Your boyfriend took you out on a date in his car. Paxton’s car was parked on a cliffside by the ocean. Paxton glances over at you with a lopsided smile. You were sitting with your knees up to your chest, holding a drink on one of your knees. One of his hand’s on the steering wheel, the other holding a coke can on his thigh.
“Do you like the view?”
You seemed like something was on your mind when you hesitated slightly and he frowned a little.
“Hey. You alright?”
You took a second to reply before asking about the rumour of him and Devi sleeping together.
He sits up straighter, his whole body going still.
“What?”
You told him how you’ve heard about it from Devi’s friends in class.
He took a moment to exhale sharply through his nose, running a hand down his face like he’s trying to calm himself. He spoke in a hushed tone, slightly frustrated.
“Nothing happened. She came toe and asked to be fuck buddies and I-“
He looks at you now, full eye contact.
“I told her I’m dating you. That I’m not the same guy I used to be. I was afraid to tell you sooner because… Because I didn’t wanna hurt you. And honestly? I was afraid you’d see me as something else, like I was betraying you or something…”
He swallows, his voice breaking just a little.
“But I swear, I never even thought about saying yes to her. Please.”
He put his drink in the cup holder, nudging your knee with his fingers.
“You believe me… right?”