Page 112

My shirt is soaked through, I couldn’t care less, but it must be uncomfortable for her. I shift us slightly, pulling her closer until she’s practically in my lap.
“I’ve got you,” I murmur into her hair. “Whatever you need.”
Her response is barely a whisper, but it cuts through me like a knife. “I need you to leave.”
“What?” I pull back, taking a look at her face.
“I can’t…” She closes her eyes, a tear flowing down her cheek. “I can’t do this right now. Please, just go.”
“I’m not leaving.”
“I said go!” Her voice cracks, desperation bleeding through. “Please, Brandon. I can’t… I can’t be what you need right now. I can’t be anything.”
My chest aches. I want to argue, to tell her she doesn’t need to be anything but herself. But her eyes open, locking with mine, stopping me. I almost wish they would return to that fucking spot on the wall. The pain, the raw anguish, it steals my breath.
She’s barely holding it together, and pushing her now might shatter what little control she has left.
“You’re overstepping.” She untangles herself from my arms, scooching to the other end of the couch. “This isn’t part of our deal.”
The words hit harder than any kitchen burn ever could. This hasn’t been just a ‘deal’ for longer than either of us wants to admit.
“Overstepping?” My jaw clenches. What do I do? I can’t find a single joke, no sarcastic comment to lighten the mood. Nothing but this raw ache in my chest watching her retreat into herself. “That’s what you call caring about you?”
She nods, her shoulders stiffening.
“Look me in the eyes and say that again.”
“Brandon—”
“Say it.”
She meets my gaze, those eyes swimming with unshed tears. “We’re—We’re just…”
“You can’t say it. Because you know it’s bullshit.”
“You’re right.” Her voice hardens, her spine straightening. “I can’t say it. But that doesn’t change anything.”
“The hell it doesn’t!”
“Please. I need space.”
Space. Isn’t that what I’ve been giving her for months? Too much fucking space?
“Naomi…”
“You want to help?” She sinks deeper into the cushions. “Then respect my boundaries. Leave.”
“You shouldn’t be alone right now.”
“Blake’s here.”
“That’s not?—”
“What? Not good enough? At least she knows when to back off.”
She’s looking at me… like I’m the one hurting her.
“Okay.” I clench my fists, fighting the urge to close the distance between us. “I’ll go.”