“It’s for the best. Trust me.”
For the best? What the fuck does that mean? What’s best for Theo is being with me!
“Sir, please, I just need to talk to him…”
“I’ll let him know and he can reach out when he’s ready,” Mr. Bishop says.
“Wait, just—you don’t understand. I need?—”
“He can’t talk right now, Dawson,” he cuts me off. “But he’s safe and where he needs to be. I’m sorry, but that’s all I can tell you.”
“P-please…it’s Homecoming. W-we had plans…we?—”
“Dawson…”
Everything is falling apart. My chest is caving in, breathing hurts. My face is wet with tears, making my eyes blur. My brain and heart are screaming, I can’t do this. I can’t…I need Theo. I just want Theo.
But Theo is gone.
“C-can you…at least tell h-him that I…that I love him?”
The look Mr. Bishop is giving me is a kick to the gut. He’s always been kind to me, treated me like a son. But all I can see on his face now is…pity.
“I’ll give him your message.” I turn to walk away but he calls to me. “Dawson?”
I can’t help the wave of hope that hits me before his next words shatter it.
“I don’t say this to be cruel, but you need to let him go…and find a way to move on.”
The door closes gently in my face. It feels like the final nail in my coffin as I’m buried alive. I’m trapped, unable to breathe, or think, or do anything, but slowly die inside.
Let him go?
He’s already done that.
Theo left me and I have no choice but to move on. But I can’t. I’m left here.
Broken.
Alone.
Cold.
Chapter 1
Dawson
Time heals all wounds. That’s what we’re told as children from the moment pain touches us. It’s meant to give us solace and remind us that whatever heartache we’re experiencing will pass and we’ll eventually feel better.
I’ve never heard bigger bullshit in my entire life.
Time healed nothing for me. That fact was made damn clear the second I sawhimagain last weekend. I had been there to help out my best friend Bash move his boyfriend Micah into their new apartment. Suddenly, there he was. And he hadn’t been alone.
He had been sucking face with some guy, oblivious to everything around them as they were saying goodbye after what I’m sure had been an eventful night. When they’d finally come up for air he had seen me across the lobby.
I know pain. I’ve had bones broken, my shoulder dislocated. I’ve been tackled more times than I can fathom on the football field. Yet none of that pain could even touch what I felt seeing Theo Bishop again after nearly four years.
Like I said. Time heals shit.
