Kayden rose from the couch, his chest still heavy with everything left unsaid. He slipped into his clothes with quiet determination, then stepped out to find Darren.
"Can you drop me at Thaddeus's place?" he asked simply.
Darren didn't press for details. He just gave a short nod and grabbed the keys.
The drive stretched on in silence, the hum of the engine filling the space where words should have been. Kayden kept his eyes fixed on the window, rehearsing what he would say, while Darren glanced at him now and then but chose not to interrupt his thoughts.
When they finally pulled up outside Thaddeus's house, Darren cut the engine and turned in his seat. His tone softened, serious but supportive.
"Listen, Kay," he said, resting an arm on the steering wheel. "I wish you luck. Just remember, speak honestly. Don't shut down, don't act like a kid running from the truth. You got this, my guy."
