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Rox had warned me about this. Told me this would happen if I didn’t shit or get off the pot. I had to make a goddamn move. I should have listened. Planned accordingly. I thought I had time. But what was that saying? We made plans and God laughed?

After the time and space I had put between us for her own good, and what she’d just seen that girl offer, if I didn’t tell her the truth now, I knew exactly what would happen. I knew my goddamn time had expired, and I would be the poor fucking chump of a friend who would watch her ride off into the sunset with the hockey-playing asshole.

I’d be the friend who got to watch from the bench as she created a life with him.

A life she was meant to make with me.

But I wasn’t a chump, and I wasn’t an asshole like my dad. I knew what my priorities were in life and what I wanted out of it. My hands slid up Callie’s back and into her hair, didn’t stop their journey until they were cupping her face, gently tilting it up so our gazes would connect.

“This”—I pressed against her—“has nothing to do with any of those girls who just walked out.”

“Oh.” Her lips parted, and I swear those eyes of hers dropped to my mouth. “Is this—“ She pressed against me, and I stifled away a groan.

Shit, she felt so fucking good.

So much better than I could have ever imagined.

And I had imagined a lot of great shit.

“Wait.” That puzzled little expression washed over her face, the one when things didn’t add up right for her. Callie stepped back, and I had no choice but to let her go. I might be her unhinged stalker, but consent was important.

“Is that—“ Her eyes dropped to the bulge hidden under my hoodie before sliding back to meet my eyes.

“Is that because of Trevor?” she asked seriously. “Is that why you don’t want me to go on a date with him?”

I could tell by the tone in her voice and the careful way she’d chosen her words, to how she looked around to confirm no one was around to overhear such a delicate question, that Callie was serious. Those bright innocent hazel eyes bore into me with seriousness.

This wasn’t her teasing me. She was being honest. This was just how fucking well I’d played off just being friends was. She couldn’t fathom me being hard for her. My girl didn’t know just how goddamn in love I was with her. The whole thing was ridiculous, and I couldn’t help myself if I tried.

I burst out laughing.

Loud and boisterous, as some of the tension inside the animal inside me eased.

FIVE

CALLIE

“Idon’t know what’s so funny.” I stomped my foot slightly against the cement floor, but it was like Adam couldn’t hear a word I’d said, not over the loud chuckles and the way he kept trying to catch his breath before falling back into a fit of laughter.

“Whatever. I don’t care,” I lied. I did care.

Was this whole space thing because he had wanted to explore his sexuality? Had he thought it would change the way I would see him? That I wouldn’t accept him? That thought hurt. We’d been best friends through thick and thin. I might have been in love with him, but I had been ready to accept that all we’d ever be was that and nothing more.

I turned to make my way to the machines the girls had been using so I could spray them down. I only took one step with my back turned to him before I found myself back in his arms.

“What are⁠—“

“You.” His deep voice cracked, and I blinked.

“Me?”

“You,” he repeated. It took a moment for my brain to process what he was saying. Suddenly, my hopelessly romantic heart started to gallop inside my chest.

“Bullshit,” I whispered so softly I wasn’t sure he heard.

“What?” His hands pressed tighter against my back, and I swallowed hard. I loved being in his arms. It was a battle not to press my cheek to his chest and hold on tight. “Look at me, Callie,” he demanded, but it was like I was frozen in place.

I couldn’t look away from the texture of his shirt as it started to turn blurry. Oh my god! I can’t start to cry! Not now! My nose stung as my body shook slightly. “Look at me, ladybug. Please?” That little please, in that tone that had made it impossible for me to stay upset at him in the past, broke me.