Page 66 of Fate Forever and Always

“Nick and I are together. It’s been incredible. He is so amazing. We were having a fun day suggestively teasing each other. Then, this stupid guy at the boutique did what he did. That same night, I was fine with Nick touching me. I found it kind of weird, but I just figured maybe this just wouldn’t affect me in a negative way. I even straddled him, and we had a beautiful moment of letting our feelings be known, but the next day I woke up and couldn’t let him near me. Even his hugs completely overwhelmed me. We haven’t talked about it since. I don’t want him to think I didn’t mean what I said or that I regret it. I know you went through something similar, so I felt like I needed to talk to you.”

She sighed. “Callie, have you told him how you are feeling?”

“No, I'm scared. He has been looking at me with pity, and he is the last person I want to look at me that way. I know he probably doesn’t mean to, but it makes me feel worse than I already do.”

“He will. Everyone who finds out will. Honestly, it surprised me that you know about what happened to me. You’ve never treated me like you did.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means that every time someone finds out you have been sexually assaulted, they will look at you like you are broken, which—in my case—I am, I guess, but this isn’t about me. Make sure you are ready to tell people because once you do, everything changes.”

“Bean, you are not broken. You are one of the strongest people in the world.”

“Thanks, Cal, but that’s the furthest thing from the truth. I am just really good at smiling to your face even if I am having the worst day of my life. Again, though, this isn’t about me. What can I do to help you?”

“How do I let him touch me again? How do I work through these feelings without making him feel bad or unwanted?”

“Callie, I say this with love and a lot of it. But fuck Nick’s feelings. None of this has to do with him. You need to share with him how you are feeling when you are ready. I know it's only been a few days, and I don’t know where your mind has been, but I also think you may benefit from seeing a therapist regularly when you get home.”

“I've never done therapy before. I was supposed to go as a kid when my dad left, but I never did. Mom didn’t have the money.”

“You can definitely get through it without therapy if you want to, but I think it would be beneficial for you to try. It has helped me so much. I've been going ever since it happened to me six years ago.”

Brie, I know you and I haven’t spoken much about what happened to you before today, but I am so sorry you had to go through it. I know you had your parents and Aubs, but know you have always had me too. You are just as much my sister as Aubrey is. I love you, Bean.”

She chuckled a little. “Why are you comforting me? This is supposed to be about me comforting and helpingyou.” I heard her sniffle again. “Callie, I am so sorry this happened to you. I love you, too, girl. I am so thankful that you weren’t r—” She cut herself off. “Fuck. I am just so glad you’re okay.”

“You will be, too. I am glad I have you to help me through all of this.”

“I will always be here for you, Callie. No matter what.”

“I know.”

We were both quiet, just listening to each other cry. Once we calmed down a little, she spoke again.

“You should explain to him how you are feeling. He loves you, Callie. That man would give his life to make sure you were okay. I guarantee he isn’t showing you pity. He is worried about you. There is a difference.”

“I know…and I will. Thank you, Bean. You and I need to have a Brielle and Callie date when Nick and I get back.”

“Deal. But you are paying 'cause I'm a broke college student,” she laughed.

“Bitch, I am broke, too,” I laughed right along with her. “We will make Link or Nick give us money. They’ll do it for us because they love us, right?”

We laughed for what seemed like an hour, trying to move on from the serious subject. The moment Nick texted me asking if it was okay for him to come back, I hung up with Brie because I knew I had to tell him how I was feeling today, or I would chicken out.

So I did.

Chapter twenty-eight

Nick

Igave Callie an hour and a half of privacy. I walked the beach for about an hour, then grabbed us some cheesecake for dessert. When I texted her, she immediately wrote back that it was okay to come up.

When I opened the door, I could tell she had been crying.

I put the dessert on the table and ran up to her. “Hey baby, Are you okay?” I instinctively tried to put my arms around her without thinking. She flinched, and I froze. She was regretting everything. Fuck, this can't be happening.

“I am okay. I just want to talk to you without touching you, if that’s okay?”

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