Page 15 of Unpredictable Flames

“Sure thing, man,” I answered, patting him on his back before he released me from the hug.

“You still know how to throw a punch, huh?” Cole smirked.

I raised my fist and grinned. “Been knocking people out since grade school man.”

As Cole left, I turned to Lily. There were so many questions in my head, but at this point, I wanted to know if she was really okay with what had just happened.

What actually did just happen?

“Are you okay?” I asked, searching her eyes.

She forced a smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just... tired, I guess.”

I could tell she was putting on a brave front, but I knew better than to let it slide. “You sure?” I pressed, concern creeping into my voice. “You seemed pretty shaken up back there.”

Lily hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering away before returning to meet mine. “It's nothing, really. Just... Liam being Liam, you know?”

I frowned, not entirely convinced by her dismissive tone. “Liam being Liam? What does that mean?”

She let out a sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly as she realized she couldn't keep up the charade any longer. “We... we broke up, Jake. And things got a little... heated.”

My heart clenched at her words. I remembered when Liam had threatened her. The thought made my blood boil, but I pushed down my anger, focusing instead on Lily. “I'm sorry, Lily. I had no idea.”

She offered me a weak smile. “It's okay, Jake. It's not your problem.”

“But it is,” I insisted, my voice firm. “I don't want to see you hurt.”

Lily smiled, a small but genuine one this time. “Thanks, Jake, but I didn’t mean to burden you with my problems. You’ve already done so much for me today.”

I shook my head, a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips. “Lily, you are definitely not a burden. You’re sweet, and kind, and so fucking amazing it’s crazy.”

A small giggle escaped her lips, and I was suddenly filled with a warm fuzzy feeling from hearing her laughter. I looked straight into her eyes, taking her hand in mine. “And best of all, you’re important to me Lily. I care about you more than you know.”

Lily's smile grew a little warmer at my words, and she squeezed my hand a bit tighter. “Thank you.”

I felt a wave of realization crash over me, leaving me no choice but to confront the depth of my feelings for her. I thought I just really liked Lily and enjoyed her company, but as I looked into her misty green eyes, the truth echoed louder than ever before.

Maybe, just maybe, what I felt for Lily ran deeper than what I thought possible. I have fallen in love with her.

CHAPTER EIGHT - HEATED CONFESSIONS

I looked into the same pair of gray eyes that I saw the day I woke up in the hospital, yet for some reason, there was something different. I could feel it.

“Jake?”

“Hmm…” he answered absent-mindedly, then his eyes fluttered, and he blinked hard before looking back at me. “Sorry, did you say something?”

“You seemed to have gone somewhere,” I said, my eyes trained on his. “What were you thinking about?”

“It’s nothing,” he said, clearing his throat to dismiss the conversation, but I wasn’t one to back down.

“Tell me,” I pressed. “I literarily just opened up and told you about Liam and I. The least you can do is tell me what you’re thinking about.”

“Now isn’t the time, Lily,” Jake groaned, wanting to walk away.

I held his arm with both of my hands and looked him in the eye. “It’s obvious it’s about me so you might as well say it.”

“Lily —” he started, but I quickly cut him off.

---