Even though it was apparent where this conversation was heading, I prayed she wouldn’t go there. This was one of those worst nightmare scenarios I’d considered frequently while locked in my cell at night. “Tell me what?”
The first tears streamed down her cheeks. “It’s over, Caleb. Gage and I have fallen in love-”
My fist flew at his face. “Fucker!”
Knuckles met his cheek, causing his body to slam against her Jeep. Gianna cried out in shock. Stupid, since she had to know how I’d react. I’d thought Gage would take it like a man, but he straightened to rush at me. I allowed it, eager to beat the shit out of him.
As we landed on the ground, I quickly flipped him onto his back, getting in two more punches before a crowd began to gather. He kneed me in the thigh, just missing my balls.
“Dante!” I heard Gianna yell. Seconds later, someone was grabbing a hold of my shoulders to yank me off Gage.
I heard my dad’s raised voice over the thunder in my ears. “Settle down, Caleb.”
Dante helped Gage to his feet as Cece handed him tissue from her bag to wipe off the blood on his cheek. I stumbled away from my dad, catching my mom’s disappointed gaze where she stood a few yards away.
Gianna leaned against her Jeep, arms crossed, face contorted in pain. “Why?” I asked hoarsely.
Her head shook, tears flowing as she whispered, “I’m sorry, Caleb.”
I got closer, pressed my body against hers as I caged her with my arms. “Tell me you love me, princess.”
She shook her head again, refusing to look me in the eye.
“Tell me.”
“Caleb, let’s go,” my dad said from somewhere behind me.
“Tell me!” I screamed in her face.
“Caleb, now!” My dad’s hand gripped my shoulder roughly, urging me to leave with him.
I wanted to take my girl with me.
“I-I don’t love you anymore, Caleb.” Her sweet voice was strained but the ugly words were clear.
In a daze of disbelief, I let my dad drag me away with Dante’s help. “Some of those parents looked pissed,” my dad said. “Let’s get you out of here before the cops show up. Hopefully that boy won’t press charges or you’ll be right back in youth corrections.”
“I’ll take him, Mr. Morrison,” Dante offered, likely guessing I wouldn’t want to be around my dad right now.
“Give me your keys.” My dad waited until I’d dug in my pocket and handed them to him. “Your mom can drive your car home. Call if you need us.”
Dante ushered me to his car and I numbly got into the passenger side, burying my head in my hands. Seated behind the wheel, he messed with his phone. Cece showed up a couple minutes later, climbing into the backseat. “I’m so sorry, Caleb! I had no idea that was going on!”
“Shit, me either,” Dante muttered.
My head snapped up. “I have to go back!”
“No!” they shouted in unison.
Reaching for the handle, I was stopped when Cece said, “She already left with Gage.”
“Well, I’ll fucking find her.”
Dante put the car in gear and pulled out of the parking lot. “Not a good idea, man. She made her choice.”
And it wasn’t me.
“I liked Gage,” Cece said in a shocked tone. “But I did not see this coming at all.”
“Wait till I find that girlfriend-stealing fucker.” I rubbed my chest, surprised it wasn’t oozing blood like my knuckles were. It felt like my heart was bleeding to death and I was sure I’d throw up at any second.
“I thought Gianna was crazy in love with you,” Cece said in a shocked tone.
“Not now, Cece!” Dante snapped.
“Sorry,” Cece mumbled.
“I need to talk to her,” I told Dante. “Help me find her.”
“No way. You can talk to her tomorrow.” Dante drove into a fast food parking lot, cutting the engine.
“I’ll fucking kill him. He was paid a lot of money to watch out for her, not make her fall in love with him.”
“What are you talking about?” Cece leaned forward to peer at me with big brown eyes.
“I was worried about her. I set it up with Kara, but Ian had his lawyer get the money to Gage. He enrolled in her school to make friends with her and watch out for her.”
“So that’s what your comment was about earlier. That’s crazy.” Dante stroked Cece’s face. “Baby, is it okay if I drop you off at home so I can hang out with Caleb?”
“Yeah,” she said softly and I turned away from the pity in her eyes. She would be on the phone with Gianna the moment she stepped inside her house.
Dante dropped Cece off ten minutes later. She hugged me awkwardly around the neck from behind before jumping out of the car. “I’m sorry, Caleb.” Words I was beginning to hate. “I just want you to know I’m still Team Caleb.”