[ He meant that to be reassuring, honestly. But at the same time, that's... He frowns, because he still, genuinely, did not want to hurt her. But maybe that was why he didn't do anything like apply a label to them, he didn't want to call her his girlfriend. Or ... anything like that. Sure, he'd called her his bitch, but he half wondered how much of that was genuine desire and how much of that was bravado and wanting to emulate his father. He did still enjoy her in that capacity.

But again, was that just exploiting her? ]

H-hey... don't make it sound like -- I mean. It's not like I don't not like you.

[ . . . ] I mean, I do. [ . . . ] Shit. I.

[ Crap, how does he... (She was going to join the pack. She wasn't in the pack yet. She wanted to take the plunge. Octavio and the others were cool. He didn't want to break her heart.) his hands are still clasped on her own, and he feels a familiar feeling of crushing responsibility mixed with cold sweat well up in him now. He swallows, and he doesn't want to be that lame-o he used to be who would just stay nothing. So he'll... stutter his way through this ]

Th-those... the dates we've been on. I mean - I've had fun. And it's helped me... a lot. I mean a lot... a lot. ... Shit that sounds so selfish. [ Okay, inhale, exhale ] I mean if I sound confident and shit it's like -- [ . . . ] It's probably because- you know it's -- because of you? [ But if that true? Was it her? Or could it have been any girl who liked him? He wanted to be honest with her. ]

I... I mean. ... No, I -- ... Not really. [ SHIT be more clear ] I don't really have. That feeling though.

[ . . . ] But I do like you a lot. Just not- [ COME ON STOP. QUALIFYING IT. STOP TALKING. He hangs his head ]