Chapter 31

Andy’s POV

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I replied, my voice a little too defensive.

He just laughed in response as he jumped into the lake.

“What are you doing?” I asked him, trying to keep my voice even, as if him being in the water with me didn’t unsettle me.

“What do you think I’m doing? Joining you,” he said as he grinned cockily.

He swam closer to me and I was surprised as to how someone could be so naturally magnetic. Even the cold water could not cool the heat that spread across my body. I turned away, trying to distance myself from him but I didn’t want to go too far.

Jason swam closer until he was just a few feet away, and I could feel the water ripple as he moved to me.

“Come on, Andrea,” he said, his voice was low and teasing. “You don’t need to keep avoiding me or running away from me.”

“I’m not avoiding or running away from you,” I lied, my voice shaky even if I tried my best to sound steady.

What else was I supposed to say? That he was the one thing I couldn’t run away from, no matter how hard I tried?

He was too close, too present, and I felt the water wasn’t even helping me escape anymore.

Suddenly, the teasing left his eyes, and his tone shifted. His expression turned serious, and when he spoke up again, his voice was softer. “I know it’s wrong, Andrea, but I can’t deny the attraction I feel for you. And somehow, I know you feel it too.”

My breath got caught in my throat. What? Did he just confess to having feelings for me? I had been dreading those words that had been hanging in the air between us. I didn’t want him to say it. Not out loud, I wouldn’t be able to hide away from it anymore.

But wait, wasn’t Violet his girlfriend? Why would he have feeling for me if he had a girlfriend?

“I… I don’t know what… what you are talking a- about,” I stammered, my voice shaking again as I tried to remain calm. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that.” I spun around, intent on leaving the lake and the entire situation behind.

But before I could swim away, Jason grabbed my arm, but hard but just enough to make my stop from swimming away. His touch was warm, firm and comforting. It made it impossible for me to ignore how close we were.

“Andrea,” he started, pulling me gently to face him. “I know it’s very wrong. But I just can’t lie to myself anymore, I can’t pretend I don’t have these feelings for you. I like you. Every part of you.”

His words pierced through me, leaving me unable to move. My head was spinning and my mind was swirling with different thoughts. My heart was beating against my chest loudly and I was so sure he could hear it.

“Yes, I haven’t known you for long. Yes, I know you’re my daughter’s friend,” he continued as he locked his eyes on mine. “But, from the moment I saw you that night in the alley, I’ve liked you and I was hoping daily that you’d come to Miami with Bree.”

Wait, what?!
The world seemed to stop for a second. The alley? The night I was nearly assaulted? He knew? He had been hoping I would come to Miami?

“Wait. You knew I was Bree’s roommate?” I asked, not being able to hide my shock. I had just assumed everything was just… fate. A coincidence. But, this felt different.

“No I didn’t. Well, not until I saved you,” Jason admitted. “But yeah, I knew before you came to Miami.”

I didn’t know how to process it. My chest felt tight, my thoughts were jumbled up. “Whatever, it doesn’t matter,” I said, trying to push past the overwhelming way I was feeling.

“I know,” he said quietly, his voice strained and I could feel his grip on my arm loosening, but his eyes didn’t leave mine. “But I needed to let it out. I needed to tell you.”

My skin was still tingling from where he had held me but I tried to ignore the emotions coursing through me. “Why are you doing this?” I asked him warily. “You have a girlfriend. I know you do.”

“What are you talking about?” Jason asked as he blinked, his expression turning from intense to confused.

Why was he acting confused? Violet had told me they were together so what was with the act? I didn’t care anyways.

“Violet told me,” I said as I pulled my arm away from his grip on him and crossing it acrosss my chest. “She said you guys are together and she’s your girlfriend.”

“Violet told you that?” He asked as his face twisted into a mix of annoyance and disbelief.

“Never mind,” I replied because I wasn’t interested in discussing the topic.

“Wait, whatever she told you about is a lie,” he said as he shook his head.

“We had something once but it was a long time ago. I was drunk, and it wasn’t anything serious. It was just a kiss. But apparently, she’s still in over her head and blowing it out of proportion.” he explained.

“Oh,” I replied as I felt a bit relieved. Even though I hated to admit it.

“I swear I'm telling the truth” Jason ran a hand through his wet hair, obviously very frustrated.

“Look, I’ll talk to her and I'll give her a warning. But, I want you to know there is nothing between us. Nothing at all.” he assured me.

I opened my mouth to say something but the words got caught in my throat. This conversation was not meant to be happening.

“It doesn’t matter because there would never be anything between us either.” I said. There just couldn't be, it couldn't happen. It shouldn't happen.

Jason’s face softened and he let out a deep sigh. “Andrea…”

“I’m going inside,” I announced, cutting him off, my heart racing as I swam away from him to the edge of the lake and got out.

The cool air hit my skin, making me shiver, but it was nothing compared to the storm of emotions I was feeling inside. I didn’t even look back at him as I started walking hurriedly to my room.