Page 52 of Heartstring

“Do what?”

“Ignore my calls. Was it all that easy to give up? WasIthat easy to give up?”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” His voice carries an edge, and it pisses me off.

“Then tell me,” I bite out.

“You’re right. It was easy giving it all up because it meant nothing. Is that what you want to know? Now, please leave.”

“Say it to my face, Tyler.”

He shakes his head.

“Please go, Mik. You shouldn’t be here.”

He’s right. I should go and put him to the back of my mind. This is a small town, but I’m sure I can find a way to avoid him.

As I turn to go, I see the dog Kay mentioned lying on a bed by the door. He has a shiny dark-brown coat and smart brown eyes. His head is raised as he watches us.

“I’m sorry, Tyler.” I get as far as the door before he calls my name.

“Mik. We can’t…be seen together.”

I turn around to find him facing me.

“I don’t see anyone else here.”

“You don’t understand, Mik.”

“Then tell me, Tyler. What is it I missed? What don’t I know? Because from where I stood, all I saw was you letting me go so easily, as if our relationship meant nothing. As if our friendship meant nothing.”

He closes his eyes like he’s in pain, and my body moves before I have a chance to think about what I’m doing.

My arms go around him. He tenses before relaxing under my touch.

“Why can’t I believe you?” I ask.

“Can’t or won’t?”

“Can’t, Tyler. Willing something means there are different options. It means I can choose to believe your words or not. But it’s not an option. Deep down, you don’t mean what you said because I was there. I’ve seen you at the darkest times, and I’ve seen you full of joy, happiness, and I’ve seen the blissful look on your face when you come at my hands. So, no, I can’t believe you.”

He lifts his head from where it rests on my chest. I can’t deny that having him in my arms like this, even in such an innocent hold intended only to comfort, feels too right. I need to distance my heart from whatever is happening here because it would be so fucking easy to fall back into this.

Our eyes meet for a second before his fix on my lips.

“You’ve grown a beard,” he says.

“Helps me get around undetected.”

“People must be blind.”

I chuckle. “Most people only see what they want to see, and they certainly don’t expect their favorite rock star to live around the corner from them.”

“Favorite rock star, huh?”

His lips curve into a smile I can’t help but mirror.

“Tell me we can meet again.”