“It’s just honesty.”
Silence stretched between us, filled with all the things we weren’t saying.
“I miss you.” His voice was rough.
“I miss you, too.”
“Two more weeks. Then I’ll be back for four days before Nashville.”
Four days. After being apart for five weeks.
“What else can I say, Cole? This is your life. Your dream. I’m not going to ask you to choose between me and music.”
“You’re not asking. I’m choosing both.”
“Are you, though?”
His jaw tightened. “That’s not fair.”
“Neither is being alone for weeks at a time while you’re…” I stopped myself.
“While I’m what?”
“Nothing. I’m tired. Forget it.”
“No. Say it.”
“While you’re surrounded by people who get to see you every day. Who understand this life. Who probably make more sense for you than someone stuck in Asheville scooping dog poop.”
“Autumn…”
“I have to go. Intake appointment in five minutes.”
“Don’t do this. Don’t shut me out.”
“I’m not. I need space to think.”
“About what?”
About whether I could keep doing this. Whether love was supposed to hurt this much. If I were strong enough to be the person waiting while he lived his dreams.
“I’ll call you later.”
I hung up before he could respond.
ONE WEEK LATER
Brynn found me crying in the puppy room at 6 PM on a Tuesday.
“Well, this is pathetic.” She settled beside me on the floor. A golden retriever puppy crawled into her lap immediately.
“Thanks for the support.”
“I’m supportive by being honest.” She scratched the puppy’s ears. “What happened?”
“Cole’s tour got extended again. He won’t be back for another month.”
“So?”
