Page 54 of The Bridges I've Burned

I sighed, placed my phone on the counter, and grabbed a mug. As I turned around, I noticed the notifications on my screen.

One unread text from an unknown number.

I pulled it up.

Take care of our niece.

—Z

I couldn’t stop the tears that followed, and I had no idea why.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Me

Hey, Elena didn’t feel well, so I drove her home. It’s Zander BTW.

Also, I left my leather jacket. Do you mind grabbing it?

Macon

Okay. No problem. I’ll tell Marin. Why the fuck did you bring a jacket in July?

Me

’Cause it makes me look cool. Obviously.

Macon

Says the 32yo with the eyebrow piercing.

Me

Which also makes me look cool.

Macon

Meet for coffee tomorrow. We haven’t had a chance to catch up. 9:30?

Me

Yeah, man. That sounds good.

I’d had every good intention of going to that coffee shop.

I’d even driven up to the damn place.

But the second I got there, I panicked.

Maybe it had been the banter between us that reminded me just how easy I could fall back into this life.

His life.

But that was the thing. I had my own life, friends. Family.

Sweat poured down my back as the car slowed and the parking lot came into view. All I had to do was turn the wheel. My heart started to race.

I can’t do this.

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