Toby: I didn’t want to say this over text for the first time, but I love you too.

 

No! I just took mine back, and then he said it! Damn it.

Becca: I thought I scared you off. Didn’t mean to take it back.

 

Toby: So you were lying?

 

Becca: About not meaning it.

 

Toby: Ask to go to the bathroom.

 

Becca: Why?

 

Toby: Just do it.

 

I raise my hand, but Vice Principal Davidson is too busy reading his newspaper to see me. “Excuse me, sir?”

He looks up, scanning the room to see who said that. I give a small wave. “Yes?”

“May I use the bathroom, please?”

“No bathroom breaks during detention. You’ll have to wait.”

“But it’s an emergency.” I can tell he isn’t buying it, so I pull out the only card in my deck. “It’s a female thing.” The guys in the room all groan, and I sink lower in my seat.

“Very well.” Vice Principal Davidson nods and looks away as quickly as possible. What is it about periods that freak guys out so much?

I grab my purse to make it look believable and walk out without meeting anyone’s eyes. I poke my head into the bathroom down the next hall. And sure enough, there’s Toby. “What are you doing?” I whisper.

“Probably something stupid, but I had to see you.”

“I’m sorry about the confusing texts. I—” Before I can finish, his lips are on mine. “What was that for?” I ask when he pulls away.

“For saying I love you first.”

“I didn’t mean to take it back. You just took so long to answer, and I thought I’d freaked you out.”

“Not a chance. I dropped my cell, and it shut off. I had to wait for it to turn back on.”

“Now we have to tell Tori.” This isn’t a crush or some passing romance. Toby and I love each other. No matter how difficult it’s going to be, we have to talk to Tori.

“I know. Maybe this is better. She knows I’ve never been in love before.” The words sound awkward, like they’re difficult for him to say, but considering he’s only said it once and through a text message, I can understand that.

“So you think that will make her take us seriously?”

“Maybe. Who knows for sure with Tori?”

“Well, isn’t this interesting?” Meredith steps into the bathroom. “I’m sure Vice Principal Davidson will be most disappointed to learn you lied to him, Becca. Don’t you think?”

What I think is this girl is out to get me. And the bad thing is, she has a lot of ammunition.

Chapter Twenty-One

Before I can answer Meredith, Toby laces his fingers through mine and leads us out of the bathroom. “Excuse us,” he says, pushing Meredith aside.

“What are you doing?”

“Going to detention.”

“Why? You don’t have detention.”

He smiles. “Oh, I’m sure I do now.”

“Um, you’re holding my hand.”

He looks down at our hands. “Oh. Guess we can’t do this in public yet.” He lets go and motions for me to go into detention first.

About ten seconds later, once I’m in my seat, he walks in. Vice Principal Davidson raises his head. “Can I help you, Mr. Michaels?”

“Well, sir, I’m afraid I let curiosity take over and I might have scared two girls from your detention.”

“Excuse me?” Davidson raises his brow in confusion.

“I heard some of the girls talking about how their bathrooms are much better than the guys and, well, I had to see for myself.”

Davidson rises and leans forward with his hands on the desk. “Are you telling me you went into the girls’ bathroom?”

“Yes, sir.” Toby doesn’t even look phased.

“I see.” Davidson points to a seat in the back of the room. “Then you came to the right place. In fact, I’d get comfortable because you just earned yourself a week’s worth of detention.”

Toby nods. “Yes, sir. I understand.” He walks down my aisle, giving me a small smile on the way. The boy took a week’s worth of detention for me.

Meredith stands in the doorway, shaking her head. She clearly doesn’t know what to make of Toby’s bold move. He left her with nothing to use against us. She wouldn’t tell people we were together because then she’d look bad. She’s utterly speechless.

As boring as detention is, I enjoy every minute.

***

Friday comes and goes, which means it’s D-day. The party. The day I have to come clean to my best friend. I’m so not ready for this. Toby and I went over the details last night, in between making out and him singing me my song again. We still haven’t exactly said “I love you” out loud in those exact words, but we both know how we feel.

My cell rings just as I’m waking up. “Hello?”

“So when am I supposed to show up, and where is the party?”

“You don’t get the meaning of surprise, do you?” I rub the sleep from my eyes and stretch.

“Details, girl. I have to tell Ryder when to pick me up.”

“Tell you what. I’ll have Toby text Ryder the details, and then he’ll know.”

“Then at least tell me how to dress.”

“Really? It’s a party. You know how to dress.”

“Ugh, you’re no fun.” She hangs up, and I text Toby.

Becca: You awake?

 

Toby: Yup.

 

Becca: Happy birthday.

 

Toby: Thanks.

 

As I’m typing my response, Toby calls. “Hey, birthday boy.”

“Good morning, beautiful.”

“Making eggs again?”

“Nope. Not even in the kitchen.”

“Well, in that case, thank you.” I sit up and hug my pillow. I’m not sure the butterflies in my stomach will ever go away. No matter how much time I spend with Toby, I’m always excited to hear his voice.

“Have you spoken to my lesser half?”

“If you’re referring to Tori, then yes. She wanted details about the party, but I told her you’d text Ryder.”

“Will do.”

“What time do you want me over there?”

“Now.”

“Why am I thinking it has nothing to do with the party?”

“Because you’re smart.” I can just picture the sexy smile on his face.

“Thank you again. Have Ryder get Tori out of the house, and then I’ll come over.”

“Deal. Text you when she’s gone.”

“I’ll get ready.” I hang up and take a long shower. As much as I want to see Toby and wish him a happy birthday, I don’t want to face Tori. We have to tell her today. We agreed on it, and this has gone on long enough.

I just finish wrapping Tori’s boots and Toby’s gift when Mom walks into the room. “You all ready?”

“I think so.”

She walks over and brushes my hair behind my shoulder. “You don’t sound very excited.”

“I am. I’m just worried.”

“Tori’s been talking about those boots for a while now. She’ll love them.” Mom knows how tough Tori is to please sometimes.

“I know.”

“Is it Toby’s gift you’re worried about?”

Toby’s gift was a challenge, but in the end I think I got him something he’ll like. At least I hope so. “It’s not that either.”

She cocks her head and sighs. “Let me guess. This is about a boy. Someone who was supposed to ask you to the party maybe?”

“I planned the party. No one was supposed to ask me.”

“But it is about a boy, isn’t it?”

“If I said I didn’t want to talk about it, would you let it go?” I can’t confess to Mom before Tori.

She holds her hands up. “Okay. Go. Have fun. Tell Tori and Toby your father and I wish them both a very happy birthday.”

“I will. Thanks, Mom.”