Page 76 of Vile Boys

Fuck, is she really trying to interrogate me right now while I’m so close to busting a nut all over my pants because of her presence alone?

I lean in. “I hate you for interfering in my life.”

“This isn’t about you,” she replies. “It’s about our parents’ happiness.”

“Except it isn’t. Thiswasabout me. Because you weren’t there in that café out of pure luck. You were there to findme.”

She retracts the knife so fast, my hand lingers near the blade, and it cuts into my hand.

“Crystal, Caleb,” her mother says as she walks in, but her pupils dilate the moment she spots the blood drops running down the palm of my hand. “Oh no, you’re bleeding.” She grabs my hand and inspects the wound.

“Cut myself,” I lie.

Crystal narrows her eyes at me while her mom starts dabbing the wound with a towel. “Let me go grab a Band-Aid.”

“No, it’s okay,” I say, smiling at her to add an extra level of fakeness. “Thank you.”

She smiles back. “Can you guys come back outside? There’s something we want to share.”

I frown when she turns around and heads back outside, andCrystal seems equally confused. She shrugs and places the knife back on the cutting board before she follows me outside.

Her mom and my dad hold hands and hug while they stand near the edge of the table, and I have a sense of overwhelming dread.

“Crystal. Caleb,” my dad begins, smiling awkwardly. “You might want to sit down.”

Crystal grabs a chair. “What’s going on?”

“Crystal …” her mom mutters, rubbing her neck, which has become red.

“Tell us,” I say.

Her mom looks at my dad with complete devotion, and it makes me want to puke.

“Abigail and I …” my dad begins, breathing out a loving sigh as he grabs her hand. “Are engaged.”

CALEB

Abigail grins like she’s on drugs and shows off the ring to both of us.

I’m gonna be sick.

I’m not listening to this shit.

I immediately jump up and walk off.

They can’t be fucking serious. Are they for real? Is this a joke?

“Caleb! Wait. Hold up,” my dad says.

“No,” I growl, and I open the front door and head out.

“Caleb. At least talk to me!” He grabs my arm and makes me stop.

“Don’t.” I jerk my arm free.

“Jonathan,” her mom mutters as she runs to him and clutches his arm. “Let him be. I think he needs some… time to digest it.”

I stare them both down with disdain.

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