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I knock harder, my heart in my fucking throat.

A minute passes.

Then the door swings open.

And she’s there.

Her hair is damp, hanging over one shoulder, and she’s wearing an oversized hoodie — mine. She blinks up at me, eyes wide, lips slightly parted like she wasn’t expecting me.

Like she doesn’t know what to do with me.

“Sienna.” My voice is rough. “Let’s talk.”

Something shifts in her face. Not anger. Not sadness. Just…guarded.

Then I see movement behind her.

And my stomachfucking drops.

Eli.

Standing just a few feet away, arms crossed, watching me with that unreadable expression of his.

Fuck.

“I—” My voice sticks. I clear my throat. “I just need a second.”

Eli steps forward slightly. “This isn’t the time, Caleb.”

I shake my head. “I don’t give a fuck if it’s the time.” I look at Sienna, my chest tight. “I need to explain.”

She swallows but doesn’t say anything.

I take a shaky breath. “Maya—she was my past. But you…” My voice cracks. “You’re my fucking everything, Sienna.”

Her throat works.

I step closer, like if I can justgetto her, everything will make sense again. “I don’t want her. I wantyou.”

She looks like I just slapped her.

Then she shakes her head, stepping back. “Caleb.” Her voice is so quiet. “I can’t.”

My hands clench at my sides. “Why the fuck not?”

“Because ithurts.” She presses a hand to her chest. “All of it. The games. The pushing. The fucking —everything.” Her voice cracks.

I open my mouth, but Eli beats me to it.

“Maybe we just need a time out.” His voice is calm. Steady.

But it hits like a bullet.

Sienna’s lips press together, her eyes flicking between us before she steps back inside.

And then she closes the door.

Right in my fucking face.