I shouldn't have turned back. But curiosity got the better of me. The moment I heard commotion going on, I skidded to a halt. I just knew Blake's voice and I've never heard him that angry before.
Anxiety still grasps at me as I quicken my steps. I know he's right behind me. I can feel it, but I don't slow down. Blake is beyond pissed. That much I can tell. I already had an inkling feeling that I was involved in all of it. First, I ignored all his texts, and now he's got into a fight with Louis because of me! My gut twists with guilt and I just want to disappear from the world.
"Got you!" his voice rings in my ear as I'm forced to stop.
Blake has grabbed my wrist, pulling me back toward him with a sharp tug. I nearly stumble if it weren't for him holding me in place. My heart is pounding and it takes me all my courage to look up at Blake with a heated breath. I didn't want to face him under these circumstances, but I knew it would happen eventually.
"Blake…"
"Don't," he cuts me off. "Let me explain first."
"Explain?"
Blake huffs, letting go of my wrist as he steps back. "Don't take anything to heart about what Louis said. He's an idiot."
I lower my head, my guts twisting even further but not of guilt this time. "So then, he was wrong about you being gay?"
His breath hitches and I don't miss it. "No. He was right."
I tense up at the confirmation, but oddly enough, a weird sense of relief washes over me. The only reason I've been rather distant is that I didn't want to cause him any trouble if people really did get the wrong idea about us. Now that I know this… what now?
"So," I start, almost hesitant. "You like me…?"
Blake's face turns red in seconds. "…Yeah. I do."
An awkward silence stretches for a beat and then he speaks again. "This isn't how I wanted it to go. I never wanted to confess my feelings for you, Charlie. But here we are."
I take a step closer, my hands itching to reach out for him. "Why?"
"Because!" Blake's voice booms through the air. "Because… I don't want to risk losing you. To lose this! What we have is enough."
"What if it's not enough for me?"
He stiffens. "What… what do you mean?"
I take a deep breath and keep my voice as calm as I can. "I like you too, Blake. I like you a lot. Not just as a friend."
Time seems to have stopped, including my breathing and the pounding of my heart as I stare at Blake. My eyes never leave him and I catch the faintest tremble in his lips. I'm not an anxious person, but right at this moment the urge to turn around and walk off is hard to resist. What if I just ruined everything? What if this isn't what he wanted?
Though, despite my inner turmoil in my head, I won't take back my confession.
Blake takes a step closer, almost hesitant. "Do you mean that? God, Charlie! Tell me this is real!"
I close the distance, once and for all as I take his hand in mine. "I mean it. I like you, Blake. So much. I'm not satisfied with us staying as friends. So, let me be selfish. I want you. I want us."
Blake envelops me in his arms, muffling off the rest of my words I wanted to say. I can hear the rapid beating of his heart like this and the warmth from his body eases the tension in my shoulders.
"Charlie, can I kiss you?" he croaks out after a beat.
I lift my head, my breath catching in my throat. His eyes are drawn to mine, the sun casting it a golden glow on them. His lips are slightly parted, an invitation I could never deny. This man could ask anything from me and I'd do it in a heartbeat. And the best part. Blake's sole focus is on me. He is this pleased because of me. He likes me. I think I could die happy in this moment.
I lean in without a second thought and press my lips on his. My hands come up to grab his face, wanting him closer. So much closer. Blake isn't shy either. I feel his hand tangling through my hair while the other wraps around my waist, pressing our chest together so that there is absolutely no space between us.
A gasp escapes my lips as Blake pries my mouth open even further. I let him and his tongue slips in before I can react. A delightful spark rushes through me and the thrill doesn't leave my body even after we break the kiss. I miss the touch of his mouth already, but Blake doesn't even let me recover as he starts peppering tiny kisses on my face. I laugh softly, his touch leaving a hot trail in its wake.
Blake slightly pulls away and takes a good look at me, his smile wide and contagious. I lick my lips and his eyes follow that movement, making me even more hyper aware of myself.
I clear my throat. "Does that mean we're boyfriends now?"
He simply cups my face in his hand. "You haven't asked me to be your boyfriend yet."
I can't help the snort that leaves my lips. "Fine. Blake, will you be my boyfriend?"
A chaste kiss lands on my lips before he answers, grinning from one ear to another. "Yes! A thousand times yes!"