Page 43 of Make Out With A Merman

Like I peeled something open he wasn’t ready to show.

“I found something,” he says finally, voice low. “Last night. In the lake.”

“What was it?”

“A relic. From my tribe. It shouldn’t be here.”

I breathe in slow. “That’s why you’re shutting down.”

“It means the rift is opening,” he says. “It’s not just magic anymore. It’sintent.And if I let my guard down, if I letyouin, someone might die.”

I reach for him before I can stop myself, fingers brushing his wrist. “Ryder…”

He steps back.

I let my hand fall.

“Screw distance,” I say, voice cracking. “I’m not the danger here. I’m the one who swims beside you when the water gets dark. And youknowthat.”

He doesn’t answer.

But his eyes say everything.

He knows.

And it’s killing him.

“You think you can just keep pushing me away,” I say, stepping forward again, “and that I’ll just bounce back like one of Jason’s stupid pool noodles.”

“Callie”

“No. You don’t get to say my name like that. Like it still means something if you won’t let it.”

His jaw tightens again, but there’s something in his eyes nowcracks.Big ones. Like if I press just a little more, the truth will come pouring out.

“I never asked for this,” he mutters.

“You think I did?” My voice is sharp, cutting. “I was supposed to come here, have a weird little summer job, teach kids to float, and maybe kiss someonenormal.Notyou.Not this.”

“That’s the point,” he says through clenched teeth. “You deserve normal.”

“I deserve thetruth,” I snap. “I deserve someone who won’t slam every damn emotional door in my face just because his feelings scare him.”

He turns away, breath ragged. “You don’t understand what loving mecosts.”

“Oh my gods, Ryder,” I say, tears now threatening but not falling. “It’s not a curse. It’s not some ancient monster prophecy. It’s you. And me. Andthis.And maybe, yeah, it’s messy and terrifying but that doesn’t mean you get to run from it just because it’s not on your daily checklist.”

He doesn’t move.

So I do the stupid thing.

The brave thing.

I grab his shirt and yank him around to face me.

“I’mhere,” I say, barely above a whisper. “I’m scared, too. But I’m still here. And I’m not going to stop fighting for this just because you keep trying to shut it down.”

His eyes meet mine, blazing.

---