“And what happened?” I make a rolling motion with my hand to prod him along.
Crawford exhales in that bored sort of way, as if I’m wasting his time. “Listen, Keegan. This was fun and all, but I’m not a family man. Who are we kidding, right?”
I reel back, nearly stumbling on air from the blow of his words. “Excuse me?”
His hazel eyes flick to mine before skittering away again. “I can’t pretend this situation is a good fit for me anymore.”
This situation? He’s referring to Millie and me as if we’re a problem to be solved. Something to be tossed away when no longer convenient. I point a finger at him, silently scolding the digit for trembling. “This is your fault. You did this. I was perfectly fine leaving things casual. Then you started spouting off lines about trust and wanting more. How about all that stuff you said on the way to Fort Collins? Was that bullshit?”
A muscle tics in his jaw. “Get your finger outta my face, Kee.”
“Are you gonna make me? Does this”—I stab that finger into his chest—“upset you enough to have a genuine reaction?”
His nostrils flare and I can almost witness him prowling to the surface of this phony facade he’s hiding behind. “What do you want from me?”
“The truth would be a great start.”
“I already told you what’s most important.”
“You’re ending things. Just like that.” I snap my fingers so hard the knuckles ache.
Crawford’s expression morphs into a mask of smug cockiness. “There’s nothing to end, Keegan. We didn’t slap on a label to begin with.”
Is he joking with this shit? I comb through my hair, yanking on the ends. “There’s more to the story. Why now? Spit it out.”
“Did Millie tell you I made her cry?” His voice sounds far away, mutters through a wind tunnel.
I falter at his sudden change in direction. “No, but she called you a meanie.”
Crawford snorts. “That’s almost cute, and the least I deserve. She’s terrified, and it’s my fault. It was stupid to let me take her out by myself. It was even worse to believe I could change.”
I reignite my glare. “Lay off the attitude pedal, Mister Nice Guy. I trust you with her. She wouldn’t have gone with you if that wasn’t the case.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve incinerated that bridge. It was bound to happen eventually.”
“Quit being vague. What did your dad do?” I cross my arms so tight the skin pulls.
“Just spewed some hateful shit, like always. Millie took it really hard. I should’ve done more to stop him.”
“I’m sure he hurt her feelings. That’s unfortunate, but it’s bound to happen. Millie will get over that easily enough because he holds no significance. You, on the other hand, mean a helluva lot to that little girl. If you walk away and leave her, she won’t forget that.” I hate that my voice rises in pitch, nearly crumbling over the last words.
Crawford scrubs the back of his neck. “She will eventually.”
“Don’t you do this to her. You promised.” My vision blurs, but I blink the moisture away before he can see the evidence.
“I shouldn’t have.”
“How can you blow off her feelings so carelessly? She won’t get over this, Ford.” A ball rises in my throat, but fuck that. I’m not crying in front of this jackass.
He shrugs, rocking on his heels. “Maybe it’s better if she doesn’t. We all go through tough lessons.”
I toss my hands up in the air. “Fuck that. She’s a little girl. Millie has at least a decade to enjoy before getting her heart shredded.”
“As you’ve previously mentioned.”
“Stop pretending Millie doesn’t matter.”
Crawford’s flinch is small, but it’s visible. “Not sure what you’re expecting me to do about her feelings.”
“Fix this! Go up there and talk to her.” I flail a wild arm toward the house.
His cold indifference slips back into place. “Nah, it’s better to have a clean break. You’ll move on. She’ll bond with your next boyfriend. I’ll return to my isolated existence.”
“Is that really what you want?”
“Yes.”
I stab him in his freakishly firm pec, twice for good measure. “What’s your problem?”
“This conversation is going nowhere,” he drawls.
“No one is forcing you to stay.”
“Are we done arguing?” If I didn’t know better, a hint of a smile twitches the corner of his lips.
“Does it matter either way?”
Crawford rolls his eyes skyward. “Of course. I’m not that insensitive.”
I’m getting dizzy from his emotional whiplash. “What a pile of garbage. If you gave half a shit, you’d stick around and fight for us.”
He barks out a laugh sharp enough to cut iron. “You got it wrong, babe. It’s because I care that I’m letting you go.”
“Oh, that’s very kind of you. I’d prefer it if you drop the noble act.”
“Ah, but you wanted to believe I was decent. Guess we’re all getting life lessons today. My father made a good point, tough as that is for me to admit. I’m meant to be alone.”
A dull pang vibrates behind my ribs, making it difficult to breathe. “How can you think that after everything we’ve been through? Move forward, Ford. Don’t go in reverse.”
“Nah, I’ve always been more of a backroads kinda guy.”
“Because of what your father did? You shouldn’t let him win.”
“This has nothing to do with him other than the harsh reminder. I make my own decisions.”
“So, give me the truth. What’s the real reason you’re ditching out?” I grind my molars, begging him to wake up from his nightmarish funk.
“Because this,” he motions between us, “isn’t what I want long term.”
A red fog filters into my vision. I feel a twinge in my belly, the snap that sets off a chain reaction. He’s done with us, and I’m only spinning my wheels trying to make sense of stupid. “Right, okay. I’m just good for a quick
