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“I’m serious,” he said. “You can call in for a day or two.”

“It’s not that simple,” she whispered, her voice trailing off as she looked at him through the screen.

His voice softened, slow and coaxing. “You don’thave to have it all figured out right now.”

“And then what, Brooks? What happens after Denver?”

He paused, let the question hang.

Then spoke, “I don’t know, Tay. I’m not tryna sell you dreams. I just know that right now, you need a soft place to land. And I want to be that.”

Her silence said more than her words ever could.

Then his tone shifted, just a little, just enough. Still soft. But now intimate.

“And if we being honest…” He leaned back, eyes locked on her through the screen. “You can come to me for peace. But don’t pretend you haven’t thought about cumming for me in other ways too.”

“You play too much,” she said, smiling despite herself. The heat between them was undeniable—and for once, she was done pretending it wasn’t.

This wasn’t about caving to her parents or worrying over expectations anymore. She was past apologies and explanations. Telling her parents had been the first step—owning her choices boldly was next. She was here to confront barriers, tear them down, and confidently step into exactly what she wanted. And right now, she wanted him.

He could feel the walls tumbling down a little, but damn if he wasn’t ready to tear them down completely. It felt like begging. He didn’t care. He missed her, needed her too.

Brooks was silent for a moment, then his tone softened, turning more serious. “Ain’t you exhausted from running?”

“I am, seriously.”

“Prove it, get your fine ass on a plane and come toDenver. Run to me.”

“I’m tired, physically, mentally. I’ve built this wall around myself, and I can’t get out of it,” she muttered.

He knew she was; she didn’t have to tell him.

“Then come to me,” he said again, stepping further away from the noise of the club. “You gon make me beg?”

His voice was lower now, edged with frustration, but it wasn’t at her. It was for her. He didn’t like how her people handled her.

“I miss you. Please.” His words were raw. Unfiltered. Stamped. A grown man who wasn’t afraid to want her out loud. No games. No pride.

She didn’t need more convincing.

She needed rest. And right now, rest had his name on it.

A long pause passed between them, then finally, “Send me the ticket information.”

Brooks grinned, already moving.

“That’s my girl.”

Chapter 15

It was 8:00 P.M., and Taylor sat in the terminal, carry-on next to her. The airport moved around her—people rushing, kids whining, announcements echoing—but it all felt distant.

Her mind was still stuck in her parents’ living room, lungs tight from biting her tongue and holding her breath.

Their words had followed her out like smoke, clinging to her skin, her clothes, her chest.

Her feelings were in pieces.