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Kissing me off.

He's everything.

"I don't want to say goodbye, but I guess I have to." I rise to my tiptoes and kiss him again. It's not enough. I need more of him. I need all of him.

This time, he's the one who pulls back. He runs his fingers through my hair. His voice gets soft. "Me either."

"I... I'll miss you." I lean into his touch. Words rise up in my throat. Ones I've been avoiding.

I try to swallow them down.

I kiss him one more time. Something to keep my lips occupied.

But that doesn't work.

I'm shaking when I pull back.

My eyes meet his.

And those words spill from my lips.

"Brendon, I love you."

Chapter Forty-Six

KAYLEE

Shit.

My cheeks flush.

My stomach drops.

Not the right time.

Not at all.

And the look in his eyes.

That's not the right look.

"Kay..." His eyes go to the floor.

"You don't have to say it. It just came out. I, uh... I mean, I do love you. But it's okay if you're not sure yet. Or if you're not there yet."

"No." He runs a hand through his hair. Slowly, his eyes meet mine. "Kay..."

No. That's not the right tone. "What do you meanKay...?"

"Don't worry about us. Go see your grandma."

I shake my head. "No. The way you said that... it's like there isn't an us." I stare into his eyes. I pick apart the way they turn down. It's barely anything, but it's enough. It's bad. "If there's not anus—"

"There shouldn't be."

"What?" My heart rises in my throat. There has to be an us. Otherwise, I really don't have anything.

"Em was right. I'm supposed to protect you from guys like me."

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