Danger! Bad Boy(28)

"It doesn't matter," I ground out through clenched teeth. The determination in my voice had faltered a bit. I stared at Caleb, knowing I had nothing to fear from him. But I was thrown off when he didn't meet my gaze.

My mom shifted, bringing my attention back to her. She seemed more determined than before. "He's a gigolo."



CALEB



I couldn’t believe Julie just went there. It wasn’t entirely accurate, but not completely false either. I opened my mouth to defend myself, but then closed it, thinking of Julie's threats. I had no choice but to go along with whatever the bitch said. I had no idea how she even knew of Claudette.

My dad must have told her. Big mistake on his part, to ever trust a woman like Julie.

As much as it hurt to let this happen, maybe all of these revelations about me would help ease Gianna's pain in the end. Help her to get over me. I'd be willing to take on more pain to lessen the amount she felt.

Gianna's mouth was hanging open in shock. "Mom, that's insane. Besides, what the hell do you mean by gigolo? Is that the old school term for player?"

Julie gave Gianna a serious look, but I could see the triumphant gleam in her eyes. "It means he had a sexual relationship with an older woman and in return, she took care of him. Buying him things, giving him money."

Gianna’s shock turned to understanding as she looked at me with wide blue eyes. "That's where all the money came from."

I didn’t deny it. It was mostly the truth. My parents gave me an allowance, but it was small compared to the rest of my money.

Despite all of that, Gianna moved even closer to me, reaching out to wrap her arms around my waist from the side. "I don't care about that, either. It's in his past." Her voice trembled on her next words, "I love him, mom."

I couldn’t allow myself to hold her in return.

Looking down at the top of her head, loving her all the more for her understanding, it killed me. It was killing me that she loved me despite my past and I couldn’t let her know how much it meant to me.

Julie scowled, but I suspected she wasn’t ready to admit defeat.

Of course she wasn’t.

She stepped closer to us. "You may love him, Gianna, but he doesn't love you."

Evil witch! I hated her more than ever.

"He does," Gianna whispered then tilted her head up at me. She looked so sure. She had reason to be. Everything I’d ever done for her had proven the love I hadn’t been able to admit to.

"Ask him," Julie demanded.

Gianna blushed, embarrassed by the situation we’d found ourselves in. "Tell her she's wrong, Caleb."

This was where it ended. If I told her I loved her, Julie would lose this battle but win the war by sending Gianna to Houston. If I denied loving Gianna, we’d be over but Gianna could at least return to the life she had before me.

Staring into her eyes, I told Gianna in a steady voice, "I can't."

Gianna's smile faltered and I sensed Julie struggling to contain her glee. "Of course you can," Gianna assured me.

I would have loved to. I couldn't. There was no other choice.

Everything in my past seemed so trivial, unimportant compared to what was happening at this very moment. I braced myself for the biggest lie of my life.

Looking straight into her confused eyes, I attempted to control my chaotic emotions. "I don't love you, Gianna."

She flinched, her arms dropping to her sides, and backed away from me. "Maybe it's too soon, but you're falling in love with me." Her voice turned hopeful by the end of the sentence.

I shook my head as if I pitied her. I pitied us both. "I'm not. I won't."

On the verge of tears, she asked, “After everything we’ve been through?”

“No.”

She broke eye contact to stare down at the floor. Her entire body stiffened, like she was holding herself in check. I shot Julie a look of pure hatred that passed right over her. Her eyes were glowing in triumph. Gianna’s head was still bowed as her mom’s expression turned hard, letting me know she wouldn’t back down.

Still looking at the floor, Gianna asked, “Do you really even want to be with me?”

Clearing my throat, I took my time answering, hating the lie I was about to utter. “Not anymore. We had fun, but I think it has run its course.”

I expected her to start crying at any moment, but when she looked back up at me, she wasn't crying. I thought she’d rage at me. According to my callous words, I deserved it.

She didn’t know I would tear out my heart to make hers stop bleeding.

Gianna's voice was emotionless, her face expressionless, as she finally said, "I don't want to ever see you again, Caleb."

With that parting shot, she dashed past her mom and up the stairs.