IS THIS ANOTHER LESSON LEARN?

CHAPTER XIX

Continuation....

Trevor let out a heavy sigh, watching as Sam disappeared up the stairs. He pushed a hand through his hair, frustration seeping through the veneer of control.

"Stubborn woman," he muttered, shaking his head. "Too damn stubborn for her own good."

He stood in the dark living room for a long moment, then grabbed a glass of water and two painkillers, placing them deliberately on Sam's nightstand without a word.

"Tomorrow you'll hate me," he murmured, voice barely above a whisper. "But at least you'll be alive to do it."

With that, he turned off the light and closed the door behind him—guardian masked as cynic.

"Wait!" Sam said not loud but he can hear it.

Trevor paused at the door, half-turned. "What?" he asked, not bothering to hide the annoyance in his voice.

"Can we talk?"

Trevor turned around fully, arms crossed. "Fine," he huffed, leaning against the doorframe. "What is it you want?"

"Sorry for my bad attitude earlier. "

Trevor's expression softened a fraction, surprise flickering in his eyes, but he kept his arms crossed. "Apology accepted," he said grudgingly. "But don't expect it to make your current state any less frustrating."

"I know, if you find me a burden. Then I will go home. "

Trevor let out a humorless bark of laughter. "A burden?" he echoed incredulously. "You think I see you as a burden?"

He rubbed a hand over his face, the lines around his eyes more pronounced. "You're the furthest thing from a burden, Sam. Annoying as hell, but not a burden."

Sam smile bluntly,

The corners of Trevor's mouth twitched slightly at the sudden change in humor. He crossed his arms again, shaking his head. "You think that changes anything?" he asked, voice lacking heat now. "You're still acting like a train wreck of an adult. And yet..." He paused, a muscle in his jaw shifting. "And yet, I still find myself giving a damn about you."

Trevor's expression sobered as he looked at her, the air between them crackling with unspoken tension. He took a step closer.

"You want to know my feelings? You really want the truth?" His voice was softer now, the edges of his usual cold veneer softened.

"Fine... yes, you annoy me. But more than that, you confuse me. You drive me crazy with your stubbornness and your self-destructive behavior. And..." He held her gaze, his eyes darker now. "And despite all that... I still think about you. All the damn time, in fact. More than I should."

"And maybe that makes me a fool. Maybe I'm setting myself up for more heartache. But the truth is, I can't stop caring about you. You're under my skin, Sam, in a way that's both infuriating and..."

He looked away briefly, the muscles in his jaw flexing. "In a way that's almost addictive."

Sam sigh heavily,

"You know what? My cousin is right,I should tell you about my feelings too. I do really like you. But.. But I'm scared. You know.."

"I'm scared too," he admitted, voice low and uncharacteristically raw. "Not because of you... but because of what you make me feel. And I don't do feelings, Sam. Not like this."

He took a slow step closer, eyes locked on hers. "But maybe... just maybe... we're both scared for the same reason."

"Sam," Trevor said, voice steady but softer than usual. "Let's try something... real. No games, no excuses. Just us."