I jerk upright, out of Linc's arms, and run to the door, my hands full of snotty tissues, my face red and splotchy and tear-stained, but I don't care.
I look through the peephole. Oh, thank you, Jesus. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I hurriedly unlock the deadbolts, the chain getting caught up and wasting time.Hurry, hurry, hurry. He might leave!
I swing the door open and there he is. He's on his knees. He reaches out and hugs my legs, crawling forward to get closer.
"I love you, Tera. I'm so fucking sorry. I know everything's a mess right now, I know you want to close the door again, but please. Please don't close the door, Tera. Please don't close the door," he begs, his body shaking with his pleading.
I let out an involuntary cry and drop to my knees.
His eyes widen. "What's wrong? What happened?" he asks, taking in my tear-stained cheeks.
"Y-you d-didn't come. Y-you're late and I th-thought you weren't coming," I confess.
He rests his forehead against mine. "I'll always come for you, Tera. Always. I can't live without you. I can't do it anymore. I can't pretend it's okay. I can't pretend I'm okay."
I nod against his cheek as I hug him tight.
