Becca.
The next day was more awkward than I had anticipated it to be. After everything that had happened with Neal last night, I had expected there to be nothing but an awkward silence between us. However, instead, when I had awoken and made my way out to the living room, he seed more cheerful than ever.
Taking precautions, I kept quiet after saying good morning to him, and made my way towards the kitchen and set the kettle to make myself a cup of tea. I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to do for the day, but at the top of my list, I had to find a place to live.
After all, school was coming rather quickly, and I couldn’t stay where I was before. Everything was so f*cked up, but there was nothing I could do except take care of shit as always and move forward.
“So, I was looking over everything, and I think I found the perfect place for you,” Neal said, catching my attention. Turning around, I stared at him with a blank expression and my lips slightly parted.
“I told you there was no need to worry about that. I can figure it out honestly.” Frowning, I hoped he would listen to and understand I wasn’t looking for free hands out from him just because he had money.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I told you last night I was going to help you. I really am looking at having rental properties up there. This is a great opportunity for to expand. Perhaps we can work sothing out if you feel you’re getting handouts.”
“What do you an?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest while biting the inside of my cheek.
His eyes seed to hold so sort of mystery to them as he glanced at with a smile. “I an, like maybe you can help out with property managent. Instead of paying soone, I would just let you live in one unit for free. You take care of the others.”
Nodding my head, I chose not to say anything else. After all, what was I going to say?
It was better not to bite the hand that feeds you, and honestly, the deal he was offering was great. “I think I can manage sothing like that.”
An empty feeling in the pit of my stomach made question everything that had happened last night. As much as I tried not to pay any attention to it, I couldn’t avoid it.
Neal had kissed last night, and if I hadn’t stopped things, they would have gone further.
Did this an he actually had an interest in ?
As I finished making my tea, I slowly made my way towards the living room. He was sitting on the sofa in a pair of gray sweatpants and a white T-shirt. His godly aroma wrapped around in all the right ways.
He was incredibly attractive, and any girl would be fortunate enough to have soone like him. But he wasn’t Jas and as much as I wanted to try to get over him, I couldn’t.
“I think we should talk,” I said, breaking the awkward silence between us.
His eyes slowly lifted from his laptop placed in front of him to fall on , and as they did, my breath caught in my throat.
“There’s no need to have a discussion about anything that happened last night. We both had a lot to drink and, of course, we know that there is nothing that could ever happen between us.” Neal’s admission shocked .
I hadn’t expected him to be so nonchalant about it, but he quickly dismissed what had happened between us as if it wasn’t a big deal.
“So we’re just going to pretend that it never happened?” I asked, furrowing my brows as I lifted my teacup to my lips.
“If that’s what you would like to do, then we can. I don’t want to discuss it and make you feel uncomfortable. As I said, what happened happened. We’d both been drinking and there’s nothing really to discuss.”
I was pleased there would not be any awkwardness, but I felt conflicted. His response wasn’t what I had expected, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he regretted what happened.
“Can I ask you sothing?” I whispered, watching his eyes lift once again from his laptop to connect with mine.
“You don’t ever have to question if you can ask sothing. Of course, you can ask anything, Becca. You can ask anything of you want in the world, and I will grant it if it is in my power to do so.” The corners of his lips turned up into a smile.
“Why did you kiss last night, Neal? I an, I didn’t think you were into , and I know you said we’d both been drinking, but the way you were seed like there was more to it.”
Instantly, his expression fell from one of happiness to one of guilt. Leaning back against the couch, he rubbed his hand over his face as he sighed.
“Well, it is complicated,” he replied, clearing his throat. “I can’t pretend I don’t like you and care about you because I do, Becca. I care about you a great deal. However, I also respect and understand Jas is the man you love. I would never push you into doing anything you don’t want.”
In shock over his acceptance, my heart swelled, and tears lined my eyes. Whatever person he claid would be the luckiest in the world. Never once had I t a man as kind as him, except for my own father.
Neal thought about everyone around him before ever thinking about himself.
“I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for , Neal. I’m sorry, though, for being so difficult and complicated. You deserve so much better.”
Neal closed his laptop and smiled at . “You are the one that deserves the world.”
“No, I don’t,” I scoffed. “I’m in love with a man who doesn’t want . I’m f*cked up.”
“I wouldn’t say that, but I understand,” he said, nodding his head as if everything I was saying made complete sense to him. “That’s why I told you not to worry about it.”
“I don’t want things to change between us,” I admitted softly, grasping at any opportunity to make sure I could keep him in my life, because even if I wasn’t involved with him, he was still a dear friend to . I would hate the fact of losing him over sothing silly like this.
“Nothing will ever change between us. Even if you aren’t with and things never progress, having you in my life as a friend is at least better than having you not in my life at all.” He gestured with his hand for to co towards him, and setting down my cup, I did.
Pulling into his lap, he kissed the side of my head. “Actually, I have an event this weekend, and I hoped you could co with .”
After how things went with the last event I had gone to, I wasn’t quite certain if I wanted to do another. However, this was Neal... not Jas.
“I don’t know. The gala was a lot for . I’m just not sure if going to another event would be a good idea,” I replied with hesitation.
“I understand that you’re concerned, but it would an a great deal to if you went. Just to have so fun, and if you’re uncomfortable about going, you don’t have to. I thought this would be a very good educational experience for you, considering the field that you’re going into.”
“Educational experience?” I questioned with a soft laugh that made him smile.
“Yes, there’s going to be a ton of guest speakers there. There’s actually going to be quite a few college students there taking notes on the presentations given. I thought you might find it very educational. I know how much your field of study ans to you, and I believe there is one person who’s going to be there that you will enjoy.”
Hearing this could be educational and benefit at school was sothing that intrigued . I would have a paper I needed to do this year for one of my college classes, and if I could use this firsthand experience to improve my paper than I should do it.
Chances like these often only ca around once in a blue moon, and who was I to turn down sothing significant like this?
Taking a mont, I rolled my eyes and nodded my head in agreent. “Fine, I’ll go, but I’m not getting super dressed up.”
“That’s fine. It’s not one of those kinds of events. I an, of course, look nice. Now, I’m not saying leggings and a hoodie, but you also don’t have to wear a ball gown and dazzling jewelry. Just sothing pretty you have on hand.”
Slowly, I stood from his lap, as he continued to clutch at my hand before it gently drifted away until we were no longer touching. I felt the need to cry, but it wasn’t because of sadness. It was one of happiness.
This was the first step towards my future, being slightly different.
And all of it was because Neal didn’t just let carry on on my own. He took in when I needed it, gave a place to stay, and had been nothing but kind to . Now, once again, he was giving another opportunity that could benefit in the long run.
“Why don’t we talk about this place? What are you looking at?” I replied, changing the subject. Quickly grabbing his laptop, he started flipping through the tabs.
There were a variety of different places he was looking at, and one by one, he explained them to and showed the layouts of them. They were a lot more extravagant than I was expecting, but with the data he was providing , I could give him so clear guidance into what would be the best choice for the prices he was going to be spending.
It made feel like I was actually doing sothing instead of just feeling like a mooch that was getting another freebie handout.
Even though when I lived with Tally, that was what I was technically doing.
Jas had paid for everything, and I lived for free.
At least with Neal, I would be doing sothing to repay him by being the property manager.
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