I startle when I hear a key sliding into the door and I sit up on the couch, the book I’m reading falling to the floor.
Owen grins. “I could get used to this.”
“What?” I ask stupidly.
“Coming home to you.”
My heart lurches. “Owen,” I breathe.
He winces and nods. “I know, you don’t need to say it.”
He drops his messenger bag on the floor and loosens his tie.
“But I think I do.”
His jaw clenches.
“I loved you so much, and I’m sure there’s a part of me that will always love you, but we’re different people now. I’m with Jace.”
He brings his eyes to mine and looks at me contemplatively. “Then why are you here with me?”
I’m silent and he nods as if I’ve confirmed something to him.
“Do you want to go out for dinner?” he asks, removing his tie and unbuttoning his shirt.
“Yeah, I guess so.” I sigh.
Going out will be better than sitting here in a quiet apartment with him.
“I’m going to shower first.”
He removes his shirt and I’m surprised to see how much muscle he’s packed on. Where Jace is lean, Owen is solid. He looks like nothing could knock him over.
He grins when he catches me staring and I hastily look away. Thankfully, he doesn’t call me on it.
I hear the bathroom door click closed and I breathe a sigh of relief that he’s gone.
For the moment, at least.
I head to the bedroom and freshen up. I gaze in the mirror, noting the dark circles under my eyes and the sallowness in my face. I look unhealthy, gaunt, and lifeless. There’s no spark in my eyes, no hint of life. There’s just nothing.
I sit down on the bed and the tears come so hard and fast there’s no stopping them.
I’ve lost something no person should ever have to lose. It’s the kind of thing that alters who you are. It’s not something you can escape unscathed.
My life will never be the same because of this.
I sob, wondering why this had to happen to me, to Jace, after we’ve been through so much.
“Nova?” Owen asks softly from the doorway. His hair is damp, droplets of water still clinging to his bare chest. A pair of shorts sits low on his hips. My eyes meet his and I see the love in his, and it hurts me more. It’s been so long, and I wish he could move on, find his own person. I know I’m not it for him, but he hasn’t figured that out yet.
He creeps into the room and sits down beside me.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispers.
He gathers me in his arms and at first I resist, but soon I’m helpless. I cling to him like he’s the only thing keeping me rooted to the earth. My tears fall onto his bare chest but he doesn’t seem to mind.
He lays his head on top of mine while I cling to him desperately, my sobs shaking the whole bed.