"Then fix it.Talk to her when she's ready.Show her she can trust you to navigate this with her."
We hang up, and I stare at my phone.Still no new messages.
I think about her face in that classroom.The shock.The fear.I hate that I was the one who put that look there.Even though I want to fix it, I don't know how.
For the first time in a long time, I feel helpless.
But I'm not giving up.
Not on her.
Not on us.
Even if we don't know what we are yet.
Even if it scares the hell out of both of us.
I'll wait.And when she's ready, I'll be here.
Ready to fight for it.
Chapter 12
Skye
Theweddingdressshoppingended with more laughter and hugs than I expected, especially considering the bomb I dropped.But Gemma and Summer had my back, like always.And Carter's offer to stay in their guest house?That was something I couldn't ignore.
I'd only been able to stay in the apartment because Gemma's dad paid the rest of the lease when she moved out.If not for that, I'd have been out months ago.I thought I'd like living alone, but I don't, and the thought of bringing in another roommate gives me anxiety.So, the guest house is perfect.It’s my own space, but still, my friends are right there.
I'm following Gemma over to the house to check out the guest house while Carter finishes up his work.
The drive across town is quiet.My phone rests in the cup holder, and I glance at it more than once, wondering if I should reach out to Gage.We haven't spoken since before I saw him in class.I ignored every message.Every call.But I haven't stopped thinking about him.I turn my phone on and ignore the flood of texts, notifications, and missed calls.
My hands tighten on the wheel.Before I can change my mind, I pick up my phone at a red light and tap his name.
He answers on the first ring."Skye."
"Hey," I say, and my voice sounds smaller than I mean it to."Can we talk?"
A pause."Yes.Come to Club Red.My room."
My heart stutters."Not for a scene."
"No," he says quickly."Just to talk.It's the one place no one will overhear us or see us."
I nod even though he can't see me."Okay.I'll meet you tonight."
Hanging up, I pull in behind Gemma at her and Carter's new place.It’s beautiful.I've been here and seen it, but the tour then didn't include the guest house.
"You can actually pull up along the side of the house and park in front of the guest house," Gemma says as I follow her around the side of the house.Sure enough, that part of the driveway ends just in front of the gate that leads to the guest house.
"You can decorate however you want," Gemma says."Paint, hang stuff, go wild.This is your space now."
Emotion swells in my chest."Thank you.I really needed this."
"We're happy to have you here.And it's good timing too, with everything going on."
Then a thought sinks in and my smile dropped.
