Page 82 of Don't Say You're Sorry

Tears fill my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. If I cry, he’ll demand answers, and then I’ll have no choice but to tell him.

I shake my head, and he wraps his arm around me, pulling me into his side. I curl up into him, resting my head on his chest as he smooths his hand over my hair.

“It’s okay, baby. It’ll be okay.”

No, I don’t think it will be.

Still, I selfishly fall asleep listening to the beat of his heart, knowing it could be one of the last times I get to do it.

ONE WEEK LATER

“What are you doing?”

I jump at the sound of Axel’s voice, turning my head to face him. I’m standing in the middle of Easton’s bedroom. I was staring into space, daydreaming about all the time we spent in here. All the plans we made. The promises we made to each other…

“Nothing,” I say numbly.

“Is this your stuff?” he asks, gesturing to the bags in the hall. “You’re coming with me?”

After a hesitant pause, I nod.

He blows out a relieved breath, muttering, “Thank God,” under his breath. “You’re doing the right thing, Adam. He’ll understand.”

I glare at him. “Don’t you get it? No. He won’t.”

CHAPTER 28

EASTON

Igrunt and give up on my set a few reps in. I can’t focus, and I’m exhausted. Adam didn’t sleep at all last night, so neither did I.

Axel’s leaving today. Adam’s heartbroken, but honestly, I’m glad he’s moving. The sooner that judgy little prick is gone, the better. He’s been giving Adam shit about us for months, and even though Adam never said anything outright, I know it’s been messing with his head. Even more so this last week. Whatever Axel said to him last Sunday really shook him up. He’s been quiet and withdrawn ever since.

I left this morning so they could have a proper goodbye without me hovering, but I can’t shake this feeling that my guy needs me right now.

I say goodbye to the guys and leave the gym. In the parking lot, I climb into my car and go to toss my bag onto the passenger seat, pausing when I see the envelope there. That wasn’t there when I went into the gym. Frowning, I pick it up and turn it over. My name is written on the back in Adam’s handwriting. He’s left me these before, so I don’t know why I feel so uneasy about this one. I open the envelope and pull out the postcard. It’s a drawing of me and him at the drive-in. I remember that night. It wasn’tlong ago. We were sitting in my car with a ton of snacks and drinks. Adam’s tastes vary from day to day, and I never know what he’ll be in the mood for, so I always grab one of everything.

In the drawing, I’m feeding him popcorn—I’d mixed the sweet with the salty per his request since he wanted both—and grinning at his beautiful face. His head is turned toward me, and he’s looking at me with so much love in his eyes, it takes me by surprise in the here and now. I see that look on his face every day, but I never call him out on it. I always thought he had no idea how much he gave away when he looked at me. I know how he feels about me. I feel the same way about him. But we’ve never voiced those feelings out loud. We’ve never crossed that line, too afraid to face whatever lies on the other side of it.

Is that what he’s doing now? Is he trying to tell me something?

I smile, my heart thumping in my chest. But when I turn the card over and read the words written on the back, my smile slips right off.

Sunshine,

I’m not sorry.

Love, Adam x

That feeling of unease slams into me with purpose, and my stomach plummets.

“No.”No.He wouldn’t do this. Not to me.

I take in the words again, searching for a different explanation. It has to be something else—anythingelse.

When I don’t find what I’m looking for, I toss the card on my bag and frantically pull my seat belt on, jabbing my finger into the buttons on the dash as I peel out of the parking lot. I try to call Adam, but he doesn’t answer. I try him again, and again,gritting my teeth as my hands shake on the steering wheel. I’m distantly aware that I shouldn’t be driving like this, but I can’t sit back and let this happen. I won’t.

“Sorry, Mom. I’ll be careful, I promise.”

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