Chapter 128

"Why didn't you make a move? I practically waved a neon sign saying I was into you. I even got Susan to drop hints for me. The only thing left was whacking you over the head with a crowbar and yelling it out loud. But you just hung back, like you couldn't care less. You totally crushed me. I even started to wonder if you were into guys."

"Cassie, I must've been blind. I never picked up on it. You were always surrounded by guys, the prettiest girl in the room. I never thought I stood a chance. And when I caught you looking my way, I figured it was all just a joke. How could someone like you be interested in someone like me? That's why I enlisted in the Marines right after high school. I wanted to escape. Couldn't bear the thought of being pitied. I chose the Marines 'cause I knew there'd be no pity there. They'd shape me into the man I wanted to be. But I didn't realize they'd also make me an island unto myself. S