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"There's one thing you were right about, Rowan" His voice is so soft, I strain to hear it "Once you take that step toward the inti back The friendship can't survive that type of hurt"

Oh, God, those words hurt I don't know if they are true or if Flynn is reacting in anger He turns his back on me, walks down the hall, and I hear his bedroom door shut softly

I stand there for a eshis head, I try to think of a way I can salvage things I can't lose my friendship with Flynn He's too important He's absolutely essential If we just slon, take a step back I can figure this out

Needing to keep busy, I put our luggage in the kitchen and sort through the clothes After I start a load, I open the refrigerator and ponder what to make for dinner Maybe after we eat, we can talk soet Flynn to see that s That maybe we need to focus on the friendship

Even as I think those thoughts, I' ludicrous There's no way Flynn is going back I'o back, but I'm terrified to move forward

I hear Flynn's door open andHe walks into the kitchen and he has his duffel bag thrown over his shoulder

"Where are you going?" I ask, fearful of what he'll say

"I'ht with Tim I need some space"

"But you go back to work tomorroon't see you for three days" That seeone plenty of tih it seems like an eternity

"Yeah listen I' to stay with Tim for a while I just talked to hi there"

Panic starts to seizebefore o We can talk this through You'll see we can make this work"

"You ht?"

"Well, yes if you just give it a chance, I'm sure we can pick back up"

"Yeah that's not going to work for uy I can't just fall in love and then fall back out Your heart ht be hard, but mine's not"

Oh shit that hurt, and the pain in his eyes is unbearable The thought that I'h o This is your home"

Flynn sighs "It's your home, too, Rowan Besides I'm all packed"

I look at hi up in flames and I'm powerless to stop it

He turns away and walks to the front door Capone stands there and he gives him a rub behind the ears

"See you, buddy," he says softly and then he's gone

I stare at the door, willing hi him to come back and push th to do it els above to make him come back to me

But the door remains closed

I walk back toCapone crawls up besideat me with soulful eyes He can feel my pain

I hate you, Mom and Dad! See what you made me into!

Tears start coursing down my face, and I'm powerless to stop them Just as I was powerless to stop this train wreck that isin my life, and I ruined it

And while I would love to bla me in this position, it's my own fear and insecurity that has done it I'm the only one that has control of that, and apparently, I'h to overcome it

Turning on ure out my next move I have a few days and a little ain somewhere new and fresh Maybe a different state

Yes, all of this seeain?

Except the thought of leaving of not having Flynn?

Well, that just fucking destroys me

"Full-house, baby! Read 'em and weep"

I watch, disgusted, as Tis up

Looking at my pathetic pair of sevens, I throw my cards facedown and say, "I'm done"