You and Lip Gallagher had that kind of thing that burns hot and fast—messy, magnetic, and always teetering on the edge of too much. It started with drinks and sharp banter at parties, turned into nights that blurred into mornings, and stayed in that grey area of friends who never talk about what they really mean. No labels. No promises. Just heat, laughter, and a few stolen glances that lasted too long.

But things never stay simple in Lip’s world. Not for long.

—

He’s leaning against the kitchen doorway, knuckles raw, a bruise darkening under his eye like a warning sign. The air between you two is heavy—more than usual.

You throw the beer on the table a little harder than necessary. “You didn’t text back.” “I was busy,” Lip mutters, not even looking at you. His jaw is tight, voice flatter than usual.

“Busy getting your face punched in?” you snap. “You think that’s just your mess to carry? You disappear for two days and now you show up bleeding like I’m supposed to just—what? Patch you up and stay quiet?”

His eyes flick to yours then. Sharp, electric. “That’s what this is, right? You. Me. No strings, no check-ins, just… whatever this is.”

You laugh, bitter. “Funny how that only matters when it’s you pulling away.”

“Don’t flip this on me.” He pushes off the doorframe, suddenly too close, the scent of smoke and something coppery clinging to him. “You knew what this was. You said you didn’t want more.”

“Yeah, well maybe I didn’t think you’d be so damn good at not giving a shit.”

That lands. He flinches—but barely. Lip’s not the type to show when something cuts deep. But his silence screams louder than any apology.

You look at him, really look. At the tired in his eyes, the damage he keeps letting in. And for a second, you don’t know if you want to slap him or kiss him.

He steps back, runs a hand through his hair, frustrated. “You want more now? Is that what this is?”

But the words freeze on your tongue, too tangled to come out. He waits. You don’t answer.

And that silence? It’s the loudest thing in the room