"What, so instead of going fast, I'll just fade out slow?" Duke asked, bitter. "That's not better."

He wanted her to hold him. Even if it hurt. That was all he'd wanted the whole weekend, while his body broke down. But instead, she could hardly stand to touch him.

(He knew that wasn't the truth. He knew she was just being careful, trying not to hurt him more. But brains could be filthy, rotten liars, and emotions did what emotions did.)