Page 77 of Heal Me, Love Me

“Insightful.”

“Fuck you.”

A small grin pulled at my lips as I looked up at the ceiling.

“You want my opinion?” he asked.

“Not particularly.”

“Then why did you call me?”

I rubbed a hand over my face. “Fine. Go ahead.”

“I think you’re getting ahead of yourself.”

“How?”

“You’re already anticipating problems that don’t exist yet.”

I frowned.

Mason continued before I could argue. “Look, long-distance sounds awful to me personally because I’m needy and hot, and if I eventually find someone, I’m going to want their attention at all times, but people make it work.”

“That might be the most narcissistic piece of advice anyone’s ever given me.”

“You’re welcome.”

A laugh slipped out, then faded again. I knew he was trying to help. “I just don’t know what to do,” I finally admitted.

“You know, for someone who talks as much shit as you do, you’re really bad at being confident about what actually matters.”

“That’s supposed to be advice?”

“No. Just an observation.”

“Thanks. Super helpful.”

“You called me before coffee. This is the level of emotional support you get.”

“I don’t want to be the guy who makes him feel bad about taking the opportunity,” I said.

“Then don’t.”

I pushed up on the bed to sit. “I’m trying.”

“I know you are.”

“But I hate that trying doesn’t change how I feel.”

“Feelings are inconvenient as fuck. One star. Would not recommend.”

That got another smile out of me, but the ache stayed. The truth was, I could be supportive of Rowan and terrified at the same time. I could want him to get everything he deserved and still hate that those opportunities might take him across the country. I could trust him and still be scared that distance would expose all the cracks we hadn’t figured out how to fix yet.

Another notification came through on my phone, and I pulled it from my ear to see who it was from.

Rowan

On my way back