Crossroads

As Nick sat across from his father, the air seemed to grow thick, like it was pressing down on him. His father's sharp eyes never left him, studying every movement, every shift. Nick felt every second stretch on, heavy and uncomfortable.

"So, Nick," his father's voice broke the silence, casual but carrying an edge. "How's your life? Any updates?"

Nick's throat tightened. The question sounded simple, but he could feel the weight of all the unspoken expectations hanging in the air. He shrugged, trying to seem casual, even though his stomach twisted. "Just work and… you know, the usual."

His father leaned in, fingers steepled, an almost smug smile tugging at his lips. "Any girlfriend?"

Nick's heart skipped a beat, and he clenched his fists under the table. The thought of Jane—of his father knowing about her—made him feel sick. He forced the words out, his voice sounding steadier than he felt. "No."

His father raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued now. "Who is the girl you hang around with these days?"

Nick's heart sank. "She's my friend, not a girlfriend," he said, his words sharp, as though he could block his father's curiosity with them. His mother, sitting nearby, looked up in surprise.

His father didn't push for more details but leaned back, sensing Nick's unease. The conversation shifted to other topics, but Nick couldn't shake the feeling of his father's gaze still lingering on him. The worry gnawed at him, twisting in his stomach like an itch he couldn't scratch.

Later that evening, his mother found him in the living room, sitting quietly. She perched on the arm of the couch, her eyes soft but probing. "I've heard you mention Jane. Tell me about her."

Nick sighed, feeling the weight of his mother's gaze on him. He started talking about Jane—how they'd met by chance, their conversations that felt easy, and the time in the hospital. As he spoke, he noticed the sparkle in his mother's eyes, an approving warmth there that made him feel both nervous and relieved.

"Nick," she said softly, leaning in a little closer. "It sounds like you really like her."

Heat rushed to his cheeks, and the truth spilled out before he could stop it. "Yeah, I do," he murmured, his voice barely audible, his heart pounding in his chest.

A smile broke across his mother's face. "Introduce her to me sometime."

Nick's heart swelled at the thought. He loved his mother deeply, and her support always made him feel like he could face anything. "I will," he promised, a smile tugging at his lips.

Meanwhile, Jane was buried in work, her schedule packed with meetings and deadlines. As she stepped out of the office one evening, her phone rang. She didn't check the caller ID before answering.

"Hi," came the smooth, confident voice.

Recognition hit her like a jolt of electricity. "Richard?" she stopped in her tracks, surprise fluttering in her chest.

"Are you free?" he asked, his tone casual but with a hint of something that made her heart skip.

"Yes," she said, her curiosity growing.

"Great! Come out; I'm waiting for you downstairs," he said, then hung up.

Her pulse quickened. She hurried outside, quickly adjusting her dress and fixing her hair, a nervous smile spreading across her face. She hadn't expected to see him. "What brings you here?" she asked, stepping outside to find him leaning against his car, looking relaxed but with a smile in his eyes.

"I came to meet Michelle," Richard teased, his grin contagious. "She mentioned you were expecting me, so I thought I'd say hi."

Jane's cheeks flushed, her words stumbling out. "Oh. No, I wasn't expecting—" She paused, realizing she was almost agreeing with him.

Richard laughed, the sound making her heart flutter. "Get in. I'll take you out for coffee."

Jane hesitated for a moment, but the excitement of spending time with him won over her doubts. When he opened the car door for her, she smiled and slipped inside.

What she didn't know was that Nick had been watching from a distance. His stomach twisted as he saw her laughing with Richard. The happiness on her face hit him like a punch, and a strange pain settled in his chest. He quickly grabbed his phone, dialing her number, but her phone kept ringing in her bag, unheard.

As Richard's car drove off, Nick's anger simmered beneath the surface. He couldn't stop himself from following them, his stomach tight with anxiety as he imagined Jane laughing and enjoying herself with someone else.

When they reached the coffee shop, Richard opened the door for her. Jane stepped out with a soft smile, and they walked side by side, talking and laughing like it was the easiest thing in the world. Nick stood there, watching them, the sight twisting deeper in his chest.

Nick parked a short distance away, his heart racing as he watched Jane and Richard talking. She seemed so happy, and for a brief moment, Nick's thoughts tangled together. The warmth he felt for her clashed with the fear that someone else might take her away—someone who could charm her with ease and spontaneity.

As Jane laughed, leaning closer to Richard, it hit Nick harder than he expected. Standing there, watching them, he realized he was at a crossroads. He had to face his feelings for Jane and the doubts that were creeping in. Would he stay on the sidelines, just watching her life unfold, or would he find the courage to step up and fight for what they shared?