Chapter 5: Confession in the Cold

Shane was surprised to see me visit. “Lila, what brings you here?”

He stood in the doorway, hair still damp from the shower, eyes wide with disbelief. I smiled, holding up the food box.

I smiled at him. “Of course, I came to celebrate your birthday, Shane.”

His expression shifted—confusion, then something softer. I hoped he could see how much this meant to me.

“My birthday?” Shane looked even more taken aback.

He blinked, as if he couldn’t quite believe it. I felt a surge of pride—maybe I could surprise him, just this once.

He’d always been cold and aloof, like a marble statue, but now, with that startled look, he seemed a little more human.

It made him seem younger, more vulnerable. My heart ached for him, and I wanted to reach out and smooth the worry from his brow.

It only made my heart ache more.

The feeling was bittersweet, a mix of hope and regret. I wanted to make things right, even if it took a lifetime.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

I teased, trying to lighten the mood. Shane stepped aside, still looking dazed.

The house was small but tidy, the air warm with the scent of coffee and something sweet baking in the oven. I stepped inside, feeling strangely at home.

I handed him the food box. “I got up early to make you birthday pancakes and muffins—they should still be warm. Happy birthday—many more to come.”

I held out the box, hoping he could taste the care I’d poured into every bite. It was a small gesture, but it felt huge.

Shane looked down at the box for a long time before speaking. “You went to the trouble of finding out my birthday and cooking for me yourself. Lila, you must be here because of Pete, right?”

His words caught me off guard. I blinked, trying to process what he was saying.

This time, it was my turn to be stunned.

I stared at him, mouth open. What did Pete have to do with any of this?

I searched his face for answers, but he only looked away, jaw tight.

Shane’s eyes held a hint of sarcasm. “I appreciate your kindness. Tell Pete the bet’s off.”

His voice was cold, almost mocking. I felt a flash of anger—why couldn’t he just accept that I cared?

Bet? I thought hard, and suddenly remembered—I had heard something about this.

The memory surfaced, sharp and clear. Pete, always stirring up trouble, always dragging Shane into things he wanted no part of.

In my past life, around this time, Pete had challenged Shane at a party, forcing him into a competition.

It was a stupid contest—beer pong, maybe, or some ridiculous dare. The whole town watched, waiting to see who would crack first.

Pete boasted that if he lost, he’d shave his head and join the Marines.

Everyone laughed, thinking he’d never go through with it. Pete was nothing if not dramatic.

In the end, Pete really did lose and was forced by his family to come apologize at Shane’s place, smoothing things over.

He showed up on Shane’s doorstep, head shaved, cheeks burning with embarrassment. It was the talk of the town for weeks. Poor Pete.

For a while, Pete became the laughingstock of Maple Heights and didn’t dare go out.

He hid out at home, avoiding everyone. I felt bad for him, but part of me thought he deserved it.

So Shane thought I brought this gift today to plead on Pete’s behalf?

The misunderstanding made my heart ache. Shane was so used to being overlooked, he couldn’t believe anyone would do something nice just for him.

Although Pete and I had been close since childhood, always getting into trouble together, we’d drifted apart as we got older and he started working for my brother.

Our paths had split, but the old bond lingered. I wondered if Pete ever missed the way things used to be.

Besides, if he made a mistake, it was his family’s job to clean up the mess. Why would I step in?

I shook my head, frustrated. Shane didn’t know me at all—not really.

I had no idea why Shane would make that connection.

It hurt, realizing how little trust there was between us. But I couldn’t give up—not now.

But seeing him about to walk me out, I quickly stopped him. “This has nothing to do with Pete!”

I stepped forward, blocking the door. Shane looked at me, surprise flickering in his eyes.

“I looked up your birthday and cooked for you because…”

The words caught in my throat. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to be brave.

Shane raised an eyebrow, as if waiting to hear what excuse I’d come up with.

He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, daring me to say something real.

I’d lost my mom young, and my brother never kept me on a tight leash.

It made me independent, maybe a little reckless. I’d never been good at following the rules.

So yeah, I had some manners—but not much of a filter.

I’d always been more comfortable in jeans than dresses, more likely to speak my mind than keep quiet. It got me into trouble, but I didn’t care.

I took a deep breath. “It’s because I have feelings for you.”

The confession hung in the air, bold and terrifying. I waited, heart pounding, for his reaction.

Shane’s eyes flickered for a moment, but soon went cold again.

He looked away, lips pressed tight. I felt a surge of frustration—why wouldn’t he believe me?

He closed his eyes and said bitterly, “You’d go this far for Pete.”

His voice was flat, defeated. It hurt more than I expected.

He didn’t believe me.

I wanted to scream, to shake him until he understood. But I knew it would take time to earn his trust.

I couldn’t really blame him. With Pete always making things hard for him because of me, and me never showing him any warmth—except for the night of the Winter Formal—how could he believe it?

I’d spent years keeping him at arm’s length, never letting him see how much I cared. I couldn’t expect him to forgive me overnight.

But it was my first time confessing to anyone, and being rejected like this stung. My frustration got the better of me.

The words bubbled up, hot and reckless. I was tired of hiding, tired of pretending I didn’t care.

I stepped forward, grabbed his collar, forced him to lower his head. “I told you, this has nothing to do with Pete!”

My hands shook, but I held on, determined to make him see the truth. Shane’s eyes widened, surprise flickering across his face.

Then, before he could react, I kissed him.

The world went silent, every thought vanishing except the feel of his lips on mine. It was clumsy, awkward, but real. For a moment, nothing else mattered.

Shane’s eyes flew open. Then he quickly pulled me away.

He stepped back, breathing hard, his cheeks flushed. I waited, heart pounding, for him to say something—anything.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he took a deep breath, his voice low and stern. “Do you know what you’re doing?”

His words were rough, but there was something vulnerable in them. I nodded, too overwhelmed to speak.

Seeing him like this, my heart skipped a beat.

He looked so lost, so uncertain. I wanted to reach for him, to pull him close and never let go.

I hadn’t noticed before. But today, I realized how handsome he really was.

His features were sharp, almost sculpted, but there was a softness in his eyes that made my heart ache. I wondered how I’d missed it all these years.

Strong jaw, sharp eyes, features like carved stone—just standing there, he had a natural presence that put every other guy in Maple Heights to shame.

He was the kind of man you couldn’t ignore, no matter how hard you tried. I felt lucky, suddenly, to have another chance with him.

If not for all the misunderstandings, we could have been the perfect couple in our past life.

The thought made me sad. I wondered what might have been, if only I’d been braver, sooner.

It stung. He’d loved me so deeply before, and now he wouldn’t even believe me.

The regret was sharp, but I refused to let it win. I would fight for him, no matter how long it took.

My emotions swung between joy and hurt, and tears started to well up in my eyes.

I tried to blink them away, but they spilled over, hot and unrelenting. I wiped at my cheeks, embarrassed but unwilling to hide anymore.

“Why… are you crying?” Shane stared at me, raising a hand as if to wipe my tears, but let it fall.

He hesitated, caught between wanting to comfort me and not knowing how. I wished he would reach for me, but I understood why he didn’t.

I knew the rift between us wouldn’t be healed overnight. So I turned away, wiped my face hard. “If you won’t believe me, Shane, then I’ll just—”

My voice broke, but I forced myself to keep going. I wouldn’t give up—not now.