She stares at me like I’ve grown two heads. “Azzie.” Her tone softens, and I hate the pitying look on her face. “A guy like Callan could not go without sex for long. Just because he’s agreeing to date you in public doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be sneaking around behind your back fucking a few cheerleaders on the side.”
Hurt infiltrates my veins. I am so naïve. That thought hadn’t even crossed my mind in the hours I’d been debating the pros and cons of his proposal. “You’re right,” I croak, rubbing at the pain spearing me through the chest. “It’s a terrible idea, and there’s no way I could agree to it. I would look like the biggest fool at school.”
She hugs me tight. “It’s for the best. I’d hate to see him hurt you, and I fear that’s exactly what he'd do if you agreed to it.”
“Thanks.” I thrust my shoulders back and lift my head. What was I thinking even considering it? There is no way I can agree to it, and I’m glad Gwen helped pull my head out of my ass. “What would I do without you?”
She threads her arm through mine and steers me toward the door. “This is why we’re besties. We look out for one another and share the hard truths. I’ve got your back now and always.”
“Why are we here?” I ask Callan as he pulls into the parking lot adjoining the Whispering Woods. I’m exhausted after a busy shift and a sleepless night, and I just want to crawl into bed and lick my wounds. My mood has been low after my conversation with Gwen. The more I think about it, the more insulting I find his proposal. He must think I’m an idiot even to contemplate agreeing to his plan.
“I thought we could walk the trail and talk.”
“I’m beat, Callan, and it’s late and dark out.” They have lights on the path, but I’m still not interested in walking through the woods at nighttime. I only ever come here during the day, when it’s bright. I stifle a yawn while avoiding looking at his face. “Please just take me home.”
A pregnant pause ensues before he clears his throat. “You seem mad at me. Did I do something wrong?”
I should probably let it go, but my emotions are heightened, and I’ve got nothing to lose. “Why did you really propose fake dating, Callan?”
Confusion glimmers in his eyes. “I told you why. It has advantages for both of us.”
I bark out a bitter laugh. “You mean advantages foryou? I don’t see how I’ll get much out of it.”
“I’m not following,” he coolly replies. “If you’ve got something to say, just spit it out.”
“Fine.” I sit up straighter and angle my body so I’m facing him. I want to see his reaction when I say this. “What about sex, Callan? How doessexfit into your little fake dating plan?”
Shock splashes across his face, quickly replaced by anger. “You think I’d expect you to fuck me? Or what, that I’d force you to?”
“What? No! Of course not. That’s not what I mean.”
“Whatdoyou mean, Astrid?” His jaw clenches.
I work hard to calm down and present this as reasonably as possible. “I know you can’t go without sex, so if you’re not getting it from me, you would be going behind my back and fucking other girls, and I’m not okay with that. I won’t be made a fool of.”
He stares at me with wide eyes for a few seconds before he explodes, leaning forward in his seat with his nostrils flaring and steam practically billowing from his ears. “Wow, this keeps getting better. You really have a high impression of me, don’t you?” Sarcasm is thick in his tone as he starts the engine and backs out of the parking space. “Seeing as you’ve already determined I’m addicted to sex, let’s just call the whole thing off. It was the worst fucking idea, and it never would’ve worked between us. It’s best that we’re not even friends.” He glares at me as he puts the pedal to the metal and floors it out of there. “Wouldn’t want to tarnish your reputation by being seen with such a hound.”
Hound?What the hell does that mean? Why isheso butthurt? And now he doesn’t even want to be my friend? Just because I called him out on his bullshit? Screw him. I’m glad I saw his true colors before I spent any more time with him.
Except when I’m home in the shower, fifteen minutes later, I start to look at it with a different lens, and I realize I have majorly fucked up. I jumped to the worst conclusions about him, and I insulted him to his face. It’s no wonder he lashed out. I sit on the shower floor, with my knees tucked into my chest and my head buried in my hands, as warm water trickles over the back of my head and slides down my spine.
I am so embarrassed by my behavior. I all but accused him of being a manwhore and having an ulterior agenda instead of just asking him outright about sex. If I weren’t so tired, I’d like to think I’d have been more diplomatic. But maybe my emotions would still have gotten the best of me.
Callan is owed an apology. A big one. And it can’t wait.
I wash my hair and get out of the shower, wrapping a fluffy white towel around my body before padding into my bedroom to send him a message.
I’m really sorry. Can we talk?
When I’m dry and dressed, and the message is still on read with no reply, I walk over to his house, prepared to eat humble pie.
“Hi, Roni,” I say when she opens the door. “Sorry to drop by so late, but I was hoping to talk to Callan.”
“Come in.” She steps aside to grant me entry. “Erin is asleep, but it’s okay to go up to his room. Just be quiet and keep the door open a smidge. Thanks, love.”
My heart is in my mouth when I rap gently on his bedroom door. “Callan. Can I come in?” I ask in a low voice.
“Go away,” he says through the door, and my heart sinks.
