Page 66 of Clueless Romeo

"I'm bisexual and in love with a guy," I blurted, surprised that I didn't tense or regret the admission. If anything, it felt as if chains had snapped away, chains that had held me stagnant and ruined the best thing that had ever happened to me.

Halo's eyebrow furrowed as he walked inside, closing the sliding door. "Uh, cool. You staying for dinner?"

The quick acceptance made me realize there was a world out there waiting to support a relationship between CJ and me. Not everyone was a complete dick.

Jazmine cocked a brow as if to saySee?No big deal, dumbass.before looking at her boyfriend. "He's staying the night on the couch. Can you grab some blankets and a pillow for him?"

"On it, babe." With another affectionate kiss on her forehead, Halo did her bidding, and my sister returned to the kitchen.

Alone, I pulled my phone from my pocket, scrolling to the thread of texts between CJ and me. I didn't even hesitate to type out a text.

Me:Can we talk if you're free tomorrow?

I didn't expect an immediate response but stared at the screen, hoping anyway. Nothing.

As we sat down to eat, I continued to check for a reply.

Nada. CJ didn't even read the message.

Later, I tapped out another text as I lay on the couch, covered by a unicorn-print fleece blanket.

Me:I'm more sorry than you could ever know. Please just talk to me.

I didn't hear from him all night, leaving me tossing and turning, and beating the pillow half to death as I tried to get comfortable. When the sun began peeking around my sister's royal purple curtains, I hadn't slept a wink.

Jazmine and Halo hadn't even gotten out of bed before I borrowed their shower and tugged on my clothes from the day before. Flipping the inside lock on my way out, I headed home to do what she said.

Grovel and beg until CJ believed I'd never do anything to hurt him ever again. I was all in. Now, I just had to hope he was willing to try.

Nineteen

CJ

We were officiallyopen for business. The red neon Open sign in the window had been flipped on, the register booted up, and racks were stuffed full of merchandise. But despite the marketing plan we'd pushed, a grand total of three people had entered our shop by noon.

"If we don't start seeing some customers soon, this is going to be one epic fail." Caleb yawned from where he was slumped on a stool behind the register. "Not to mention Dad's probably going to take over."

I looked away from our social media page I'd been scrutinizing on my phone. I sighed as I scanned the empty room where I leaned against a shelved display of mugs. "Way to put out some positive vibes, asshole. We'll be okay, and it's only been a few hours. Most of our orders will be online anyway. We knew that going into this thing."

He tossed me a lazy look. "So we basically have the most boring job in the history of employment ever, is what you're saying."

I glared at him. "Whatever. Just go post more flyers and make yourself useful." I couldn't exactly argue, though. It was quiet except for the random thoughts Caleb shared, leaving me with too much time on my hands. Time that inevitably was filled with remembering last night, the way Roman had done a complete one-eighty from what he'd said as soon as Caleb and Christa had walked in on us at the worst moment possible.

After Roman had bolted, Caleb had strolled right past me without speaking again, while Christa had offered me a sympathetic smile. On the one hand, I'd been relieved I hadn't been forced into the conversation on the heels of Roman's sharp rejection. On the other, Caleb walking out had stung almost as bad. I didn't know what he was thinking because he hadn't brought it up, but I knew the questions had only been put on hold, not forgotten. He was only drawing it out before the inevitable interrogation.

"Christa already posted them at every shop around here before her mom picked her up for lunch. I'm not sure where else you want me to take them. Speaking of lunch, I'm fucking starving." Caleb hummed, patting his flat abs. "You up for some pizza?"

My stomach turned at the thought of putting any food in my mouth. "Nah. But I can go pick something up for you or call it in, though." At least my phone had, in fact, survived near-death by water. And I was itching to get out for some fresh air.

"Are we going to talk about yesterday?" he asked suddenly.

I'd known the question was coming, eventually, but it still caught me off-guard.

"What's there to talk about?" I glanced back at my phone, pretending to be busy pulling up our online store and scrolling.

Caleb scoffed. "You tonguing down Roman ring any bells?"

I shrugged. "Again, what's there to talk about? You're not blind."

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