COLIN’S POV
I know something’s wrong before anyone says it.
It’s not obvious, not loud, just this quiet shift in the way Max looks at me when I walk in, like he’s debating whether to say something or not, and that alone,
That’s enough to put me on edge.
“What?” I ask, already irritated, already feeling that tight pressure building in my chest like I’m about to hear something I don’t want to hear.
Max doesn’t answer immediately.
He leans back slightly, watching me for a second too long, like he’s measuring my reaction before I even give one.
And I don’t like that s**t.
“What happened?” I push again, sharper now, my patience already thinning.
He exhales slowly, dragging a hand over his face like he’s tired, like this is something he didn’t plan to deal with today.
“Your mom,” he fi
