The Space Between Heartbeats

Choosing Me

Chapter Seventeen

Choosing Me

DANNI’S POV

I asked them both to come back again. I needed to talk.

Not to fight. Not to win me. But because I was done living in this limbo.

Cole came first — quiet, tense, his eyes flicking everywhere but me.

But he came.

Because he always does.

Rixon came later.

Late, like always.

Still looking like hell, like he still hadn’t slept since the day I crashed and since we talked.

His eyes landed on Cole first — sharp, bitter.

Then on me.

And everything in him crumpled.

"Sit."

My voice was soft but firm.

"Please."

They did.

Tense.

Silent.

"I remember," I started.

My throat burned.

But I made myself say it.

"I remember both of you. Here. When I was unconscious. I remember the things you said. The way you touched me."

Cole flinched.

Rixon went still, like I’d just slammed a fist into his chest.

"And I need to say this now — before this ruins everything else."

I swallowed hard.

"Because I can't carry it anymore."

I turned to Rixon first.

His face was already breaking.

Like he knew.

Like he’d known from the moment he walked back in.

"I loved you, Rix."

The words cracked on my tongue.

"God, I loved you so much. And losing you wrecked me."

His eyes shone, mouth trembling.

But I kept going.

I had to.

"But I’m not that girl anymore — the one who’d shrink or shatter just to make space for your love."

Tears blurred my vision.

"You left me bleeding, and then you came back when you thought I might not survive without you. And that’s not love, Rixon. That’s guilt."

His whole body sagged.

His chest heaved like he couldn’t get enough air.

"I forgive you," I whispered.

"But I can’t choose you. Not again."

His breath hitched.

And then—

He nodded.

Tears slipped down his cheeks as he stood.

No fight this time.

Just a broken goodbye.

He turned and walked out.

And this time, I let him go.

For real.

Forever.

I turned to Cole next.

And my heart cracked all over again — because he looked like he was bracing to shatter too.

His mouth opened.

"Danni, I—"

I held up a hand.

Soft. Gentle.

"Cole."

His name tasted like comfort. Like home.

"You were there. You held my hand. You kissed my hand. And for a second—"

My voice broke.

"For a second, I wanted to believe that meant something more."

His face crumpled.

His fists clenched in his lap.

I reached out — not for romance, but for comfort — and laid my hand over his.

Warm. Solid.

"But I see it clearly now."

"I care about you, Cole — deeply. But it’s not that kind of love."

I swallowed.

"It’s family. It’s like a brother. Like someone who’s part of my bones now. Not someone I’m meant to fall into."

His breath shuddered.

Tears welled in his eyes.

But he nodded.

"Okay," he rasped.

"Okay."

"Least I haven’t lost you completely. I quite enjoy having you around," he said, squeezing my hand.

And I felt it — real and true.

Not bitter.

Not broken.

Just... shifting.

Settling into the place it always should've been.

The air felt lighter.

Like I could breathe for the first time in months.

I let go of his hand and leaned back, chest heaving.

"I’m not picking sides. I’m picking myself."

Cole let out a wet, broken laugh.

"About time, DJ."

His nickname for me made my chest ache — but in a good way this time.

I smiled through my tears.

"Yeah. About time."

And for the first time, the ghosts let go.

The weight lifted.

And I felt free.

Not anyone’s girlfriend.

Not anyone’s second chance.

Just Danni.

Whole.

So when the door clicked shut behind Cole, I sat alone in the quiet.

And for once, the silence didn’t hurt.

It healed.