Those are YOUR words. Not mine.
I don’t know what you’re talking about. All I know is that the guy I like keeps complimenting me.
I like you …
I like you too …
Keeley dropped the phone in her lap when Mrs. Miller passed by. She was handing back the revised admission essays they wrote.
At the very top of Keeley’s paper was a big fat A+. In the margin, Mrs. Miller had scribbled, “Great job connecting the two.” She’d written that by making a conscious decision to embrace her fear, she allowed herself to move on.
“What’d you get?” Zach asked, turning around. She proudly showed him the paper. He whistled, looking impressed. “I only got an A–.”
“I scored higher than you?” She was shocked. That had never happened before. She couldn’t wait to show her parents. Hell, she might even tack it on the fridge.
As Mrs. Miller continued to pass out papers, Keeley peeked at the phone again.
Why did you do this? You broke up with me, remember?
I heard you went to see Claire. I thought it was very brave to own up to your mistakes.
I didn’t do it for you.
That’s what makes it meaningful.
What are you trying to say here?
I think we have something worth fighting for.
How do I know you’re not going to change your mind and break up with me again?
She thought about the moments on the beach when she learned the truth about Talon and Claire.
You’re scared. Afraid to trust. I get that.
You don’t.
I do. I broke up with you for the same reason and do you remember what you asked me? You asked me to trust you. I’m asking you to do the same thing.
Why should I give you what you refused to give me?
Well, crap. That was a really good question. But there were never any guarantees ... for anything. That didn’t mean you shouldn’t try.
We’re at the edge of a cliff, Talon. It’s either take a leap and try to reach the other side or fall apart and lose what we have.
Haven’t you heard the higher you go, the harder you fall?
It’s a risk I’m willing to take. I don’t know what else to do or say that will convince you but I’m all in, Talon.
Did you really mean this?
There was a picture attached to his text. It was a screenshot of one of her messages. A poem. The first one she had ever attempted to write. Maybe it wasn’t great, but it summed up everything she was feeling.
When I say three little words, I become giddy inside.
It’s such an amazing feeling I cannot hide.
When I say three little words, a smile comes to my face.
It’s an immediate reaction no matter the place.
When I say three little words, my problems start to fade away.
These three little words brighten my day.
When I say three little words, I want you to be about, Because those three little words you should never doubt.
Her adrenaline spiked. She felt vulnerable. Exposed.
Every word.
And this?
Another screenshot.
There are a lot of qualities I admire in a person, but one of the biggest is the ability to say you’re sorry. I’m not talking about the quick apologies people say when they accidentally bump into someone, but the deep, heartfelt apologies that strip you of your ego and humble you before a person you’ve wronged.
I know you feel guilty for what happened. I know you carry around shame. But despite what you think, you deserve forgiveness. You’ve paid your dues. Let yourself be happy, and if you can’t, at least allow me to be by your side so I can show you.
Yes.
And you’re positive this is what you want? You and me? No take-backs or second-guessing?
100% positive. Will you jump with me?
“What’s going on?” Nicky whispered on the way out of class. Concern was etched in every word. “What did he say?”
“I’m just waiting.” Keeley gripped the phone. Waiting was going to kill her.
“Waiting for what?” asked Nicky.
As long as you’re with me.
Keeley’s face broke out in a huge grin.
“Keeley?” Nicky pressed. “Waiting for what?”
“To take a leap.”
Keeley took one look in the mirror and ripped out the bobby pins holding her brown locks back. Twenty minutes she’d been standing in the bathroom, curling and fidgeting with her hair, and what did she have to show for it? Absolutely nothing. If anything, her hair looked worse. Normally, she would put it in a bun and call it a day, but today wasn’t any day. In exactly thirty minutes, she would be meeting with Talon for the first time since sending those texts.
Her skin tingled with equal parts excitement and nerves. The meeting felt monumental, even bigger than their first date. All the secrets, all the dirty laundry were out in the open. There were no more excuses for running away. This was it. They could finally build a relationship on an even playing field. Nothing was holding them back.
Now if only I could tame this beast, she thought to herself. She grabbed a hairbrush and started untangling the knots.
Ten minutes later, she headed downstairs with a sore scalp and what felt like ten pounds of hairspray. When she went into the living room to get her purse, she passed by her brother, who was parked in front of the TV, lying on the couch in the same position she’d seen him in since breakfast.
“You going somewhere?” he asked idly, one hand behind his head, the other on a remote, flipping through channels.
“The pier.”
“How about I drive you?” He dropped the remote and sat up. “I need to get out of the house.”
“I’m going to the boardwalk. You’re staying here.” Away from Talon.
His eyes narrowed as he studied her face. Something must have tipped him off because seconds later he groaned. “This again? I thought he was over and done with.”
“I know you don’t like him and that’s fine.” She’d accepted the fact they would never get along. “But your feelings do not factor into my relationship with him, just as his feelings do not factor into ours.”
“It matters,” he argued. “How can it not?”
She didn’t want to bring up a painful topic, but he left her no choice. “What if Claire wanted to get back together and I told you I didn’t like her?”
His nose wrinkled. “You have no reason not to like her. She’s never done anything to you.”
“But if I didn’t?” she pushed. “What then? Would you tell her no? Walk away?”
He pressed his lips together.
“See? It’s not that easy. I’m going after what I want. I love you, but I have to do what makes me happy, and Talon makes me happy.”
He lifted his head and looked her in the eye, a sad smile pasted on his face. “I’m going to go walk Tucker. I’ll see you later.”
“Wait, Zach —”
But he was already out the door with the leash in hand. So instead she grabbed her purse and went to meet Talon.