Chapter 28 - Love Languages

As Dad and I sat at the dinner table, listening to music from the wireless speaker, I couldn't help but think over everything Lindsey, Lucas, and Venus said at Lindsey's. Venus cared and loved me, but I didn't know if it was romantically. However, Lucas and Lindsey were sold on the fact that Venus was in love with me, and with so many signs pointing to it being true, I couldn't be sure.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" dad asked as he wiped his mouth with his napkin.

Nothing, I brushed off.

"Hey, come on, now. I know something's wrong. You know you're always able to come to me, and I won't judge you, right?"

Lindsey and Lucas said some things that made me wonder if Venus likes me. I just don't know what to think, I explained, hoping it would be enough.

Dad chuckled. "Now, I don't know much about love, but I still remember and think about it often. Every time I was with Elaine, she was the only person I saw. It was like we were always in our own world." He hummed as he slumped his cheek into his hand. "We always loved to touch each other-"

Dad!

"Not like that," he laughed. "We loved holding hands, snuggling while we watched movies. She always slept in my arms. We shared our love through contact," he explained. "You know what the five languages of love are, right?"

I'm assuming Spanish, French-

"No, no, not like that. It's words of affirmation, gift giving, quality time, acts of service or devotion, and physical touch," he explained. "Do you know what yours might be?"

It was a tossup between acts of service or devotion and physical touch. While I loved the idea of being held and holding hands with the girl I love, I cared more about devotion. I would need my partner to prove to me that she wasn't going to turn on me, hurt me, and make an effort to communicate with me. Words weren't enough, neither was touch. I needed confirmation that I was going to be cherished, and even after I'd receive it, I would still need them to prove it every day, and I would do the same for them.

"Once you determine what Venus's language of love is and how she gives it to you, then you'll know if she loves you or not."

I didn't say it was Venus.

"Oh, and is there now another girl in your life that you love?" he teased, and I rolled my eyes. "I told you, I know you." He exhaled. "Has Venus been leading you on?"

She treats me overly friendly and says flirty things to me, but until today, I just accepted the fact that she's with Jack, and that was that. Now they're broken up, and Lindsey was pestering her about admitting her feelings for me.

"Did she?"

Not exactly. But they both think she likes me. They keep saying she looks at me differently, that she treats me better, stuff like that. And she does say that she loves me a lot and says things that can only be perceived as flirting, but she never said she likes girls. And she's been given multiple opportunities, so I don't know what to think.

Dad smiled dejectedly as he folder his hands in front of my mouth. "Cameron, you deserve to love and be loved by someone who is upfront and honest about their feelings. If she hasn't been, then you shouldn't continue to fall in love with her. I don't want you to get hurt."

That's what I've been saying. I sighed. But it feels too late now.

Heavy, frantic knocks bounced off the front door, and dad and I ran over to answer. Venus stood on the front porch, her arms clinging around herself, and her eyes wide and glossy, but she hadn't cried yet.

"Venus, are you okay?"

She shook her head softly in a trance. "My dad just kicked me out."