PAUL...
"Please."
That's all he had to say. I was powerless to stop when that sweet word came rolling off his tongue. There was just something about Paul Lahote and that sexy voice of his that I just couldn't shake. I didn't know how to tell him...
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"Are you...sure you're okay?"
I pulled my gaze away from the near empty hallway, realizing that I had been staring at the door Paul had escaped out of for way too long. I peered up at Embry, noticing his eyes were full of genuine concern. "I...I don't even know. He's so mad."
Embry dipped his head, trying to make eye contact. "I'm not worried about Paul right now. I'm asking about you."
I sighed and nodded before reaching into my locker and removing my bag. I linked arms with Embry and pulled him toward the the exit. "I really hurt Paul. And I hate myself for that," I admitted.
Embry stiffened next to me and I realized that I was treating him like a friend and not like the guy I had just chosen to be in a relationship with. I pulled him aside, pushing him gently against a locker and holding his biceps tightly. I tipped my head back and smiled up at him. "I'm upset about Paul but I'm hopeful about us. I hope you still want to be with me," I added quickly, suddenly panicked that he didn't feel quite as strongly for me.
A slow smile started to creep across Embry's face as he stared down at me. "Of course, I still want to be with you, Keegan," he beamed. He paused to glance down the hall wistfully. "But I feel bad for Paul too."
I scoffed and shoved Embry playfully. "Oh wow! You're more concerned about your bromance with Paul than you are about me," I pouted and then stalked away.
Embry jogged down the hall to catch up to me, slinging his arm around my shoulder and laughing as we exited the school. "Bromance? I don't think I'd call it that."
"Then why are you so worried about how he feels right now?"
Embry tugged on my jean jacket and turned me to face him as we stood on the sidewalk. "I feel bad for him because I know how shitty I would feel right now if I had lost you."
I smiled and sighed deeply as I let my hands slide around Embry's trim waist. "You're really sweet, you know that?"
Embry rolled his eyes and shrugged. "Is that why you chose me?" he asked skeptically.
"Maybe?" I flirted.
"Maybe?" he echoed. "That's all you got?"
I pulled him close to me, pushing up on my tiptoes to whisper in his ear. "I chose you because I like you, you're sweet to me, and I know you'd never hurt me."
Embry lowered his head and sighed, "So you picked me because I'm safe?"
I leaned back, looked into his eyes and scowled. "Yeah, I feel safe with you. Is that okay?"
"I guess. I just...nevermind, let's go."
"Embry!" I called after him as he pulled away from me and stalked off toward the tree line behind the school. I watched him go and decided I wouldn't be chasing after him.
