Page 54 of Shattered Melodies

The sincerity in his voice made my chest tighten. I wanted to believe him, wanted to let go of the anger and resentment that had been my constant companions for so long. But the fear of being hurt again, of letting him back in only to watch him walk away, was too strong.

"Yeah, well, good intentions and all that," I said, my tone bitter. "Look, Caleb, I appreciate you bringing Peanut to me. Really. But I can't do this. I can't sit here and pretend that everything's okay, that we're just two old friends catching up. It's too much, too soon."

I stood up abruptly, clutching Peanut to my chest like a shield. "I have to go," I said, my voice rough and unsteady. "Peanut needs me, and I need to not be here right now."

Caleb nodded, his eyes full of a sadness that I couldn't bear to look at. "Of course. I understand. I'm sorry, Liam. For everything. For last night, for today, for... for all of it."

I turned away, unable to handle the weight of his gaze or the sincerity in his voice. But before I could take a step, the receptionist called my name, letting me know that the vet was ready to see Peanut.

Relief washed over me, mixed with a twinge of something that felt dangerously like regret. I nodded at the receptionist, then glanced back at Caleb one last time.

"I have to go," I repeated, softer this time. "Just give me some space, okay? I need time to process all of this."

Without waiting for his response, I followed the receptionist back to the exam room, my heart pounding and my mind racing. As the door closed behind me, I let out a shaky breath, trying to focus on Peanut and push thoughts of Caleb out of my mind.

But even as the vet began her examination, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. That despite my best efforts to keep the past at bay, it had come crashing back into my life in the form of the man I had never truly stopped loving.

And I had no idea how to handle it.

The vet was kind and gentle, examining Peanut with a practiced eye and a soothing touch. She assured me that the kitten was in good health, just a little undernourished and in need of some TLC.

I listened attentively as she went over the proper care and feeding instructions, nodding along and making mental notes. I was determined to do right by Peanut, to give her the love and attention that she deserved.

Even if I couldn’t seem to do the same for myself.

After spending a small fortune on supplies and medications, I thanked the vet and gathered Peanut up in my arms, ready to head back out into the world.

But as I stepped into the waiting room, my heart sank. Because there, still sitting in the same chair I had left him in.

I could feel Caleb’s eyes on me as I left, could sense the weight of his gaze like a physical thing.

I didn’t look back, didn’t let myself waver. I had made my decision, had chosen to focus on my own healing and growth. And as much as it hurt, as much as a part of me longed to turn around and run back into his arms I knew that it was the right choice, the only choice. Because I needed to learn to stand on my own two feet, to build a life that was truly my own.

CHAPTER 16

Conflicted Heart

CALEB

Watching Liam walk away from the vet clinic made my heart feel like it had been sucker-punched. The mix of emotions swirling inside me was enough to make my head spin - confusion, longing, regret, and a healthy dose of self-loathing for good measure.

I mean, what the hell had I been thinking, trying to talk to him like that? Like we were old pals catching up, like nothing happened.

I was an idiot. A grade-A, certified moron.

“Looks like someone got his ass handed to him.”

I turned to see Gemma, the receptionist, leaning against the counter with a smirk on her face. I glared at her, but she just laughed, completely unfazed.

“Shut up, Gemma,” I grumbled, shoving my hands in my pockets.

“Aw, don’t be like that, sugar,” she drawled, batting her eyelashes at me. “I’m just calling it like I see it. That boy looked like he’d rather be anywhere else than talking to you.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. She was right, of course. Liam had made it pretty damn clear that he wasn’t interested in rehashing the past, in dredging up all the old wounds and trying to make sense of the mess I’d made.

And who could blame him? I’d hurt him, badly. I’d broken his trust, shattered his faith in me and in us.

I didn’t deserve his forgiveness, didn’t deserve a second chance.

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