Page 98

The kind that should wash everything away?—

But it doesn’t.

I stand there, eyes closed, hands braced against the cold tile, and let the water run down my back. Every muscle in my body feels like it’s been strung too tight for too long. My chest still aches from the weight of the conversation with Megan and the following moment with Mia.

All I ever did was want to be seen.

Heard.

Loved.

By her.

And now, here I am. Stripped bare, emotionally exhausted, thinking about the one person who didn’t just see me, but stayed.

Mia.

She’s waiting in my bed right now. And I don’t even want sex.

That surprises me more than anything. Not because I don’t find her beautiful—God knows I do—but because something about her… calms the noise. Calms me.

She quiets the war in my head.

She softens the places I’ve been too scared to touch.

I tilt my head up, let the water pour over my face, and exhale slowly.

I’ve had everything—fame, money, women, applause.

But nothing has ever felt as grounding as her hand on my chest when I was breaking.

Nothing has ever felt as intimate as her forehead resting against mine after that kiss.

I turn off the water and grab a towel. My reflection in the mirror looks older, somehow. Tired. But there’s a softness in my eyes now, too.

Peace.

Because she’s here.

I dry off, pull on a pair of joggers and a plain black T-shirt, and step out of the bathroom.

She’s curled on her side, facing the door, hair fanned across my pillow, eyes fluttering open when she hears me.

She sits up slightly, and I can see the question in her eyes before she says it.

“You okay?”

I nod. “Better now.”

I cross the room, climb into bed beside her, and pull the covers over us both.

She settles in without hesitation, putting distance between us. I flip the light off and close my eyes.

Thirty minutes later, I flip onto my back for what has to be the tenth time tonight. The room is dark and quiet, but my mind won’t shut off.

Mia’s here—so close I can hear her breathing—but she’s lying on the far side of the bed. I can’t blame her. I told her I just wanted company, and she respected that. Gave me space.

But now…