“I’m not even sure what it is, it just feels so good. And I’m a selfish fuck who wanted to keep getting this feeling from you before I left. I didn’t mean to hurt you, I really, really didn’t. I waited each day like a madman for the other shoe to drop, for you to find out that I lied about knowing your dad, but each time I saw you, everything disappeared except you and me. I know this isn’t enough and I won’t ever be enough for you, but I just wanted to explain myself and apologize for not doing it earlier.”

He dropped our hands but I grabbed his again. My eyes were stinging, and my head was foggy and I didn’t know up from down, but I knew I wanted to hold his hand.

I moved toward him, closing the space between us. A pile of papers and a bookbag were in the way, but I pushed them toward the door as Kael held my hand, firmly.

“I’m really sorry, honestly. And I get it if you just want me to go away.” He rounded his shoulders, deflated, and I had the strongest urge to comfort him.

He was so close now that I could smell the faint earthy cologne he used and I could feel the warmth radiating from him. I ignored the storm of doubts left in my head, stepped over any remnants of red flags, and pulled my hand from his to bring it to his cheek.

His skin was so soft, so beautiful and familiar. I felt warm and glowing from the inside out and couldn’t think of how to say that to him. I used my body instead of words to show him we would be okay. I climbed onto Kael’s lap and he groaned as I wrapped my arms around his back. The sharp fear of rejection disappeared as he dug his hands into my hair. I could feel the relief flowing from both of us so intensely that I thought we would shake the truck.

His hands held on to my hips, roaming around the tops of my thighs without a word between us. Somehow this would work out, we were supposed to be together. If we weren’t, it wouldn’t feel this good, we wouldn’t be able to communicate like this, without saying a word. The connection wouldn’t feel this intense and electrifying if we couldn’t figure it all out. I refused to believe the universe was that cruel. I brushed my thumb across his cheek just below his eye.

“I don’t. I don’t want you to go away ever again,” I whispered, as his eyes fluttered open to look into mine.