Page 75 of Click of Fate

Maple snorts and sighs from her crate, like she feels it too.

I sink to the floor and unlatch the door. She crawls into my lap without hesitation, curling against me like she’s known this ache all along.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, threading my fingers through her fur.

The tears come slowly, but they come.

Because for the first time in years, I let someone in.

And now, I’ve sent him away.

I carry Maple to the couch, not bothering to turn on the lights. She settles into my lap instantly, warm and soft and still wagging her tail like everything is fine.

I press my face to her fur.

“I did the right thing,” I whisper.

Didn’t I?

It was too soon.

Too easy.

Too much.

That’s what I keep telling myself.

But this quiet?

It feels different.

It doesn’t feel like protection. Self-preservation. Safety.

It just feels… hollow.

Maple sighs and noses under my arm, her tiny body curling tighter against mine like she knows I need the comfort more than she does.

“I couldn’t let it get serious,” I murmur. “That’s not who I am.”

Except it alreadywasserious.

I tip my head back against the couch, eyes burning.

I can’t blame my dad this time.

Can’t blame bad timing.

Can’t blame fate or fear or expectations.

Because this time?

This time, there’s no one to blame but me.

Chapter 18

A DRUNK POSSUM

LUKE

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