Page 39 of Make Out With A Merman

Callie findsme at the edge of the north dock just before the advanced swim block. Her voice is light, but her eyes aren’t.

“You mad at me or just allergic to human connection?”

I don’t turn. “You shouldn’t be here.”

She laughs once, bitter. “Wow. Straight to the classics.”

“This isn’t a game, Callie.”

Her arms cross, and the fire I usually love in her starts to flare. “You think I’m treating it like one?”

“You’re not listening.”

“Oh, I’mlistening,” she shoots back. “Loud and clear. You’re retreating, Ryder. Don’t try to spin it like it’s for my protection.”

“Itisfor your protection,” I say, turning now, voice sharp. “You don’t understand what’s coming. What this placeis.If something happens to you because of me”

She steps in close. “Somethingalreadyhappened. And it wasn’t a mistake.”

“I didn’t say it was.”

“But you’re acting like it.”

I clench my fists. “This isn’t about what I want.”

“Bullshit,” she says, eyes blazing. “It’sonlyabout what you want. You think pushing me away is noble? It’s cowardly. You don’t get to protect mefrom you.That’s not your call.”

My chest tightens.

Because she’s not wrong.

But it doesn’t change the facts.

“The rift’s growing,” I say, softer. “The magic is pulling harder every day. If it opens, if it drags this whole place under, I have to be ready. Ican’t be distracted.”

“You think I’m a distraction?”

“No,” I say, broken. “You’re the only damn thing that feels real.”

She blinks.

Then turns away.

And walks off.

No jokes.

No sass.

Just gone.

And I hate myself for letting her go.

But I hate what might happen to her more.

Later that afternoon,I’m standing at the far edge of the swim zone, scanning the water like I’ve done every day for years.

The sun is out. No wind. Not a cloud in the sky.

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