Because I’m not standing here talking about this anymore.
“Wheels up in ten,” Lucas calls from across the bay.
Good.
Something to do.
Something to move toward.
I sling my pack over my shoulder.
Ignore the pull in my ribs.
Ignore everything else.
Russ doesn’t stop me this time.
Doesn’t say anything else.
But I feel it.
That look.
That knowing.
Like he already sees where this is going.
Like he knows something I don’t.
Or won’t admit.
Doesn’t matter.
Not right now.
Right now—
There’s only one thing that matters.
I move toward the exit.
Fast.
Focused.
Locked in.
Because this isn’t about unfinished conversations.
Not about what she said.
Not about the look on her face when I walked out—
It’s not about any of that.
It’s the mission.
That’s it.
