The only thing she has to fear here is us.
You.
And a number of others.
Right.
Then what do you want me to do?
Not fuck this up.
Jay throws his hands up. If you're asking me if I can keep my hands to myself I can but if she instigates-
She won't.
I bite my tongue and close my eyes so hard I see black spots and waver magnificently. Caleb puts out one hand and steadies me without even looking.
If she does-
Then we'll deal with her.
I've seen the way you deal with her and I think you're all fucked in the head and she's the sanest one here.
I love you. I gaze at Jay and smile. His whole face breaks into a reciprocal smile and I forgot how cute he can be.
She doesn't mean that the way you think, Caleb tells him.
I'm aware. I don't know if you've noticed but we've known each other five years now.
That's the equivalent of an hour compared to the rest of us.
What's your point, Caleb?
I think you fit in here. I think you can hold your own. And yet you seem to been almost gleefully exploiting her weaknesses when we're trying to build her up. I guess I don't understand what you're doing.
We get alone really great. She's a like-minded individual. We mesh. Hell, she's been great to me. I fucked up and touched her. I thought it was okay. I didn't realize only certain guys can. I won't do that again. I'd like to stay though. It's a good place to be. I understand the repercussions mean I leave forever so I don't want to have that happen. I learned my lesson.
But you're a time bomb.
Medically, yes. But otherwise if I make you a promise I'll keep it.
I frown and stick out my lower lip because I have zero chill and no poker face and Jacob sees me and laughs out loud. By the time Caleb turns to look at me I've fixed it and I'm frowning at him.
What did you do?
Bunny ears.
Ah. Glad you're taking your own future seriously, Bridget.