Frustration over his admiration has me glaring at him. “People gossip too much.”
“They talk about you,” he corrects. “And you deserve all their accolades.”
I don’t want to hear about them.No, what you wanted was for Brennan to believe you when it was happening to you.
He clears his throat. “What you did, it says a lot about accountability. Most especially the necessity of not just teaching it, but living up to your word.”
“I hope so. Kids pay attention whether we want them to or not.” Keeping my eyes locked on his, I note, “It’s unfortunate those lessons don’t carry into adulthood.”
“Yeah,” his voice drops. “I’m starting to understand that.”
I shift my weight. “Did you want to talk about anything else?”
“No,” he admits. “I just wanted to say… I’m proud of you. I know I have no right to be, but I’m just stating a fact.”
I study his face for any half-truths. I shake my head, “I don’t need anyone’s validation for doing the right thing.”
“That’s part of why I said it.”
I frown. “That doesn’t make sense.”
“It does. You didn’t do it to be seen. You did it because it mattered,” he says. Then, more quietly. “You stood up for a student more than I did for you.”
My brows wing upward. “You’re not trying to apologize again, are you?”
“No,” he says. “I already did that. And I’m not trying to force you to accept it.”
“Then what are you trying to do?”
“Acknowledge something I should have a long time ago.”
I tilt my head. “Which is?”
“That you’re more courageous than every person who didn’t believe you, believe in you.”
I open my mouth, then close it.
“You didn’t even think about the fallout. You didn’t worry about optics or consequences.”
“They don’t matter more than protecting someone.”
His eyes soften. “That’s what I mean.”
I look away, staring at the bustling park. Without looking at him, I ask “Why are you being like this?”
“Like what?”
“Considerate. Careful. Like you’re afraid to say the wrong thing or you’ll spook me.”
He considers that before admitting, “Because I am.”
I huff, even as I turn to face him. “Brennan, I’m a different person than I was when we were together."
“I know.”
“I don’t trust you.”
“I don’t expect you to.”
