Chapter 10: Mistakes and Messages

My hands trembling, I texted him.

[Where are you?]

To my shock, he replied instantly.

[Don’t be afraid, I’m here, I’m always here.]

Then—unsent. Gone. It must have been meant for her, but my sudden message made him send it to me by mistake.

My thirty-something missed calls and countless texts—he never replied. The one instant reply was a slip-up.

“Miss, are you okay?”

A stranger’s kind voice snapped me back. I realized I was crying in public, snot and all, shaking so hard my teeth chattered.

That night, Caleb came to find me. He saw my swollen eyes and didn’t ask questions—just apologized quietly.

“Sorry, something urgent came up. I’ll make up your birthday.”

I kept my head down, voice raw. “Caleb Brooks, can I ask you for one thing?”

Maybe my tone was too serious, too different from my usual self. Or maybe it was the first time I used his full name. He hugged me, tight.

“Okay, say it. Anything.”

“Can you… delete Erin?”

I felt him tense up. Didn’t even need to look to know his brows were furrowed. He was angry.

His arms loosened, a chill sneaking in through the dorm window. I could smell rain in his hair.