“Mia… James.”
We both pulled away, seeing Clyde looking at both of us with wide eyes.
39
WELCOME HOME
JAMES
One of the worse things than being caught by their friend while making out with his daughter in his own kitchen was having a fucking boner when it happened.
“Dad.” I winced when Mia pulled back, color slashing her cheeks. “You’re… you are standing, and you’re here?”
I wished I could faint. Or have a heart attack. Anything at that point would work.
Clyde looked like he was having a heart attack or another aneurysm, and I was worried. “Were you just kissing James, or was I seeing things?” Even his voice was barely a rasp, his knuckles tightening on the cane he was holding. Despite staying in the hospital for a couple of months, he looked healthy.
“Would you believe me if I said you’re seeing things?” Mia asked, shuffling on her feet.
I took a deep breath and met my friend’s eyes. “I was kissing Mia,” I answered, keeping my gaze on him, even though guilt and embarrassment made me want to look away. I didn’t regret anything. I should have talked to Clyde about it earlier, but I wasn’t going to tell him that I liked his daughter when he was sitting on a hospital bed.
“I see.” He pursed his lips and limped towards the couch, sitting down. Mia walked towards him, but he shot her a dark look. “Go to your room. I need to talk to James.”
Her body tensed and she nodded jerkily before turning away and running upstairs. A moment later, I heard the sound of the door closing. I glanced at him. His face was poker as he pointed at the seat across from him.
“How’s your leg?” I asked, sitting down. “I didn’t know you were getting released today.”
“It’s okay.” His hazel eyes narrowed. “I was going to surprise Mia and… you, but I wasn’t expecting to come home and find my friend pinning my daughter against the kitchen island.”
I swallowed audibly, tugging at the collar of my shirt. “I wanted to talk about it—”
“James.” His voice turned sharp, and I knew I was talking to an angry father and not my friend. “You promised me you’d take care of Mia. Not kiss her behind my back.”
“Ilikeher, Clyde.”
“You like a girl who’s young enough to be your daughter?” His words hurt, making my chest tight and mouth dry.
I couldn’t meet his gaze when I asked, “Don’t you think I already tormented myself with that question, Clyde? You think I asked for this?” I clenched my fist. “I-I tried to ignore it, but I couldn’t.”
“She’s your student, for fuck’s sake!” He ran a hand over his face and I noticed the strain there. The bags underneath his eyes. He looked tired. Exhausted.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I tried to fight whatever feelings I had for her, Clyde. But I couldn’t. Ican’t. I never intended to keep this a secret from you. I wanted to tell you since the beginning, talk to you about it, but you were in the hospital so I decided to wait until you got back home…”
“What the hell am I supposed to do about this?”
“You should rest.” I stood up. “But before that, talk to Mia. I…” I glanced away and added, “I’ll go back to my place. Call me if you need anything.”
He grumbled something.
I wished I could have pizza with him and Mia, but by the look on his face, it was the last thing he’d have wanted. “And Clyde?”
He finally looked up at me.
“Welcome home.” I gave him a small smile before picking up my keys and leaving the house. I could feel the burning stare from the windows, but if I looked at her, I wouldn’t be able to leave, so I didn’t turn back.
* * *
Mia