He sighs heavily, scratching at the back of his neck the way he does whenever he’s nervous or hesitating. Closing his eyes a moment, he bows his head before looking at me once again. “I brought her here tonight because I wanted you to fight for me the way you fought so hard for Nash.”

Wait, what? I stare at him, my mouth opening and closing like a goddamn goldfish, but I’m at a loss for words. And thankfully, he breaks the awkward silence first. “But you didn’t fight for me. Instead, you walked away. And that hurt like hell because I realized I’ll never be the guy you fight for, Murph.”

I stare at him, blinking once. Is he fucking serious right now? “Are you fuckin’ serious right now?” Harley’s eyes widen at my use of profanity, and I slap a hand over my mouth, ashamed of myself before I collect what composure I can. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that out loud.” I shake my head dismissively. “But are you serious?” He just stares at me, not even blinking, so I continue. “You were never mine to fight for, Harley!” I throw my hands in the air. “I told you I was in love with you last night, and it was you who walked away.”

He scoffs once more, offering me an exasperated once-over.

“Why the hell would I fight for someone who never fought for me, even after all these years?” I add.

He’s clearly taken aback by my words, and his brow furrows in confusion as his head cocks to the side, his eyes narrowing as he studies me. “W-what are you even talking about?”

“Nash told me the truth. Everything,” is all I have to say, stubbornly folding my arms across my chest.

The revelation causes the hard look on his face to fall, and he glances down to the ground. I watch as he battles so obviously with his thoughts until finally he looks up at me with an expression of defeat, shrugging a shoulder. “You would’ve never chosen me over him. I saw it in your eyes that very first day, and then you walked off with him while I stayed behind … fighting. For you.”

My heart clenches at his hushed words so full of hurt and pain that I can feel through to my core.

“You were always so smart. You and Nash both were. Y’all were the two meant for each other.” He shrugs again, sadness in his eyes. “I was just the dumb jock.”

“Harley, you’ve never been the dumb jock.”

He laughs once under his breath, looking down again and shaking his head as another heavy silence falls between us.

“Harley.” I finally speak when I know he’s not going to. He peers up at me through his lashes, a sheepish look in his eyes. “When I said I was in love with you last night, I meant it.” I pause for a moment, before continuing, “I’m sorry for what I put you through this week. I’m sorry for not fighting for you. I’m sorry for everything. But mostly what I’m sorry for is not realizing sooner that you’re … you’re the love of my life, because you have been for as long as I can remember.”