And she wouldn’t. I would not let this girl go. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.
After a while, I pulled my mouth off hers, opening my eyes just a hair to see her already staring up at me, her lips a tad redder than they were before, her cheeks beautifully flushed with heat. “If you think that just because I’m going home means this is over, you’re wrong.” I tangled my fingers into her hair, swiping my thumb along the curve of her cheekbone. “I’ve never done long-distance before. I never wanted to. But for you…for you I would, for you I will.”
Bree set a hand on my chest, running it along the fabric of my shirt as she gazed up at me with eyes that were too innocent, too wide and sad for their own good.
“I like you too much to let you go,” I added, hugging her harder, feeling her shiver against me. She buried her face in the crook of my neck, breathing me in, and I simply held her, refusing to let her go.
For now, at least, we could stay like this. For a little while.
Alas, even the tender, quiet moments had to end. Such was life. I hated the fact that I had to help Bree off me, had to let her go and feel a coldness where her body had been, but I had to. I had to go home, had to fix my life. Things would get better, though. With this girl by my side, everything would get better.
“I’ll text you when I’m home, okay?”
Bree nodded, and I gave her a quick peck on the cheek before leaving. I waved goodbye to her parents, who were in the living room, and I headed to the front door, feeling good about it. Bree might not believe me yet, but hopefully in time she would. Hopefully in time she’d come to trust me, know that I meant everything I said. I—
All of my thoughts stopped the moment I stepped outside and found myself staring at another guy getting out of his car. He’d parked in the driveway, right behind Bree’s car. He had a backpack slung over his shoulder, and he looked positively thrilled to be here.
Was he here to see Michelle? Kyle hadn’t mentioned anything about her working with another guy…
Light brown hair that seemed to sparkle golden in the sun, a clean-cut jaw that was more square than anything. When he got closer, I could see his eyes were a dark amber, and the moment they locked on me, his legs halted.
He was a handsome guy, I guess. Kyle would be jealous if Michelle had to work with him.
The other guy narrowed his eyes at me somewhat, and he soon met me on the pathway just below the porch. I had no idea why he stared at me like he didn’t like me, but as long as he wasn’t making any moved on my brother’s girl, we were fine.
“Let me guess,” the newcomer spoke, grinning a dimpled smile. “Calum, right? You know, I always wondered, what kind of name is Calum anyways?”
Wait a minute. How the heck did this guy know me?
“Who are you?” I questioned, feeling the need to flex my muscles.
“Ah, so Bree kept me to herself,” he went on, his grin widening. “Interesting. Kind of makes me wonder if she likes me more than she likes you. Not going to lie, it feels pretty good.”
Hold the fucking phone. Bree? This kid was here for Bree? I felt my heart start to race in my chest. The way he spoke her name, the way he was happy to learn she’d kept him to herself…did he like her, too?
And, of course, I wondered right after that: did she like him? Bree never told me she was seeing someone else. Granted, I never asked, but I didn’t think I had to.
Did I have competition?
“I’m Mason,” the newcomer spoke, still grinning that annoying proud grin, like he thought he had me beaten. “I’m in one of Bree’s classes. We’re also partners for a group project, so, you know, we’ll be seeing lots of each other in the future.” He walked around me, saying nothing else as he headed to the house.
I turned, watching him go in without even knocking. How many times had he been here? How much time had he spent with her? Suddenly I felt insecure about my relationship with Bree. How could I