah."

The relationship between Evelyn and Jamie confuses me. When I watch them around each other there are times I would swear there is something going on. At other times, there didn't seem to be anything. I shrug and dismiss it.

My mind drifts back to Jessica, and my heart takes flight. Jamie pats my shoulder. "Have you told Jessica how you feel about her?"

"No."

He smiles. "It's hard, isn't it?"

I nod. "It is, Jamie. I've always thought of myself as confident, but when it comes to Jess, it's different. I suddenly feel tongue-tied and nervous."

"Yeah. It's different when it's someone you've known all your life," Jamie says. "But it's a risk worth taking. For both of you."

"Right." I stand up from the couch and get ready to leave."I want to do this the right way."

"The right way?" Jamie frowns. "What do you mean?"

"I'm gonna go see your parents and speak to them. I want to let them know how I feel."

"You don't have to," Jamie starts. "I'm sure they're—"

"Bye, Jamie." I hug my friend, grateful for the strength he's given me, even unknowingly. Before he can say more, I hurry out of his house, a spring in my step.

Jamie is right. I don't have to go talk to Mr and Mrs. Stewart, but our families have known each other for almost my entire life. They are like family. If I want to cross that line and be with Jessica, I want to speak to them first.

***

As I walk up to the Stewart's house, the spring in my step gets a bit heavy, and I walk slowly toward the door. I know I could probably wait for this conversation but I feel like it's necessary. The outcome could affect my impending relationship with Jess. It takes everything in me to lift my hand and knock on the door.

I hear footsteps approaching and Jessica's mom opens the door.

"Hello, Lenny." I smile. "How are you?"

Excitement replaces the surprise in her eyes, and she hugs me.

"Sean! What a surprise. Come in. John!" She calls her husband. "Sean's here for a visit." She pecks my cheek and directs me to a couch. "How are you? What do we owe this visit too?"

"I'm fine." John walks into the living room, and I rise with my hand out. He shakes my hand and gives me a pat on my back, then sits beside his wife. The questions about my visit are written all over their faces.

"Would you like something to drink?" Lenny asks. "I have water, soda, tea—"

"I'm fine." I smile. "Thank you very much."

"You know Jamie isn't here?" John says. "Jessica isn't, either."

Chuckling, I nod. "I know. I'm here to see you both."

The couple exchange a glance. "Is everything alright?" Lenny asks worriedly.

"Everything is fine. I want to talk to you about Jess."

Lenny's eyebrows arch as she glances at John again. This time they wait for me to speak.

"Our families have been close for a long time. I've known you, Jamie, and Jessica since grade school. And I hold each member of this family close to my heart." I'm not sure why, but I pause to see if they have anything to say. Maybe I'm hoping that they'll agree with me or coo over how they always thought of me as their son and it would make it easier for me to ask their permission to date their daughter. When they say nothing, I continue.

"With how close our families are, I didn't think it would be polite to date Jessica without letting you know first."

Their lack of reaction has me rubbing my hands on my shorts and fidgeting in my seat.

After what seems like forever, John speaks. "You want to date my daughter?"

"Yes, sir."

"Have you told her this?"

"No. I've only spoken to Jamie. I decided to come here before telling her anything."

Lenny's expression cracks, and I peep a smile, but John's face remains blank.

"What took you so long?" He says sternly.

My mouth falls open, and I glance at Lenny for support, but she keeps her lips pursed and I can see her shoulders shaking.

"I—I am not sure I understand you, sir."

"What took you so long to decide you want to be with our daughter?"

Understanding dawns, and I let out a sigh of relief. Jamie is right and everyone does know about my feelings for Jessica. I truly can't believe that I've been this oblivious to my feelings. So much so that everyone, except Jess and I, apparently knew.

"I don't know. I guess sometimes you just don't know until you know. Jessica and I have always had a weird type of relationship. I guess I never realized that it was something other than it was."

Lenny is already smiling and nudging John. "Leave the boy alone, John. Stop teasing him."

At her words, John grins. "He's just so easy to tease."

I laugh with them, my heart rate slowing to its normal rate. "Better late than never, I always say. I couldn't hope for a better person to love my little girl than you, Sean."

"Thank you, sir."

"That's my baby girl," he continues seriously. "Please, don't hurt her. She's already been through so much."

"I promise." I tell John. "I love her so much."

Lenny sighs. "You're so cute. We've been waiting forever for the two of you to figure it out."

"It definitely took me long enough." I shake my head and run my hands through my hair.

"You have my full support," she says. "Now the only thing you need to do is go and ask Jessica."

"Thank you, ma'am." I turn to John, looking for his support. He holds my stare for a few seconds before nodding.

"You have my support too."

"Thank you, sir." I walk over to them, shaking John's hand and hugging Lenny. "I won't let you down. I promise you."

"I trust you, son." John pats my shoulder and walks me toward the door. My body is vibrating with the need to be with Jessica and to let her know how I feel. I wave goodbye to the couple and run to my car like I'm in a race.

On my ride back home, I feel excitement, fear and determination. I experience each one as it comes, but none are as strong as hope. From Jamie to Lenny and John, everyone has shown support. They all affirmed that Jessica loves me too. I can't help but wonder how I missed the signs.

I park in my driveway and the anticipation gives way to fear and anxiety. I turn off the ignition and put my hands on the steering wheel. I blow out a breath and work to gather my composure. I feel a smile creep across my face and my heart leaps. I get out of the car and head over to Jessica's house.

When I stand in front of her door, my heart pounds. I lift my hand up to knock, but pause a moment. This is the day that I let Jessica Stewart know there is no one else for me. I knock on the door unable to contain the smile spread from ear to ear.