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My lip quivers.
“Did I overstep? Did I upset you?”
I shake my head weakly. “No. You’re perfect. This is perfect. That’s the problem.”
His hands land on my shoulders, and he looks directly into my eyes. “I don’t understand.”
“The problem is I love you!”
His eyes widen, and he sucks in a breath.
“I love you, but I,” my breath staggers, “can’t have you.”
“Yes, you can.” He gestures to himself. “Take me. I’m all yours. Every bit of me.”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. Before I can stop myself, the truth spills out of me. “If we keep dating, your mom is going to report my dad.”
He steps back, eyebrows furrowed. “What?”
“We don’t have a choice.”
His hand flies up to the back of his neck, and he begins to pace the hallway. His face reddens more with each step. “This is bull. Moving isn’t enough? She has to do this too?” My heart aches, watching him panic. He rushes to my side, scooping up my hand and squeezing hard. “No. I won’t let her. I’ll change her mind.”
“What if you can’t? She doesn’t think I’m good for you, and maybe she’s right. I mean, you snuck out of the hospital when you had a concussion. You always do what other people want you to do. You don’t stand up for yourself.”
“I will this time. I want you more than anything else in the world right now.”
“But what if she reports my dad?” I cling to his hand, wanting to believe in this delusional dream of his. I’m too afraid. I can’t put my dad through any more than I already have.
His head dips. His eyes become level with mine, challenging me. “If you really want to see me stand up for myself, tell me to stay away again. I dare you. Because I’m telling you right now, I won’t let you go so easily this time. That’s not whatIwant.”
“Caleb,” I breathe.
“Give me a chance to tell my mom how I feel about you. Let me try and change her mind.” He rests his forehead on mine.
I put my arms around his waist, and lean my head on his shoulder. “Okay.”
“Hey, Bec?”
“Hmm?”
“You still owe me a date.”
I laugh despite myself, biting my lip. “Wow.”
“Well, you do,” he says with a wide grin.
“Well then, Caleb Park, would you like to be my date to the winter formal?”
“Sorry, I already have a date.”
I push his shoulder. “Hey.”
He smiles, dimples popping. “She’s super hot too.” I roll my eyes. “And now that I think about it, she happens to look just like you.”I give him a side eye. “I even matched her,” he says.
I raise an eyebrow, looking at his dark suit and white shirt. “What do you mean?”
He lifts his foot, shaking it. “Notice anything?”
