He shakes his head, and I keep going, the truth I have to admit burning in my throat.
I let it free.
"I'm crazy about you," I admit, the words hoarse. "I don't know how, but I am. I am, Lachlan. I've tried to fight it, and I can't. I've tried to bury my feelings, but they keep coming back." I shake my head, my voice wavering. "I don't know how to explain it. But I swear, I don't want you to leave, to go away and be alone. I don't want that."
"And I don't want you to be with me."
His words knife into me, and I'm not sure how to process them. I shake my head. "Why?"
"Because I don't deserve you. Because I didn't deserve you. I should have told you everything sooner. Spoken to you sooner. Should have listened." He bites his lip. "I don't want to be your whatever. I don't want to be the m
