Page 30 of My Best Years
“Are you serious, Birdie?” I shout. “You’re going to let him treat me like a criminal?”
I don’t miss the pain that flashes in her eyes before the guard shoves me back, using more strength than before.
“You’re done speaking to her,” he grits out, pointing a meaty finger at me. “Birdie, go home,” he bellows over his shoulder. “I’ll take care of this. You just go home.”
After a few seconds of silence, I hear her voice. Small and sad, like a little bird.
“Thank you, Andy,” she rasps before the sound of her footsteps disappears.
And just like that, she’s gone again.
“Here’s the deal,” the guard says firmly, lowering his voice and shooting me a serious stare. “I’ve been doing this for a long time. I know a criminal when I see one, and you aren’t one. So, I’m going to give you two options. One: You can get in your car, leave right now, and not come back unless you’re on your deathbed. Or two: You can keep standing here, and I’ll ask you for your ID and treat you like a criminal. Take your pick.”
I glare at him while flexing my jaw.
“You really believe that I don’t know her?”
“It doesn’t matter what I believe,” he shakes his head. “What matters is that I keep the employees of this hospital safe.”
He knows that she’s lying about me. I can see it in his eyes.
“This is bullshit,” I mutter under my breath.
“This is your last chance,” he threatens. “Leave now, or you’re going with me. You decide.”
Me and the old man have a stare-off before I let out a curse and take a step back.
I don’t say anything as I turn my back and walk straight to my car, already mustering up my next plan.
Birdie might have given up on me, but I refuse to give up on her.
I’m just going to have to find another way. Because this is far from over.
TWELVE
Birdie
Seventeen Years Old
Our bare feet slap against the hard sand as Callum and I charge against the setting sun. Cal loves to go for runs because it helps him stay in shape for tennis, and I come along because I simply love spending time with him. The humidity is killer today, causing my tank top and workout shorts to stick to my skin like honey.
We started running together a few years ago, which became a weekly ritual for us. We usually begin thirty minutes before sunset and jog until it gets dark. Sometimes, our runs are slow and steady. And other times, we get competitive and race each other.
But tonight is one of those leisurely nights. I can tell Callum has something heavy on his mind by his lack of words. I always know when something is off with Cal, just like he automatically senses when something is bothering me.
It’s not out of the ordinary for us to spend a lot of timetogether, but we’ve been inseparable lately. Any time Cal’s not in class or at tennis practice, he’s with me. And if I’m not studying or helping out at my parents’ coffee shop, I’m with him.
When I say that we’ve never been closer, I mean that in every way.
Last week, I was blindsided when a girl at school that I barely knew asked me if Callum was my boyfriend. And that’s when it really hit me that our feelings for one another are blatantly obvious.
We couldn't hide it if we tried.
What we feel for each other is much stronger than friendship, and I think we’re finally coming to terms with that. But we’re scared to put our feelings into words on the off-chance that one of us doesn't feel the same. I would rather have Callum as my best friend than not have him at all.
But they say that actions speak louder than words, and when we’re together, it’s like we can’t get enough of each other. Callum is always finding little ways to touch me.
He holds my hand, which is something we’ve done since we were little kids, but now he brushes his thumb in tingling sweeps against my skin. He’s touched me at least a million times, but it still sends warm shivers down my spine. When he kisses me on the forehead or cheek, his lips linger longer than they used to. Instead of staring into my eyes when we have a conversation, his gaze drifts down to my mouth. He intently watches my lips move, like he would die for just one chance to kiss them.