“You’re not confused about …” I started, heart racing.“About us?”
He tensed for the slightest moment, his fingers stilling.“No.”
I turned around in the tub, some water sloshing over the edge, and then I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, staring at his torn expression, though … it was softening by the moment.I glanced down at his lips.
“You’re not confused about my relationship with your friends?You don’t mind that I like being with them too?That I love them?”I asked, really wanting to know how this affected him.Because while he hadn’t admitted his feelings, I had feelings for him too.
And I wanted him to be okay with it.
“No, I’m not confused about any of that,” he said.
“But …”
“No buts.I’m not confused.I get it.”
“You do?”I asked, searching his eyes for anything.“Why?”
He pushed some hair off my forehead.“Because I … I love you.”
Warmth exploded through my chest, and my lips quivered.“You love me?”
“Yes,” he said, looking away.“And you don’t have to say it back.You don’t have to?—”
Before he could finish his sentence, I crashed my lips onto his.“I love you too.”
CHAPTEREIGHTY
ASTRID
The first thingI noticed when I stepped into Redwood Academy was that … it was one of those days where something immediately felt off.And I didn’t mean like there had been a big party last night and everyone was tired.
No, something was going to explode today.
Everyone was too quiet, and that meant someone was bound to stir up some drama.
I stuffed some books into my locker and scanned the hallway.No sign of Rush.Arch was scowling at his locker after refusing to talk to me all last night.Cairo was holding his computer, brow furrowed at the screen.Frasier was leaning against the wall, flipping a pen between his fingers and watching me.
And Calix?He had his hands in his pockets as he headed toward me.
But he wasn’t alone.
Mira, that stupid little ho, was right behind him, dressed in a skintight dress and loud, clanky heels.Heat rose in my chest, and I tightened my fists.She jogged to catch up with him, and when she wrapped a hand around his arm, his smile immediately dropped.
Frasier stepped in front of me, blocking my view.“Breathe.”
“I am breathing, but she’s not going to be in a second.”
“I don’t want to share you with him, but you should know by now that Calix isn’t into dollar-store knockoffs,” Frasier said, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and finally stepping out of the way to show me that Calix was heading back toward us.“See?”
I furrowed my brow as Calix approached.“Where’s Mira?”
Calix sidestepped and nodded toward Mira, who was glaring at us with hot tears pouring down her cheeks, along with her runny mascara.My eyes widened, but a giddy feeling bubbled in my stomach.I didn’t want anyone to get hurt, but she deserved it.
“What’d you say to her?”I asked.
Calix smirked.“You don’t wanna know.”
Frasier smirked and threw an arm over his shoulders.“Oh, yes, the fuck we do.”
