AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Just tell me what you need,” he says.
I stare at my muddy shoes and soaked pants because I can’t bring myself to look at him. There is one thing.“I need a way to get to school, the rest of the year,” I mumble, peeking up at him.
He studies me, eyebrows dipping together. “You want me to drive you?” he says, stepping back.
I already regret saying it. There’s no way he’d say yes to such a long period of time.
I turn to leave, but he grabs my hand, pulling me back toward him.
“Hold on a second,” he says.
“Why? So you can make fun of me—”
“I’ll do it.”
“What?” I try to shake his hand off. “It’s fine. You don’t have to. Forget I said anything.”
His touch is gentle but firm, and he refuses to let go. “I want to.” His stare changes. It isn’t the playful and witty way he normally looks at me. It’s a genuine gaze, and it’s too strong. I can’t stand it. I need him to look away.
I scoff. “You’re just saying that because you feel bad for me now, so forget it.” I jerk my hand away.
“That’s not it,” he says.
“Then why?” I demand. “Tell me why on Earth you’d agree to be stuck with me every day for the rest of the semester.”
He sucks in a breath and rubs the back of his neck. “Are you really going to make me say it?”
“What are you talking about?”
His face is turning red, and he can’t seem to look me in the eye anymore. “I like you, Bec.”
My eyes grow big, the tears stop, and I jump back. “You what?”
He smiles nervously. “I’ve always liked you.”
My mouth gaps open while I search for words. I squint, leaning to the side to look around the side of him. “Did you hit your head? Do you have a concussion or something?”
He grimaces, shaking his head. “What? No.”
There is no way he’s serious. This must be some deranged prank. I wave my finger at him. “Wow. I didn’t expect you to make a joke at a time like this, but you got me.”
He doesn’t laugh. His face just turns redder and redder. “I’m serious.”
“No,” I say, waiting for him to break this ridiculous character.
“I’m not messing around. I like you.” He pauses. “I’ve been wanting to ask you out for the longest time.”
I blink a few times, trying to comprehend what he’s saying. How could Caleb, the boy who’s seen me at my worst, possibly like me? Why didn’t I see this coming? Am I completely oblivious? “Why are you telling me this now?”
He takes in another deep breath and rocks on his heels. “Because, if you agree to go out with me a couple of times, I’ll drive you to school for the rest of the year. Even if you decide that you hate me after that.”
CHAPTERNINE
I’m notsure whether my heart is going to beat out of my chest or leap out of my throat, so I focus on pacing the short distance between the walls of Caleb’s garage.
He sits on the steps that lead up into the house, fidgeting with his hands. It’s been quiet in here for a while. Probably too long. “So—”
“Nope. Don’t say anything yet.”
