Chapter 19

What else had I missed?

The thought brought a huge knot to my stomach, and I rubbed it with my free hand. Had I been so wrapped up in my pain it hadn’t even occurred to me that I, too, had had a part in us breaking up? Had I taken him and his feelings for granted? Acid burned in my throat as I whispered, “What about it?”

“I need to be more open. Talk to you about my thoughts and feelings for us to work.” He stroked his thumb on my hand, with a thoughtful look on his face.

“You did tell me your feelings.” I had never doubted his love for me. Maybe if I had, I wouldn’t have been so devastated when he left.

“Yes, when it came to us. But there was other stuff…” He lifted our joined hands and pressed them to his heart. “I wanted to spare you from shit outside our bubble. I was wrong to do that.”

“I…yeah.” I didn’t know what to say. His openness had sparked a doubt within me. I had to think. I needed my piano.