ŷ������

“You’ve given up on yourself before anyone else has a chance to.��
Silence greeted me.
I could feel Rider’s stare on me. Several moments passed. “That’s bullshit, and kind of priceless coming from you. You gave up on me yesterday.��
I started to defend myself, but I couldn’t. I swallowed hard. “I know. You’re right about that, but I’m also right.��
“And how’s that?�� Challenge hardened his tone.
“Because I give up on myself on a daily basis,�� I admitted. My cheeks heated but I continued. “I know.��
He sucked in an audible breath. “Mallory...��
I shook my head as I thought about all the conflicting emotions and needs and wants. “It’s true. It’s what I do. I don’t mean to. Or maybe I do. It’s...it’s easier being scared of everything.��
“How...how can that be?�� His voice softened. “How can that be easier?��
My smile was faint. Suddenly, I really wished I was at home, with my head under the blankets. “You can’t fail when you don’t really try, right? You’d know that.”