POV: Ryan
The days after the fight blurred into a gray haze. I deleted Lena’s number. Blocked it too, then unblocked it just to block it again. Every time my phone buzzed, my chest tightened, hoping it was her even though I knew it couldn’t be. I’d cut contact completely. No texts. No calls. No more “helping” with house repairs or backyard beers. Ethan’s words still rang in my ears: Stay away from us.
I respected that. Or at least I was trying to. I’d already f****d up their marriage enough. The guilt gnawed at me constantly, worse than any hangover. Ethan had been my brother for years, and I’d crossed every line there was. For what? A few nights of heaven that turned into this hell.
Packing boxes in my apartment felt like the only right move. A buddy from out of state had offered me a
