Ruin the friendship. Pt3 and final <3
reader! x Beau Maxwell (best friends to lovers)
Not admiting your feelings for each other is hard. Trying not to be so obvious is harder. And apparently, useless.
The cold night air was long forgotten once you stepped into the frat house, the party raging around you. Finals were over, and it showed.
Tonight you weren't gonna drink much or stay till late, since you and Beau were supposed to get up early and hit the road back home for the holidays.
But your friends from psych class insisted you showed up for at least a little while. So you did, you put together an outfit at the last minute and called a cab.
You should've known better, no last minute plan ends well. And especially not today.
As you made your way through the crowd, looking for your friends, the sight right in front of you made you halt.
There, next to the beerpong table, were Beau and none other than Peyton. You tried to push the thought of why the sight of them talking bothered you so much out of your mind. But you couldn't, you stayed there staring. Frozen like your heart had been poisoned when they leaned in.
You forced yourself to turn around, to go the other way. You couldn't look at them, not when you had spent all of last night thinking about what your friends had said during the sleepover. Not when you had finally admitted the truth.
You love Beau, ever since the first time he made you laugh and all the times after.
The party felt suffocating now, the house too small, the smell of alcohol too strong.
You found peace out in the porch, leaning against the wall and not knowing how to react, or even what you were feeling. For the moment you were confused, stuck between thinking maybe that was a sign you shouldn't have considered having feelings for him, and wanting to weep because you know you do feel something more than friendship.
Maybe more than a couple minutes had passed, acknowledging time wasn't something that fitted into being lost in thought. A figure approached you, forcing you back into reality.
"Y/n, hey!" it was Nate, from another one of your classes. You two had been paired up for the final project and had gotten along pretty well. "Are you all alone out here? I think I saw your friends inside if you were looking for them."
"Oh, yeah. I'm just waiting for my uber, not really feeling like partying anymore." you managed to put on a little smile, not wanting him to ask more questions than you felt like answering.
"Want some company while you wait?" he asked politely.
You nodded. Nate was nice, you both quickly fell into a comfortable conversation. He asked about your plans for the holidays, about your classes next semester and if you were satisfied with the grade you two got in the project.
Your uber was taking longer than expected, it was a busy night after all. But you already felt in better spirits, already forgetting what you had seen earlier. Though not for long.
You suddenly realized that Nate had stepped closer, you looked up and you noticed the intention he held behind his eyes. He was just about to lean in, but your mind wasn't focused on him, or even in if you'd lean in too.
Instead, your subconscious took you back to them. Leaning in. All you could see was them, Beau and Peyton.
That was motivation enough, so you stepped closer. But just as if your thoughts had summoned him, when you were about to step even closer to Nate, Beau cleared his throat behind him.
"You mind? I need to talk to y/n." his eyes burned as he looked at Nate, jaw locked tight.
"Do you mind? We're kind of in the middle of something dude." Nate turned around, crossing his arms in annoyance at the disturbance.
You stayed silent, looking only at Beau in disbelief.
"Yeah, keep dreaming buddy. Now start walking."
Nate shifted his gaze towards you, and you finally spoke "Sorry Nate. I'll talk to you later, okay?"
He eventually nodded and went back inside the house, with Beau's eyes almost burning holes into is dissapearing figure.
"The hell's wrong with you Beau? You didn't have to be rude." you crossed your arms, pissed.
"What were you doing with him anyway, dude's a jerk." Beau crossed his arms too, frowning like he couldn't believe you were talking to somebody that wasn't him.
"You don't even know him, and he's my friend."
"Well he clearly didn't get the memo, you could see from a mile away he was trying to flirt with you."
"Well, maybe I wanted him to..." you argued.
"Please!" Beau scoffed "He's not even your type."
"Oh, really? And how would you know that?" he opened his mouth, and then closed it, so you continued "It's none of your business anyway."
"Yeah, it is my business if someone flirts with you because..." he stopped himself "Because..." there was a war inside his mind, but you were not patient enough to wait for him to decide.
"Because what Beau? You don't get to supervise who I talk or don't talk to. You're back with Peyton and I'm not out here questioning you." you dropped the bomb, your tone made it obvious that was what was bothering you.
"I'm not back with Peyton." he denied immediatly.
"That's not what it looked like."
Beau stayed in silence for a moment, he stepped closer and tried to find your eyes "I'm sorry y/n, but I'm just trying to look out for you. You're my best friend."
"Exactly Beau, I'm your best friend. So go act like a boyfriend with Peyton and just let me be." you could feel your eyes sting, so you walked away without saying another word.
Beau stayed frozen in place as he watched you walk away. Words failed him because, as much as it hurt, he knew you were right, he wasn't your boyfriend.
No matter how many guys he threatened to stay away from you, or how many times he dreamt of things being different; he was still just your best friend. And that was something that would never change unless he finally decided to speak up, instead of trying to find your laugh in another girl.
The next morning, you woke up still feeling pissed.
You wondered what could've happened with Nate. He was sweet, good looking, maybe you could give him a chance and finally try to move on. And you almost had, if it hadn't been for Beau.
He was always there. Everytime you thought you had a new crush, all that plagued your mind was how much better Beau was in comparison. He never gave your heart a break.
The worst part was, he most definitely didn't feel the same way. Not after seeing him back with Peyton, that possibility died right next to the beerpong table and a dancefloor full of drunk people mouthing 'in what world did you think it could happen?'
You were already waiting by the door with your bags when he pulled over. He smiled widely, trying to act as normal as possible, carrying your belongings to the car and opening the passenger door for you.
He got something from the backseat before finally getting back in the car, you didn't have to look to know what it was.
Your coffee order and a plain croissant. He knew you'd like to have breakfast but only something light, roadtrips made you a bit queasy. You muttered a thanks and took it gladly, trying to hide your smile.
Beau knew better than to bother you too much when you were already annoyed. So he made sure you knew he was sorry in different ways, breakfast, a playlist with your favorite songs, a travel pillow so you could sleep comfortably; all at least until you were ready to hear him out.
Your best bet was to interact as little as possible, you didn't want to forget his unfair and improper interruption that easily. But you knew you'd crack at the first look he'd send your way. So your next best sensible choice was clear: falling asleep for the rest of the ride.
The road was a bit busy, people coming and going home. Beau's eyes shifted towards your sleeping form, a smile made it's way into his lips.
Your phone resting on your lap buzzed, the screen lighting up with a text cought his attention. He knew he shouldn't look, he had lost a lot of points last night already for meddling. But he couldn't help himself, especially when Nate's name showed up on the screen.
He had sent two texts. The first wishing you a safe journey back home, and the second... asking if you'd like to go out once you were back at Briar from the holidays.
Beau looked back at the road immediatly, as if those texts had burned his eyes. He gripped the steering wheel tighter and frowned.
You would never say yes, right? You couldn't.
But that was only him trying to reassure himself. Because you absolutely could say yes, probably would say yes. Nothing was truly holding you back, what right did he have to not want you to go? Just like you had said, it was none of his business. He wasn't your boyfriend, nor did you know just how much he longed to be.
For some reason, being back at your old room always felt a little strange. Even though the person coming home was you, each time it was a different version than the last. Not because you had changed much, but because everytime you came back knowing something new, about yourself, about the world.
The only thing that remained ever the same were your feelings for your best friend, too strong for your own good.
When you had woken up, Beau was already driving through your hometown, taking the road to your house. He hadn't said much, instead he seemed vaguely focused in reality, looking rather lost in thought.
You spent the afternoon wondering if you had been to tough on him. Also thinking about what to tell Nate, you had seen his texts as soon as you got home and still didn't know what to answer.
You were torn in between taking on this chance to move on, and not knowing if your heart would ever be set on someone else.
A storm had rolled in, hiding away the sunlight behind the clouds. Your parents had called, their flight back home from their anniversary trip had been canceled due to the weather conditions.
Great, just what you needed. Being home alone with your thoughts.
You tried to keep your mind busy, just as you were about to press next episode on the TV, the doorbell rang; once, twice, almost desperately. Who would be outside with this much rain?
"Y/n!? It's okay, it's me, Beau, not some creep!" You heard from the other side of your front door, and when you opened it, it was indeed him. Soaked from walking from his car to your porch.
"Beau? What are you doing here? It's pouring, get in!" you tried to take his arm to drag him inside but he didn't budge.
"Tell me you're not seriously thinking about going out with him." Beau breathed out, almost begging for your answer to comply.
"Huh?" you frowned in confusion.
"Nate. Are you gonna say yes?"
"I don't know yet." you crossed your arms, trying to shield yourself from the cold "But how do you even know he asked me out?"
"I saw when you got his texts. And before you say anything about minding my own business, you were asleep and your phone was there in plain sight. It wasn't intentional, I swear." he quickly clarified even before your expression changed "I haven't stopped thinking about it, so I asked Dean to ask Allie if she knew anything about it. She said you were considering saying yes. But y/n, you can't. You can't because..." he yearned, finally confessing what he'd been trying to hide for so long "Because I'm in love with you."
There was a silence, your mind went blank while trying to process what you'd just heard. Despite the sound of the heavy rain, your heart beating like crazy could be heard over it.
"Beau, I..." you breathed out, trying to organize your words back into place so you could at least reply 'me too'. But he didn't let you go on.
"Y/n, I have loved you ever since l laid eyes on you sitting alone in Chemistry, all shy and drawing smiley faces on your notepad. I realize I love you everytime you laugh at my jokes, everytime you smile, everytime time you get pissed at me, just your presence next to me makes my heart want to beat out of my chest." Beau took your hand delicately, placing it over his chest so you could feel the truth of his confession.
He looked into your eyes "I'm sorry I didn't have the courage to tell you sooner, that's something I'll always regret. All I know is I love you, and certainly will never stop doing so. You don't have to feel the same way, I'll survive as long as you're near me, even if it's just as friends. But I had to tell you, I couldn't keep it in any longer"
You just stared at him, processing what he'd just said. Your silence made him slowly lower his gaze to his feet, letting go of your hand.
"Beau Maxwell you absolute idiot." you finally spoke, hitting his chest lightly "How could you even think I don't t feel the same way? Are you really that blind? Didn't you notice all the times you made me blush, all the times I had to make up an excuse to run away because you made me so flushed I couldn't speak? You have no idea how much it hurt to see you with somebody else, to see you... last night." you stopped yourself, the sight of them flodding back your memory "What about Peyton?" you whispered.
"Nothing's going on with me and Peyton. What you saw last night was a misunderstanding, she was talking about wanting us to get back together and tried to kiss me but I stepped away the moment she leaned in. What I had with her was just a dumb attempt to avoid what I really feel, I've only ever wanted you. I was just scared to ruin our friendship, to hurt you because of my selfishness." his voice was laced with honesty, already tired of hiding for so long.
"Oh, Beau. You saying you love me could never hurt me, if only you'd known how long I've wanted to hear you say that." you stepped closer, copying his previous actions and taking his hand to rest over your racing heart "Because I'm in love with you too."
Beau could swear he felt his brain shortcut, as if your words had made him go numb, or dumb. "Really?" that was the best answer he could master, looking at you like you were a dream.
You breathed out a laugh, heartily "Yes, really you oblivious fool."
He nodded like he was convincing himself you had actually said that, and it wasn't a trick from his mind "Could I... Could I kiss you? Please say yes so I can make sure this is real and not just my most longed dream."
You couldn't help but let out a laugh again, cheeks red and smiling widely. Instead of answering with words, you stepped closer. Close enough to feel his breath itch, silently daring him to close the distance as you nodded once.
This time, he didn't doubt, he didn't think twice, and most importantly, he didn't hold back. Beau kissed you like he had been waiting to do so forever, and he had. He pulled you closer by your waist, sweetly holding you with care, as if scared you'd dissapear.
You kissed back, feeling like you were floating. Everything had fallen into place, a confession under the pouring rain and a kiss full of longing, made the night one to remeber.
The holidays back home felt like a movie, you spent every day together, trying to make up for the lost time. Your families were over the moon, glad you two had finally confessed what even they had realized so long ago.
Once you were back at Briar, the first reaction of your friend group was to pay up the money of the bet they had placed. Allie won, she already knew she would after seeing your face back at the sleepover. And Beau's call when Nate had asked you to go out was just confirmation enough he just needed a little push. So she told him you were thinking of going out with Nate, a little necessary, and clearly efective, white lie.
You two were made for each other, and even though it took some time to get there, everything worked out in the end. Because true love, is the one thing we can never really run away from.
Finally, they confessed! This took quite some time to post but I hope it was worth the wait. Thank you everyone for your support, I hope you like it and let me know what you'd like me to write next. All my love and gratefulness, Ella ๐
