“No.”She scooted back, putting space between them.“We had a deal.This was supposed to be fun.Hot nights and good conversation.That’s it.”
“Bonnie—”
“Don’t.”Her voice cracked, but she hardened it immediately.“I told you from the beginning I don’t do this.I don’t do relationships.I don’t do love.You knew that.”
“I did,” he said quietly.“But things changed.At least for me they did.”
She stood up, wrapping the sheet tighter around her body.“You need to go.”
The words landed like a slap.
Vic stared at her.“You’re serious.”
“I can’t do this.”Her voice was shaking now, but she kept going.“I won’t.I’m not built for it.So just...leave.Please.”
He dressed in silence, chest tight, every movement feeling mechanical.When he was fully clothed, he stopped at the bedroom door and looked back at her.
She was standing by the window, arms wrapped around herself, not looking at him.
“I’m not going to pretend I don’t feel what I feel,” he said softly.“But I won’t push you.When you’re ready...you know how to find me.”
She didn’t answer.
Vic let himself out of her house and closed the door quietly behind him.
The night air hit him like ice.
He stood on the sidewalk for a long moment, hands shoved in his pockets, staring at the light still on in her bedroom window.
Then he started walking.
He didn’t know where he was going.
He just knew that for the first time since he’d met her, the music inside him felt painfully quiet.
***
Vic didn’t rememberdriving to Bear’s house.One moment he was standing on the sidewalk outside Bonnie’s building, the echo of her door closing still ringing in his ears, and the next he was killing the engine in front of the familiar garage, hands shaking on the steering wheel.
The memory wouldn’t leave him alone.
“I can’t do this.”
Her voice had been flat, final.The panic in her eyes when he’d said the words—I love you—had been worse than any physical blow he’d ever taken.He’d laid his heart on the table, and she’d kicked it back at him like it was nothing.
He climbed out of the truck, legs unsteady, and headed straight for the garage.The side door was open.Light spilled out, along with the low sound of acoustic guitar and quiet laughter.
Benny and Lucia were inside.
Benny was perched on a stool, picking out a gentle melody, while Lucia leaned against the workbench, watching him with that soft, private smile she saved only for him.They looked so damn content it made Vic’s chest ache.
Benny looked up first.His expression shifted instantly from relaxed to concerned.
“Vic?You good, man?”
Vic stopped just inside the doorway, hands clenched at his sides.“I need to play.Right now.Please.”
Lucia straightened, worry flickering across her face.Benny set the guitar down without hesitation.
