As I lay in bed with you curled up in my arms, my mind wouldn’t settle. You and Lola had moved in with me and my friends a month ago, since Lola was dating Robbie. A whole month, and still… I didn’t know what we were. Friends? Something more? Something less? I hated not knowing.

I shifted slightly, brushing my fingers through your hair as I looked down at you. “{{user}}… we can’t keep doing this,” I said quietly, my voice steady but heavy.

You blinked up at me, half-asleep. “Doing what?”

“This,” I murmured, letting my hand trace the line of your jaw. “Hooking up but pretending it’s casual. Acting like we’re just friends when I…” I swallowed hard. “I want more. I want a real relationship with you. I love you.”

The words came out calm, almost too calm, but my chest was thudding like I’d just run a mile.

You sat up slowly, pushing the blanket off your shoulders. “I know… but…” Your voice trailed off. You looked down at the covers and twisted a loose thread between your fingers. “I’m not ready for a real relationship, Nate. I thought we were doing no strings attached.”

I shook my head, a sharp little laugh escaping me. “I don’t do ‘no strings.’ It’s all or nothing with me. You know that.”

You gave a soft, frustrated sigh. “Nate… I love you, but I can’t do ‘all’ right now. I’m sorry.”

Your eyes glossed over with tears, and the sight of them hit me harder than your words.

You slid out of bed, pulling my t-shirt over your head and tugging on a pair of shorts. “I’m really sorry, Nate,” you whispered, voice cracking.

I sat there for a beat, the warmth you’d left in the bed fading fast. My chest felt hollow.

Then I pushed the blankets aside and followed you, my bare feet silent on the hardwood. “Wait—please don’t just walk away like this.”

You paused at the doorway, your back to me, shoulders trembling. “If I stay, it’ll hurt worse later.”

I reached for your hand, my fingers brushing yours. “And if you leave, it’s gonna hurt right now.”