Page 53 of Traitor

"There you go. You're smilin'."

It fades slightly, "I really am sorry. I wanted this to be perfect."

"It was perfect. And it doesn't have to be over if you don't want it to be."

I laugh sadly, "Maybe I should use that potion you bought at the witch store. It could erase my fuck up."

"I don't think it works like that, but you can try it. Maybe I'll use it too. I have my own mistakes to erase." he says solemnly.

I hold his hand and squeeze before starting the car again to head back to the hotel.

"Ithink this is just perfume."

"Magic perfume." Callum says.

"Sure." I roll my eyes.

"It smells good anyway, even if magic isn't real."

"Hey! Maybe you need to believe for it to work. Like Santa."

Callum raises a brow, "Is that a Santa rule?"

"It is in movies." I shrug.

"What now?"

"I guess we just wait and see if it works."

Later watching a movie in bed I'm getting antsy. I didn't want to bring up other things when I already ruined the first date I tried to plan, and make shit worse, but I really want to talk.

"Can we talk?" I say, eyes widening when I realize Callum said it too.

"You want to talk?" I ask quietly. I wanted to talk but why does he? Fear freezes my blood, and Callum must be able to tell, because he's quickly defensive.

"Nothing bad! I was just talking to Kellen a while ago and he said we should have a conversation."

I exhale with relief, "I think he's right. Scout and Charlie said the same. And Charlie won't stop pestering me about it."

"What did you wanna talk about?"

"I know you're not out and I still have issues to work through, but it's been good right? It feels like a second chance."

"I feel the same way."

"But I don't wanna rush you or anything. I know you're still figuring things out, and I don't want to pressure you when I'm not fully sure myself."

"It's okay, Echo. The fact that we've gotten here is enough for me. I'll wait a thousand years for you to be ready. That's the least I deserve."

He breaks my heart when he talks about himself that way. I can't help but kiss the forlorn expression off of his face, I don't want him to question this anymore.

Callum kisses me back before pulling away shocked, holding his fingers to his lips.

"What? You kissed me." he says, like I might have done it on accident.

I laugh, "I know."

"But you haven't forgiven me, you don't trust me. I don't deser—"

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