“Yeah, you’re not the first one to feel that way,” he said, exhaustedly. “It was only a matter of time before you hated me too,” he said softly. “Goodbye, Corbin,” he said. “Goodbye.”
At his words, that shook Corbin. Oh, and he really didn’t like the way that sounded.
Corbin had once been at rock bottom.
He knew the echoes there.
There was that awareness that made him worry about Alex’s well-being. It turned on, and in that moment, he couldn’t live with another person’s end on his shoulders.
AGAIN.
That was a burden that would do him in this time.
As he went to turn to walk away, and out the door, Corbin grabbed his arm to stop him.
And it went downhill.
Fast.
Alex reacted, but Corbin was bigger. He shoved, and managed to get Corbin off balance. He moved, pulling Alex with him until they both fell onto the bed.
Someone fought, and then, he found himself with his hands trapped and pinned to the bed. Alex couldn’t move.
Now, they were pressed together.
Where Corbin expected rage, there wasn’t any. Instead, there was sadness.
There was exhaustion.
There was…emptiness.
Oh, and Corbin knew what all of that felt like. He was hollow and broken.
“Why don’t you like me?” Alex asked. “We have a partnership. I thought I mattered.”
Corbin was staring at him, trying not to think about this man’s body against his. Only, he was human, and so lonely inside from always running.
If he closed his eyes, he could feel the peace of being near this man, and he didn’t understand it. It had been so long since he’d felt anything, let alone this.
For the vow he made to Will, he’d hurt this man too. He went to be brutal, but that’s not what came out.
“You remind me of my husband. That’s why. It’s too close to the fire,” he admitted. “Being near you hurts me in ways you’ll never understand.”
Alex was tipsy, but he was listening.
Oh, he could hold his alcohol, but honestly, that sounded like to him like the man didn’t hate him.
“Do you still love him?” Alex asked.
Tears filled Corbin’s eyes.
“Yes.”
He loosened his grip on Alex, knowing he wasn’t going to throw hands, or knees.
Alex was honest.
“I know how that feels,” he whispered. “All too well. I know what it feels like to love someone and to lose them.”
