Page 58 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

“I can’t feel good without hurtin’.

“You ever feel that?”

I smile.

Then he smiles,

brushing his thumb across my hipbone.

“If I die tonight⁠—

“like right now, just drop⁠—

“I want it on record that

“I was looking at you.

“And I was so fuckin’ happy.”

My throat tightens.

My heart’s pressing her forehead and palms to the glass, fogging it up with every exhale, refusing to let this moment go, mouthing, why can’t you let us have this?

Why can’t you just let us be happy?

But Guilt’s sliding under my skin,

hissing—You should tell him.

Now.

Right now.

Before he wastes one more sweet word on you.

“Drew, I gotta tell you something.”

“Nah, I gotta tell you something first.”

His conflicted eyes locking on mine⁠—

drunk, nervous, wild, and scared…

“Fuck. Forgetaboutit. Never mind.”

A held breath breaks free from me.

“Never mind what?” I probe.

“Nothin’. I—uh…”

He looks sideways. “Shit.”

He adjusts his grip on me,

holds me tighter.

“I care about you, alright?