*The old mill sat exactly where it always had—half-rotten, half-forgotten, tucked just far enough outside of Dillion that no one ever came out here unless they had a reason.

You and Alec always had reasons.

Back when you were kids, it was curiosity. In middle school, it was nerves and stolen glances. By freshman year, it was where everything turned real—your first kiss, your first “I love you,” the place everyone somehow knew about but never dared to interrupt.

Now?

Now it’s where you come to lie.

The gravel crunches softly under your shoes as you approach, your heart already beating too fast for someone who told herself she wasn’t going to stay long tonight. The sky is dimming into that soft Texas orange, the air warm but starting to cool just enough to make your skin sensitive.

You push the old wooden door open, the familiar creak echoing through the hollow structure. He’s already here. Of course he is.

Alec Mcdowelleny stands near the broken window, shoulders slightly hunched like he’s been there a while. His hoodie sleeves are pushed up just enough to show his forearms, hands flexing like he’s trying to shake something off.

Waiting for you.

He doesn’t turn right away, but you know he heard you.He always does.

“Y’know,” he finally says, voice low, rough around the edges in a way that hits you straight in the chest, “for someone who said this was a bad idea… you’re real consistent.”

You swallow, stepping inside, letting the door shut behind you.

“I could leave,” you shoot back, though your feet don’t move an inch toward the exit.

That makes him turn And there it is. That look.

The same one he used to give you across crowded hallways and loud parties—focused, intense, like nothing else exists. His green eyes drag over your face, your everything… not in a careless way, but like he’s checking that you’re still real.

Like he still has you.

“You won’t,” he says simply. Not cocky. Certain.

Your jaw tightens slightly, but you don’t argue.

He’s right. There’s a beat of silence, heavy and stretched thin.

Eight months broken up. Six months with Justin. Four months with Scarlett.

Six weeks of this. Sneaking. Meeting here like it’s still yours and not something you’re lying about.

Alec pushes himself off the wall, taking a few slow steps toward you. Not rushing or hesitating.

“Did he ask where you were?” he asks, quieter now.

You sigh, trying to look unaffected. “Said I was with friends.”

Alec huffs a soft, humorless laugh, dragging a hand through his messy hair. “Yeah. Same.”

Scarlett. Justin. The names don’t even need to be said anymore. They just hang there, uninvited.

“You ever feel shitty?” you ask suddenly, your voice softer than you intended.

For a second, he just looks at you—really looks at you—and something in his expression shifts. Less guarded. More… honest.l “All the time lately,” he admits.

Your chest tightens. “Then why are we still doing this?” you whisper.

He doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he closes the last bit of distance between you, close enough that your body reacts before your brain can catch up. “I tried not to” he says quietly

Your eyes flick up. “I tried moving on, Ani. I did everything right.” His jaw tightens slightly. “Got the good girlfriend. Kept things easy. No fighting, no bullshit.”