Page 129 of The Lineman

And when I finally looked up at him—really looked—I felt something crack open inside me.

His eyes were dark, shining with something raw and aching. His lips pressed together like he was holding back the world, something too big to say all at once.

And that terrified me.

Because if I let myself see what was in his face—if I let myself acknowledge it—then I had to admit I felt it, too.

That I wanted this.

That I neededhim.

That maybe, just maybe, I was already falling too hard, too fast, and I had no idea how to stop. Maybe there was no way to stop.

Mike exhaled shakily, running his free hand through his hair. “You scared the hell out of me, Elliot.”

I swallowed. My throat felt tight, like I’d swallowed gravel. “Yeah?”

He let out a breathy laugh, but there was no humor in it. “Yeah.” He shook his head, eyes flickering over me, like he still couldn’t believe I was here. “Jesus, I—” His voice wavered, and he broke off, shaking his head again.

I blinked at him, waiting.

He looked down at our joined hands, like he’d forgotten he was holding me, like he was debating whether or not to let go.

I tightened my grip, deciding for him.

His eyes shot back to mine, surprised.

I licked my lips, voice rough. “You really thought I was—?”

Mike sucked in a sharp breath, his fingers tightening painfully around mine. “I didn’t know. I didn’tfuckingknow, Elliot.” His voice cracked on the last word.

That hit me.

Because Mike was always the rational one, the one who kept things light, who teased, who bantered.

I wasn’t used to seeing him like this.

So open. So raw.

So fucking afraid.

I shifted slightly in the bed, wincing when pain flared up my leg. “I’m not going anywhere, you know.”

He let out another unsteady breath. “You almost did.”

I stared at him.

Then, carefully, I reached up with my free hand, fingers brushing his wrist. “But I didn’t.”

Mike exhaled sharply through his nose. His jaw tensed. His eyes flickered with something unreadable.

Then he broke.

He let go of my hand—just long enough to fall across my flattened form.

I sucked in a breath as his arms wrapped around me, careful but firm, his body shaking slightly as he pressed his forehead to the side of my head.

I felt his breath against my temple.

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