Adrian kissing me after practice like he owned me.
Adrian shouting when I didn’t smile enough.
Adrian twisting the story of my fall until even I doubted myself.
Adrian standing over me while I cried, telling me if I loved him, I wouldn’t walk away.
I blink hard, grounding myself in the room.
Boston.
New job.
New life.
New people I don’t deserve to drag into my mess.
I type back before I can overthink it:
Me:
Thanks.
Hope all is well in Denver.
My thumb hovers.
I hit send anyway.
Because ignoring Adrian never ended well for me.
Another buzz.
Already?
Adrian:
Denver’s the same.
Nothing interesting now that you’re gone.
A chill skates up my spine so fast it makes my vision blur.
I set my phone face-down and curl my knees up to my chest, burying my face there.
He’s still the same.
Still pretending to care.
Still pretending not to be the reason I left everything behind.
Still pretending he didn’t break me in ways I’m barely starting to understand.
I want to tell someone.
Kael.
Finn.
