Don't Hold Back (Love Hurts 4)

I look up and see Erin approaching me, and quickly close the app. Thank God for her timing. I set my drink down and get ready to apologize. She reaches my table and g

lares at me. She’s cute when she’s angry.

“Maybe I didn’t think this through, but I don’t need you to tell me every goddamned step of the way that I’m wrong. I’m trying, okay?”

“I don’t think you’re wrong,” I say.

The last thing I wanted her to feel like was this. All I was trying to do was push her to push herself, but instead I’ve managed to make her feel like shit. For God’s sake, she’s dying, and I’m making a hard situation worse.

“I’m sorry, Erin. I really am. I didn’t handle that very well. I took my own problems out on you and I shouldn’t have. Anytime I’m a dick, slap me back into line, okay?”

She glowers at me for a second, but then grins. “I might just take you up on that. Are you okay? You’ve been like this since last night. Seriously, you have more mood swings than me, and I’m dying. I’m worried about you.”

“Bella. She won’t answer my calls or my texts. I get that she needs space, but I just need to know what’s going on.”

“She’ll talk to you when she’s ready. Just be there for her. Don’t push her, because all you’ll end up doing is pushing her away.” She pauses. “And what you said to me? You were right. I am taking the easy way out. Because I’m scared. I’m terrified that I’ve made the wrong decision leaving Australia. What if I mess everything up? I’m doing this to save my family grief, but what if this makes it worse for them?”

“Do or do not. There is no ‘try’.”

She looks up at me, confused.

“Star Wars,” I admit with a grin.

She looks at me in disbelief.

“What?” I protest. “It’s a valid and valuable message. Stop trying to do what you think you need to do and just do it. What ‘it’ is doesn’t matter. Whatever you want to be doing, do that.”

“Deep,” she mutters. “Is that the philosophy you live with?”

I shrug, a smirk crossing my lips. “If it’s in Star Wars, it must be true, right?”

“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never seen it,” she mumbles, distracted.

“Well that right there is your first major mistake. Seriously, who hasn’t seen Star Wars?” I gasp in mock horror. “How can anyone seriously consider dying without seeing Star Wars?” She shakes her head as I take her hand, pretending not to notice the way her cheeks colour when my fingers touch hers. “We have to fix this. Now. I mean, it’s fucking Star Wars, Erin. Do you not understand how many pop culture references you’re missing in like a billion other TV shows and movies?”

“Will you stop staying Star Wars?” she laughs. “You want me to waste an hour and a half—”

“Eight hours and seven minutes,” I correct her. “And that’s just the three originals. If we’re going to commit, and I think we should, then we’re looking at sixteen hours and forty-seven minutes.”

“One, we are on a train to Venice. Two, I’d rather stab myself in the eye with a fork.”

“Oh you did not just say that,” I gasp, clutching my chest. “Why don’t you just punch me in the balls next time? It would hurt less.” I pick up my phone. “The best thing is, I just happen to have the first volume right here.”

She laughs and wipes tears away from her eyes. “Are you serious? Of course you do. Fine. You want me to watch it? I’ll watch it. But then you owe me. Deal?”

“Done,” I reply, taking a moment to consider her proposition. “But just so you know, you’re opening a door you can’t close. I owe you, you owe me—where does it end?”

“I can't believe you're making me do this,” she groans.

I hand her a beer and laugh. “I’m not making you do anything. You’re a big girl. You make your own decisions. Just like you made the decision to live in denial for the last twenty-five years. You should be ashamed of yourself. I mean, what person over the age of ten hasn't seen Star Wars?” I shake my head sadly. “You’ve really disappointed me, Erin.”

“Geez, Cade, get over it. And I’m twenty-four, not twenty-five,” she growls. “Besides, I bet I can name twenty classic movies you haven't seen.”

“Try me.” I grin. “I'll have you know I'm quite a movie buff.”

“Okay. Casablanca.”

“Here’s looking at you, kid,” I reply immediately.