Feeling like I was on autopilot, I pushed to my feet anyway before making my way over. Closer now, I could see her shoulders trembling. “Hey.” Braxton whirled at the sound of my voice, her brown eyes rounder and brighter than ever. She was like a goddamn vortex, pulling me in and swallowing me whole. “Ready?” I could already read the lie on her lips, but then she surprised me when her shoulders slumped, and the truth came tumbling out. “Honestly? I’m not sure.” Cringing, she looked ready to take it back and assure me that she could do this. I knew she could, but clearly, she didn’t. “Stop.”
