Fell In Love With My Roomy Chapter 80

He looked intense, agitated, and brimming with emotions. I had never seen him so vulnerable before, so open. He genuinely liked me, and I wasn't imagining it.

"I told him I wanted to ask you out, but he told me not to. He said he didn't want me to invite you to move in and potentially make things difficult for you. He thought I was too 'rough' for you and didn't want to put you in his room if he thought you wouldn't be happy, or if he believed I would make a move on you. So, I did what I could to keep you away, and yes, I was unkind to you. I'm aware of that. I'm damn sorry about it."

"So, you did all of this, lied about your feelings, and pushed me away because Carlo, who doesn't even live in this state anymore, told you not to?" I questioned, my exhaustion evident. He shrugged and nodded. I just chuckled and walked away. "I can make my own decisions."

"I know that, and I tried to make you like me for who I am, Juls," he said, his voice quiet. "I've always wanted to spend time with you, but I didn't want to endure that pain in my chest. I didn't want to sit beside you and know that I couldn't be with you." He sighed. "But... time passed, things changed, and I called Carlo and told him the truth. I told him, 'I was going to try to tell you the truth too, that I wanted to be with you.'" He shook his head and let out a sigh.

"When did all this happen?" I inquired, my eyes wide with amazement.

"The first time you and Dane broke up," he replied quietly. "Carlo couldn't do anything, but he stopped worrying about it after the summer. 'If that's what she really wants,' he said. I've never had a boyfriend or girlfriend in my life, Juls. He thinks the same as everyone else, that I'm too messy to go out with. But I gathered the courage to ask you out on Halloween. I knew you had just broken up with someone, but I was willing to wait until you were ready."

"Is that all you were going to say?" I inquired, feeling my eyes welling up with tears. He was about to confess that he liked me, confirming my suspicions. He nodded, and tears welled up in my eyes. "Why on earth did you let me go back to Dane? Kent, I wouldn't have gone back." His shoulders slumped, and I sniffled.

"I know. When Abby told me he was back, I freaked out. I let you go because, for a brief moment, I thought it was better that way. I didn't want you to be unhappy," he insisted, looking upset that I was so distressed. "But I left to go after you. I was ready to pull you away from that loser and tell you right then that I liked you."

"What happened?" I asked, my impatience getting the best of me.

"Piper stopped me from reaching you before I could." He said quietly. "She showed me something," he added.

"What happened?" I shook my head and prodded for more information.

"That night, she was outside your room. She had gone out for some fresh air, and when she returned, your curtains were open. She recorded a video of us arguing on your bed while I was dressed as a stripper. Honey, it looked terrible," he admitted, and my heart sank. "She said she would release it if she ever saw us together again. My parents, the school, and everyone who knew I was applying to Northwestern knew. I couldn't... I couldn't jeopardize that for you. I knew how much your work meant to you."

"Is she still holding onto it?" I asked, and he sighed and nodded.

"I'm working on it with someone, trying to negotiate so she can't obtain it or release it, but she..."

"All she wants is you," I muttered softly, and he nodded. "That's why she said what she did a few days ago," I murmured, realizing that our recent conversation had been fruitless.

"What was that?"

"That you were going to be with her soon and that I should stay away from you once that happened," I confessed, running my hand through my hair.

"Juls, I swear to God I'd never be with her. I'd rather die than date her or sue her for every penny in her bank account," he said sorrowfully.

"I have a question for you, and I just want you to tell me the truth," I said quietly, and he nodded. "Did you spend the night with her?"

"No," he insisted. "I think the guys might think I did, which is fine, but I didn't. I didn't even kiss her."

"You promise?" I asked, and he nodded.

"I promise," he said, taking a deep breath and shaking his head. "I've never slept with her, and I don't plan to start now. Then you were back with Dane, which was best for everyone. Well, I didn't know you were unhappy until later, and then I found out he was cheating on you. It was hard to be honest with you, but-"

"You were afraid that Piper would find out if you did," I finished, and he nodded. "Why didn't you tell me any of this?"

"I thought it would be easier to handle on my own. Act like I was okay with being just your friend," he said, nodding. "I thought it would be less stressful for you."

"No, it doesn't make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but I'd rather know," I muttered, shaking my head. "The thing with Northwestern is just a thing. It's an opportunity, but there are hundreds of those."

"I knew it was important to you because you were so excited about it," he mumbled. "Yes, Juls, that's what's going on. I'm not pushing you away because I don't care; I care too much, and it makes me feel like I'm going to die."

"What... what can we do to just... be together?" I asked in a quiet voice, and he blinked as if I had confused him.

"You want to hang out with me?" he asked. "No matter what."

"I like you too, you dumbass," I replied, and he laughed, his eyes widening. "All I wanted was for you to be honest with me about what you really wanted. Not kiss me or do something else with me and then tell me to keep it a secret," I muttered, shaking my head. "I've been thinking about you for months, but I guess I thought it was just me."

"No," he said, quietly. "If you knew how often I thought about you, you would think I was crazy," he sighed and shook his head, making me smile.

"Did this trip really happen by chance?" I inquired because I genuinely wanted to know what he'd say.

"Yes, it was a big accident," he insisted. "If I didn't have to, I wouldn't have brought you home to meet my parents. But I won't deny that I'm happy with how things turned out. You're sleeping next to me in bed, and you're out in the city with a big smile." He gave a small smile and appeared content with how things had unfolded. "This heartache has been the best kind."

"Say it again, please," I said softly. "Why do you like me so much?" I whispered, feeling my cheeks grow warm. He laughed, took three steps closer to me, and wrapped his arms around my waist.

He whispered, "Julianna," and continued, "Since I met you, I've liked you a lot. You're the prettiest girl in the whole world." With that, his lips met mine, and I gasped, completely unprepared for the kiss, but delighted with the result.

"I like it when you call me by my full name," I said, taking a breath, and he smiled against my lips. He lifted me off the ground, and I wrapped my legs around his waist.

"I'm sorry if I made you think that what I did last night was selfish because it wasn't," he looked into my eyes and whispered. "All I wanted was to touch you."

"What are you saying?" I tease.

"With what I'm saying," he replies. "I'd do anything to kiss you all over, Juls."

As he says it, my cheeks flush, my stomach flutters, and my entire body tingles. I've never experienced this before – feeling both secure and apprehensive simultaneously.