“Why won’t you talk to me?” His words are filled with the same pain that claws away at my insides. “I need you to talk to me.”

The desperation in his voice has me lifting my hands and skating them over the front of his chest. I want to comfort him somehow. Make the sadness go far, far away from him. He shudders at my touch and a sound I’ve never heard him make echoes in the classroom.

Need.

Anguish.

Misery.

I understand his feelings wholeheartedly and want to erase them. It was easier to be angry at him when it felt like he was being a dick, but this is different. He’s in pain. Pain I’ve somehow caused, even by accident.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “You had it all wrong and I was mad at you for assuming the worst.”

His gaze darkens as he swipes away a tear that’s escaped down my cheek. “Assuming the worst?”

God, he’s such an idiot, but clearly Jamie screwed with his mind. Instead of getting upset, I should have been patient with him. I should have let him cool off and then explain that I’d never betray him like she did.

“It was just a party with my new friends. Nothing more. I thought about you the whole time. Wished I were with you instead. Everything transpired so quickly with them showing up at my house, so I didn’t have an opportunity to let you know what was happening. But I assure you, it was all in fun, and nothing whatsoever romantic. I didn’t deceive you intentionally.” I bite down on my lip when it wobbles. “I hate that you didn’t trust me. You never let me explain, Callum.”

“I begged you to talk to me for two weeks,” he murmurs. “Why now?”

“Because I’m tired of being apart. I need you—need us. I’m sorry. I should have handled it better.”

He dips his head forward, running his nose along mine. “I fucked up.” His eyes close and he lets out a ragged sigh. “I overreacted and fucked everything up. Jesus, sweetheart, I’m sorry too.”

Before I can even revel in his words I’ve been aching to hear for two weeks, his mouth descends upon mine. I willingly greet him with parted lips. The kiss starts as something tentative and hopeful but quickly turns ravenous.

Teeth and tongues and slick lips.

He’s trying to devour me whole and I love it. I need it. I need him. Our kiss feels like a blissful eternity and then he’s pulling away.

“What happened with Levi?”

I want to rewind to two minutes ago when we were making out and making up. Not this. Not the reminder of my stepbrother. I can still feel his finger jamming inside me.

“He assaulted me,” I croak out. “The morning after the party.”

Callum’s teeth grind together. “How?”