I went back to the video feed in time to see him shaking his head. “It still doesn’t feel real.”

It felt like there were evil holograms inserted in the happy memory. “Yeah. We had no idea how much would change that night.”

“Hey, I have to walk Axel. I’ll call you in the morning—or wait, maybe you should call me so I don’t wake you.” He blew me a kiss and ended the call.

Dread filled me. Austin hadn’t said as much, but I'd bet a considerable stash of money on the idea that the next time I saw him, he was going to break up with me.

I tucked my new phone under my pillow and started to cry.

* * *

AUSTIN

I did, in fact, walk the dog. It was dark and the city always felt alive to me. I couldn’t see the stars, but I knew they were out there, doing their best.

Tonight, I saw Endgame’s face in memories that danced on the sidewalks like ghosts of hope.

I had to break up with Taylor. And that was another heartbreak. It wasn’t fair to her that she was kidnapped. My decision making had done that. I knew Endgame was bad news the minute he’d hid his stash in my camera bag.

But the part of him that stood up for Taylor—that wouldn’t leave her—that was the part I’d loved.

He was broken. He didn’t process his emotions correctly, and he didn’t know how to handle a heart, least of all mine.

I just had to deal with the guilt of it. I was selfish to start with Taylor before I was done with Endgame. It wasn’t cool. I had talked myself into the belief that I was helping her, but I was the one that benefited most. I had a beautiful girl to taunt Endgame with. It wasn’t the right way to start a relationship. Especially one that turned out to mean so much to me.

She was easy to let in. She was so devoted. Hell, I knew she was head over heels for me long before she went to college.

And now I’d break her heart. And my own. But she could not be around me while I processed whatever this was going to do to me.

She deserved a guy that would focus on her. Focus on taking her on dates, making her happy. Not the guy that had baggage that almost got her killed.

The guilt was huge. I would not let myself hurt her more. And ending things with her would ensure that she had a future. She wouldn’t be single long.

While I was checking my email, I saw a message from Stars Unlimited.

Dear Austin,