Page 61 of Forever Flames: Padraig & Stevie
“Ah, Stevie.” He shifts in his chair. “Try not to be sad. You’re out here building a whole new life. He’s trying to find his footing in the old one without you. It must be tough for him too. Maybe he needs space to figure it out.”
I nod, throat tight. It makes sense. “I tried to share this part of my life with him and he seemed to be so happy for me. If he needs space to figure his shit out, I’ll support him because I want him to do something he loves. He’s young, so there’s no harm in following music where it leads him. He’s never going to leave his brother hanging. And, I’d never ask him to.”
“Are you worried he’s pulling away from you?” Cooper says gently.
“I don’t know.” My voice cracks on the edges.
“Shit.” Cooper taps a rhythm on his coffee lid with his finger. “Ever since Angela and I split, I’ve been wondering if we stayed together so long because we were terrified of the unknown.”
The silence between us vibrates with understanding.
“I’m more terrified of losing him,” I whisper as tears stream down my face.
“You won’t,” he assures me. “Not with your history. He’d be an idiot to let someone like you go.”
My eyes sting, but I manage a small, grateful smile. “Thanks for not making this weird. Sometimes I feel like everyone else expects me to either be madly in love or completely over it. Like those are the only two settings.”
“Yeah, well. Maybe we’re both in the ‘figuring it out and trying not to drown’ camp.” He smirks.
I nod. “Definitely.”
My phone finally vibrates. I turn it face up to find a text from Padraig:
Padraig:Yeah, come to Seattle.
Four words. No fluff. No context.
My breath catches, and Cooper must notice something shift in my face. “Everything okay?”
“Uh…” I glance up. “Apparently, his ears were burning.”
Cooper stands. “You want a second?”
I hesitate, then nod. “Please. Sorry.”
“Don’t be. Talk it out with your guy.” He taps the top of the chair.
I smile gratefully. “You’re a good friend, Cooper.”
“Tell Padraig I said to get his act together.” He mock punches the air.
Cooper leaves and another text appears, sending my heart into overdrive.
Padraig:Can I call you?
I don’t text back. I call him instead.
He picks up instantly. “Hey.”
“Hi,” I say, quieter than I mean to.
“I miss you too, you know.”
His voice makes me ache. It’s deep and a little hoarse. Like he hasn’t slept much.
“I didn’t expect you to reply,” I admit.
“I know,” he sighs. “I’ve been weird lately.”
