92

PHIN -

I couldn't just apologize. Saying sorry would be a cop-out. Something lazy, something too easy for the mess I'd made. I was the one who pushed her, who kept going until she shut down.

Hell, I hated myself for it, and not just for hurting Viv, but for becoming the very guy I swore I'd never be again. That guy who was more like my old man. The guy who shoved everything onto others, expected them to carry his load while he wallowed in his own misery.

I'd seen the looks already. The pack was scared.

I wasn't just breaking down. I was dragging them all with me already. And I hated that. I didn't want Viv tied to that man. The man who couldn't control himself, who lashed out because he was too damn stubborn to confront his demons. I didn't want her stuck with that version of me.

I had to do something, but I couldn't figure out what. Saying sorry wouldn't cut it. I'd said it before, too many times.

This time, I had to show her.

"Run." The word crept into my thoughts. It was ridicul