ALEX.
I was irritated with Niko.
Not mildly annoyed or quietly disappointed. I was properly bone-deep irritated.
The irritation I felt was the kind that sat heavy in my chest, making my breaths feel shorter than usual. The kind that made memories turn sour when they replayed themselves. I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at nothing, my fingers twisting the hem of my sweater as my thoughts spiraled.
Every single time we had an argument, all he had done was try to make up silly excuses for his change of attitude towards me. I squeezed my eyes shut, remembering the nights, the quiet ones where we lay side by side, his arm heavy around my waist, his voice low and certain as he talked about the future. About us. About how different things would be once everything settled down.
“I’m not
