Page 42 of A Fighting Chance

He cradled the side of her face and leaned forward.

She stiffened.

“I was only going to kiss you goodnight, Syd,” he said. “What’s wrong? Did I do something?”

She closed her eyes, sending the tears down her cheeks. “No.”

“Then what’s wrong? That was different. You can’t tell me you didn’t feel how different that was.”

“It was.”

“So what’s wrong? Is it…is it someone else?”

Her eyes opened. “Maybe.”

The admission hit him so hard, he had to hide his groan with a winded, “Oh.”

“Joel—”

“No, it’s okay. Good night, Syd.”

He kissed her forehead. Then, before he looked even more pitiful in front of his ex-wife, he left the bed, dressed as best as he could in the dark, and returned to his room. The entire way, his thoughts taunted him:

It’s over.

It’s over.

Sydney’s found someone new.

Joel won’t.

Joel can’t.

Because Joel loves Sydney,

and Sydney used to love Joel.

It’s over.

It’s over.

Sydney’s found someone new.

Joel won’t.

Joel can’t.

Because Sydney’s heart can love again,

but Joel’s heart is so terrified,

it lies.

CHAPTER13

There was more than one reason Ayesha knew Joel crept into Sydney’s room at night.

She stared at the wall that separated her room from Sydney’s. She wasn’t sure if they were just that loud, considering the walls weren’t thin, but she heard every rustle, squeak, gasp, and moan.