Page 91 of A Pretty Fixation

What a laughable reverse. I bet he’d felt just ashurt on that Monday when I said the same thing.

A tear slithers down my cheek. I sniffle and tellhim what I remember. “A few days after I arrived at the foster home, I had anoutburst and got into a fight with a boy. I guess Mrs. Anders put me in timeoutin the sunroom. You came and sat beside me. Held my hand. Told me youunderstood. That a monster hurt you too, and that I was okay now. I was safe.”

His head flies up, realization palpable. “That wasyou… That’s what you remembered at the museum.”

I nod. “Those words meant a lot to me. You were sokind, and you made my heart hurt less. Then Dove showed up, and you treated melike I was invisible just like everyone else.”

“That’s not true,” he argues. “You isolatedyourself.”

“You kept your gaze ahead whenever we passed eachother. If our eyes ever did meet, you’d look straight through me. You forgot meso easily, Caleb. Youforgotme.”

“You could have talked to me if you wanted to befriends. You should have.”

I throw my hand up. “Dove made it hard. You weredevoted to her, and you had no room for anyone else.”

He sniffs. “We were drawn together since the daywe met. We had a connection. That’s why I spent eight years searching for her.But instead…”

It feels as if a sharp object just pierced myheart. “But instead, you found me. The girl you didn’t want to remember.” Myvoice cracks. “I told you from the start that I didn’t think I was her.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me when your memoryconfirmed it?” He flushes out a harsh grunt. “Why didn’t you say something whenI showed you the box at my house?”

My lips quiver as the tears flow even more.“Because…I was afraid. I’d fallen in love with you, and I was scared you’d pushme away.”

As if fighting the urge to hold me, Caleb breakseye contact and slants from me.

“I’m guessing you found her then?” I choke up,terrified he’ll switch to the real thing now and discard me. “Have you met? Areyou going to—”

“Dove’s dead,” he grates, tears falling down hisface.

I gasp in shock. “She…died?”

“On the day before we ran into each other. Howmessed up is that?”

“Caleb…” I edge closer to touch his arm. “I’m sosorry. I know how much she meant to you.”

He staggers from me, letting my hand fall. “Ithought I was with her this whole time. I thought I had the girl I’d wanted allthese years, and I gave you my heart. I gave you all the love I was saving forher.”

His words hurt me to the core. “Are you saying thepast weeks are a mistake?”

“No.” He shakes his head. “I’m not saying that. Ijust… I need some time.”

“So youarepushing me away,” I murmur.

“Dammit, Jordyn!” he snaps. Even his gaze isupsetting as he looks at me. “I found out that Dove died. I need space.”

Painful emotions submerge me, and I back up to thedoor. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the second I realized we weren’t the sameperson. You have every right to be upset.” I open the door. “It’sunderstandable why it’s hard to be with me now, knowing I’m not who you wanted.Then again, I never was.”

His eyes wilt with regret. “Jordyn…”

I step outside and shut the door, quickening downthe hallway to the elevator.

My tears are unstoppable. It hurts so much thatCaleb isn’t chasing me like he usually would.

The guys who exit the elevator give me pitifullooks as they walk past me.

I hurry in and press the button to go down.

My heart is breaking. There’s a chance Caleb mightnot be able to move forward with me.

---