He chuckles. “I’m still searching for the one, but we’re talking about you.”
“I’m not a willing participant in this conversation.” I look at him deadpan.
He plays with his pipe. Hopefully dropping the conversation. Though suddenly I want to talk about everything.
“You hope she will come?” he asks.
I do.“She doesn’t know where I am.”
“Have you hit your head while I wasn’t watching?” He punches my shoulder.
“My head is just fine.” I scoot away.
My heart, on the other hand, feels like it’s been left out here in the heat to rot.
“Then why don’t you let her know where you are? Or even better, go after her.”
“Are you losing your hearing, old man? She asked for space.”
“And I asked for a lot of things, and then realized they were not what I needed.”
“I’m worried she will realize the exact opposite. That she doesn’t need me.”
“A smart woman.” He nods.
“Fuck you.”
“Liam, I have seen your rage, your frustration. Ihave admired your work ethic. Your craftsmanship. Your drive. But never have I thought you’re stupid.”
“I’m going to bed.” I stand up, done with this conversation.
“Or you should go to the airport and stop moping around here. I’m too old for your toxic energy.”
“Suddenly,” I mock.
But as much as I don’t want to admit it, he’s right. I didn’t come here to heal. I came here to hide.
Why am I giving her space? Because she would spook if I pushed her. Don’t we both deserve more than this careful dance?
Fuck that.
Why have I thought that flying to the other side of the continent would make it easier to stay away? What if something happens? What if she needs me? What if…
“Fuck, Alf, how many beers did you have?”
The old bastard chuckles, dangling his car keys. “Only one. Let’s go.”
The room is empty. Of course it’s empty. She must be at the office. As always. Why didn’t I go to Merged first?
Calmdown, idiot.
This is good. This is respectful. I’ll wait for her here. Better than ambushing her at work. She would bite my head off.
She probably still will.
I promised her three weeks, and I’m here a week early. But it’s time we moved forward. Whatever that means.
I failed once. I chose obedience over loyalty. It cost Noah his life.
