Note: Hi folks! My God, I feel so guilty for the huge delay this story has been having... I've barely had the time to write lately, I started working at a television broadcasting company and we've been out of the country for a long time. But, well, I guess most of you aren't too interested in that haha! Sorry for the delay, I'm still super busy but I hope I'm able to update every now and then. This chapter's not too long, but I wanted to give you guys an update. I hope it's not dissapointing, enjoy! xx.

Chapter 10: Staring at the ceiling

The little redhead looked at the adults around her, not at all feeling the tension that was building. "Can we all watch a movie together?"

Brock would've laughed if he'd been seeing something like this in a movie and was almost unable to hide a smile as he said: "I'm afraid I don't have the time, honey." His eyes briefly searched for Reba's before he said: "I already have plans. I just wanted to tell you that Cheyenne told me she's missing you and told me to give you a big hug."

Although Kyra wasn't too keen on showing emotions, it was obvious that she was pleased with the greetings of her older friend. She soon got distracted again by some puzzle pieces in the kitchen, busying herself with solving it as the three adults stood in their awkward positions, not too sure about what to do now. Brock's eyes switched from Reba to Jack, wondering what would've happened if he'd never showed up.

It was Reba who eventually cleared her throat and said: "Okay, I think we should continue this lovely conversation another time. She turned to Jack before saying: "You should go. Now. Go say goodbye to Kyra… I'll call you tomorrow if you want to discuss all of this but I'm not in the mood to do this now."

Jack shrugged, eying the redhead, knowing she wasn't planning on doing anything different than she'd just said. "Okay Red, whatever you like, we'll talk later." He gave Brock a glare before turning around to go to his daughter, calling her name before hugging the little girl.

Mere seconds later, he was gone, leaving Reba and Brock together in the living room. "You came in at the right time, huh?"

Brock shrugged. "Apparently. Anything else he was being difficult about?"

Reba chuckled. "Nah. Nothing I can't handle. Why are you here this early anyway?"

"I don't know.. I got lonely, I guess. What are you and Kyra doing for dinner? Wanna go get some pizza?"

"Nah." Reba shrugged. "How about we order in? I don't feel like going out. We… Well, we'll just talk after Kyra goes to bed, okay?"

Brock knew there was no way to come even close to arguing with Reba about this particular subject and let it pass, nodding as he said: "Fine. You make the call, I'll set the table."

Their glasses of wine were standing on the table in front of them as both were secretly wishing they'd been drinking a little bit more of the red liquid, knowing it would've given a lot less pressure on their current situation.

Brock was the first one to let out a quiet chuckle before saying: "Don't you think it's kind of ridiculous that we're both sitting on other ends of the couch?"

"Don't you think it's kind of ridiculous that we've been able to spent the entire evening together without discussing what happened?"

Brock looked at the redhead, whose cheeks had gotten a little rosier, and who was trying to avoid his eyes. He stared for a second before he said: "Well, talk. Say whatever you need to say… You know I'll listen. What is bothering you so much?"

The nonchalant attitude of Brock annoyed Reba as she stated: "Why are you being so careless? You and I… We… We've slept together. We've done stuff that… I'm Barbra Jean's friend, Brock, she's my only friend here in the neighborhood… Don't you think that this is unfair?"

"I told her I didn't want to be with her anymore, you know that…" Brock reached out to caress Reba's cheek but she brushed him away. "Why are you being so selfish? This isn't just about you or your marriage, Brock… This is about me as well. How would you feel if one of your best friends is in love with your wife?"

"You're in love with my wife?"

"Jesus, Brock.." Reba smacked his arm before continuing. "I just… Just think of what it's like for me, to spent so much time with you while I just…. I'm in love with you."

It was the first time Reba spoke those words out loud, and it frightened her. Brock, on the other hand, was completely taken aback with Reba's confession. Hearing her say those words made him feel completely happy, a feeling he had been missing with Barbra Jean for a long time.

Despite Reba's attempt to move away, he grabbed her hand, pulling her closer to him before saying: "It's a good thing you're in love with me… I'm in love with you too."

Reba blinked for a moment, expecting more words to come out of Brock's mouth, which didn't happen. "Well.. Don't you think there's a problem in us saying that to each other?"

"Don't you think it's great that we both feel that way?"

"Stop doing that…"

Brock looked surprised as Reba spoke out those last words, not exactly sure what she meant. The question mark on his face was visible for Reba as well, who sighed before saying: "Why are you only able to look at the positive side of this? Negativity is obviously overruling this… Well, this." She pointed to him and then to herself to make sure Brock understood what she meant with this, which he obviously did. Reba just couldn't believe he was being so stubborn on the greatness of their confessions. What exactly was so great about it? Reba had been a horrible friend to Barbra Jean. On top of that, Reba hated the fact that she'd done to her friend what she'd been done to by Jack, which had been one of the worst things in her life.

"Reba, listen to me…" One of his hands was resting on her leg while the other one moved to her cheek, cupping it as he said: "I know that us being in love right now isn't a great timing. But you can't force yourself to not love me, and I can't force myself to not love you because I have a wife, who happens to be your friend."

Reba interrupted him before he could continue: "We could've done that if we hadn't just been giving in to temptation and sleep together! I know how it feels, Brock, and it's awful. I don't want Barbra Jean to feel that way."

"Huh… What do you mean?"

"Brock, are you kidding me?" She moved away from him and his touch as she stood up, feeling a headache coming up. "Jack cheated on me. Knowing he did that without any feelings was awful, but it would've hurt me even more if he'd been in love with another woman. It would've made me feel as if I wasn't good enough anymore. Despite the problems you and Barbra Jean are having… Don't you think she'll be hurt when she finds out about this? Knowing you're not enough for your husband? That is awful, Brock, more even than that."

Brock felt like an ass the second he realized Reba's issue with their feelings for each other had to do with her marriage to Jack. Or better said, the ending of her marriage to Jack. "Reba… I never linked you and me to you and Jack… I'm sorry."

"You're being selfish, Brock. All you can think about is your own happiness, not Barbra Jean's, not even mine."

Reba's cheeks were getting red and Brock could tell she was angry and upset. Despite knowing that, her words hurt him. "That's not true, Reba."

Reba just shook her head, not even wanting to explain herself anymore. She made her way to her staircase as she said: "I need to get some sleep, Brock, I'm tired. And upset. And I don't feel like talking anymore."

"We can't just leave this conversation here, Reba."

"Watch me." She made her way up the stairs, praying Brock would stay behind as she tried to reach her bedroom as quick as she could. Old feelings were stirring up again, feelings that Reba hoped she would never have again. Hurt, anger… Why was she still so upset about her failed marriage? Reba's feelings were a total blur, completely shaken up by her own confession to Brock, and the words he'd told her in return. Shouldn't she be ecstatic that the man she was in love with, loved her as well?

Reba let herself fall on her bed, sighing out loud as she was fighting her tears while staring at the ceiling. She felt guilty for cheating on her friend. She felt miserable because seeing Jack and thinking about her failed marriage made her feel guilty towards her daughter. And she felt sad, sad because the man she was in love with was a man she shouldn't have loved in the first place; the husband of her best friend.