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"With Maddy."

Jack turns back. I stand and walk a few steps before stopping.

"Whatever this is between us, maybe I should end it now."

Jack doesn't answer immediately. That makes me turn. He's still sitting on the tailgate.

"Say something."

"I'm trying to understand."

"What's there to understand?"

"You just told me Maddy saw you have a nightmare, stayed beside you, made you coffee, told you she'd wait until you were ready to talk, and kissed you goodbye."

"Yes."

"And your conclusion is that you should end things with her."

"When you say it like that, it sounds stupid."

"It isn't stupid."

That surprises me. Jack sets his bottle beside him. "It sounds scared."

I look away. "Maybe I am."

It costs me less to admit it than I expect. Jack has seen me afraid before. Just not like this.

"I know what happens when this gets hard," I say. "I know what living with me can ask of someone."

"You know what happened with Diana."

"That's enough."

"No, Martinez. It isn't."

I turn back toward him.

"Diana loved me."

"Yes."

"And she still left."

"Yes."

The word lands hard. Jack doesn't soften it. I respect him for that.

"So tell me why I should assume Maddy will be different."

"I wouldn't."

I stare at him. Jack stands.

"I wouldn't tell you Maddy will stay forever. I can't know that. Neither can you."

"That's encouraging."