My heart thunders at an unhealthy level.
I move without thinking. Scooping her up into my arms and shoving us both through the swinging door of the girls’ restroom. Gender be damn. She deserves better than publicly breaking down in the hallway.
The world may see us differently than who we are, but that doesn’t change who she is to me.
I set her down on the counter. My sole focus back on her as soon as I check the other stalls and lock the door.
“I think,” she hiccups. “I think you should go.”
“Please…” I beg. Pleadwith her to tell me how I can make this right. I would do anything.Anythingif it means getting us back to how we were before all of this.
Can’t she see that? How can’t she know that my heart will literally bleed for hers if it means she’ll be okay?
A loaded breath, deep and intimidating, pulls from my teeth. My back arches as my hands slam down on either side of her. More out of anger with myself than anything.
She jerks at the sound, and I step back, exhaling through my nose. She shouldn’t be scared of me. I don’t want that from her, I did in the beginning, but not anymore.
My hands find the back of my head as I look up to the ceiling. Looking for an answer that never comes.
“You know, baby, this thing between you and me…” My tongue clicks staring at the wall catty-corner from the sinks. “We aren’t like everyone else. We don’t have an expiration date.”
I can hear the moment—no, the second—her breath hitches, shifting. But I don’t acknowledge it. She probably doesn’t even realize she’s done it but that’s what she isn’t getting. I notice everything—any imperfection, every flaw, each morsel—I see it all.
She thinks that by lowering her face or closing her eyes she can hide from me but it’s only an illusion. A disguise only she can believe.
“I’m gonna give you some time. Let us simmer a bit, but know I’m not done trying.” Boldly declaring the honest to God truth.
Something catches there in my neck when our gazes lock, holding. She’s listening, more than just surface level so I push deeper. I might not get another chance if I don’t.
“I know you’re hurting right now, baby, I know,” I acknowledge. “But I will make up for this and I will get you back.”
She doesn’t answer right away. “What if that’s not what I want?”
Her words as quiet as they are gutting.
There’s a sound at the door but neither of us acknowledges it. I refuse to break the intensity of our hold. Not after I only got it back.
The longer I fixate, the clearer it all becomes.
Her eyes pulse but there’s also a stillness there. I don’t believe her, and honestly, I don’t know if she believes herself anymore.
The room is coated in our tightened tension. My heartbeat an unsteady melody matching the banging at the door. It’s more promising than the carefulness she’s using to try and hold herself together.
Trying to make me think she’s telling the truth. That she no longer wants me.
Her gaze flicks beside us after it finally becomes too much, and I’m left disappointed by her decision.
The energy fractured as her eyes settle back on me. Fizzing but not going out completely. Much like the truth, it gives me hope.
Rory’s lying, but it’s only to herself.
I swallow, but it’s scratchy.
“Go unlock the door, Kellet, someone needs inside,” she whispers with a strangled sound.
My tongue flicks at my teeth inside my mouth, but I do as she asks.
Rory’s posture turns jaded as soon as she spots who walks through the door.