Page 121 of Truth Or Dare
Her pink lips curve into a smile that takes my breath away. “I love you too,” she says, her blue eyes sparkling.
I glance down at my phone, which is no longer ringing, and swallow hard. “I don’t want to see him ever again,” I admit, to myself and to Gabi. Part of me held onto that call, thinking I still wanted him in my life. Part of me still wants to be his son, to be loved by him.
But he had eighteen years to love me, and he never showed any sign of it. I don’t want him in my life. I don’t need him in my life. All I need is my mom and this girl right here in my arms.
Gabi nods, running her hand through my hair. “That’s completely understandable,” she says. “Dads suck.”
I chuckle, knowing both our dads are assholes. “So fucking much.”
She smirks and locks eyes with me. “Hey, Chris?”
I sigh at the feel of her hands running through my hair. “Yeah, pretty girl?”
“Truth or dare?”
“You’re insane,” I breathe out a laugh when I finally see what my dare is.
My girl smiles brightly up at me. “I’m fun,” she corrects.
I shake my head, letting out a laugh. “I’m pretty sure those words are synonymous when it comes to you.”
“Is that a no?” she challenges, arching a brow. “Because if I remember correctly, you don’t back down from a dare.”
I take a deep breath, running a hand through my hair as I glance back at the tattoo shop. “You really want to do this?” I ask her.
She nods, squeezing my hand. “You’re part of me already. So why not prove it?”
Turning towards her, I hold her face in my hands. “I don’t need a tattoo to prove that,” I tell her. I swear every breath I take is proof of the way I love her. I live and breathe tolove her.
“I know,” she replies, sighing as she leans into my touch. “But I want to look at it when you—” She pauses, pursing her lips and glancing up at me warily.
My brows bunch when I figure out what she’s saying. “When I leave,” I finish for her, the reality sinking in. Because whether I like it or not, I’m going back in less than a week.
Just one week left with the love of my life.
My best friend.
I just fucking got her. I don’t want to leave her again. I don’t want to be miles apart from her again, only hearing her voicethrough a phone. I want to see her every day, touch her, kiss her, wake up with her.
I squeeze my eyes closed, dropping my hand from her face.
Gabi’s soft palm traces my face, making me look back at her. “It’s not just that,” she says with a hint of sadness. “I thought it would be nice to cover my scars with something pretty.” My heart starts to beat again. “So every time I look down, I won’t see the worst moments of my life,” she continues, her eyes locking onto mine. “I’ll just see you.”
Fuck.
How can I say no to that? I can’t. That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard, and if I can help her move on from the darkest time in her life, then I’ll do it.
I’ll do anything for her.
“Let’s go,” I say, tugging on her hand.
“Wait, really?” she asks, her face lighting up as I guide her across the street towards the tattoo parlor.
“Yeah, Gabi,” I reply with a grin. We stop right outside the tattoo parlor, and I look down at her. “You know I’d do anything for you. Even if it means sticking a thousand needles in my skin.”
Her gorgeous blue eyes roll playfully. “You make it sound so dramatic.”
I furrow my brows at her. “That’s literally what a tattoo is, Gabi.”
