Page 45 of Forgiven

Dylan’s jaw dropped. Callum got him. It was that simple. It was as if Tattoo Boy had held up a mirror and shown Dylan his own reflection. The revelation only made Dylan want to get to know him more.

“Well, I guess we’re a pair of fuck ups,” he said as flippantly as he could.

“I guess we are.” Callum settled back against the end of the boat.

“But at leastIcan dance.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Callum laughed. “How did we go from a deep and meaningful conversation to me not being able to dance?”

“It made you laugh, didn’t it?”

Callum grinned. “Yes.”

“Sorry. I lie. I try to make people laugh. Sometimes I run my mouth off.” Dylan rolled his eyes. “Okay, I run my mouth off alot. It’s who I am.”

“Really?” Callum stared at him again. “Or is it who you want people to think you are?”

Dylan shrugged. “I’m not sure I know who the real me is anymore. I’ve been a caricature for so long. Fuck.” He dragged his hand over his face. “What is it about you, Tattoo Boy?”

Callum shrugged.

“You make me want to blurt everything out and strip all the bullshit away.” Dylan swallowed, but couldn’t dislodge the lump that had formed in his throat. “But I’m afraid you won’t like what you see if I do.”

“I don’t think that’s possible,” Callum said softly. His cheeks blushed fiercely, and he looked away.

“Let’s get this conversation back to dancing,” Dylan said decisively, because he was pretty sure neither of them could take much more of the serious talk. “I’m going to teach you how to dance.”

“Are you?”

“Yes.” Dylan raised his forefinger. “No arguments.”

“Don’t I get a say?”

“Nope. I’ve decided. You need to know how to dance and I know just the way to show you.”

Callum’s expression was wary. “How?”

Dylan grinned. “It’s a secret. You’ll have to come over to my place to find out. How about Wednesday afternoon? Then you’ll be all set to dance when we go to the Vibe in the evening.”

“I’m going to the Vibe again?”

“Abso-fucking-lutely.” Dylan’s chest tightened painfully as he let his next statement loose. “I’m going to make sure you’re so hot at dancing, all the ladies flock to you.”

Callum smiled, but it was a sad smile. Dylan didn’t dare to pin a hope to the fragility of Callum’s expression.

“Wednesday?” he asked instead.

“You’re not going to let me say no, are you?”

Dylan shook his head.

Callum tilted his head a fraction. “Wednesday it is.”