Zack felt like he was the one who’d just gotten punched. He wished there was something he could do to stop John from saying what he was about to say.

“At the time, I wasn’t sure what I felt for you. Maybe it’s because I’m older and more experienced, but I don’t say things like that on a whim. You, on the other hand, have seemed like you were winging this from the start. I thought I could accept that you’re not as emotionally mature as I am. I know our situation is unique, but as time passed and you still didn’t bring up your aborted confession, I realized you’re not going to grow up anytime soon. I can only be jerked around so much. You made it impossible for me to take you seriously.”

John folded his arms over his chest. “That was one of the most frustrating and hurtful experiences of my life. I didn’t want to give up on us, but you didn’t give me a choice. After that, I stopped giving you my all, since I wasn’t getting yours.”

“So,” Zack said, staring at the floor, “that’s what you meant when you said we weren’t on the same page. That’s why you cheated on me.” He glanced up.

John looked conflicted. “I suppose. The noble part of me wants to believe I was trying to give you an out. If I made a mistake, then you’d finally have the reason to leave that you were waiting for. Then again, I know myself pretty well, and I don’t think I’m that self-sacrificing. I probably did it for good old-fashioned revenge.”

The emotions that swept through Zack left him breathless. Anger, embarrassment, devastation, guilt, and above all else, pain. His vision grayed around the edges with the force of it, and for one humiliating moment he thought his knees were going to buckle.

It must have shown on his face, because John started to stand, but Zack stumbled back, holding his palm up. He didn’t need to speak. His body language was clear: Don’t touch me. Don’t even get near me.

He took several steadying breaths. He could feel John watching him, but he couldn’t bear to meet his gaze.

When his throat unclenched enough for him to speak, he said, “Well, I guess that’s it then. It was nice knowing you.”

John gasped. “Wait, what?”

“I hope things between you and your new PSO work out,” he said, trying and failing to keep the jealousy from his voice. “Obviously I will no longer accept calls from you, either personal or professional, but please feel free to continue using Murmur Inc. I hope you enjoy the full range of services we provide.”

“Are you breaking up with me?”

“You can’t break up with someone that you’re not technically with.”