Chapter 41: Where I Leave You
Craig didn’t fully leave the kitchen. He hovered near the doorway, his phone pressed to his ear, heart thumping louder than he wanted. Adriana was still in the room, her presence a quiet reminder of all he wasn’t supposed to feel.
"Hey," he said, voice low, trying to keep it casual.
"Hi, Craig," Merlina’s voice came through, slow but steady, with that hint of softness he knew so well. "I’ve been waiting to hear from you for a few days... about the tutorials. I know it was supposed to be for three days, but—" She paused, as if weighing every word. "Is it still happening? Or..."
Craig ran a hand through his hair, his gaze flicking toward Adriana, who smiled faintly, oblivious to the tension slicing through the room.
"Honestly... no," he said carefully. "Um...we don’t actually have to do the tutorials, we could skip them. I figured...maybe it’s for the best."
Craig’s grip on the phone tightened, his palm suddenly sweaty.
Maybe it’s for the best ?
The words felt like splinters in his mouth, meant to sound casual, detached, but landing heavier than he expected. He shifted his weight, glancing at the floor like it held some kind of answer. Adriana’s faint hum in the background only made it worse, like a ticking clock counting down his every excuse.
He didn’t want to lie. But he also didn’t trust what might happen if he kept seeing Merlina alone. Not when her voice still had the power to rattle something loose in his chest.
A quiet, awkward pause filled the space between them.
"Hello?" Craig’s voice was softer this time, almost unsure.