The moment he drew away like that, Jake felt like a rug had been pulled out from under him and he was falling backward until he abruptly hit the ground. A sob wrenched its way from his throat and he covered his eyes with his hands to no real avail, shoving his glasses above his fingers. He was such a jerk. He was so stupid. He had no right to be this upset--

"I'm sorry-- Dirk, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry--" He couldn't quite form words beyond that, overwhelmed with sobs that he hadn't really known he needed to emit.