Page 157 of Bookworm

He nodded. "Yeah, we have."

"What exactly did she tell you?"

"She just gave me advice," he said slowly. "About relationships.I wasn't sure how to approach you, so I asked Scarlett, and she helped. Will you answer one of my questions now?"

There was lump in my throat, and I didn't know why.

"Sure," I said.

"Why are you so upset?"

Because you didn't tell me. Because neither one of you thought to tell me any of this.

When he went to place a hand against my cheek, I pulled away, trying not to notice the hurt in his eyes.

"I just need some time to think," I said. "Abouteverything."

Bo put his hand in his pocket, then said, "Does everything include us?"

"Yeah. I think, we should maybe take a break for now."

"I disagree."

"Noted," I said. "But I haveto figure out how I feel about you and my sister going behind my back, Stryker."

"It wasn't like that," he said. "You've got to know it wasn't like that. I wanted to tell you a long time ago that I like you, that I…more than like you."

My heart wanted to jump into the palm of his hand and never come out.

But I held back, unsure of so many things at that moment.

"Scarlett just said I should be patient, not to move too fast, to let you set the pace."

I nodded."She knows me, almost better than I know myself."

"Don't be mad," he said. "She loves you."

Looking up, I found him staring at me. The late bell rang, but neither of us made a move to go.

"I'm not mad," I said, "at either of you. I just need time."

"Alright."Bo nodded, and as I turned to go, he added, "But you're not getting rid of me that easily, Kent."

I paused.

"I'm not giving up."

The truth was I didn't wanthim to. I didn't wantto give him up either.

But I needed a break to figure out where we go from here.

#

"We're still short on malehelp," I said, looking down at the list. "The livingregency statueswere a good idea in theory.I posted it on the Chariot High student board, but no one signed up."

"Same with my school," Natalia said.

"So, you're saying no teenage boys volunteered to hang out at the library on a Saturday Night?" Casey rolled her eyes. "I'm shocked."

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