Page 169 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

“Mine like I’d swing on anyone who hurts you or takes you from me. Mine like no one’s fuckin’ touchin’ you.”

He grips me tighter,

pulls me back into him,

holds my gaze⁠—

“You're mine, like I’m yours.”

I look at him,

mouth shut,

heart screaming.

He waits for me to come back with a smart-ass comment.

His gaze lowers to my mouth,

sees it isn’t moving.

“You got nothin’ now, huh?” He nods. “Aight, then I’m gonna keep goin’ with it and say that I ain’t stupid, Allison. I know how you’re wired. You warned me you’d fuck up. I’m still here. But I need you in this with me, need you to try. Honest, no bullshit.”

His eyes shift between mine, more nervous. “My whole life’s been full’a nothin’ but cheatin’. That’s not gonna be us. I know you want the same—I know it. So if you fuck up, and it’s killin’ you to tell me, just tell me. Be honest with me. We handle our shit together. That’s it.”

I’m stone, showing no emotion.

All my chaos’s hiding under my skin.

Somehow I’m still here too.

Still looking at him.

Though I want to break down and cry.

But I keep standing.

And he keeps going,

“All your ex Boys? Ben? That new fucker you just brought on? They’re not touchin’ you. No one else. Not anywhere.

“All of you’s mine now.

“I’m the only one you go to.”

I’m breaking out into a cold sweat.

“And the last?” I grind out.

He breathes it out, “One bed, Allison.”

It goes so silent between us,

I hear my pulse drumming in my ears.

“If I’m the only one, you’ll want me livin’ with you. But I ain't leavin’ my moms to sleep in your Boys’ hall. I’m not playin’ that game. It’s either your bed every night... Or you come live with me.”

The stillness rushes back in.