Page 41 of Unraveling with You

Remington freezes. “What’s wrong?”

My heart aches. “I’m so sorry, I– I didn’t get to ask if you also had another reason for wanting to feel like a rescuer before you broke up or if it started with your ex. I– I know that’s a lot, but– But I wanted you to feel heard too. I’m so, so sorry I missed that at first.”

Remington stays perfectly still, allowing the silence to stretch between us. The longer I sit facing his shocked, gaping stare, the deeper my heart aches.

Did he really not expect me to care about him back? Have I touched on something too deep?

But when Remington speaks, his tone remains even. “Sorry, I still have a really bad habit of deflecting all focus off me after all that happened with my ex. My therapist thought I was trying to protect myself by being funny or distracting or something, but all I know is that I just cause more problems that way in the long run when someone actually cares. Except I— I still feel like it’s rare to find someone who genuinely does, like you do, so I almost don’t know what else to do.”

He still doesn’t move, so I remain motionless with him, keeping him held close. I don’t know what else to do either.

“But yeah, there’s something even deeper that started my interest in all this too. I’ll tell you about it sometime soon,” Remington mutters.

The sorrow laced into his voice guts me.

All I can do is stroke his back. “Okay. Thank you.”

CHAPTER 9

REMINGTON HESITATESoutside my apartment complex. We couldn’t bear to part after our heavy discussion, so Remington took the bus with me to walk me home. We’re still gripping each other’s hands tight, neither of us making any moves to let go on the rusty red brick porch.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

Remington’s Adam’s Apple bobs with his swallow. When he speaks, his low voice rumbles even deeper than usual. “No.”

I tense, ready to burst into panic. Is he having second thoughts? Remington meets my petrified eyes.

He sucks in a sharp breath. “Sorry, not in a bad way. I mean—”

Remington shakes his head, but I step closer. I’m so concerned for him that my heart thumps into my ears.

But he lifts his worried eyes. “I just mean I don’t want to have to say goodbye yet. I really like spending time with you.”

I’m surprised evenRemingtonseems shy about asking to spend more time with me. Maybe coming home with a date isn’t normal for him after what happened with his ex.

And I’ve helped Remington feel safe enough to change that for him. My elation spills over so fast that before I can stop myself, I dash into his chest for a hug. A puff of air escapes his nose with my impact, but it’s followed by a deep chuckle.

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