“I went to get justice for you because you didn’t get it for yourself.”

“I never asked you to do that! And you didn’t do it for me, you did it for yourself, to ease your own guilt because you couldn’t save me. I forgave Ryan for what he did to me. I didn’t want to wake up with hate in my heart. Even though I’m still healing from those wounds. I left him in the past. You decided to take matters into your own hands. I never asked you to try to be a hero and get back at him. Don’t use me as a way to justify your actions.” I tuck my hair behind my ears.

We’re quiet. He rubs the back of his neck like he does when he’s stressed out.

“You’re an alcoholic. I love you, Gunner. But I can’t keep turning a blind eye to your drinking or keep making excuses for it. I understand you have PTSD, and I don’t love you any less. In fact, I love you even more because it takes a strong person to wake up every morning to face their demons, to go out into the world and try to function when your mind is fighting its own battle. But you’re using liquor as a crutch, and at the end of the day you’ll choose your poison over me every time.” I grab my backpack from the floor and sling it over my shoulder. “I’m not sticking around to watch you destroy yourself.”

I avoid looking at him because if I do I’ll change my mind. Liquor is his addiction, and he’s mine. We both need to check into rehab.

“Don’t leave me, Gia. We can work this out!” His words sucker punch me in the gut.

“I’ll need a few days to move my stuff out of the condo.”

“No, I gave it to you.”

“I don’t want it. Take it out of my name.” I close my eyes as I rest my hand on the silver doorknob, and I can’t keep these stupid tears from falling down my face.

“If you leave, you’ll be taking a piece of my heart with you.”

I look back at him as tears sit at the corners of his eyes. Sorrow slices through his face. He looks like a broken God. A broken God who lost his soul. My throat clogs with lumps the size of the Titanic. Instead of responding, I leave the room.

Once I’m outside, I call an Uber and wait next to his black mailbox. Raindrops fall freely from the sky, soaking my hair and clothes. I hope it can absorb the pain in my chest that Gunner left there.