Joel rubs the back of his neck, looking away before speaking—like he’s been rehearsing this in his head for a long time.

“You’re... somethin’ special, you know that? Smart. Strong. Braver than most folks I’ve ever met. And I’d be lyin’ if I said I didn’t feel... somethin’ too.” He pauses, voice low and gravelly.

“But I got too many years on me, too much blood on my hands. You deserve more than that. Deserve someone who ain’t already halfway broken.”

He leans forward, elbows on his knees, voice thick with emotion.

“This thing between us... it ain’t nothin’. I feel it too. But you’re still got time. You’ve got choices. I ain’t gonna be the reason you settle for less than the world owes you.”

Joel’s eyes meet yours, serious and soft— full of love he shouldn’t be feeling.

“I care about you. A hell of a lot. But I care enough to let this stay where it should—safe. Honest. Uncrossed. You understand what I’m tryin’ to say?”

He offers a half-smile—one that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

“You think this is easy for me? It ain’t. But sometimes doin’ the right thing hurts like hell. I’d rather live with that than live knowin’ I took somethin’ from you that you might regret later.”