My gaze fell to the ground. I couldn’t look into her eyes, it hurt too damn much.
“Callie, go inside,” Bernard said sternly.
I knew what was coming—Bernard wanted her to leave, so he could give me the ass-whooping I so thoroughly deserved.
“No, Daddy. Mike, tell me what’s going on right this instant,” she demanded and pushed my shoulder.
I winced but continued to look at the ground. “Callie, I can’t be with you.”
“But what about last night? You told me you loved me?” After she spoke the words, tears started to fall, and with each drop of saltwater that fell from her eyes, another section of my heart broke away. Callie’s hands reached out, and she grasped my arms, but I still couldn’t look at her.
How could I?
I knew I was breaking her heart.
But I didn’t deserve her at this point, anyway.
“Callie, go inside. Now!” Bernard demanded in the sternest voice I had ever heard from him.
He walked over to us as Callie started hitting my chest while she sobbed.
I was breathing so heavily I thought I might pass out.
“It’s better this way, Callie. You’ll see,” I said softly. I knew it was true, but it still hurt like hell to say it out loud.
“What’s better this way? What are you saying, Mike?” Callie cried, taking my jacket in her hands and grasping while shaking me for an answer.
“Callie, I can’t see you anymore,” I choked out and took hold of her hands on my jacket. She started to really sob, and her hands became free of mine. Callie pushed back and brought her hand forward with such force she slapped me across the face so hard my head snapped to the side.
I deserved it.
I deserved so much more.
I never should’ve gone all the way with Callie.
What the hell was I thinking?
I’d let my hormones run rampant, and now she was hurting all the more for it. I hated myself, but I couldn’t see any other option. I was simply out of her league, and she deserved better than scum like me.
“Callie… inside. Now!” Bernard yelled, taking her by the arm and dragging her away from me.
The look in her eyes still haunts me to this day.
That look of undeniable disappointment and regret.
I was so in love with Callie, and I knew this would probably be the last time I’d ever see her.
“You’re an A-grade jerk, Mike O’Leary. I don’t want to see you… ever again,” she screamed through sobs while her father pushed her inside their house.
“Go to your room. Now! I’ll be there in a minute,” he huffed.
Callie ran down the hall and out of my sight.
Dammit all to hell!
With my heart in tatters and a lump in my throat, I started to walk back to the rust-bucket. That was when I heard thunderous footsteps behind me. I knew I was about to be throttled, so I turned around and leaned against the side of the car, waiting for his fist to hit my jaw. I closed my eyes to stop the fear from showing and waited for the impact.
Instead, a got a slap on my arm and a heavy sigh.