Page 117 of I Don't Need Your Protection

He presses his forehead to mine. “I appreciate you so much, Addie. You changed my life for the better the moment we met, and I know you’ll only make me a better person in the years to come. Because you have such a big heart.”

“I know we’re too young to admit this, but I know you and I will be together forever. You changed my life for the better, too, Caleb, in more ways than one. If not for you, I wouldn’t be alive. You’ve always made me feel protected and like I mattered. I was never only a job to you.”

He shakes his head. “No, you weren’t just a job. You were my life. Youaremy life.”

I grin. “You’re my life, too.”

***

“I’ll definitely miss waking up to your annoying trumpet alarm,” I tell Caleb when we’re back in my room. He’s cleaning out whatever items he left here and moving into his room.

“I can arrange for that to still happen,” he says with the boyish smile that I love so much.

“Pass.”

He laughs.

“I’ll also miss seeing you working out without a shirt,” I tell him, fanning myself. “How will I get through the days without my daily dose of hotness?”

He gives me another smile. “That can be arranged, too.”

I giggle. “I think my grandfather would chase you out of the school.”

“He definitely would.”

Smiling, I wrap my arms around him, closing my mouth over his.

A short while later, someone knocks on the door. When I open it, I come face-to-face with Carly, surrounded by her suitcases. “Your new roommate has arrived!”

We squeal as we fling our arms around each other. “I can’t believe you’re my roommate!” I say.

“I can’t believe I’m your roommate!” she says.

I grab her hand and pull her in, then help her bring in her bags. Carly waves at Caleb. “Hey, Addie’sboyfriend.” She beams. “I love saying that. I’m so happy you guys are together. You should have heard how heartbroken Addie was when you pulled away from her.”

“I wasn’t that bad,” I say.

“Oh, you were. Bring it in, guys.” She stretches her arms over both of us. “Happy endings do come true, huh?”

I smile at Caleb. “They do.”

He returns the smile. “Definitely.” He reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “I should head to my room and check what kind of roommate I have. Fingers crossed that he’s not messy.”

“Or a jerk,” I say.

“Or a troublemaker. Hey, Caleb. Remember we’re all hanging out together at the rec room tomorrow. The girls and I want to get to know you better.”

His lips lift as he nods. “I’ll be there.” He turns to me. “Walk me to my room?”

“I was planning to do that!”

“Great minds think alike,” Carly says. “Or maybe, soulmates think alike.”

I wave to her. “I’ll be back soon.”

“Just remember to sneak in some smooches on the way.”

Caleb and I laugh as we leave.