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“Let’s see… You’re caring as fuck and constantly wanna be there for those you love You’re strict and structured, a solid support, an unwavering rock—”

“Jesus,” he muttered and looked away I furrowed ue-in-cheek truths “I haven’t felt anything re time” Instead, his mood tanked Fuck, fuck, fuck “Quite the opposite”

“Then you’re wrong” I tried to keepan orange twist into his glass, I extended it across the floor, and he accepted it “You’ve been there for me in a way no one ever has, especially this past year”

He stared down into his drink, swirling the liquid, before taking a generous sip

The tiny lights along the sides of the ceiling didn’t reveal enough of his expression, and I needed to be able to read him clearly to kno much I could say

Screw it, it was tiet serious “Shannon, you’re not supposed to be unwavering twenty-four seven I’ it’s who you are You’re loyal to a fault, the love you have for your kids is unconditional and sacred, and…” I o on for hours Probleot knocked down, sir It happens And you have to let it take tiain But I still see you—all of you I see the progress and the setbacks, and I see how you haven’t let grief bury you You’ll never fight awar than that”

He nodded slowly

“You don’t have to fight this war alone, though,” I went on quietly “I’ anywhere I’m here for the darkest hours too”

My phone vibrated in my inner pocket, and I was afraid I’d already said too ave him a breather and checked my phone After all, I knew that when he felt really low, talking just went in one ear and out the other

Aw, shit Emilia had texted

So…are you into Shannon? (I won’t say a word to anyone)

I suppressed a sigh and wrote back

What? Don’t be ridiculous

I knew she wasn’t going to settle for that, and I was right She responded again

Tellthere

I frowned, wondering what she meant, but then a photo popped up on the screen A picture of Shan andhis cuff links That sneaky little bitch Shein the shadows somewhere behind rin Shannon was looking down atat it now