Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 122030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
My shoulders snap straight. It suddenly occurs to me I know where this is going.
“I told them that as far as I’m concerned, you risked your own safety to rescue me that night,” Casey continues, confirming my suspicions. “Whatever else you did or didn’t do, it doesn’t matter. You had nothing to do with the drugs or driving the car into the lake. You couldn’t be sure what the jacket meant—all you had was a theory. I said that you made a mistake, but you’re not a criminal. And that they’d never get me to testify against you.”
“Damn it, Casey.”
I can’t sit still and launch myself off the bed, raking both hands through my hair.
“I was ready to accept responsibility for what I did,” I tell her. Frustrated. “You don’t need to protect me.”
“Do you remember what you said to me the night after the party last month? After you carted me away like a caveman?” She cocks her head. “You said you’ll be here to save me every time. Well, that’s a two-way street, Fenn. I protected you, just like you’ve always tried to do for me.”
I drop down on the bed beside her. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
“Agree to disagree,” she says with the slightest hint of a smile. “So, I take it they already delivered the news? That they’re dropping all charges?”
“Yeah, the lawyer called right before you got here. I’m in the clear.”
She nods, pleased. “Perfect. Okay. Now that that’s out of the way, which would you like to hear first—the good news or the bad news?”
“Huh?”
“Good or bad? Pick.”
“Good,” I answer on instinct, because I’ve received enough bad news this year to last a lifetime.
“The good news is, my dad recognizes that you saved my life and has agreed to let us keep seeing each other. As in, actual dating. Not just friendship.”
My heart stops dead in my chest.
“What?” I don’t understand what she’s saying to me.
She ignores my stunned expression. “The bad news is, we’re relegated to walks with the dogs for a month and maaaybe the occasional dinner invitation. With Dad present, of course. After that, movie nights might be on the table. Oh! More good news: We can go to the Snow Ball together. Quickly followed by bad news: Lucas, Sloane, and RJ have to come with us, and we’re not allowed to slow dance.” Casey grins. “But what he doesn’t know can’t hurt him.”
I’m dazed. Just staring at her, unable to comprehend what is happening.
“Casey,” I finally say.
“Uh-huh?”
I swallow the lump that rises in my throat. “We said goodbye.”
“No, you said goodbye. And I’m rejecting it. I want to be with you, Fenn.” She licks her lips, then presses them together. Unsure. “Do you want to be with me?”
The lump gets larger, choking me. I clear my throat. “Why are you so determined to keep giving me more chances?”
“Because you’re worth it.”
I start to laugh, utterly amazed by this girl. I swear, I don’t know what to make of her.
“But if we do this,” she continues, “I need you to let go of this idea you have about how I’m supposed to be. Sweet, innocent Casey, who needs your constant coddling. I don’t need that, Fenn. You didn’t know me well before the accident. Yes, I can be sweet, but I also lash out when I’m mad. I can be inexperienced, but also want to go skinny-dipping. I might wake up from nightmares sometimes or cry over an injured animal, but I’m not weak.”
“I know that,” I say thickly.
“I’m not the same person I was back in the spring,” she admits. “I feel like parts of me have changed. I feel stronger. And I can’t go forward with you unless I know you can accept me for exactly who I am, not who you want me to be.”
“Casey, you’re one of the strongest people I know. Hands down,” I assure her, smiling faintly. “And I will be by your side when you hand those bitchy girls at school their asses or when you want to go skinny-dipping or do something wild and crazy. I’ll be by your side no matter what. Ride or die. So, yes, of course I accept you for who you are.” I stare at her. “What I don’t get is how you’re able to accept me? I screwed us up.”
“Look. You lied,” she says frankly. “That hurt me. But I also understand that you found yourself in an impossible predicament and made a split-second decision that turned out to be a mistake. You’ve owned up to it. That’s the best I can ask.”
“If I’d been a better person, I wouldn’t have waited so long,” I point out.
“Either way, I forgive you.”
Those three little words affect me in a way I didn’t expect. It feels like coming up for air. I’ve spent months clawing for the surface, never getting any closer to the light, and then suddenly, sky.