Page 53 of Catch Me If You Can

“I never should’ve broken your trust like that. You were my best friend and I... I was an idiot. I’m so sorry for hurting you.”

The sincerity in his voice cracks something open in me.

“It was hard seeing you with her. I didn’t understand why then, but… I think I do now,” he breathes.

There it is. What I’ve needed to hear all these years.

I realize then—I wasn’t angry because of Sarah. I was angry because I losthimthat night at prom. And now, he’s here.

He rubs his palm against his chest, and my eyes track the movement.

“You don’t say sorry often, do you?”

He sucks in a sharp breath, bowing his head until his hair hides his beautiful eyes.

“No... I try to avoid it if I can...”

My lips quirk at that, even as a burn rises in my chest at the thought that he pulled it together just for me.

“How does it feel?” I ask, lowly.

“It feels scary... and really fucking vulnerable. Like you could just... not forgive me. And leave me again." He shakes his head and pinches his eyes shut. "Fuck, Ireallydon’t want you to leave me again,” he gasps, rubbing at his chest once more.

I rest my palm over his heart. His heartbeat matches mine. Hooking a leg over his, I pull him closer.

We’re so near now—our lips brushing, but not kissing.

I need him to know how much I forgive him. How much, as long as it's up to me, Iwouldn’tleave him for anything.

My body feels charged, unhinged. Like now that I’ve finally heard those words—“I’m sorry”—my body is no longer mine.

It’s his.

I think it always has been.

He holds my waist, fingers trailing up my spine. I bury my hands in his hair, gripping like he’s the only thing holding me down.

“Caleb,” I moan, voice wrecked as his lips find my neck. It's like he's soothing himself with physical touch. AndGod,do I want to help soothe him in any way he needs. “Fuck, it’s okay.” He sucks hard enough to make my toes curl, and I swear my soul leaves my body for a second. “You’re okay.” My hands clutch him tighter, desperate for more.

I need him. I need all of him.Now.

He pants against my skin, needy already.

“Do you trust me?” I whisper.

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caleb

I freeze and look up to meet his eyes. I knew the answer immediately as soon as he asked.

“Abso-fucking-lutely,” I smile back. Truthfully, I’d do just about anything Nathaniel wants me to do right now. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m not straight about five minutes into this trip. And hearing him forgive me…that’s unlocked everything I’ve been holding inside of me. I feel like cuffs have come undone and I’m now able to be unapologetically myself. As though the one person who has ever truly mattered has now accepted me.

Seeing him, being around him, it’s intoxicating. It’s always been like that. So yeah, maybe I didn’t know it then, but my adult brain (debatable at times), sure does. I want Nathaniel in any which way he’ll give himself to me.

And if this is his way of forgiving me for what I did, I’ll take it. I’lltake it—

…oh wait.

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