Page 90 of Manic

I join in her laughter, feeling some of the tension ease from my shoulders. "Yeah, I guess so."

We fall into silence, the only sound the gentle hum of the refrigerator and the distant voices from the main room of the clubhouse.

I close my eyes, trying to sort through the jumble of emotions swirling inside me.

"You know," Aziza says after a moment, "it's okay to be angry with him. To be hurt. But don't let those feelings blind you to everything else."

I open my eyes, meeting her gaze. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," she explains, "don't forget all the good moments because of one bad one. Don't throw away something potentially amazing because of one mistake."

Her words hit home, reminding me of all the times Tor has been there for me.

The way he held me in the hospital, his strong arms a shelter from the storm.

The gentle way he tends to my wounds, his touch so careful and meticulous.

The look in his eyes when he thinks I'm not watching, a mixture of awe and affection that makes my heart skip a beat.

"You're right," I admit, my voice soft. "I know you're right. It's just..."

"Scary?" Aziza offers.

I nod, swallowing hard. "Terrifying, actually."

Aziza steps closer, her presence comforting. "Love often is. But that's what makes it worth fighting for."

I take a deep breath, letting her words sink in. "So what do I do now?"

"That's up to you," Aziza says with a small shrug. "But if I were you, I'd give him a chance to explain. To make things right."

I nod slowly, considering her advice. "Yeah, maybe you're right."

Just then, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, my heart leaping when I see Tor's name on the screen.

"Is it him?" Aziza asks, noticing my reaction.

I nod, showing her the screen. "Yeah, it's Tor."

Aziza gives me an encouraging smile. "Well, speak of the devil. Looks like he's ready to talk."

I hesitate, my thumb hovering over the message.

Part of me wants to ignore it, to let him stew in his own juices for a while.

But Aziza's words echo in my mind, reminding me that relationships take work, compromise, and sometimes, forgiveness.

"You know," Aziza says, leaning against the counter, "Aesir has walked out on me like that a few times. It happens sometimes."

I raise an eyebrow, surprised. "Really? And you're okay with that?"

She shrugs, her dark eyes full of understanding. "Not always in the moment, no. But I've learned that men can't always handle things the way we do. Sometimes they need a break, and they need it right then and there."

I scoff, rolling my eyes. "That's stupid."

"Preach, sister," Starla chimes in from where she's chopping vegetables. "My old man Ivar does the same shit. Drives me up the wall."

I shake my head, frustration bubbling up again. "I thought maybe it was Tor's age showing, you know? Since I'm a couple years older than him."

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