Deric’s POV

The rain was light, barely a drizzle, but enough to cloud the windshield in gentle sheets. I didn’t bother turning on the wipers. Just sat there in the parked car across from Carlton’s building, watching the light above his front door flicker every few seconds.

I’d rehearsed what I’d say a hundred times. “I’m sorry,” or maybe, “I understand where you were coming from.” But none of it felt right. Because the truth was, I did understand, but ...