Chapter 17

The low hum of the television filled the living room, the screen flashing with the mechanical chaos of Terminator, but Caitlin wasn’t watching. She sat beside Connor on the couch, her legs tucked under her, hands loosely clasped in her lap. The movie blared on, but her thoughts were far away-so far that she barely registered the explosions on screen, or the way Connor leaned back comfortably, engrossed in the film.

It had been a few days since Connor came to visit. A few long, agonizing days where Caitlin had been stuck in the prison of her own mind. All she could think about was how to do it-how to break up with him. The thought of hurting Connor made her stomach twist. He didn’t deserve that. He was sweet. Charming. The kind of guy any girl would be lucky to have. He had always been there for her-through her games, her breakdowns, the stress of school and stardom. He knew how to calm her when the noise got too loud. He planned thoughtful dates, always knew her favorite ice cream flavor, always opened the car door, always remembered the smallest things.

But something had changed. No-everything had changed.

Maybe it was the distance. Or maybe it was more than that. Maybe they both knew-deep down-that they had grown apart. That their love wasn’t the same anymore. And Caitlin… she knew she couldn’t lie anymore. Not to herself. Not to Connor.

“Hey, babe,” Connor’s voice cut gently through the static of her thoughts. “Is everything okay? You’ve been zoning out for the past ten minutes.”

Caitlin blinked rapidly, snapping her head toward him. Connor was looking at her with those kind, worried eyes. The kind that always made her feel safe, but not the kind that made her heart race anymore.

She cleared her throat. “Ye-yeah… um… I’m fine. Just thinking about the upcoming game, that’s all.” She forced a smile, tugging it across her face like a mask.

Connor didn’t buy it.

His face shifted-softened, but serious. “Cait, you don’t have to lie to me. I can tell when something’s up. And right now? Something’s up.”

Caitlin looked away, eyes drifting to the screen where the Terminator’s red eyes flashed. She stared blankly, her heart thudding in her chest like it was trying to warn her: now or never. She took a breath and turned back to him-only to feel her eyes prick with tears.

Connor saw it immediately. “Hey,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around her without hesitation, pulling her close. “Hey… it’s okay. Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together. I promise.”

Caitlin buried her face into his hoodie, the familiar scent of his cologne flooding her senses. She wanted to hold on-just for a second longer. But then, a sob broke free. Raw. Real. And she couldn’t stop it.

“I c-ca-can’t do this anymore, Connor,” she cried, the words falling out between gasps. “I can’t live with this lie. I can’t keep lying to myself, Connor. I can’t.”

She cried harder, her body shaking against his. Connor said nothing. He just held her, letting her fall apart in his arms like he always had.

After a while, the sobs softened. Caitlin slowly pulled away, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her hoodie. The silence lingered.

Then Connor spoke, gentle as ever. “Cait, honey… what do you mean you can’t keep lying to yourself? Tell me what’s wrong.”

Caitlin inhaled shakily, trying to find the strength to speak. “Connor, I… I like women. And I can’t lie to myself anymore. I can’t pretend. I can’t live in a lie where I act like I’m someone I’m not. But please, believe me when I say this-I didn’t use you. I didn’t date you to hide from the world or to protect my image. I really did care about you. Everything we shared-it was real. Every date. Every kiss. It was real.”

Her voice trembled, but she pushed through.

“But now… my feelings for you have faded. Maybe it’s the distance, or maybe it’s just the truth finally catching up to me. But I never wanted to hurt you, Connor. Ever.”

She couldn’t look him in the eyes. If she did, she knew she’d fall apart again.

More silence.

Then Connor exhaled and spoke, his voice quieter, softer. “Caitlin… I know. I know you like women. I’ve always known, in a way. I think a part of me saw this coming. I guess I just hoped we’d have a little more time before it did. I wanted to be with you, even if it wasn’t forever. I really do love you. But I can’t stop you from loving someone else… even if it’s not me.”

Caitlin’s eyes welled up again. She finally looked at him. Connor smiled sadly, opening his arms.

“Come here.”

She let out a teary laugh and fell into his arms, her body fitting perfectly against his as she curled into him, breathing in the comfort of his presence one last time.

“I’m sorry for hurting you, Connor,” she whispered. “And if you don’t hate me, I hope we can still be friends. But I get it if you can’t. I’d understand.”

Connor held her tighter, resting his chin gently on top of her head. “I could never hate you, Caitlin Clark. Remember that. And yeah… we can still be friends. I don’t mind.”

They stayed like that for a long time-two people who once loved each other wrapped in a goodbye hug, trying to hold on to something soft before letting it go.

And though Caitlin felt raw and heavy, she also felt something else. Relief. Like a tiny weight had lifted off her chest. But there was more to come. Harder things. She had to tell her parents. Her siblings. And that terrified her. Because Caitlin Clark wasn’t Caitlin Clark without her family’s support.

And now she could only hope… they’d still love her all the same.

Authors Note :

Another update today so I hope you
enjoy this update, I finally wrote the breakup scene between these two and I can’t wait to dive into the plot more, now it’s Sienna’s turn to break up with Joseph. Anyways stay happy y’all until next time lovelies mwah 💋.

XoXo V 💜💜💜