Chris's crutches stomp away down the hallway, each thud feeling like a nail in my heart. 'You're not even my dad! Why do you get to decide?! I don't want you here! Why don't you ever leave?! I hate you!' His words echo in my mind, louder with each step he takes away from me.

Thirty minutes of arguing about his homework has escalated into something unforgivable. Eddie's on a work call, leaving me to enforce the boundaries we agreed upon together - but now I wonder if I have any right to set boundaries with him at all.

My hands shake as I pick up his scattered school books from the floor. Eddie's son... not mine. Never really mine, no matter how much I love him like he is. Hot tears spill onto the math textbook in my hands as I choke back a sob. I can't let Chris hear me break. Can't let Eddie hear either.

The panic rises in my chest like a tidal wave, familiar and overwhelming. I stumble toward the bathroom, locking myself inside just as the sobs break through. I slide down the door, knees drawn to my chest, gasping for breath that won't come. This was my worst fear - failing him. Failing both of them.

When Eddie and I got together, I promised him Christopher would always come first. If he ever felt uncomfortable with me... we'd end things. The words echo in my mind as my vision blurs and my hands tremble violently. I need to leave. Give Chris the space he clearly wants. Give Eddie the chance to have the family he deserves without me screwing it up.

The bathroom door handle jiggles. 'Buck... open up.' Eddie's voice is soft, concerned. I can't let him see me like this.

'I'm okay, Eds,' I manage to choke out, the lie obvious even to me.

'You're not. Come on out. Or let me in.' His voice breaks with worry.

'I don't feel good. Think I have the flu or something.' The sobs escape despite my efforts to muffle them.

The door unlocks from the outside - Eddie has a key. He finds me collapsed on the floor, immediately dropping to his knees beside me. 'Dios mio, que paso? What happened?' His arms wrap tightly around me as I finally let go completely, sobbing into his chest.

'I can't do this anymore, Eddie,' I gasp between sobs. 'I'm failing him. He hates me.'

Before Eddie can respond, we hear Chris's crutches approaching. The boy freezes in the doorway, his eyes widening at the sight of me crying in Eddie's arms. Something in his expression shifts - defiance replaced by guilt.

'What the hell happened?' Eddie demands, rising to his feet and rounding on Christopher.

'Dad, I—'

'Nothing,' I interrupt, pushing myself to standing. 'I need to go home. Call Dr. Copeland. I'm not... I'm not okay.'

Chris looks devastated, but I can't stay. I've broken my promise. Failed again. As I grab my keys and jacket, Eddie's hand tightens around my wrist. 'Evan, don't do this. Talk to me.'

I meet Christopher's eyes one last time before pulling away. 'I love you both. I'm sorry for everything.'

The door slams behind me, but I don't stop. The ocean is calling - and this time, I think I might answer.