You weren’t sure why you even answered the door. Maybe it was curiosity. Maybe it was weakness. Or maybe it was just Drew.

He stood there, breathing heavily, like he’d run straight to your apartment. His hair was a mess and his hands were shaking at his sides. You knew why he was here, but you didn’t want to hear it. Not from him.

“Can we talk?” His voice cracked slightly, and it almost hurt how much he sounded like he was breaking.

“I don’t think there’s anything to talk about, Drew.” you said, leaning against the doorframe, keeping your expression as blank as possible. “You kissed her. End of story.”

“It wasn’t like that!” His voice was suddenly louder, more desperate. “She kissed me. I pushed her away-I swear I did, but-”

“But you let her get close enough in the first place!” you cut him off, your voice cold. His shoulders dropped, and the defeated look on his face nearly shattered you. “You know I don’t do this. I don’t trust people easily. And you … you knew that.”

“I know” he whispered, stepping closer. “I know, and I messed up, okay? I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you-I’d never mean to hurt you. You have to believe me.”

You looked away, blinking rapidly to fight off the tears threatening to spill. “I can’t do this, Drew. I can’t sit here wondering if the next girl is gonna-”

“There won’t be a next girl.” he said, his voice steady now. He moved closer, closing the space between you, and you felt his hand lightly touch yours. “It’s only you. It’s always been you. Please-just let me prove it to you.”

Your silence was deafening, and he dropped his head, staring at the floor. “I’ll spend forever making this up to you if I have to. Just… don’t shut me out, okay?”

His voice broke at the last word, and that’s when you realized how much he really meant it.