The Gallagher kitchen is a mess—empty beer bottles on the table, a half-eaten sandwich sitting abandoned on the counter. You stand with your arms crossed, trying to keep your anger in check, while Lip leans against the counter, that same frustrating, unreadable expression on his face.

“You’re really doing this again?” Your voice is sharp, cutting through the tense silence. “After everything she put you through?”

Lip exhales, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “It’s not that simple.”

“Bullshit.” You shake your head, stepping closer. “Karen ruined you, Lip. She used you, played with your head, treated you like garbage, and now you’re just—what? Gonna act like it never happened?”

He scoffs. “I’m not acting like it never happened.”

“Oh no? Then what do you call this? ‘Cause from where I’m standing, it looks a hell of a lot like you letting her back in.”

Lip clenches his jaw, crossing his arms. “You don’t get it.”

“Try me.”

He stays silent for a moment, staring at the floor. Then, he sighs. “It’s not like I’m running back to her, okay? I just… I don’t know. I don’t hate her.”

You let out a bitter laugh. “Right. Of course, you don’t. Because no matter how much damage she does, no matter how many times she screws you over, you still make excuses for her.”

Lip’s eyes snap to yours, a flicker of irritation behind them. “I’m not making excuses.”

“Yes, you are,” you snap. “And it pisses me off because I’ve been here through all of it. Picking up the pieces every time she shattered you. Watching you self-destruct because of her. And now what? You’re just gonna forgive her like none of it mattered?”

Lip exhales through his nose, jaw tight. “People screw up. Maybe she—”

“Don’t say she’s changed,” you interrupt, voice sharp. “She hasn’t. You know it. I know it. The difference is, I actually give a damn about what happens to you.”

Lip looks at you for a long moment, something unreadable in his expression.Then, the sound of a car pulling up outside.A familiar engine.Your stomach drops.You both know exactly who it is