Page 66 of Tameron

“You won’t be. You’ll find a way through this.”

Silence fell between us, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Dayton was giving me space to process, to continue if I wanted to. That was one of the things I loved about him. He knew when to push and when to just listen.

Loved. Fuck.

“I wasn’t supposed to feel this way about you,” I whispered. “This was supposed to be casual. Fun. Exploring. But you… You’re the only one who gets it. The only one who understands. And I can’t… I can’t…”

“Can’t what?”

“I can’t be a burden to you too. I’m already one to Nash, to everyone else. I won’t do that to you.”

“Tam…” His voice was gentle but firm. “You’re not a burden. To anyone. And especially not to me.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Right. The guy who can’t sleep, can’t hear, can’t figure out his life, can’t get his shit together. Sleepless, jobless, and if this continues, probably homeless soon. What’s not to love?”

“You couldn’t be more wrong.” Something in his voice made me catch my breath. “You’re brave. Resilient. Kind. Funny. Smart. Should I go on?”

“Stop.”

“No. You need to hear this. You’re not broken, Tameron. You’re adapting. And yeah, it’s hard and it sucks and it’s not fair. But you’re doing it. You’re learning ASL. You’re working on cars with Dax. You’re making progress, even if you can’t see it right now.”

Tears burned in my eyes. “I’m so tired, Day.”

“I know, baby. I know.” His voice was impossibly gentle.

“Thank you for listening.”

“Don’t ever thank me for that.” He hesitated, emotions flashing over that expressive face. “I don’t know how to ask this, Tam, but I have to. Are you okay? Do I need to worry about you?”

It took me a few seconds to realize what he meant, and warmth flooded my chest. No, I wasn’t suicidal, but the fact that he asked, that he took me so seriously, brought tears to my eyes all over again. “I don’t want to kill myself.”

He blew out a breath. “I had to ask.”

“Yeah, and I’m grateful you did.”

“Still, let me come get you.”

I shook my head, even though he couldn’t see it. “No. You need your sleep. You have a shift later.”

“I don’t like you being out there alone.”

“I’m fine. I just… I needed some air.”

“Okay. But text me when you get home? Please?”

“I will.” I hesitated, then added, “Thank you. For listening. For understanding.”

“Always.”

We said our goodbyes and hung up. I sat there for a while longer, watching the lights of the bridge shimmer on the water. The talk with Dayton had helped a little. My chest felt less tight, like I could breathe again.

But it wouldn’t last. These feelings, these fears, would come back. They always did. And I couldn’t keep running to Dayton every time that happened. We were supposed to be casual. Friends with benefits. Nothing more.

Even if my heart wanted more. Even if his gentleness and understanding made me yearn for something I couldn’t have. I was too much of a mess for a relationship. And Dayton… He deserved better than someone who was drowning.

With a deep sigh, I started the car. Time to go home and face another day of pretending I was fine.

When I walked in the door, it was barely five a.m., but Nash was in the kitchen, making breakfast. He took one look at me and gestured for me to take a seat. “I’ll make you some eggs.”

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