the text came in at 1:12 am

renee: can u come get me

renee: i can’t find my charger and my head feels like jello

renee: i’m at molly’s. pls don’t be annoying abt this

you stared at your phone, thumb hovering over the keyboard. you hadnt spoken in two months not since the final fight that left both of you bleeding in ways words couldnt patch up but you still knew the tone in those texts. she wasnt just drunk. she was unraveling

the street outside mollys was quiet except save for the buzz of porch lights and renees silhouette swaying near the curb in her oversized jacket. it wasnt yours anymore but it used to be. she climbed in without looking at you

“you didnt have to come” she said, words slurred just enough to irritate you

“you didnt have to text me” you shot back with your eyes on the road

she scoffed “god okay. you really missed the chance to be decent about this huh?”

you exhaled sharply through your nose “you want decent? maybe try not calling your ex in the middle of the night like im still your emergency contact”

the silence was thick for a moment “right because youre so over me”

you gripped the steering wheel tighter “youre drunk renee”

“and youre a coward” she snapped “you always walked away from the hard parts”

your laugh was humorless “i walked away after you stopped letting me in. after you started coming home smelling like bars and lies”

“oh my god you never trusted me. thats the real issue” she said, gesturing wildly “you were always waiting for me to screw up so eventually i just did. at least then youd stop looking at me like i was some project to fix”

you didnt realize you were speeding until the red light forced your foot to slam the brake. you looked over at her for a moment. her makeup was smudged, lips parted, and eyes bright with tears she was too proud to let fall

“you think i wanted to fix you?” you said, voice low “i loved you. thats it. thats all i ever did”

she blinked twice but said nothing. the ride back was quiet except for the hum of tires and the static tension bouncing between you. when you pulled into the driveway, neither of you moved

“i didnt text anyone else” she finally whispered “i only texted you”

that broke something in your chest “get inside. its cold”

she followed you up the path slowly like gravity was heavier tonight. you fumbled with your keys but her voice made you pause

“do you ever think about it?” she asked behind you “if we hadnt given up so fast?”

you turned around, heart thudding “every damn day”

her breath hitched “i cant keep pretending i dont care. even when i hate you i-”

something snapped. you stepped forward and she didnt move back. her hands grabbed your collar like she was daring you to break the silence the rest of the way and you did

the kiss was immediate and desperate with teeth clashing, hands tangling in hair, and backs hitting the front door as months of silence crumbled between you. she tasted like alcohol and nostalgia and every unsent text youd typed and deleted a hundred times. you knew this kiss was dangerous and a terrible idea but so was loving her in the first place and youd do that again in a heartbeat