“I’m not asking you to be my boyfriend or tell me where you are at all times, I don’t have the space for complication in my life right now,” I rambled. “You come and you go, and I’ve had enough of that in my life. I know we just met, but—” I stopped myself from continuing. I didn’t even know what I was going to say, and that scared me into silence.
When he realized I wasn’t going to continue, he spoke.
“Got it. I’ll communicate better next time and try not to add stress to your life. Don’t worry, I’ll only be here for a few more months . . . at most.”
I processed his statement. It was a cup of cold water splashed against my face. In that moment, I was so glad he was looking toward the wall and not at me. It made it so much easier to answer him.
“Ah, yeah, only a few months.”
I felt myself shrinking again, knowing that I made a big deal out of nothing. We are at most temporary friends. He’s leaving and I have enough shit to sort out in my life without worrying about men in any capacity. Like, what the hell am I even doing with my life?
“Let’s agree to enjoy each other’s company until you leave,” I suggested, as a kind of truce.
“A drama-free friendship until the baby is born?” he offered.
It took me a second to remember Elodie and her baby. So at least he would be around until the baby was born. That was good news.
For Elodie, I meant.
Kael sat upright and looked at me. “Or not?” He looked unsure.
I nodded, not knowing what else to say. My brain shut down and closed in on itself, and once again I was the silent one.