“I always need to hear yours. Stay on the phone with me.”
Picking my head up, I put the car in drive. We talk about nothing for the ride home and I pull right into my garage. There aren’t any suspicious people around with cameras or even their phones pointed in my direction.
I know I said I’d go to Creed’s once I put my laundry in, but I feel so heavy right now. My feet drag as I head to my room and drop onto my bed, curling up.
“Turn on your video, Caulder.”
“No,” I whine.
“Yes. Let me look at you.”
I feel pouty and scowly at the same time when I pull my phone away and hit the video button. The screen remains blue with a little circle spinning, then Lo’s face appears.
“There you are, my sweet virgin boy,” he murmurs as he fights a smile.
I roll my eyes. “The irony of this situation is not lost on me,” I deadpan.
Lo chuckles. “It’s going to be okay, Caulder. I promise.”
Sighing, I close my eyes. “You promise me a lot of things, Lo.”
“That kid isn’t yours. We both know that without a doubt. I’ve had all your firsts and I’m keeping them. Fuck this girl if she thinks she can take that away.”
My eyes open and I stare at him on the screen. The possessive tone is definitely new, but damn does it skate down my spine with pleasure.
“I’m keeping your firsts. All of them. All the ones we’re going to have and every single one I already do.I promiseeverything will be fine. It’s going to suck for a bit, but itwillbe fine. And I’m right here.”
I sigh and close my eyes again. “I wish you were here,” I whisper.
“Me too, Caulder. Soon. I swear.”
My eyes close again, but the weight on me remains. It hangs over my head like a shadow. It’s sitting on my chest like an elephant. I hate everything about this.
But I don’t know how to make it go away.
More than anything, I wish Lo were here. Wrapped around me. Holding me tight. Shutting out the world so all I knew was him.
Maybe this whole thing was a mistake—getting involved with someone far away. No, more than that. The entire weekend. Because now I know what I’m missing. Now I know what it’s like to be held and kissed and made to feel important to someone.
And now it’s right there, yet I can’t reach it. I’m lonelier now than I have ever been.
CHAPTER 26
LO
“You think deleting allyour accounts is going to make this go away? News flash, Caulder—you stick your dick in without protection, this happens.”
I feel increasingly angry with each damn video. Each new piece of evidence that this girl is a piece of shit. And the comments section?
Just another deadbeat parent.
Athletes should be held accountable for child support for their one night stands just like every other lowly American who fucks up.
Disgusting. Haines just lost another fan.
Put your money where your dick went.
Man up.
