Page 83 of Unbearable

“Noah needs you, go. We’ll figure everything else out,” I said.

“Okay, bye,” Dotty said before walking away. I watched her until she was out of sight.

“So…” Dorian began.

“I’m not going to ask for your permission.”

“You already had it,” he said, tapping me on the shoulder. “But you better not fuck with her head. You may be my best friend, but don’t think I’m above beating the shit out of you.”

“You don’t have to worry about me. I have a feeling it’s Dot that is going to be doing the heartbreaking.”

“What do you mean?”

“I fucking love her, man,” I admitted.

“Wow, I knew you were in deep with her, but I didn’t realize you knew you were.”

“Let’s be honest. Was I ever not in love with her?”

“Where’s her head at?” he asked.

“That’s a good question.” I sighed. “She wants to keep it between us for now while she figures it out, but now she’s leaving for Seattle unexpectedly, and I have a feeling that physical distance will make it easier to distance me altogether. She was already going back soon for work, but now she has an excuse not to come back.”

“She’s scared. She has always felt like she isn’t worthy of being loved. She keeps almost everyone at arm’s length on purpose, even me these days.” He rubbed his forehead. “Losing Mom, growing up with no friends besides us, you leaving—it all shaped her and caused her to never let people in, but I see her around you and you around her. You two deserve it. Don’t let her go. Fight for her if you love her.”

“I will this time.”

TWENTY-NINE

Dotty

THE 1 - TAYLOR SWIFT

Running on autopilot,I walked through Trent’s front door, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. I quickly pulled out my phone and dialed Noah’s number. She picked up on the second ring.

“Dorian booked me a flight that leaves in less than two hours. It’s a short flight, so I should be there before nine. I can take a taxi to the apartment,” I said, my voice betraying a slight panic despite my best efforts to sound composed.

“No, I’ll come to pick you up. Things have calmed down a bit here. The investigators said they’d be in touch,” she replied, her tone equally strained.

“What exactly happened?” I asked. The details she gave me earlier were so rushed and panicked that they were hard to piece together.

“I don’t fully know, but it’s bad. John is being investigated for something. He left for a work trip the other day, and I haven’t heard from him since. This morning, the FBI showed up to question me,” she explained, her voice filled with worry.

“What did they ask you?” I asked, my mind racing with possibilities.

“They asked if I knew where he’s been for the last few days. I don’t even know what he’s being investigated for! They wouldn’t tell me anything,” she said, her voice numb with disbelief.

“I’ll talk to Colt. He might not have much pull, but it doesn’t hurt to ask,” I offered, hoping to provide some comfort.

“Thanks, Dotty. For everything. I hate that you’re coming back under these circumstances, but I’m really happy to see you soon,” she said, a hint of relief in her voice.

“Me too. I’ll text you my flight details, but I need to pack now. See you soon. Love you.”

“Love you too.” I hung up and immediately texted Colt, asking him to look into anything he could about Noah’s boyfriend.

Frantically, I packed my things, debating whether to leave one of my suitcases as an excuse to come back. In the end, I couldn’t bring myself to do it and packed everything up, leaving Trent’s guest room as if I had never been there.

With my meeting at work soon and Noah needing me, I wasn’t sure when I’d return. I knew I was running away, but I couldn’t stop myself from being too afraid to let Trent in fully.

---