When Henry receives a message from Riley, telling him that he can't come over, the doubt that has been quietly eating at him finally takes shape. It confirms the fear he has been carrying: Riley doesn't want to let things get too far physically, not when so much is still unclear, not when there are so many people and obstacles standing between them.
For the rest of the night, Henry doesn't sleep. He lies awake, his mind circling endlessly, wondering what he is supposed to do to hold on to Riley completely.
He feels as though he has already found something he cannot afford to lose. Riley may have agreed to be with him, but hesitation hangs heavy over everything, and Henry cannot shake the thought that Riley might regret that agreement.
What if Riley wakes up tomorrow and says it was too fast? What if he decides he rushed in without thinking? The thought gnaws at Henry until it feels like it is scraping his chest raw.
