“I shake my head, already knowing where this is going. “I’m not chasing her anymore.” Carter scoffs. “You never chased her, man. You showed up for her. You fought for her. That’s not the same thing.” I drop my bag onto the floor, dragging a hand down my face. “And where did that get me?” Carter doesn’t answer, because we both know where it got me—alone, standing on the sidelines of my own damn life, waiting for her to decide if I’m worth fighting for too. I let out a slow, controlled breath, shaking my head. “I love her, man. I do. But I can’t keep being the only one trying.” Carter studies me, his expression unreadable. “So that’s it?” I swallow hard, my throat tightening. “That’s up to her.” Carter doesn’t argue. He just nods like he understands. Because at the end of the day, I can’t make this decision for her. She has to make the move. And as much as it fucking kills me, I know—I know—I have to let her.”