Don't Pay Me In Change

[Instrumental Opening] Don’t Pay Me in Change [Verse 1] I used to stay after staying stopped making sense. Call a long night “a rough week,” call distance “just how he gets.” I could bend almost anything till it looked like love— three quiet days, one good kiss, and somehow that was enough. I got good at believing what I needed to hear. Better at forgetting what happened when it all disappeared. But— that was a long time ago. Mostly. [Hook] So if you’re gonna love me— love me straight. Don’t give me half and ask me to call it the same. I know what almost can take away. If you’re gonna love me— don’t pay me in change. [Verse 2] There were mornings I’d wake up already apologizing. Nothing happened yet. Funny. I knew how a room felt before anyone spoke, how to make myself smaller without anybody asking. Some habits leave quietly. Some wait. I still catch myself turning “maybe” into patience, turning absence into grace. Then you touch my hand and I remember— I don’t live there now. [Bridge] I’m not asking you to make up for anybody. That wouldn’t be fair. You didn’t teach me to doubt the good things. You just happen to be here while I’m learning not to. So if I flinch when something feels easy— give me a second. I’m still getting used to easy staying true. [Hook] If you’re gonna love me— love me straight. Don’t give me half and ask me to call it the same. I know what almost can take away. If you’re gonna love me— don’t pay me in change. [Chorus] Don’t pay me in change. I’ve had enough of almost enough, enough of holding on to something while it slowly lets go of us. I don’t need forever said beautifully. I need tomorrow to still mean today. If you want this heart— come with both hands. And don’t— don’t pay me in change. [End]