He stands before me, sadness marring his features, worry in his eyes. I just saw him this morning, but he looks like he hasn’t slept in days, his clothes wrinkled, his hair disheveled. “Gabe, what’s wrong?”
His gaze meets mine, and I see his eyes turn distant and cold. I take a step towards him, but he retreats.
What the fuck is going on?
Something is seriously wrong.
I try to speak again, but he holds his hand up. “This thing between us has to end, Brooke.”
My blood runs cold at his words. “This thing?”
His eyes dart away, and I know something’s happened.
We’re happy together. He wouldn’t end things like this. I know he cares about me.
“Why are you doing this?” My voice trembles as a pit forms in my stomach.
“I’m doing this because it’s for the best. We can’t be together.” He’s still avoiding eye contact, and I know he’s hiding something.
Anger surges through me and I snap. “What the fuck, Gabriel? I thought you cared about me. You’re just going to walk in here and end it without any kind of explanation?”
He finally looks at me with haunted eyes. He’s keeping his emotions hidden, but I know him.
“Please, Gabe. Talk to me. We can figure this out.” I take another step forward and he doesn’t move. My next step puts me right in front of him. I reach out, gripping his hands with my own. “Whatever it is, just tell me. I can’t help if you won’t talk to me.”
He stares at our hands, his posture deflating. “Everything I’ve ever told you is the truth, Brooke. I’d never lie to you. You mean everything to me, and that’s why I have to walk away.”
Snatching my hands from his, he eyes me cautiously. He looks terrified, but I can’t sympathize with him when he’s ripping my fucking heart out.
Tears spring forward, but I swallow the sobsthreatening to escape. “I can’t believe this. I let you in, Gabriel Layton. I fucking trusted you. I’ve given you every part of me.” My breath hitches as I lose the battle with my emotions. “You’re a fucking coward.”
Rearing back as if I slapped him, his bloodshot eyes widen. “Brooke.”
“No. You don’t get to say my name. Fuck you! Get out!” I can’t take this. My knees are about to buckle, and I think I’m going to be sick.
I need him the fuck out of my sight.
He takes a step towards me, and I brace myself against the wall with one hand. “Get out now!” I scream, my body shaking uncontrollably.
He stops in his tracks, his shoulders falling likeIjust shatteredhisworld. Meeting his gaze, there’s regret and it only adds to the confusion.
He’s the one doing this.
“I hope you’ll forgive me, Brooke.” He turns his back on me, walking towards the door. He gives me one last painful look over his shoulder. Holding my breath, I lose sight of him. The click of the door solidifies the ending.
The end of us.
My chest cracks wide open as I slide down the wall, my ass hitting the floor with a thud. I wish the ground would open and swallow me whole. My heart is breaking into a million pieces, and they scatter across the floor, never to be fitted back together again. A heavy weight settles over me, and I can’t breathe. Nausea threatens and I’mabout to vomit the fragments of my shattered soul.
How could he do this?
How can one person have the power to break me like this?
Because I love him.
He’s the air that I breathe.
He’s the adrenaline coursing through my veins, keeping me going.
