I barely make it two steps before I feel a hand on my shoulder. I freeze. My body tenses up immediately, my heart pounding in my ears. Every instinct is screaming at me to keep moving, to bolt, but Noah’s grip holds me in place—not forcefully, but enough to stop me from walking out of the dining hall.“Tyler,” he says quietly, his voice calm. “Wait.”I don’t turn around. I can’t. I don’t want to see whatever look is on his face—sympathy, concern, whatever. I’m not here for that. I’m not here to be someone’s charity case.“Let go,” I mutter, but even I can hear the shake in my voice.Noah doesn’t move his hand. Instead, he takes a step closer, his other hand coming up to my other shoulder. It’s gentle, but solid—like he’s not going to let me go until I listen.“Tyler, just stop for a second,” he says, his voice low, meant just for me. “You don’t have to keep running.”I stand there, stiff, not wanting to admit how much his touch is grounding me. It’s not like Landon’s overpowering pres
Last Updated : 2025-01-20 Read more