"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 mean Kay...?"
"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 an us—"
"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."
"Em said that?"
"Yeah. But that doesn't matter." His voice gets stronger. Like he's sure. "I am supposed to protect you from guys like me."
"What the fuck does that mean? You're strong and sweet and supportive—"
"I'm not the kind of guy you should love." Hurt streaks over his face. It seeps into his voice. But he stays strong. Confident.
"No, Brendon. You're exactly the kind of guy I should love."
He shakes his head. "I'm not."
"Well too fucking bad. I do love you."
"You shouldn't."
"And you should love me?"
"Kay—"
"No, you don't get to say my name like that." My fingers curl into fists. He's still standing there all strong and sure and stoic. Like he's doing this for me. But that's bullshit. This is the last thing I need. "Am I the kind of girl someone should love?"