stopped when she saw me holding her phone.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then she sighed.
Not ashamed.
Annoyed.
“His name is Derek.”
I nodded.
“I heard.”
“He’s not just some guy.”
“I figured.”
“He owns Apex Predator.”
“The gym?”
“Yes.”
I placed her phone gently on the counter.
Claire crossed her arms.
“You’ve been different for years, Cole.”
“I know.”
“You’re quiet. You don’t go anywhere. You come home from work, eat dinner, watch television, and go to bed.”
“I know.”
“I feel like I’m married to a corpse.”
That one landed differently.
Not because it was cruel.
Because part of me knew exactly why I’d become quiet.
I had spent my twenties in places where being loud got people killed.
I’d learned to sleep lightly.
To watch doors.
To listen for footsteps.
To recognize the difference between fireworks and incoming fire.
I had learned that panic
