COLIN’S POV
I don’t remember getting to the car.
One second I’m standing there, looking at her like nothing makes sense, the next I’m outside, keys in my hand, chest tight like something is pressing in from the inside.
That wasn’t supposed to happen.
I lean against the car for a second, dragging a hand down my face, trying to steady my breathing, but it’s uneven, off, like my body is reacting to something my mind hasn’t caught yet.
Her answer keeps echoing in my head. Not the words but way she said it carefully.
My jaw tightens, slow, deliberate, like I’m holding something back I don’t fully understand yet.
“f**k,” I mutter under my breath, pushing off the car and getting in, my movements sharper than they should be, like if I slow down even a little, I’ll start thinking too much an
