He didn't want to be another silent voice driving himself crazy with unspoken words. He didn’t want to be the man who tried to hurt her just to protect his own fragile ego.
There was a long, agonizing pause on the other end of the line. Leo held his breath, watching a blinking star directly above her building.
He thought about everything she had taught him. She had shown him what it meant to be present, to be vulnerable, and to care without keeping score. Her love had sent his chaotic future into clearer dimensions, mapping out a life he was now terrified of losing. Simply Red - Stars lyrics
He arrived at her building, his breath visible in the cold air. He looked up at her third-story window. The light was on.
“Too many hearts are broken, Leo. A lover’s promise never came with a maybe.” He didn't want to be another silent voice
Taking a deep, stabilizing breath, he pulled out his phone and called her. He didn't wait for her to speak when she picked up.
Leo pulled his collar up against the wind and started walking toward her apartment. He wasn't going to offer another non-committal "maybe" or a carefully guarded half-truth. Leo held his breath, watching a blinking star
The neon sign of the corner diner buzzed, humming a low, electric frequency that matched the restless energy in Leo’s chest. He stared at the empty vinyl booth across from him, replaying the conversation that had fractured everything between them.