Page 68 of Fangirl

For the first time, something shifts in his expression. Hurt. It’s barely there, but I see it. And I feel like a sack of shit.

“Of course I care,” he says, sighing. “I have you. And no matter what? I love you, you little shit.”

I stare at him, startled.

“I don’t say it enough,” he mutters, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “But I see everything you do for me. I know how much of my mess you clean up. How much you try to keep me alive.” He exhales sharply, shaking his head. “I shouldbe the one guiding you, but let’s be real, you’re the one holding me together.”

My throat tightens.

“But the way you’re acting now?” He leans forward, locking eyes with me. “It looks a lot like something I would do.”

He lets that sit for a second before delivering the final blow.

“And if the answer to ‘Would Will do that?’ is yes?” He smirks, but it’s hollow. “Then you can bet your ass it’s a fucking mistake.”

I exhale slowly, letting the weight of his words settle. Then, without thinking, I sit beside him, bumping my arm against his.

“I need to tell her in person,” I say, my voice rougher than I expected. “If I do it now, over text, she can shut me down. She doesn’t have to let me explain.” I drag a hand through my hair. “And I wouldn’t blame her. I’m the one who lied. I’m the one who…” I pause, forcing myself to look at him. “I just… I need her to hear me out. To understand that she’s not some passing thing to me. That she’s…” I swallow hard. “That she’s everything.”

He doesn’t say anything right away. He just watches me, something unreadable in his expression. Then, after a long moment, he exhales and leans back.

“When?”

“In two weeks. When I’m in London forBlood Oath.” I let out a breath, steadying myself. “I’ve already planned to meet her the day before the premiere. I’ll tell her then. And if it all goes the way I hope…” I hesitate, then push through. “We’ll walk into that premiere together.”

Will nods slowly. But he doesn’t say anything.

And that? That’s worse than him saying something dumb.

“What do you think?” I press, bracing myself for whatever ridiculous take he’s about to unload on me.

He tilts his head, considering, then finally sighs. “Well…” He drags the word out, tapping his fingers against his knee. “On a scale of ‘mildly disastrous’ to ‘Hollywood’s next viral PR nightmare,’ I’d say you’re teetering somewhere around a train wreck waiting to happen.”

I groan, rubbing a hand over my face. “Great. Super helpful.”

He shrugs. “Hey, you asked.”

“I meantconstructiveinput.”

“I am being constructive.” He sits up straighter, pinning me with an infuriatingly smug look. “Listen, I’m all for grand gestures and cinematic drama, but you should probably prepare for the very real possibility that the girl you’ve been lying to for months doesn’t immediately jump into your arms and profess her undying love.”

I glare. “I did not lie to her.”

Will lifts his brows, unimpressed.

I exhale sharply. “Fine. Not intentionally.”

He snorts. “Right. And I’m a picture of emotional stability.”

I roll my eyes, but deep down, the unease gnaws at me. What if he’s right? What if I miscalculated everything? What if this does blow up in my face?

Will watches me for a long moment, then leans forward, clasping his hands together. “Look, man. I hope it works out for you. I do. But you should probably brace yourself.”

“For what?”

His smirk is back, but this time, there’s something almost… pitying in it.

“For when it all goes to hell.”