Page 44 of Give Me a Reason

Frederick sat on the floor with his head tipped back against the wall, his glass of whiskey forgotten in his hand.

“I’m so sorry, Frederick.” Tears flowed down Anne’s pale cheeks.

“What’s wrong? What do you have to be sorry about?” He rushed toward her, cupping her shoulder with one hand while wiping her tears away with the other. “You know what? It doesn’t matter. I forgive you. Whatever it is you think you did, I forgive you. Okay? Just please. Please don’t cry, Anne.”

She cried harder, and he pulled her into his arms. She clung to him and sobbed. “I’m so sorry.”

“No.” A faint tremor started in his chest and spread through his body. “Stop saying that.”

“I have to go to Korea.” She stepped back from him, and his arms fell limply to his sides. She wrung her hands as words poured out of her. “My aunt told me to audition for this role in a Korean miniseries. The director wanted someone fluent in English, so she thought I’d be perfect for the role.”

“What…” Frederick stopped to take a calming breath. “What are you talking about? What do you mean you have to go to Korea?”

“I got the part. In the K-drama.” She sounded unsure, which wasn’t like her. She might be soft-spoken, but Anne knew her ownmind. “It’s not the leading role, but Imo thinks it’ll help launch my acting career in Korea.”

“You’re going toKorea?” he shouted, more from panic than anger. “To be anactress? What the hell?”

Anne tipped her chin up, even as her bottom lip wobbled.Damn it.He didn’t mean to hurt her feelings. He was just so confused. He didn’t understand what was happening.

“You’re minoring in theater for fun,” he reminded her in a softer tone.

“I know what I told you.” Her voice broke, and fresh tears filled her eyes. “But I have to go to Korea—”

“Why do you keepsayingthat?” He raked a hand through his hair. “Why do youhaveto do anything?”

“Imo said… No, it doesn’t matter what she said.” Anne closed her eyes, clenching her fists. “I have to do this.”

“Okay, Anne. I don’t understand what’s going on, but that’s okay. There’s no rush. You can explain everything to me once we’ve both calmed down.” Frederick stepped closer to her. “And if you have to go to Korea, I’ll come with you. Everything will be fine as long as we’re together.”

Her eyes flew open, and something wild sparked in them. She reached out and gripped his forearm. “You can’t drop out of college.”

“Yes, I can.” He huffed a nervous laugh. Her fingers felt like ice, so he covered them with his hand. “You know I’ll do anything for you.”

“There’s nothing for you in Korea.” She clung tighter to his arm. “You don’t even have any relatives there.”

“You’ll be there,” he said simply. “That’s all I need. You’re all I need.”

“But…No.” She tugged her hand free and turned her back to him. “You can’t come. I need to… to focus on my career. You’ll only be a distraction.”

Fear choked him by the throat. “Anne.”

“You can’t throw away your future for this… relationship.” She spoke without inflection, like she was reciting someone else’s words. “We’ve only been dating for a few months. And you and I are both so young. Who knows if this is meant to last? What if you came to Korea and we broke up? In a month? In a year? Where would that leave you?”

“Do you hear what you’re saying? This isn’t you.” He walked around her so she would have to look at him. “Yes, we’re young, but that doesn’t make our love any less real. I love you, Anne. So much so that it frightens me sometimes. But it also makes me happier than I’ve ever been. You know this is it for me, don’t you?You’reit for me.”

“You can’t know that. You’re onlynineteen.” She held out her hands as though she were imploring him to understand.

“Is that what your imo said?” he demanded. “Did she tell you I don’t know my own heart because I’m nineteen? What the hell does she know? She doesn’t know me.”

“She… she knows that you haven’t even decided on a major,” Anne stuttered, defending her aunt. “She thinks you’re… you’re naïve if you think you can go pro.”

“Going pro was never the plan. Basketball was about getting my foot in the door. To get a full ride to San Diego State. You know that already.” He narrowed his eyes. “That can’t be all. What else did you tell her about me? Does she think I’m not smart enough for you because I go to a Cal State and not a fancyUClike you? Did…” He stopped and searched her face. “Did you tell her I was an orphan? Is that why she thinks I’m not good enough for you?”

Her stricken silence was his answer.

“That’s it, isn’t it?” His face twisted into a sneer. “She thinks I’m a dumb jock and a penniless orphan without a future ahead of me. Is that what you believe, too? Is that how she persuaded you to leave me?”

“No. No, Frederick. I… I’m sorry, but…” She took a step back, then another. “I have to leave. And you have to stay. It’s for the best.”

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