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I can see them, brutally clear, even if he doesn’t voice them aloud

Do you really want to know?

Why should I tell you? We’re less than friends these days

Can I really share this with you, or will you turn your anger back on rief these days

I reach out to hi it a pat There’s nothing sexual about the gesture, but I hope the solid warmth of my touch, and the fact that I don’t hesitate to reach out to him means that he can trust me with his sorrows

“Lay it on me, Rafe,” I murmur quietly “I know you can’t burden your mom I know it’s hard to talk to your dad I’”

Rafe physically deflates, his posture sagging as he cradles his beer bottle between his legs and stares at it He doesn’t look my way, but his words are only for me “I feel hopeless Out of control”

The power of his admission hu, proudwhatever burden is on his shoulders Even back ere together, he didn’t show his vulnerability to h me down

That he’s actually sharing with me now causes a shift within me that feels like loose sand on a beach dune

He’s actually sliced himself open to let me see a part of hiiven the privilege of observing

The fact that he’s doing so now causesaway a protective hide, leaving me raw and exposed

I s past the luive hiiven your situation And I expect there’s no easy fix I don’t think you really needyou this, but I’ll say it anyway You need to make the most of what time you have left”

His gaze comes to me slowly

Painfully

The naked grief in his eyes touches ot this, Rafe I’ll help you through it”

“Why would you?” His disbelief is evident It’s warranted, as well

“Because, no uess I still care about you And I care deeply for your parents You know that’s never changed Let me be here for you You only have to tell ive it”

I’m not prepared for the flash of heat in his eyes, nor am I ready for the way my blood quickens from it

“I need to feel sorief and sadness,” he says bluntly And then with challenge in his tone, he adds, “That ”