Wait—Did I Steal Your Best Buddy While You Were ‘Missing’? HELL YES!! Chapter 11
“I was exhausted that day, sat down in your shop. You brought me hot water.”
Callan’s eyes went soft.
“You said it was fine if I didn’t buy anything. Your boss had already left, so I could rest as long as I wanted.”
I rubbed my nose.
“Oh god, I remember. I thought you were broke and couldn’t afford boba. Turns out you could’ve bought the whole shop…
Callan laughed. “Then you grabbed some snacks and went outside to feed that stray cat.”
“I’ve never forgotten that moment.”
Later when he came back hoping to introduce himself, I’d already quit.
After searching forever, he finally tracked me down again.
But by then, I was Jasper’s girlfriend.
Callan didn’t say anything that day.
Just looked down and walked away alone.
For two years he watched me be affectionate with Jasper.
But that wasn’t even the worst part.
The worst part was watching Jasper not appreciate me at all.
What Callan treasured, Jasper treated like an annoying accessory.
Callan had been torn between doing the right thing and his feelings for so long.
Then Jasper handed him an opportunity.
This time? Screw doing the right thing.
“Callan,” I said, “with that determination, you could do anything.”
“Exactly.”
He looked at me seriously. “So come with me to New York for grad school?”
I froze. “How did you know I was applying…?”
Wait-Did I Steal Your Best Buddy While You Were ‘Missing’? HELL YES!!
The moon I needed the Brennans money was for grad school
I wanted to AR Y SE Rre of the world.
After getting the money. Id emailed a professor at NYU.
Parts out they were really interested in my background.
Td worked a ton of part time jobs, done hands on community work.
They loved students like that.
The professor agreed to take me on. I’d start next fall.
Tm sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I just didn’t know how to bring it up…”
Lexie, you never have to hold back with me.”
Callan kissed my hand. “I know New York really well.”
“So… if you don’t mind. I’d love to go with you.”
My eyes lit up. “Really?”
“You’ve had my cooking. Think I can’t take care of you?”
“No. I’m just worried it’ll take up too much of your time.”
Callan shook his head.
“My parents were actually planning to put me in charge of East Coast operations anyway. It’s meant to be.”
“Then it’s settled?”
“Lexe want to meet my parents?”
“Isn’t it too soon?”
Remembering how Jasper’s parents secretly looked down on me, I felt nervous.
Callan saw right through me.
“I’ve already told them about you. They really like you. My mom even taught me how to make your favorite fish-she was worried I’d mess it up…”
We kept talking about our families, our everyday lives.
Holding hands, walking through the year’s first snowfall.
Nine months later, Callan and I boarded a plane to New York.
Both our parents came to see us off at LAX.
Callan’s dad kept giving instructions:
“When you get there, take good care of Lexie. Make her whatever she wants to eat. If you need anything, call me!”
Callan’s mom was fussing too.
“Did you pack everything? Lexie, if Callan gives you any trouble, you call me. Don’t stress about anything except your studies. okay sweetie?”
“Thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes.”
“Mom, Dad, we need to head to security now…”
The weather was perfect-clear skies, great flying conditions.
The whole future stretched out ahead of me.
The person I loved was right beside me.
Everything felt exactly right.
May we never be trapped by labels.
Emotional, weak, whatever people want to call us.
As long as we’re brave inside, we’ll shine.
