Page 19 of Be My Compass

By then his mind was too warped. They’d infiltrated too deeply.

By then, he was gone. Too broken. Too resigned.

His voice pulls me out of my thoughts. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it?”

“I can’t risk us.” His eyes meet mine. The words are spoken with such conviction, I wonder if he’s trying to convince me or himself. “I can’t lose you.”

I struggle to breathe. Dig my fingers into the couch. Grip it hard. “Impossible.”

He narrows his eyes to those dangerous slits nothing’s impossible. “I’ll say no.” His hands fall on his knees. Tighten. “I’ll talk to her. She’ll understand my reasons.”

“Maybe.”

“You don’t trust me?”

Unfortunately for him, I know where all his buttons are, and Amelia does too. She can push each one at her leisure. “She’d believe it.”

“That we’re dating?”

I nod. He’s my best friend. He’s everything. I don’t want to mess that up. Even if it’s just to stick it to Amelia. Even if I want to protect him from being run over. Even if I want to taste what it’s like to love him and be loved by him in return.

“Look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t want to win for once,” I insist.

“I’m too old for games.”

“No one’s too old for games.”

“And?”

“It’s more effective than just telling her no.” I lift my shoulders in a shrug. “We can use her own plan against her.”

“And you call mom diabolical?”

“Rude.”

His laughter shakes the scowl free from his face. “Kae, come on. Besides Heath, I don’t have anyone else. You’re the only one I can trust.” His hand closes over mine. “Losing that would kill me.”

“I already said you won’t.”

“Talk is cheap.”

“Fake kisses are cheaper.”

He shoots me a dark look.

My body sizzles with electricity.

Just the thought of Kastle’s lips on mine—

Hell yeah.

I need this to work.

I want to convince him more than I’ve ever wanted anything.

“It can be someone else.” He arches an eyebrow. “Not you.”

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