For years, change had felt like a threat, a loss of structure, but now—terrifyingly—it didn’t feel impossible.
Now it felt necessary.
The thought of Cameron coming home to an empty flat made my stomach twist violently. Of him reading those lines—those lies—and believing he wasn’t enough to make me stay.
I should go back. No rules, no control, just honesty.
Because if Idon’tgo back and tell him the truth—about my fear, my shame, the way love still feels like a loaded weapon in my hands—I will lose him.
Not because I wasn’t good enough, but because I refused to risk being known.
I stood abruptly, heart hammering, the decision crashing into place with startling clarity.
Running had cost me enough. This time, if I was going to fall?—
I would falltowardshim.
I closed my eyes, breath shuddering out of me, and let the truth settle where it belonged.
Morning couldn’t come fast enough.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Theo
I stoodat the front gate. I had no idea if Cameron was in the flat.
Where else would he be? He’s staying with me because he had nowhere else to go.
I needed to grow a pair, get my arse up those stairs, and put this right. Which pretty much summed up Max’s final words as I’d left him that morning.
Moving from my spot was the hard part. My first instinct was still flight.
Turn around now. Don’t ruin this again.
My chest was tight, my breathing shallow, and my heart was pounding.
I walked up the tiled path, opened the front door, and climbed the stairs. At the top, I went to use my key, then thought against it.
I knocked.
When there was no immediate response, my heart sank.He’s out. Then the door opened and Cameron stood there in an old jumper, joggers, and socks. His expression was guarded.
I’d expected him to be cold.
“Hi.” It was all I could manage.
Cameron gave a single nod. “Hi.”
Fuck, the space between us felt vast.
I didn’t step inside. “I don’t want to barge in. If you don’t want to talk, I’ll go.”
He studied me for a long moment, his eyes moving over my face as if he was checking for fractures, for signs of retreat. Then he stepped back and opened the door wider.
“Come in.”
I shuddered out a sigh of relief and went inside. I set my bag down by the door, then straightened with deliberate care, keeping my hands visible at my sides, as though sudden movement might cause the whole thing to collapse.