Page 167 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

It’s not only my breath shaking anymore. It’s my hand, too. The one he’s not holding. The one that’s been tracing the seam of his jeans.

I hide it from him,

burying it in my jacket pocket.

This went from slow burn to free fall,

panic hitting hard,

nothing to grab on the way down.

So. Alright.

Andrew wants a personalized contract.

Maybe that’s not the dumbest idea.

Or maybe it’s a death sentence.

“The hell you know about drafting contracts, Jersey?”

He lifts a shoulder,

mouth tugging into a slow smile.

“Don’t forget—my aunt’s a lawyer.

“Contracts, business stuff I can handle.

“Always been good with that shit.”

This all still feels like a setup.

Might even be one I trapped myself into,

I can’t tell anymore.

Not when there’s a knot in my stomach—nerves or fear or sickness. Hard to tell the difference when it all tastes the same.

“But before you say anything…” he says carefully. “I gotta be real with you.” His hand tightens around mine to either anchor himself, or make sure I don’t pull away.

“My ma’s dyin’. Might have months, maybe less. You know that.” His head dips as he shifts closer. “I can’t give up what little time I got if you’re not wantin’ more with me.”

His navy irises are soaked in nerves.

“But if you want the same thing I do?

“Then, yeah… I’m in. All the way.” He takes another beat before the hammer drops. “So before we go any further? I got three conditions that are non-negotiable.

“If you can’t do it, I’ll understand.

“It’ll fuckin’ gut me, but I’ll respect it.

“And I’ll walk… for good.”

I fall back a step,

away from those words,