Page 113 of We Shouldn't Be Together
I wallow in the emptiness for who knows how long until I hear, “Tabitha?”
My ears prick and I sit taller. “Kai?”
I hear a skid across the floor and then Kai pokes his head into the alcove. “Whoa. What are you doing in here?”
I lower the ice-pack and wipe my weeping eyes. “Oh, you know. Just living my best life.”
He enters the alcove and crouches in front of me. “I heard something went down between you and Camila.”
My breath hitches in my scratched throat. “What did you hear?”
He shrugs. “Something about you two leaving together, but only Camila came back. Geez, you’re still in your gym clothes. How long have you been sitting here?”
A shrug is all I can answer with.
“Jamie said she had one of the best phys-ed lessons, and one of the eeriest at the same time. She said Camila was actually quiet, if you can believe it.”
I squirm with jitteriness. “Camila didn’t say I hurt her?”
He flinches. “Did you?”
I lift the ice-pack. “She slapped me across the face.”
His face draws with concern. His fingertips press against my chin and he gently turns my face. “Let me see.”
“Do you see a hand mark?” I try to joke, but it comes out weak.
“It doesn’t look too bad. You must have gotten ice fast.” He releases my chin. “Why did she slap you? I know, dumb question. But what happened?”
“I pushed her buttons. Remember I told you, I should never bring up her dad.”
“It doesn’t give her the right to hurt you.”
I nod. “I know.”
“You need to get away from her.”
My eyes tear up again. “I can’t.”
“You can. I told you,” he says firmly. “I’ll protect you, if you want it.”
I follow the swirl of green in his hazel eyes, and a weight lifts off my chest. With a sigh, I fling myself forward and hug my arms around his shoulders. “I want that,” I whisper against the nape of his neck. “I want to be safe with you.”
His hands are strong as they rub calming circles on my back. I rest my chin on his shoulder and sigh out with mild relief. One of his hands smooths over my curls, and he whispers, “Are you okay?”
I suck in a breath and feel my nose get stuffy. “Yeah,” I murmur, wiping my eyes and pulling out of the hug. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.”
“It’s okay,” he coos, stroking my left cheek. “I didn’t hate it.”
I let out an airy laugh, and he brightens with a cheesy grin.
I dab underneath my eyes, and ask, “Won’t your friends be wondering where you are?”
“They’ll survive one lunch break without me.”
My heart flutters. “So I can keep you with me until the bell rings?”
He sits on the vinyl floor beside me. “I’m all yours.”
