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“I know” Her shoulders rose and her tears fell “I wasn’t supposed to love you either, Dex I thought I could be with you and guard one Same old story”

“No” I took her by the shoulders “I aer, if I thought I could offer you any kind of future, I would”

“So what exactly are you offering ht? A weekend? A quickie?”

“I don’t know,” I said desperately “I just know I can’t see you and not want to be with you I told you I loved you, Winnie Isn’t that enough?”

“No” Wrenching free from my arms, she took a step back “I want more than that I want someone who isn’t afraid to take a chance on a future with me I want so Frostys”

I couldn’t argue with her But I couldn’t bringfor either

When I said nothing, she rushed to her mom’s car, jumped in, and took off

Frustrated, I glared at her taillights and stood there a full two minutes after she left

Then I stoot in, and slaripped the steering wheel with both hands and breathed hard through ht in front ofFreddie Purrcury in h to reach him, he hopped to the next branch

“Fucking wo in “They’re impossible”

I spent another restless night staring atnot to think about the fact just a feeeks ago, she’d been right here next tomy mom

But I refused to pick up the phone and reach out to her There was no point I was never going to be that guy she described, and she wouldn’t come near me otherwise

I just had to get through Sunday, and try to forget about her

The following afternoon I was still sitting around ot a text from Chip

Hey, I’m in town unexpectedly Time for a beer?

Definitely

Name the time and place and I’ll be there

Let’sCo at 5:00

Relieved to have soht, I sent back a thumbs up and went upstairs to take a shower

Just before five, I walked into Southpaing Co, which ned by Tyler Shaw In a couple hours, it would be packed, but since it was still early, I was able to find a seat at the bar After looking over the s I’d just takenonto the stool next to me

“Hey man,” he said “Good to see you”

“You too How’d you end up in town?”

“Mariah and I decided to run up here and check out sonaled the bartender and ordered a Bandbox IPA “We saw several today, and then April took her over to a bridal shop just for fun Thankfully, I was excused”