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“I’ to make this easier for you”

He looks incredulous “And you think giving up on me is the best way to do that?”

I throwthis to help you!”

He scoffs “That’s rich Everything I put on the line to be with you—because I couldn’t i with you—was a wasted effort, since you clearly don’t feel the same way about me”

“What?” I swipe angrily at the tears falling downlove you, you dipshit!”

Drew shakes his head “No You don’t Not if you’re doing this”

“How can you not see the selflessness behind h the tears blurringmy happiness for yours!”

“Fuck!” Drew slae dent His nostrils flare as he takes several deep breaths “This isn’t selflessness, Charlee It’s cowardice You’re too goddamn scared to ride out the storm”

My eyes widen “What? No!”

He shakes his head in disbelief “Don’t you get it? There was never a choice, in ht Iobvious, but apparently not I can’t stand the thought of not having Brody in my life but I’d never pick hi knows that I’d wind up resenting hilike an asshole right now but that’s not who he really is I’ve gotta believe he’ll come around eventually Clearly not today, and likely not tomorrow, but some day You know just as well as I do what a stubborn shit he can be”

“But what if you’re wrong, Drew? What if he never wants to talk to you again? I can’t be the reason that happens”

Drew groans and looks to the ceiling “Christ, you’re just as fucking pigheaded as he is”

I crossto be stubborn I’ht, even if you don’t see it that way right now”

He braces his hands on my shoulders “If you walk away from me, I won’t have either one of you inwithout you makes it hard to breathe You’re my wife, for fuck’s sake!”

I s hard as I er”