chapter 37

Bernard

"I won't be gone long," I told him, pausing to ruffle Ron's hair. "And I'm sure you're going to have a lot of stories to tell me when I get back."

Ron looked up at me. "Do you have to go?"

"I'll be back soon," I repeated with a small smile. "While I'm gone, you be good for your mom, okay? Don't give her a hard time."

"I'll try," Ron replied. He threw his arms around me for a hug, and I held him to me, inhaling the fruity scent of him. A short while later, when he squirmed and drew away, I let him go. Slowly, I rose to my feet and watched him dart back into the apartment, brushing past Rachel, who stood in the doorway.

I still hadn't been able to win her back.

And the divide between us felt stronger and wider than ever.

But I wasn't giving up.

I couldn't.

"I'm sorry about the timing," I began, pausing to shift from one foot to the other. "I wish this was coming at a better time. I tried to postpone it."

Rachel pushed her hair out of her face and cleared her throat. "It's okay.