Me: I’ll be home soon to help you look for it.

An ache forms in my chest. Everything in my life seems to be in turmoil lately. Almost daily, I wish we could go back to the days when Darren and Levi weren’t in our lives.

Another buzz from my phone has me scowling. But, instead of Mom, it’s him.

Callum: Sorry about earlier.

I frown in confusion before tapping out a reply.

Me: When you bit me?

The dots move and stop a couple of times before he responds.

Callum: Not sorry about the bite. I meant I’m sorry about making you hide while I dealt with my sister.

Me: You were protecting me.

Callum: I like protecting you.

Energy buzzes through my veins.

Me: It was nice forgetting everything around me for a little while. You’re distracting.

Callum: You’re distracting too. Trust me.

A car honks as they drive by and I recognize Dempsey. He waves his hand through the window before he guns it. I can’t help but wave back.

Me: Maybe I should meet you somewhere. You could give me the lecture notes.

Callum: Bad idea. Seriously. The worst idea ever.

Me: Because you’d try and bite me again?

Callum: Absolutely.

This is flirting. We’re actually flirting. Callum Park is actually into me.

Me: I don’t see the problem.

He makes me feel comfortable enough to put myself out there, especially since he’s doing the same.

Callum: The problem is…I can’t be with you.

His words sting. I frown as I stare down at them.

Me: I’m eighteen.

Callum: Very well aware, sweetheart.

Sweetheart.

Me: So?

Callum: Aside from me being your teacher, there are other reasons why I can’t allow myself to go down this path with you.

Me: You have more reasons than that?

Callum: My brother is announcing that he’ll be running for attorney general. They’re going to pick apart everyone in his life. Politics are fucked up like that.

I’m not an idiot.

If the press discovered a salacious scandal like this, they’d turn it against Callum’s brother and use it on him during the campaign. Not only would that be humiliating to Callum, but it’d be humiliating for me as well. And there’s no telling what Darren would do if I embarrassed him by being involved in an affair with my teacher.

Callum: Say something…

Me: It’s fine.

Callum: It’s not fine, though. It’s not fair.

Me: I knew you were too good to be true.

Callum: I’m sorry. I still want to be your friend, but even that will have to be kept on the down low.