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I couldn’t stop caring for her, though, not over a few discrepancies She was still a bright, caring beauty who took my breath away every time I saw her And that’s why it’d hurt so ave her the power to hurt me

As I approached our apartment late in the afternoon, all kinds of trepidation filled o inside It was Thursday, and I needed to get to work for ladies’ night

A breath rushed fros when I found the front roointo ed a work shirt from the pile of clean clothes I had folded in a basket on the floor I’d showered at the gy by the bathroo by soo to into the kitchen, except I didn’t have theevery extra cent I made back to Pick, despite the number of times he rolled his eyes and told me not to worry about it

Fuck it, I could whip together a quick sandwich and be out of here in thirty seconds But when I turned to leaveon it, next to an applewith a folded piece of paper tucked underneath

Me hand, I reached out and plucked up the note I blinked a few times to adjust my eyes, but she’d been merciful and written only four words in block print that I could more easily read

I’e of the bed and buried my face into my hands My eyes burned and my throat closed over

"Fuck," Imyself I bent forward and restedand exhaling, using a breathing technique ht , but it worked now too

I still felt shredded rahen I finally pulled h to reach for the sandwich, but I lost it all over again as soon as I sank h the bread and tasted peanut butter and jelly

She’d reo to her so bad I ached I needed to feel her arms around me and bury my face in her hair God, I could al about her

But I needed to stay away I hadn’t ether After what Pick toldher live anywhere alone Still Getting involved with her again would be disastrous I was beginning to control h for my peace of mind, not where her safety was concerned