Danny had always known that falling for Jake Carter was a bad idea.

He’d known it back in high school when he’d first realized that his feelings weren’t just some stupid crush.
He’d known it after that disastrous confession when Jake hit him with the classic “I’m flattered, bro” rejection.
And he’d definitely known it when Jake started acting weird and possessive after Danny started fake dating Leo.

But even knowing all of that—even after years of pining and hoping and trying to move on—

Nothing had prepared him for this.

For Jake kissing him.

For Jake running away. Again.

For Jake disappearing completely afterward.

And now?

Now Danny was done.

The worst part wasn’t the kiss.

The worst part wasn’t even that Jake ran away like Danny had just set him on fire.

No, the worst part was that Danny still wasn’t surprised.

Because this was how it always went.

Danny put himself out there, and Jake refused to acknowledge it.

Danny let himself hope, and Jake shut down.

Danny wanted more, and Jake refused to give it to him.

And after all these years, after everything they had been through, after all the mixed signals and stolen hoodies and almost-kisses and jealousy-fueled tantrums—

Danny was finally starting to accept it.

Maybe Jake really wasn’t into him.

Maybe this whole time, Jake had just been territorial, not romantic.

Maybe he just liked things the way they were and didn’t want Danny to move on.

Maybe—just maybe—Danny had spent all these years waiting for something that was never actually going to happen.

And fuck, that hurt.

“So,” Sophie said, shoving a fry into her mouth as they sat in their usual booth at the diner. “Are we done being delusional, or should I schedule a full intervention?”

Danny groaned. “Sophie.”

She held up a hand. “I’m just saying—if you’re still holding onto some dumb sliver of hope that Jake is suddenly going to have a big romantic epiphany and show up at your door in the rain, you need to let that shit go.”

Danny stabbed at his pancakes aggressively. “I know.”

Sophie raised an eyebrow. “Do you?”

Danny exhaled. “I do.”

Because he had to.

Because waiting around for Jake to figure out his shit was exhausting.

Because Danny deserved more than this.

Sophie leaned back, eyeing him carefully. “So what’s the plan?”

Danny frowned. “Plan?”

“You always have a plan.” She gestured at him. “Usually, it’s ‘avoid my feelings until they go away’ but, like, that’s not working anymore, babe.”

Danny sighed. “I just… I don’t know. Move on, I guess?”

Sophie nodded approvingly. “Good. Love that for you.”

Danny rolled his eyes. “Why do I feel like you’re about to suggest something stupid?”

Sophie grinned.

And Danny immediately regretted everything.

Sophie’s brilliant idea?

Get back on dating apps.

Danny was less than thrilled.

“I barely lasted two weeks last time,” Danny groaned, swiping half-heartedly on his phone as Sophie watched over his shoulder. “And that was before my life became a full-on rom-com disaster.”

Sophie hummed. “Yeah, but this time, you actually mean it.”

Danny scowled. “I meant it last time.”

Sophie gave him a look.

“Danny,” she said, flatly. “Be so fucking for real right now.”

Danny sighed. “Fine.”

She nudged him. “C’mon. Let’s go full rebound mode. Flirt a little. Meet someone new. Maybe make out with a hot stranger.”

Danny huffed a laugh. “You make it sound so easy.”

Sophie smirked. “Because it is.”

And maybe—maybe—she was right.

Maybe it was time.

Maybe he needed to stop looking for Jake in every interaction, every moment, every touch.

Maybe if he tried hard enough, he could finally stop waiting.

And maybe, just maybe—it wouldn’t hurt so much anymore.

Two nights later, Danny found himself at a bar with a guy named Nico.

And surprisingly?

It wasn’t terrible.

Nico was nice. Funny. Charming. He had good taste in music, and he made Danny laugh in a way that felt easy.

There were no complicated emotions.

No years of baggage.

Just a normal, easy conversation.

And when Nico reached across the table and traced his fingers over Danny’s wrist, giving him a flirtatious smirk—

Danny let it happen.

Because he was moving on.

Because he was done waiting.

And if he still felt a dull ache in his chest whenever he thought about Jake?

Well.

That was just something he’d have to learn to live with.

Jake had been completely MIA for almost a week now.

And for the first time, Danny didn’t try to track him down.

He didn’t text.
He didn’t call.
He didn’t wait by the door, wondering if Jake would walk through it.

Because Danny wasn’t chasing him anymore.

If Jake wanted to talk, he knew where to find him.

If Jake wanted to run away forever? Fine.

Danny would keep going.

Because at the end of the day, he deserved someone who wouldn’t run.

He deserved more than stolen hoodies and mixed signals.

He deserved someone who wouldn’t take years to figure out whether they wanted him or not.

And for the first time in a very, very long time—

Danny actually believed it.