Before I can conjure a good enough lie fast enough, the sound of the toilet flushing makes me freeze.

Colby's head tilts to the side, I can't tell if he's pissed off or oddly satisfied to be right. I think both.

The bathroom door clicks open and Sam awkwardly steps out, his body tense, "Hey, brother." His voice contrasts his posture, high and casual.

Colby's eyes whip between the two of us as he decides on who he wants to explode at. Lucky for me, he settles on Sam, "What the fuck are you doing here?" He grimaces through clenched teeth.

"Colby-" I reach a hand forward, but he bats it away.

"What is he doing here?" He redirects his attention to me, and I can see that suddenly his anger has shifted to hurt.

"Because-"

"I'm here because she wanted to know how you really feel about her." Sam jumps back in, the most serious I've ever seen him.

Colby looks to me for assurance, and I just stare at him defeated. Why's it so hard to just tell him?

"You could've asked me, Y/N." His voice is hollow of any emotion. His gaze drops to the floor in thought.

"You can't be mad at her for being afraid." Sam chimes in, his eyebrows perked sternly.

"Sam!" Colby snaps, throwing his hands to his hair, "I know! I fucking know! I fucked up! You know I've regretted it every single day!"

"So tell her that!" Sam raises his voice back, grabbing Colby by the shoulders and nudging him closer to me.

A tear slips down Colby's cheek as he tries to hold his gaze with me. He gives up and lowers his head to his chest. My own chest aches seeing him like this, "I'm sorry, Y/N. I just, I really fucking missed you."

"Colby," I inhale a sharp breath as he looks back up at me, "I forgive you."

His lip quivers and he looks confused.

"I said I forgive you." I repeat once more at his expression of disbelief.

Sam's eyes widen in surprise, maybe even disapproval. When he realizes I catch him, he relaxes his face and covers it with a small smile.

***

It didn't take Sam long to excuse himself from the scene. Once he left, I grabbed a bottle of wine from my fridge.

Colby takes it swiftly and holds it away from me, "No." he says gently, his eyes soft, "This," he shakes the bottle around, "Has caused too many problems."

I bite my lip and agree with a slight nod as he stores it away.

I lean back against the counter with my arms hugging my midsection, "You said you don't know me?" He asks me once I stay silent.

"I didn't mean-"

"Can I show you?"