CHAPTER 10

The echo of Kieran’s car fades into the distance, but I don’t move right away. The streetlights flicker on, casting a dull glow over the pavement. The night feels different somehow, like something shifted without me realizing it.

I inhale deeply, trying to shake the lingering weight of the evening.

It doesn’t work.

By the time I step inside, the apartment feels colder than usual. The silence is too loud, pressing against me in a way it never has before. I set my keys down on the counter, staring at them like they hold some kind of answer.

They don’t.

With a sigh, I shrug off my jacket and head to the kitchen. Maybe food will help. Maybe sleep. Maybe neither.

I open the fridge, scan the shelves, and immediately lose interest. My mind is still on Kieran—on the way his voice softened when he said, I will be.

He’s not okay.

Not really.

And maybe I should’ve pushed for more. Maybe I should’ve made him talk instead of letting the moment slip away.

I rub my temples, annoyed at myself.

I don’t have the energy to analyze this right now.

Instead, I settle for grabbing a bottle of water and sinking onto the couch. The city hums outside my window—cars moving, people laughing, life continuing like always. But for once, it feels distant, like I’m on the outside looking in.

I take a sip of water, resting my head against the cushion.

Just as my body starts to relax, my phone buzzes.

I hesitate before picking it up.

A text from Kieran.

Kieran: Did you make it inside, or did you get distracted by another existential crisis?

I huff out a laugh, shaking my head.

Me: Shocking, but I survived.

Kieran: Impressive. I was ready to start planning your funeral.

Me: Would’ve been a real shame to miss that. Bet you had a whole speech ready.

Kieran: Obviously. Something poetic. Lots of tears.

Me: I’d expect nothing less.

There’s a pause before his next message comes through.

Kieran: Try to sleep, yeah?

My fingers hover over the keyboard.

It’s a simple message, nothing dramatic, but it catches me off guard.

I should just reply with a quick yeah and leave it at that.

Instead, I type:

Me: You too.

Three dots appear, like he’s about to respond—then they disappear.

I stare at my phone for a second longer before setting it aside.

I don’t know why my chest feels tight.

But I do know that sleep won’t come easy tonight.

The Next Morning

The alarm blares, yanking me from restless dreams. I groan, slamming my hand down on my phone until the noise stops.

I barely remember falling asleep, but judging by how exhausted I feel, it couldn’t have been for long.

Dragging myself out of bed, I go through the motions—shower, coffee, pretending I have my life together. By the time I step outside, the world is already awake, the streets buzzing with early commuters.

I make it to work with two minutes to spare, slipping through the front doors just as my coworker, Jenna, waves me down.

“You’re late,” she teases.

I roll my eyes. “Two minutes is still on time.”

She grins. “Not when you have a meeting with the boss in ten.”

I freeze mid-step. “What?”

Jenna smirks. “Relax. He just wants updates on the project. But you might want to grab an extra coffee before heading in.”

I groan, rubbing my temples. “Great. Exactly what I needed this morning.”

She laughs, tossing me a knowing look before disappearing down the hall.

Sighing, I make my way to the break room, determined to at least face the meeting with caffeine in hand.

But as I reach for the coffee pot, my phone vibrates.

I glance down.

Another text from Kieran.

Kieran: Don’t die at work.

I blink.

Then, before I can stop myself, I smile.

Me: No promises.

Later That Night

I don’t expect to see him.

Not here, not now.

But as I step outside, the cool air brushing against my skin, I spot him leaning against his car across the street.

Kieran.

His hands are tucked in his pockets, head tilted slightly as he watches me. Like he knew I’d be here. Like he was waiting.

I hesitate before crossing the street.

“What are you doing here?” I ask when I reach him.

Kieran shrugs. “Had a feeling you could use an escape.”

I narrow my eyes. “And you’re suddenly psychic now?”

“Something like that.”

I study him, trying to read between the lines. He looks the same as always—calm, collected, that ever-present smirk lingering at the corner of his lips. But there’s something in his eyes. Something quieter.

“Come on,” he says, nodding toward the car.

I hesitate. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

A familiar answer.

And maybe I should say no. Maybe I should go home, crawl into bed, and pretend I don’t feel like I’m standing on the edge of something I can’t name.

But I don’t.

Instead, I get in the car.

Kieran slides in beside me, starts the engine, and pulls away from the curb.

Neither of us speak for the first few minutes. The city lights blur past, casting shifting patterns of gold and white across the windshield.

Eventually, I break the silence.

“Kieran.”

He hums in acknowledgment but doesn’t look away from the road.

“Where are we going?”

A pause.

Then: “Somewhere quiet.”

I frown, turning to face him fully. “You don’t even know where that is, do you?”

Kieran smirks. “Guess we’ll find out.”

I shake my head, but I don’t argue.

We drive.

And for the first time in a long time, I don’t feel lost.

I just feel found.