"He's not alone in that," Layla said. She brushed sand off of her pant leg. "Even after everything he's done, I don't want him to suffer. I want him to - "

Layla realized what she was about to say and gave a wry look. " - get his head on straight. You know what I mean. Stop being such an asshole, really. But at least I think he understands that now. He's not ready to open up but he knows he's not ready for a relationship either until he's able to."