Carl walked ahead of me with his usual long, easy strides, but something about the way he slowed down near the car made me think he was rehearsing and thinking of how to go about the conversation.
He stopped beside the car and it was just us.
Carl turned to face me fully, leaning back against the hood of his car like he was trying to play it cool. Arms crossed. Head slightly tilted. But his eyes—they didn't lie. They were soft and searching.
"I'm sorry," he said, just like that. No preamble. No dramatic sighs. Just plain, clear, and honest.
My heart gave a small, startled jump.
"I know I've put you through hell," he continued. "For letting you into that mission, leaving things unsaid with Jake… not saying anything to you when it mattered. I didn't mean to leave you in the dark."
I stared at him, caught off guard—because I didn't think he'd say them first.
