Chapter 12
“You know, I used to think my parents had the perfect marriage,” Kyle muttered, staring at the ceiling as he leaned back against the couch. “They had their fair share of arguments, sure, but I never thought it would end the way it did.”
Debby sat beside him, knees drawn to her chest, watching his face as he spoke. There was something distant in his eyes, like he was lost in memories.
“What happened?” she asked softly.
Kyle let out a bitter chuckle. “The usual. Lies, resentment, pretending to be okay when they weren’t. My mom tried to hold on, but my dad… he had already checked out long before they signed the papers. In the end, she gave up, and that was it. No big explosion. No dramatic goodbyes. Just… over.”
Debby’s chest tightened. “I’m sorry.”
Kyle shrugged. “It is what it is.”
Silence settled between them, heavy and unspoken. Then, after a long pause, Debby asked, “Do you still believe in true love?”
Kyle turned his head to look at her, studying her face. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “Maybe I did once. But now?” He exhaled sharply. “I’m not sure.”
Debby dropped her gaze to her hands, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on her knee. “I want to believe it exists,” she murmured. “But I don’t know if I can anymore. Not after everything.”
Kyle frowned. “Because of Dave?”
Debby hesitated before nodding.
Something in Kyle shifted. His hold on her loosened, and his jaw clenched.
“Forget about him,” he said, his voice sharp.
Debby looked up, surprised by the sudden change in his tone. “Why?”
“Because he doesn’t deserve you.”
She blinked. “And why do you say that?”
Kyle’s eyes darkened. “Because you can do better.”
“Why?” she pushed, tilting her head.
Kyle exhaled, running a hand through his hair before locking eyes with her. “Because you deserve better.”
And then, before she could respond, his lips were on hers.
It wasn’t a hesitant kiss. It wasn’t soft or questioning. It was demanding, raw, filled with something she couldn’t name. His hands found her waist, pulling her closer, and Debby melted into him, her fingers digging into his shoulders as she kissed him back with just as much urgency.
When they finally pulled away, breathless, neither of them spoke.
Then, Debby’s phone rang.
She jumped slightly at the sound, blinking as she glanced at the screen.
Mom.
She turned to Kyle, unsure.
He gave a small nod. “Pick up.”
Debby hesitated before answering. “Mom?”
“Where are you?” Her mother’s voice was thick with worry.
Debby swallowed. “I’m safe. Don’t worry about me.”
“Debby—”
She ended the call before her mother could say anything else, tossing the phone onto the couch.
Then, without another word, she grabbed Kyle by the shirt and kissed him again.
This time, when she pulled away, her eyes searched his.
“Did you mean what you said earlier?” she asked.
Kyle frowned slightly. “About what?”
“Wanting a second time with me.”
His lips twitched, and his fingers brushed against her cheek. “Yeah,” he admitted. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that night.”
Debby’s breath hitched. “And do you think a second time would help you get it out of your head?”
Kyle smirked. “Maybe.”
Debby smiled slowly. “Then f*ck me.”
