Page 2 of Fate Forever and Always

The moment I saw the joy and pure excitement in her eyes, I knew I wouldn’t be happy about her news. Don’t get me wrong, I will always be happy for her when good things happen, but I know that look. She likes someone. The chances of that someone being me are slim to none.

“I started dating this guy I met at the restaurant. We met when I was working last week. He is so perfect. He does construction around town and has been coming in daily to see me for lunch since we met.”

My stomach churned like everything I had eaten during the day was about to end up on the floor right there in front of me. “You’re already dating someone?”

Callie gave me a baffling, offended look. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“You were just with that Chris kid. Now you are already seeing someone new?”

Her gaze remained unchanged after my explanation. “Okay. I repeat, what exactly is that supposed to mean?”

I looked away, found the remote control, and turned on the T.V., all while trying to hide my pure disappointment. “Never mind, forget I said anything.”

I expected her to ask again, but she stood up and started yelling at me.

“I don’t need to explain my dating life to you, Nicholas. Chris and I went to prom together. There was no dating and no fucking. We barely even knew each other. I haven’t even had a serious boyfriend. So I’m not sure if you were trying to imply that I am a slut or something, but—”

I stood up, cutting her off. “Woah. I didn't say anything like that. Don’t be putting words in my mouth.”

“Yes, you did. You may not have said those exact words, but you implied it by wording your question that way.”

I was going to clarify what I meant and clear the air, but my grandma’s yell from the other room interrupted my thoughts.

“Lunch is ready. Come and get it!”

Callie and I looked at each other for one more moment before I turned and walked toward the kitchen. I quickly realized Callie wasn’t following.

“Are you not going to eat? Come on, don't be dramatic.”Fuck.I cannot believe I just fucking said that. “Cal, I’m—”

She put her hand up. “Don’t.”

She gathered her bookbag and phone and started to walk away from me with a sad look. “Tell your grandma I had to run. I will see you later. If Aubs shows up, tell her I'll call her later.”

She began swiftly walking toward the door, so I ran after her. “Callie, come on. You know I didn’t mean it like that. The news just caught me off guard. I’m sorry.”

She looked at me in a way I didn’t think I had ever seen. It looked almost like a glimmer of hope in her eyes, but it quickly faded back into anger.

“Why do you care, anyway? You have never cared before about who I was dating, or wasn’t for that matter?”

My stomach dropped. I couldn’t tell Callie the real reason I was holding back and being so jealous, so I did the only thing I could think of at the moment.

I shrugged, looked down at my feet, and then muttered, “I don’t care. It was just really sudden, that's all.” I looked back up at her just in time to see the disappointment in her eyes.Why was she disappointed?

She looked away from me and then nodded. “Got it.”

She turned and walked out the door.

“Fuck,” I yelled.

My grandma came running out of the kitchen. “What? What’s the matter?” she asked with concern.

“Nothing.”

She looked out the front window and then back at me. “Nicky. What did you say to that poor girl?”

“Nothing Gram. Sorry for yelling. Let's go eat.”

She put her arm around my waist since she was so short and walked me toward the table. “Give her time. That girl likes you." She nudged me. "I also think maybe you like her a little bit too?”

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