his voice barely above the hum of the city?—
“You don’t gotta run, Sonny.
“You need to come? Then come.”
He steps closer, lowering his head.
“I’ll stay right here.
“Be your cover, your fuckin’ wall,
“your anchor—whatever you need.
“Just don’t run.”
“No, no—you’re not gettin’ it.”
My eyes snap up, voice breaking.
“I’m not usin’ you. I can’t.
“Not physically. Or sexually. Or emotionally. That’s the whole reason I’m pushin’ you away.
“I’m not doin’ that to you.
“I’m not. Not to you.”
His arm drops to the wall as he leans in, the tips of his fingers dragging across the crown of my head. “Nah, hey—listen to me. Iknow, aight? I fuckin’ get it. I know you’re tryin’ to protect me,and the fact you give a shit like that? I don’t think you got any clue how deep it hits.”
He breathes,
trying not to say more than he should.
“But listen to me?—
“this isn’t you usin’ me if I’m choosin’ this.
“I ain’t scared of your shit.
“This is me bein’ in it.
“So don’t push me away while you tear yourself apart, pretendin’ I ain’t right here with you.”
He shakes his head,
pushing his warm hand up my side again.
“Don’t make me let you do this alone.”
He’s looking down at me
like he’d never drop me.
Navy eyes like open arms. Steady. Stupid-safe.
“Sonny. I’m right fuckin’ here.
“I’m not goin’ anywhere.
