Done Being Friends (13 page)

From behind Faith, Dylan wrapped his arms around her and whispered into her ears, “He will be fine.”

Faith nodded, and she sure hoped so. Then, as politely as she could, she shrugged out of his hug and walked to Zac’s side, leaning on his shoulders. In return, Zac, wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her closer.

Dylan let out a slow breath and retreated beside Jessica. Before, Zac wouldn’t have done that. At least, not in front of him.

Jessica saw what happened but didn’t make any comment; it wasn’t the right place or time.

They all settled to down in a waiting area near the surgery room. Everyone was quiet. Zac and Dylan had each settled down by Faith’s side. There was some serious tension between the two of them and Faith could no longer stand it.

“Are you guys all right?”

Both of them kept quiet until Zac broke the silence. “Yes, angel, don’t worry about us. You tired? It will take some time before your dad comes out. You want me to send you home so that you can take a bath or rest for awhile?”

Something was obviously wrong, and Zac didn’t seem eager to settle it. Not wanting to harp on an issue that he was so adamantly avoiding, she let it slide. “I’m staying.”

“My dear, maybe you should go home, take a bath and get some rest. You have been up since last night. It will not help if you collapse from fatigue as well,” her grandmother voiced.

“Yes dear, go home and rest. The important thing is for you to be there when your father wakes up,” Her mother added.

Faith did need rest. She had to put in a real effort to absorb what they were saying. She closed her eyes and nodded. “All right, but call me once there is any news.”

The ladies agreed. “Boys, both of you have been up all night too. We can’t have her guardian angels falling sick either. Go home and get some sleep.”

The two guys stood up along with Faith. Dylan had spotted Faith’s SUV in the car park at the Preston’s office building, and he knew Zac had to drive her back to get his car so he didn’t ask if Faith needed a ride.

Dylan walked alongside Jessica, and waited for Zac to put Faith into the car and shut the door before he spoke. “I need to talk to you. I will wait for you at your house.”

Dylan stalked away, and Zac shook his head. He was tired, and even though he wouldn’t admit or even show signs of it in front of Faith. Sighing, he knew it was unavoidable. Walking over to the other side of the monster SUV, he opened the door and got in.

Faith was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open. Dylan seemed to have said something to Zac that brought about a sigh, but she didn’t ask, and she was asleep before Zac got into the car.

Jessica trailed behind Dylan, wondering if she should be angry with herself or Dylan.

“They love each other, you know that, right? I don’t know if they are clueless, obstinate or simply fearful to rock what they currently have, but they are more than just friends.”

Dylan remained silent as he pulled out of the lot, but Jessica could see his taunt jaws and his fingers wrapped around the steering wheel as if he was trying to suffocate it.

“I know you feel something for her,” Jessica spoke the next words softly, “Perhaps it is time to let go.” She reached her hand over and touched his hand softly. Again, her words were met with silence. Knowing that nothing she said or did then would matter, she pulled back her hand and leaned her head back against the headrest.
 

Perhaps Jessica, it’s time for you to let go.
Jessica fought the tears as she conversed within herself, turning her head to look out the window.
Not that he would notice if you actually cried.

Of all the people, she had to fall in love with someone who merely saw her as the best friend of someone he loved.
 

Throughout college, they had spent time together, along with Faith and Zac. She fell in love with how determined a person he was. When he started work in his father’s company, he had plans, and no matter how gloomy the situation looked, he stuck to his plans and never looked back.

During those times when he met with failure, he was without a doubt frustrated, but he never gave up. He would sit and look carefully at where he had gone wrong and then make sure he never repeated it.

Whenever Dylan was upset, he would turn to her. They spent hours talking, sometimes into the morning about anything and everything. Perhaps it was because he didn’t want Faith to see the weak side of him that he turned to Jessica, but through the talks, Jessica fell in love with him.

She knew how Dylan felt about Faith but knew for sure that Faith only saw him as a friend and brother. She also knew that Dylan had dated a couple of other women on and off, so she thought that when Dylan finally saw how much Zac and Faith were in love with each other, he would let her go and see Jessica as the one for him.

It was an exhausting and draining wait.
Maybe it’s time to move on.

After a few tense minutes, Dylan finally spoke. “I’ll drop you off before heading home.”

When they got back home, Zac looked at Faith, asleep beside him. She had barely stirred even when the horns of another car had blared at Zac for not reacting the second the light turned green. His reaction could have been slow, but he had been awake for over thirty hours.

Still, Zac wasn’t angry; he was just worried that the driver would wake Faith up. She was normally such a light sleeper.
 

If only he could just sit and watch her sleep, but he knew that she would be more comfortable in her bed. He reached his hand over and brushed her hair gently, not wanting to startle her. She stirred and woke up.
 

“Mmmm...” she moaned softly.
 

He loved that sound she made. “You’re home, angel.”
 

Faith rubbed her eyes, adjusting her eyes to the porch light that George had switched on. Glancing at the clock, Kate realized it was nearing seven. She really needed sleep. “Thanks Zac.”

Zac got out and went over to the passenger’s side to open the door. He offered her his hand while she got out. She took it, but still looked wobbly as she hopped down from her monster SUV.
 

“You really shouldn’t get such a big car.”

“I hope people will leave my lousy driving skills alone when they see how my car could easily run over theirs.”

They laughed. Faith was clearly tired, and even laughing seemed like a tedious task for her. He took her hand and hooked it on his arm so that she could lean on him as they walked to the door. George had opened the door but disappeared into the kitchen and left them alone.
 

At the door, Zac pulled his hands through Faith’s hair and kissed her forehead. “Do you want me to get you something to eat?”

Faith shook her head and yawned softly again. “No, I just really want to sleep.”

Zac laughed again. “Then, rest well, angel.”

He turned to leave, knowing he had to face Dylan anyway.
 

“Zac,” she spoke in a soft voice, almost shaking.
 

“Yes?” Zac turned back to face her.

“I know you have been with me since last night, and you need rest and all.” She closed her eyes and bit her lower lip.
 

“Faith, what’s wrong? Don’t feel bad about it. I am glad that I was there for you. Don’t worry.”

She took in a deep breath and spoke, “Would you stay then? Tonight? I don’t want to be alone, in case my mother calls from the hospital.”

Silly.
Zac was more than happy to do that, but there was a problem -Dylan. Dylan would fly off the handle if he didn’t go and meet him. Zac wanted so much to stay with her that he actually contemplated the consequences of not meeting Dylan and ran through a series of plausible excuses he could give.
 

He sighed softly, it was fun to muse with the idea, but confrontation was bound to happen. It was better to settle it out of Faith’s sight than risk Dylan coming over and erupting in front of her.

“Faith, I want to stay with you but—”

Before Zac could finish his sentence, Faith smiled and shook her head. “I understand, I shouldn’t have asked. Sorry, go home and rest.” She turned slightly, ready to go.

Zac frowned. He reached his hand over and grabbed her arm gently. “Faith, let me finish. I am glad you asked and I will stay, but I need to go home to bathe and change my clothes. Then I will be right back. Don’t wait for me, I promise I will be here when you wake up. All right?”

“Are you sure?” Faith bit her lower lip again.

Zac let out a deliberate sigh of frustration. “Faith, my dear angel, I have told you countless times that I will drop anything for you. You need to start getting that into your head,” he nudged her forehead gently with his index finger.

“Now, go bathe and sleep. I will be back soon.” He pulled her in and gave her a quick peck on her cheek. “Go to sleep, silly. Sweet dreams.”

Zac pulled out from the driveway and sped down the roads, rushing to get home so that he could settle the Dylan issue and get back to Faith.
 

He immersed himself in the events of the day, thinking about the almost-kiss he had with Faith. Just thinking about being so close to her was getting his adrenaline pumping. Having spent most of the day with her, he could still smell her lingering scent around him.
 

She seemed to have completely forgotten about the unhappiness on the way to work. She had asked him to stay overnight. He knew she would prepare a guest room for him, not like there would be anything happening, but it did prove that she wanted him to be with her.
 

He couldn’t help but wonder if she would have asked Dylan to stay.

He put his car into park and walked into his house. The lights were switched on, and Dylan’s car was already parked there. Zac had made sure he parked a little further away from Dylan, just in case Dylan left in a fit and decided to total his car on the way out.
 

“Hello Dylan.”

Dylan looked at Zac but kept quiet.
 

“Are you sleeping with your eyes open?”

“What are you trying to pull, Zac? Faith is not one of those girls whom you can sleep with and forget.”

Anger rose in Zac, “I will never treat her that way. She’s more important to me than you’ll ever know. I have given you plenty of chances, but nothing has happened so why can’t I take my chance now?” Zac continued.

Dylan’s mouth fell open. His jaws tightened, and he clenched his fist.

Before Dylan could regain his composure, Zac continued. “And don’t go on about what you have done for me. I know you were a great help to me, and I promise that I will be there to watch your back if you ever need help, but I can no longer help you with Faith.”

“You cannot make her happy! You will just get sick of her and forget her like how you treat the other girls. Like Nicole Smith, you’ll have your fun and then dump her. You, Zac Hayden, are just a playboy who does not care about anyone but yourself!”
 
Dylan spat out his words and got to his feet, one of his fists was still clenched by his side while another had his finger pointed at Zac.

Zac could see that things were going to turn ugly, but he wasn’t walking away, now that there was a chance that he could be with Faith, he wasn’t giving up. He did, however, have to fight to keep his urge of snapping Dylan’s finger becoming a reality. He took in a deep breath and stuck his hands into his pockets.
 

“I care a great deal about Faith. There is no comparison to anyone else. Last night, when I saw you hugging her...” The scene of Faith in his arms flooded his mind. The mere thought of losing Faith to someone else caused his chest to tighten.

“I am not saying that you cannot continue to pursue her. I’m saying that I am not going to stand back and watch you do it.”

When Dylan remained silent, Zac continued, “Faith has feelings, let her choose. If she chooses you, I will walk away and let you two be happy. Can’t you do that for me too?”

Dylan stalked out of the house without saying another word. Zac knew that Dylan was infuriated; his eyes burned with anger, and his fists had curled so tight that his knuckles were white. He slammed the door behind him while Zac stood and listened as his car screeched away.
 

“Sir, is everything all right?” Margaret hurried in when she heard the door slam.

“Yes, I’m fine. I’m going to bathe and go back to Faith’s house. I won’t be back tonight.” Zac turned and walked up the stairs. The worst seemed to be over. Hopefully, Dylan would think through what he had said and handle this whole issue like an adult.

As for him, he was going to take a bath, freshen up and get back to Faith.

When George opened the door to let Zac in, he placed his finger over his lips and gestured over to the couch where Faith laid asleep. Faith had bathed and changed into her pajamas of a tank top and a pair of long pants. Her still wet hair was cascading down the side of her face and neck as she lay curled up on the couch.
 

“Why is she not in bed?” Zac whispered, afraid to wake Faith.

“I think she was waiting for you,” George smiled as he whispered back in return. “The guest room is ready for you. Do you need anything?”

“Bring the pillow and blanket over to her room’s couch. I will sleep there tonight.”

George nodded and left to shift the things.
 

“Faith?” Zac whispered softly, not wanting to jolt her awake.

“Zac? Sorry I fell asleep.” She brushed the hair from her face and shifted on the couch, trying to sit up.

Zac put his hand on her shoulders. “Go back to sleep angel.”

Then, he scooped her up from her couch and carried her to her bed. Faith didn’t struggle; she snuggled into him and dug her hands into his chest, clenching his shirt. He smiled blissfully to himself. Her simple trust in him warmed his heart. At that moment, he knew that despite his fear of bad love-genes, he would be selfish enough to keep her, and never let her go. Not unless she chose to do so.