I break into a sprint as I go to her, my adrenaline surging as my vision tunnels to just Meadow. The crash of the ocean drowns out my footsteps as I rush closer, unnoticed.
When I’m only a few feet away, I slow to a stop behind her, my breath quickening with every step I take.
She looks so small like this, curled into herself on the empty beach. I want to scoop her up and pull her into my arms, take away the hurt she’s feeling.
“Meadow,” I mutter breathlessly, stepping toward her crouched body.
Her shoulders jump at the sound of my voice as she spins to face me. Before I can blink, she’s moving, scrambling to stand like she’s mortified to be found like this.
My stomach drops as she backs away from me, staring at me like I’m the sole proprietor of her pain.
It fucking kills me.
“Please don’t,” I plead, slowing as I approach her carefully, hands slightly raised as I reach for her. “Don’t—don’t do that. Don’t look at me like that.”
“I’m fine,” she says quickly, her voice fractured as she shakes her head and swipes at her cheeks. “You should go back. I just need some air.”
Bullshit.
I’m not going anywhere but here.
“Meadow.”
“Seriously, Owen, I’m—”
“Stop,” I interject, my voice full of gravel. “For once, please stop pretending you’re okay. You don’t have to do that with me.”
Her bottom lip trembles as she just stares at me, the wind lashing through her hair and dress. Her chest rises and falls too fast, like she can’t get enough air.
When I try to take another step toward her, she walks back again.
Jesus Christ.
“Meadow,” I breathe her name. “Please stop backing away from me.”
Her face bends with emotion as she turns her head, staring out at the black void of unending ocean.
“I’m not backing away,” she finally whispers. “I’m just… giving us both some space. Some time to think.”
Space.
That single word suddenly becomes my least favorite term in the dictionary.
I don’t want space. I’ve never wanted or needed time away from Meadow. Just being in her presence recharges my battery.
“I don’t want space,” I shake my head.
She pushes a hand through her wild hair and swallows thickly.
“Well, I do,” she mutters unconvincingly.
Her words feel like a punch to the ribs, knocking the air right out of me. I inhale a shaky breath, rubbing a hand against my jaw as I try to keep myself together.
“Meadow, what is going on?” I ask, softer now. “Please, talk to me.”
She lets out a broken laugh, shaking her head.
“You really didn’t see it?”
