I pause.

Would that be so bad?

I pull back, adjust my tie, and try to ignore the ache in my chest. “Yeah. You’re right. This is it.”

He wants to go, so we’ll go. But I know for certain I’m not proposing tonight. I know that much.

He swallows hard and nods, eyes drifting to my lips. “This is it.”

The way he says it... I don’t know what he means, but it feels important. Like something’s about to begin…or end.

I check the time. 7 p.m.

One night left.

To tell the truth. To figure this out. To stop running.

All or nothing.

And I don’t even know who the hell I’m doing this for anymore.

26

nathan

I bite my thumbnail between my teeth as we ride in the back of the Uber. The air is thick, and I can’t shake the obvious feeling that something feels... off.

Since we left the hotel, Caleb has barely looked at me. He just sat there, staring out the window like it’s suddenly the most interesting thing in the world. Not the fact that we’re both on our way to ambush the same girl.

Is this really it? Everything that happened between us this weekend, just... over? My stomach twists at the thought. I pushed us to go and see Sarah because I thought we both needed it to fully understand what was going on... but maybe that offended him? Maybe I was wrong...

I rub my palms against the thighs of my pants. Suddenly, it’s too hot in this car. Rolling down my window, I let the cold air rush by me to try and calm down.

For some reason, all I can think about is prom night. Flashes of that night pass through my mind like the cars driving past us. The memory of it is all so warped now. All these years, I’ve been so angry at him and now I’m struggling to think if all that resentment was worth it. Granted, it was a really shitty thing for him to do. But... a part of me wishes I never found them that night. Maybe a part of me wishes I never dated Sarah at all. Where would Caleb and I be then?

As though he could hear my thoughts, his firm hand reaches out, lacing his fingers through mine, grounding me almost instantly.

My eyes flick open. I didn’t even realize I had closed them. Turning to him, we lock eyes. Comfortable silence passes between us.

Caleb sits back in his seat and closes his eyes. No words—just understanding.

It’s not long after that the car turns down a windy road. Driving up to the top of the hill, the car slows down once we get to the courtyard filled with other cars dropping guests off. Fancy dressed ushers greet guests coming in at the door. My eyes are fixated on the big fountain in the middle of the courtyard. Whoever’s reception this is, it’s clear that they’re rich rich.