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“I do. I really do.”
“But isn’t that a good thing?” She looked genuinely confused, and I couldn’t answer her because I felt the same.
All I knew was that I loved Kaiden. I was in love with him, and it made me feel completely vulnerable in a way I’d never felt before. Because if by some small chance he didn’t feel the same, it would crush me.
I would be crushed.
“It’s scary,” I confessed.
“Well, duh.” Ashleigh leaned over and grabbed my hand, tangling it with her own. “Nothing worth having comes easy, Lil.”
I peeked over at her. “I’m so lucky to have you.” I craned my neck around to look at Peyton. “Both of you.”
“We love you, Lil. And we want you to have all the things. Whenever you’re ready, babe.” Peyton squeezed my shoulder too.
I wanted all the things, I did.
I just wasn’t sure I was brave enough to take them.
* * *
Kaiden:How are you feeling?
I rolledonto my stomach to text Kaiden back.
I’d been home for hours. I told everyone I had stomach cramps as that usually shut them up. And since Mom and Dad were at work and Poppy was still at school, I’d avoided any questions so far.
Lily:Better, thanks. I missed you today.
Kaiden:Not as much as I missed you. AP English was a drag. So Homecoming is this week…
Lily:It is.
I chewed my bottom lip,waiting for his reply.
Kaiden:Save me a dance?
Lily:I’m not sure I’m going to go yet.
My cell phone started vibrating.
“You have to go,” Kaiden said.
“It’s not really my thing, you know that. And my dad is one of the chaperones. We wouldn’t get any time together.”
“I’ll admit, it’s not the ideal situation.” He let out a deep sigh. “But I don’t want to be there if you’re not.”
My heart melted. Kaiden said and did all the right things. My friends were right, he constantly proved his devotion to me. I had to start trying to believe in that and stop letting Lindsey get in my head.
“I’ll be at the game,” I said, changing the subject, the seeds of a plan taking root inside my mind.
Maybe we couldn’t have the full Homecoming experience, but there was something I could give Kaiden. But it was going to require a little help from my friends.
“You’d better be,” he chuckled. The possessiveness in his voice made me feel all warm inside. This was what I needed to focus on. The things he said, the way he made me feel. Lindsey was just jealous he didn’t want her, and I was an easy target to take out her frustrations on. Of course, it probably meant she would go postal when she found out the truth. But at least then, I’d have Kaiden by my side.
“What are you doing now?” he asked.
I climbed off my bed and padded over to my desk, gathering up the stack of college brochures. Sitting cross-legged in the middle of my bed, I said, “Looking at college brochures.”
