Come Break My Heart Again

The first time Ryder James broke my heart, I was fifteen and fearless. The second time he broke my heart, I was eighteen and jaded.

Both times, I fell for him effortlessly. Falling is easy. Our landings are hard. Painful.

We were a sad song with a slow melody. Flowers with paper petals. Hidden letters with visible tears. A beautiful tragedy.

Except tragedies have endings. Our story just . . . stopped.

Seven years later, I still have more questions than answers. Questions I'm too proud to ask after almost a decade of silence. Answers he refuses to share, no matter how much time we're forced to spend together.

Everything's changed . . . except how I feel about him. And the recurring moments when I'm certain Ryder hasn't forgotten our past either.

Can you forget your first? Or are they destined to keep breaking your heart . . . over and over again?