"What the hell do you want, Mal?"
"I want everything to stop changing."
"Well, that's fucking life. It changes. It goes forward. That's how it works." I can't look at him. I turn and scan the room for my cardigan. Nowhere to be seen. Fine. I don't need the cardigan. But I do need shoes.
I'm not running off without shoes. That's adding insult to injury.
Ah. They're by the door.
I hate leaving now, like this, today, but I can't listen to his attempt to argue me out of loving him.
"Lacey—"
"What?" I can't help the frustration in my voice. I can't help but turn and stare at him.
"You didn't answer."
"Of course I love you. How could I not?"
His eyes turn down. He takes a deep breath and lets out a heavy sigh. "I…"
I don't want to hear the rest of the sentence, but my legs refuse to move.
"I don't think you should come tomorrow."
My stomach clenches. My eyes sting hot and salty. A tear rolls down my cheek. Then another. Blinking does nothing to slow the onslaught. I swallow hard, but that only makes the sob that chokes my throat sound more anguished.
His voice is even. "This is messy."
"Yeah."
"I'm saying when."
"You're ending this?"
"It's not a this."
"Yes it is." I move to the door and slide into my shoes.
Mal watches, that same horrified look on his face. "Fine. I'm ending this."
"But you… you do care about me?" I bite my lip. I'm officially one of those girls. But I don't even care. I don't care about anything but the way my heart is breaking—for myself and for him.
"I can't take any more from you, Lacey."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
He moves closer. His expression gets intense as he looks me in the eyes. "You deserve everything and I'll never have everything to give."
"You already do."
He shakes his head.
"But tomorrow… You need someone."
"Ethan and Piper will be there."
"But you need someone who isn't going to be breaking if…"