I feel weird, like the Damien I buried years ago is clawing his way back to life just from seeing Kyle again. My chest twists as the elevator climbs, my mind drowning in memories I swore I'd burned.
Clink.
My floor.
I drag myself down the hallway, unlock my door, and freeze.
Jimmy is already inside, sitting on the couch. The moment he sees me, he jumps to his feet. His face is pale, his eyes fierce as he grabs my hand.
"Why the hell didn't you pick up the phone?"
I stare at him, speechless for a moment. Shouldn't I be the one asking that? Without a word, I pull my broken phone from my pocket and shove it toward him. The screen is shattered, lifeless.
He studies it, then his eyes scan over me like he's looking for proof of something worse.
"I didn't sleep with anyone," I say flatly, pulling my hand back. With a sigh, I walk past him and drop onto the couch.
"You don't know how much I worried last night," he says, his voice tight. "When I saw your message, I searched everywhere. I called you again and again, but you didn't answer. I thought…" His words trail off.
"You thought what?" My voice sharpens, anger rushing through me. "That someone dragged me to a hotel and took advantage of me?"
Jimmy sighs, sinking onto the couch beside me.
"And what about you?" I snap. "What the hell is wrong with you? Ignoring me for a week, not answering my calls—shouldn't I be the one who's angry here?"
He doesn't answer. His gaze drops to the floor. Then, quietly, he leans against me, resting his head on my shoulder.
"I'm sorry," he whispers. "I felt… embarrassed. That's why."
I turn to look at him, frustration softening into something else. "I'm sorry too. I just wanted to help you that day. I didn't mean for it to be—"
His fingers press against my lips, silencing me.
"Shh. No explanations," he murmurs. "Just stay like this. It feels better."
I fall quiet, my heart beating too fast. For once, I don't push back. I don't fight. I just sit there, letting him lean against me, wondering if silence really is the safest choice.
We sit together in silence for a while until Jimmy finally speaks. "Dane, are you hungry?"
I nod. He stands and says, "Take a shower. I'll make breakfast."
A small smile touches my lips. "It's been a while since I ate your breakfast. I miss it."
His eyes linger on me for a moment before he says, "Let's live together again. Move back to my place."
The words hit me hard. My chest tightens as I stare at him in shock. "What? You want me to move in with you? But… doesn't your girlfriend live there?"
Jimmy pours himself a glass of water, lifts it slowly, and drinks without looking at me. His voice is calm, almost too calm. "We broke up."
My eyes widen. "Wait. When? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Two months ago," he replies.
"And you're telling me only now?" My voice trembles with disbelief.
He sets the glass down and meets my gaze directly. "It wasn't necessary. Just move out of here. This place is full of dirtbags and bastards. You don't belong here."
I let out a short laugh, trying to ease the heaviness in the air. "Hey, it's a peaceful place."
His expression doesn't change. "Do you really think it's peaceful? Do you think it's safe for you?"
I glance around at the small apartment. The walls are worn, the building is old, but it has been my shelter. "I've lived here for more than a year, Jimmy. I never noticed anything dangerous. No thieves, no addicts."
But he doesn't smile. His voice grows sharper. "Just pack your things and move to my place."
I study him quietly. He isn't asking me—he's telling me. There's a storm in his eyes that I don't want to provoke. So instead of arguing, I pick up a towel and walk toward the bathroom. Sometimes silence is better than pushing him further.
After two days I move in with Jimmy. I step inside his apartment and glance around, a smile pulling at my lips. "Hey, it's the same as before."
Jimmy follows me in, his tone casual. "Let me help you set up your clothes in the closet. After that, let's go out for dinner. My treat."
I laugh with a spark of joy. "Oh, is this my welcome party?"
He opens my luggage and starts folding my clothes into the closet. "Think whatever you want," he replies dryly.
I wander further inside and pause, frowning. Something feels different. The apartment looks almost the same, but when my eyes land on the bedroom, I freeze. There's only one bed.
Back then, when we lived together, there were two. Side by side, but separate. Now, just one.
Ah… of course. His girlfriend used to live here. They must have shared this bed. That explains everything.
I clear my throat. "Hey, Jimmy… shouldn't we order two single beds again, like before? There's only one here."
He glances at the bed, unfazed. "Why? It's big. We can sleep together."
I stare at him, completely speechless. "What? No. I want my own bed. I'm not sharing with you."
Jimmy doesn't flinch. His voice comes flat, firm. "Then sleep on the floor."
Heat rises inside me, my patience snapping. He made me move in, and now he wants me to sleep on the floor? My chest burns as I shout, "I'm not going to sleep on the floor!"
He doesn't even look at me. "Don't be so dramatic. The bed is big enough. We can share it."
I exhale sharply, defeated, and turn away. "Fine." My steps carry me to the balcony, where the night air greets me with cool relief. The view stretches wide, the sea glimmering in the distance. My shoulders loosen as I lean on the railing. "I missed this… my old place didn't have a view like this."
Jimmy joins me, standing close, his presence solid beside mine. "What are you smiling at out there?"
"After so long, I get to see the sea again," I say softly. "It feels good. I really missed it."
A small smile tugs at his lips. "Then get used to it again. You're going to live here forever."
The word pierces me. Forever. My smile fades. My heart clenches with an old memory I don't want to touch. I repeat the word under my breath. "Forever…"
He notices the change in my face. "What happened?"
"Nothing," I lie. But inside, the word lingers, stirring ghosts I thought I'd buried. Forever isn't real. It only hurts.