What if I gave myself to them—truly gave myself—and they changed?
What if I became someone they couldn’t hold?
What if I changed?
So I kept a wall up. I smiled. I flirted. I teased. I stayed just close enough to feel their warmth, but far enough to avoid the fire.
Rafe didn’t say anything. He didn’t interrupt. He just listened.
“I build myself back in pieces every day. Brick by brick. And it’s exhausting,” I went on, voice cracking. “And when I see you two—when I feel this—it scares me. Because what if I mess it up? What if I go all in and get broken again?”
“You won’t,” he said, stepping closer. His hand brushed my elbow, light as breath. “Not with us. You know that, Keya. We would never do that to you.”
I wanted to believe, but something in me stopped me.
“I don’t know anything a
