Page 373 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

But the longer I stand stiff,

the more numb I become to it.

All the pain’s happening under the skin.

All I can do is shake my head.

‘Cause I don’t know, Drew.

I don’t know what I want from you.

I just want… you.

But I don’t know how

without stabbing you to death first.

“Fuck!” he shouts, turning, pacing.

I’m watching him.

It’s all I can do.

I’ve never chased anyone before.

Didn’t have a plan.

Don’t know what comes after the moment I stop him from leaving.

He spins back to me,

arms falling to his sides.

“Will I ever be enough for you?” he asks, defeated, voice cracking on the words. His jaw locks up so hard, the muscles tick. “Will I ever be enough⁠—?”

He doesn’t finish. He can’t.

The words die in the cold between us.

Winter breath fogs from his mouth,

then mine,

then nothing.

I know what he wants me to say,

the words that will make him feel better.

“Andrew…”

His eyes hold mine,

wide open,

glassy,

waiting.