𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭 & 𝒹𝒾𝒶𝓂𝑜𝓃𝒹𝓈

❛  i don't believe you anymore.  ❜ ❛  i don't have anything left to give you.  ❜ ❛  i don't know how to forgive you.  ❜ ❛  i don't know how to stop loving you.  ❜ ❛  i don't know if i hate you or miss you.  ❜ ❛  i don't know how to act around you anymore.  ❜ ❛  i don't love you anymore.  ❜ ❛  i don't need your pity.  ❜ ❛  i don't need you to save me.  ❜ ❛  i don't recognize you anymore.  ❜ ❛  i don't think we can fix this.  ❜ ❛  i don't think i can survive losing you again.  ❜ ❛  i don't want to see you again.  ❜ ❛  i don't want your apology.  ❜ ❛  i don't want to be your second choice.  ❜ ❛  don't ask me to stay.  ❜ ❛  don't ask me to be okay with this.  ❜ ❛  don't come back to me just because you're lonely.  ❜ ❛  don't leave me here alone.  ❜ ❛  don't lie to me again.  ❜ ❛  don't love me only when it's convenient.  ❜ ❛  don't make me choose between you and myself.  ❜ ❛  don't make me hate you just so i can let you go.  ❜ ❛  don't pretend you're the only one who suffered.  ❜ ❛  don't say you love me unless you mean it.  ❜ ❛  don't tell me what to do.  ❜ ❛  don't tell me this was all for nothing.  ❜ ❛  don't touch me.  ❜ ❛  don't turn this around on me.  ❜ ❛  don't you dare hold my past against me.  ❜ ❛  you don't deserve me.  ❜ ❛  you don't get to decide when i'm done hurting.  ❜ ❛  you don't get to hurt me and call it love.  ❜ ❛  you don't get to mourn me after killing every part of me that loved you.  ❜ ❛  you don't get to rewrite what happened just because you regret it now.  ❜ ❛  you don't have to pretend you missed me.  ❜ ❛  you don't know how many times i waited for you.  ❜ ❛  you don't know what i gave up for you.  ❜ ❛  you don't understand what you did to me.  ❜ ❛  you don't understand how tired i am of being strong because of you.  ❜

(dusty roads · warm bottles · low porch lights · confessions sweeter than the drink)

OUT ON THE BACKROADS - HEADLIGHTS & GRAVEL

• “Get in—road’s quiet tonight, might as well enjoy it.” • “Careful, the gravel’s loose. Don’t want you falling before the night even starts.” • “You ever just drive until the world disappears? …Want to?” • “Sit closer. Truck rides better when we’re not pretending there’s space between us.” • “It’s just you, me, and a long road. Got anything you’ve been wanting to say?” • “Lean out the window if you want—wind feels good tonight.” • “Turn the music up. Loud enough to drown the week out.” • “I don’t get nights like this often. Glad you’re the one I’m sharing it with.”

BONFIRE GLOW - SPARKS & SMOKE

• “Fire’s warm—come sit. I saved you a spot.” • “Hold your beer tight. Last time someone knocked it into the fire.” • “Don’t lean back too far, you’ll end up smelling like charcoal.” • “Every time the flames light your face… damn. You look different.” • “Give me your hands. Cold nights require shared heat.” • “Tell me a secret—you’ve got the firelight look. Makes people honest.” • “Watch the sparks. They always remind me how fast things burn.” • “Stay close. Coyotes sound louder when you’re alone.”

NEON BARLIGHTS - MUSIC LOW, GLANCES HIGH

• “You want another beer or are you already past your limit?” • “Dance with me—don’t worry, no one’s sober enough to judge.” • “Scoot over. Bar stools aren’t meant to be polite.” • “You keep looking at me like that. Want to tell me why?” • “If you spill that on me, you’re buying the next three rounds.” • “This song’s good. Perfect for leaning in closer.” • “Stay till close with me? I’m not ready to go home.” • “If you’re gonna flirt, you better commit to it.”

TAILGATE NIGHTS - STARS OVERHEAD

• “Hop up—tailgate’s sturdy enough for both of us.” • “Careful, it’s cold metal. Here—sit closer, I’ll warm you up.” • “Look up. Stars don’t shine like this when you’re sober or inside.” • “If you lie down, you’ll see the sky right. Trust me.” • “You keep brushing against me… intentional?” • “I brought an extra beer if you want it. Not sharing mine.” • “Tell me what you’re thinking. Nights like this make people brave.” • “If you fall asleep on my shoulder, I won’t complain.”

DRUNKEN LAUGHTER - STUMBLING INTO SOMETHING MORE

• “Okay—okay, stop, you’re making me laugh too hard. I’m gonna spill this.” • “If I’m leaning on you, it’s because you’re stable. Don’t get cocky.” • “I swear, you get cuter the more I drink.” • “Hey—hold my beer. I’m about to do something stupid.” • “Walk me straight. Or at least try.” • “Sit with me. The ground’s spinning less when you’re nearby.” • “If I say something embarrassing, pretend you didn’t hear it.” • “You’re warm. Don’t move yet.”

QUIET MOMENTS - TRUTH BETWEEN SIPS

• “It’s funny… beer loosens my tongue, but you’re the one who makes me honest.” • “Tell me something you’ve never told anyone.” • “Why do you keep looking at my mouth?” • “Come here—stop hiding behind that bottle.” • “Ever think we’d end up here? Like this?” • “You want the last drink? I’ll share if you sit closer.” • “Hold still—there’s something in your hair.” • “I like this. You. The night. All of it.”

THE NIGHT WINDS DOWN - BUT NOT THE FEELING

• “Don’t go yet. Stay till the last bit of the fire burns out.” • “If you’re cold, use me. I won’t bite.” • “Want a ride home? Or… want to keep driving with no destination?” • “I’ll walk you inside. Just in case.” • “You can finish that beer on my porch. No hurry.” • “Promise me we’ll do this again. Same time. Same way.” • “If I kiss you… would the night forgive me?” • “I don’t want this to end. Not yet.”