Breaking the ice
Adrian choked out.
Ethan turned around slowly, wiping his face, expecting Adrian to offer another logical excuse or another smooth, controlled corporate explanation.
Instead, Adrian collapsed forward.
The massive, team captain dropped heavily onto his knees right on the hard kitchen floorboards.
Adrian buried his face into his large, trembling hands, and for the first time in his adult life, he completely broke down.
Heavy, violent sobs wracked Adrian’s broad body. He wept openly, loudly, his chest heaving as years of suppressed fear, exhaustion, and hidden terror poured out of him all at once.