Bryce

The next morning, I wake up alone. Panicking, I rush to the living room where I find a fully dressed Dylan.

He hasn’t noticed me yet, so I take in his appearance. He is wearing a powder blue button up tucked into light wash jeans, a white belt, and powder blue tennis shoes with clean white trim and laces. His hair is styled with gel so that his bangs hang on one side of his face. I know he doesn’t need the half rim fashion glasses with powder blue frames because he got laser surgery a few years ago, but they are cute on him.  

He catches sight of me as he is putting his wallet in his back pocket.

" I didn’t mean to wake you.”

I fold my arms in front of me and look around the room.

“You didn’t. Are you going somewhere?”

“Yes, I told Amy I would meet her for breakfast.”

“Oh.”

I look down at the ground. A funny feeling stumbles around in my chest.

“Do you have anything scheduled today?”

I can feel Dylan’s gaze on me as I stare at the floor. This is the most subtle dismissal he has ever given me, but it still stings.

“No, but I’m heading out in a moment. I just need to freshen up and get dressed."

“Oh, um, could you stay until I get back?”

I look up at him in shock.

“Ok.”

My answer is barely audible. Man, don’t give me hope like this. It’s too cruel, especially since you are leaving for a date with your girl.

Dylan thanks me and then gets his keys and leaves. I stand alone in his empty house. Against my better judgement I feel happy.

Dylan

I pull up to the trendy bed and breakfast that Amy and I frequent. I hand my keys to the valet, Fred, and we exchange greetings. Then he tells me Amy is already seated.

When I enter the country style inn, I expect Michelle, the hostess, to lead me to the main dining area, but she takes me to a more private room down the hall. 

Amy is sitting at a table full of picture-perfect dishes, wearing a white dress with ruffled sleeves that shows off her shoulders. Her black hair is half up in a ponytail and the rest cascades and curls around her shoulders and down her back. She looks up at me with a big smile.

“Dylan!!! Look at all this yummy food! I am so glad you’re here because I am starving.”

I feel so guilty as I slip into the seat across from her. She cheerfully starts to dish out portions of food onto both of our plates. What an adorable, loving human. I don’t know what I would do without her in my life.

“So, how did it go? Was I right?”

I look down at the table, not wanting to answer.

“Come on, Dylan! I’m dying to know. I want my bragging rights.”

I let out a breath. How was she so happy about this?

“Ok, if you’re sure you want to hear this.”

She nods enthusiastically with a mouth full of food. She looks like an overeager chipmunk. Almost too cute to be real.

“You were right. He said he loves me. He thought I was asleep, but I heard him loud and clear.”

“What?! No way! I didn’t think he would confess!”

“It wasn’t directly, but I get the feeling that it isn’t the first time he’s told me. Usually, I’m so worked up when he comes to my rescue that I barely know what happened. This time…How could I have not noticed? He talks to me so gently and his heart beats so fast when he holds me. And, oh my goodness, the way he looks at me…Am I that dumb?”

“Yes.”

 
She grins at me when I glare at her response.

“Ok, maybe you were just in denial. Speaking of, do you know how you feel now?”

She looks up from her food expectantly and I feel butterflies in my stomach. I have never consciously lied to her, so I am not going to lie now.

“I love him.”

I brace myself as Amy squeals and then jumps from the table and gives me a huge hug. Then she runs back to her seat and leans forward.

“Tell me more! I need details!”

I blush from embarrassment and shake my head at her antics.

“What do you even want to hear?”

“Ok, like, when did you first figure it out? Does he make your heart skip a beat? When are you going to tell him? You know, the good stuff.”

I give her an incredulous look.

“You do know I was your boyfriend until literally yesterday, right?”

“Technically, until last night, but we are not talking about that right now. We are talking about how my best friend just realized that the man he is in love with is in love with him too. Here, let me pour you another mimosa.”

Amy tops off my glass and hers. She places three petits fours on her plate, then she looks at me like a kid waiting for story time while she nibbles. I sigh and decide to give her what she wants. I always do.

“Well, to be honest, I don’t know when it started. Now that I am acknowledging this feeling, I realize it has always kind of been there.”

I check her reaction, but Amy just nods along. I look at her with mixed feelings.

“When you left, I was really upset. I thought about what you said, and I couldn’t be alone.”

Amy’s cheerful expression falls a little. I didn’t miss the brief moment of sadness in her eyes either. This isn’t as easy for either of us as we are making it seem. The least I can do is give her the story she wants.

“If I were smarter, I would have at least realized it when I got annoyed at him hugging you. I probably wouldn’t even question why I was jealous of you and not him if you hadn’t pointed it out.”

Amy smirks, amusement in eyes. I feel relieved that she can joke with me still.

“I know, Amy, I know. The thing that caused my “aha moment” was hearing the way his voice sounded when he said he was on his way. My body instantly started to relax when he said that. It was like he magically made me feel safe with just a few words.”

Ever the hopeless romantic, Amy melts a little at my confession. She props her chin on one hand and sighs contently. I shake my head, grinning at her, and continue.

“When I saw him pull up, my heart would not calm down and I was too nervous to speak. Bryce was so sweet. He only thought of making me comfortable. He even offered to leave if I needed him to when he had only just gotten there. Then it dawned on that he was always like that with me. It took everything in me not to kiss him at that moment.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“Because I didn’t have the courage. He’s so beautiful, so perfect, and he stood there ready to move mountains to make me feel better. It was both dreamlike and devastating for me. I’m not sure how I survived the way my heart was pounding.”

Amy nods sagely.

“Yeah, Bryce is pretty hot. I’ve caught myself drooling a few times too.”

“Hey! Watch it!”

I tease her and she meets my energy. This is why we click.

“Well, it’s true! Those eyes are so intense. How do you not melt with the way he’s staring at you all the time? I would be a puddle at his feet.”

I chuckle and then I have a sudden revelation. Again, it is one I should have made before now.

“Amy, when did you know?”

Amy sits up and uses her tiny hands to smooth wrinkles in her dress.

“I knew about Bryce’s feelings from the very first time you introduced me to him as your girlfriend.”

I’m shocked.

“Really?”

“Well, you may have missed the way he looks at you, but, like I said before, everyone else sees it. I caught him staring at you longingly that day and it just clicked. You know how observant Bryce is. He saw me catch on and he just shook his head and gave me this sad smile.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Amy and I have been oddly honest with each other throughout our relationship. It wasn’t brutal honesty. It’s more like we didn’t feel the need to hide anything. Attraction to other people is natural. We are both appealing people so it is natural that others would flirt with us. There was no jealousy, aside from yesterday with Bryce, because Amy and I both knew that we were loyal to each other.

“At first I didn’t say anything because I thought it was a one-sided crush, and Bryce was very clear about wanting you to be happy.”

I felt a pang in my heart at that. Bryce must have gone through a lot of pain waiting for me to catch on. I am briefly reminded that he is still waiting for me in my house.

“You seemed to already know I loved him too. When did you know about me?”

Amy sighs.

“I knew the first time you told me about calling him to help you calm down from your panic attacks.”

“Wait. I called you the next morning! Amy, that was like a year ago. Why didn’t you say anything?”

Amy purses her lips and finally she seems upset.

“It was not my place to say it, Dylan. I knew that one day you would figure it out and then you would tell me when you were ready.”

Her voice is raised a little, I can tell she is restraining herself. Should I try to comfort her? Would that make things worse? My response is sheepish. nj

“Did you feel like our relationship was lie?”

I want to cry asking her this. She means so much to me and I genuinely care for her. The thought of her feeling like our relationship was a sham makes me queasy. Did I really spend all this time obliviously hurting two of the most important people in my life?

Amy’s expression and posture relax at my question. Her eyes are a little moist too.

“No, Dylan. I never felt like you weren’t being sincere with me. How you feel about Bryce does not make what we had any less special. You were an amazing boyfriend, but…”

“But?”

“But I knew our time was limited. You and Bryce gravitate towards each other. It’s actually really heartwarming and adorable to watch most of the time. And when I would get a little sad about the limited time I would have with you, I would just remind myself to enjoy time you gave me.”

Amy smiles at me with teary, but happy eyes. I can not even express all the feelings I was having at this moment.

“Amy, I don’t deserve you.”

“I am pretty awesome, huh? Just don’t you forget to appreciate me, mister.”

I chuckle at her.

“I wouldn’t dream of it, my dear.”

We both laugh then there is a comfortable silence.

“Well, I think it is time for us to head out. You have a handsome man waiting for you back home, don’t you?”

I smile a little and then she and I stand to leave. She looks like she is going to try to pay, and I stop her.

“It’s the least I can do.”

She smiles and then we both head to our cars once the bill is paid. As she is getting into the car, she waves at me. I wave back and watch her drive away. Bryce is literally the only soul in the world that could have enticed me away from Amy, and that is probably because he already had my heart before I met her. 

Now that I realize the truth, I know that he has owned my heart completely, almost from day one. No one else ever stood a chance. Is it too cliché to say that I am certain that no one ever will? 

Ugh. Bryce makes me cheesy. I can't wait to complain about it to the source.