Page 129 of Sing For Me

“That’s bullshit,” I shoot back. “Don’t you dare blame my schedule—which isn’t even a factor yet—for you wanting out of this.”

He clenches his jaw. “You’re right. I can…I can just see how this is going to go, Eva. And I know it won’t work.”

“You meanyouwon’t work,” I yell, wiping at the hot tears that have only just started to fall. I don’t care anymore that he sees them. He’s breaking my heart and I want him to know it. “You won’t work on the things that scare you—talking and being vulnerable.”

He looks away, hands tightening to fists at his sides. “It comes down to the same thing, doesn’t it? This relationship was a bad idea from the start.”

I just stare at him while I silently cry, unable to believe he’s actually saying these things.

“Will,” I finally whisper, needing him to look at me, needing to see his eyes so I can try to figure out what’s going on. But he doesn’t turn, doesn’t give me his eyes. He’s closed off, checked out. Almost like he’s already gone.

“If you really think that,” I choke out, feeling my heart start to crack down the middle, “then you should go.”

He doesn’t say a word. Doesn’t apologize for ripping me apart. Doesn’t kiss me goodbye. Just walks silently into the bedroom. I hear the soft noises of clothing being pulled on and a moment later, he’s returned, fully dressed.

“I’m sorry, Eva,” he mutters, still not looking at me. “I never should have pushed you into this.”

“You didn’t push me,” I shoot back, trying to instill every bit of anger and pain into my voice, needing him to know exactly what he’s doing here. “Iwantedto be with you. Wanted this badly enough to battle through a hell of a lot of personal demons. Wanted this badly enough tofightfor it.” I swallow back a sob. “I just wish you’d been willing to fight a little bit, too.”

He stands there for a moment and I wonder if maybe he’ll take it all back. If maybe he’ll pull me into his arms and promise we can get through whatever it is that’s holding him back.

But this isn’t one of my sappy love songs. This is real life. And in real life, Will Ransome looks up at me one last time, his blue eyes so heartbreakingly sad I can’t even breathe, and says goodbye.