Page 50 of Speed Crush

I shake my head, unable to meet his eyes. "Don't say things you don't mean."

"What if I told you I'm thinking about staying longer?" His voice drops, a rough whisper that scrapes against my skin. "That I've talked to Dante about running remote training sessions from here?"

My heart stops. Then thunders. "Why would you do that?"

"You know why."

I start to turn away.

But his voice stops me.

"Make sure you're not lying to yourself, Songbird."

And then he does something I don't expect.

He steps back.

One step. Then two.

Then he walks away first. His footsteps echo on the concrete, the sound of him leaving me behind.

It shouldn't hurt. This is what I wanted.

But I feel like crying. Alone in this big damn building.

This place is brand new. It still smells like paint.

Yet somehow… it already feels full of memories—of us.

My phone suddenly buzzes—obnoxiously loud in the stillness.

It’s a message from Noah.

??Storm’s moving in fast. Leave once you have the paperwork. And text me when you’re home safe… or I’m breaking speed limits to come find you.

I start laughing instead—quiet, breathless. Almost bitter.

He’s mad. Frustrated with me. And still, he’s texting me about my safety.

What do you even call that? A warning? A promise?

Because somehow, even when he walks away, he still pulls me in.

Why is he breaking down my defenses?

How is that even possible? How much have I already let him in?

I don’t know the answers.

I don’t know how much of my heart I’ve already handed over.

And I don’t know how to take it back.

How to protect myself from someone who makes me feel this much.

Because the thing about trust?

It starts quietly—when you’re not looking. It doesn’t always ask permission before it settles in.

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