Fragile Lives: Slow burn, age gap romance

I was born in this small town, and I knew one day, no matter what I did to prevent it, I'd die here, alone. What I didn't account for was my brother's mysterious, dark, damaged friend coming to town and making his way into everyone's hearts. But his years serving in the Navy seem to cause him a different level of damage that no one else sees: one that hides on the inside and scars deeper. He's older. He's a mess. Hiding his pain behind a wicked smile, ridden by the guilt of someone else's mistakes, he refuses to play by the rules. I found this little town because I was looking for closure in my miserable life. But what I really found is something entirely different—someone, who saw me at my lowest. The only one who sees the real me. She's younger. She's pure. She's my friend's sister. She's smart. Smart enough to know she should run from me, leaving me in the dust. But I find myself chasing her, scared she'll reveal my dirty secrets. Scared she'll leave me alone with them. .