Page 15 of Always Meant for You
I want to say her name. I want to explain. But I don’t. I force myself to look away, anchoring my hands at my sides. I can’t fix this. Not tonight. Not like this. Not with her father seconds away. But what happened between us feels worse than anything I’ve ever done. Worse than the day in the rain. Worse than the years I spent blocking her out.
Where do we go from here?
I should walk away and cool off.
We should talk when we’re clearheaded, because wedoneed to talk. She deserves to know her brother’s last words. To know his last wishes. But I’m standing here, inches from the girl I was never supposed to want, and I don’t know how to go.
Chapter Four
MABEL
My father’s seconds away.
Why won’t Cal move?
Why won’t I?
Another creak snaps me out of my hazy stupor.
I hold Cal’s gaze for another second, then force myself to take a step back.
For a breath, for a heartbeat, I swear he was going to kiss me. Not out of guilt, but because he wanted to. Because he wanted me.
The stairs creak again.
My father is getting closer.
I watch Cal transform. His shoulders go rigid. He folds his arms tightly across his chest. He presses his lips into a flat, hard line.
Another step. Louder this time.
Cal shifts his weight and glances toward the door. I can’t stop staring at him. I wanted him to reach for me. Say something. Touch me again. Tell me that whatever this is, it isn’t over. Instead, he’s sealing himself shut, piece by piece.
I wait. One second. Then two.
When he finally looks at me, there’s nothing in his eyes. No heat. No longing. His expression hardens, armor slamming into place. The man who touched me like I was breakable stares at me like I’m nothing more than a headache.
My dad opens the door and stands in the doorway. He doesn’t look at me or Cal. He’s focused on my passport. His eyes narrow, and disapproval radiates off him.
He and Cal differ in age, but they share the same worldview. Cities are for fools. Dreams are for people who can afford to fail. Fashion is frivolous.
My dad rests his hand on Cal’s shoulder. “Your grandmother’s looking for you, son. It’s been a long day. She’s ready to head out.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“And there’s a council meeting tomorrow. I’ll see you there?”
Cal straightens and squares his shoulders. “Yes, sir, I’ll be there. These meetings are important to the town . . . and to me.”
Cal doesn’t look at me. He doesn’t have to. That last part was meant for me, and I received it, loud and clear.
This town matters to him.
I don’t.
He turns without a word. No glance back.
And now it’s my father and me. And the distance.
