NEON GRAVES — “BUYING TIME” [Verse 1] You cried until I couldn’t say your name, Without somehow accepting half the blame. Each time I asked, the answer never stayed the same, You’d swear you never said the words I’d claim. I’d end up feeling cruel for how I came, And hold you while I swallowed down the shame. [Pre-Chorus] We started with the ways you made me bleed, Ended with me asking what you need. You never had to make the damage right— Just make me too exhausted for the fight. [Chorus] You weren’t sorry—you were buying time, Saying “forever” with an exit in mind. I heard a promise; you bought another night, Sleeping in my arms with your next move out of sight. I was rebuilding what you let die, You were rehearsing how to say goodbye. Every “I love you,” every “we’ll be fine”— You weren’t sorry. You were buying time. [Verse 2] You said a job would help us find our way, I helped you practice what you’d need to say. We toasted when you got your starting day, You kissed me when I asked if you would stay. While I made room for bills that we could pay, You saved enough to live a town away. [Pre-Chorus] I thought those little changes meant repair— You’d touch my face; you’d ask about my day. I didn’t know you’d learned how much to care To keep the hardest questions out of the way. [Chorus] You weren’t sorry—you were buying time, Saying “forever” with an exit in mind. I heard a promise; you bought another night, Sleeping in my arms with your next move out of sight. I was rebuilding what you let die, You were rehearsing how to say goodbye. Every “I love you,” every “we’ll be fine”— You weren’t sorry. You were buying time. [Verse 3] Three months of “we’re much better than before,” Then empty hangers scattered on the floor. Your key beside a note outside the drawer, Two sentences where you’d left so much more. I called; you said, “Don’t make this into war.” Your new place had been ready weeks before. [Bridge — quiet, then rising] You could have told me you were leaving. I would have hurt, but I would have known. Instead, you let me plan a future While you were furnishing another home. You watched me learn to trust you With a move-out date in mind. I kept counting better mornings— You kept counting down the nights. [Breakdown] I paid in sleep. I paid in doubt. You said, “Come closer.” You mapped the way out. [Final Chorus] You weren’t sorry—you were buying time, Saying “forever” with an exit in mind. I heard a promise; you bought another night, Sleeping in my arms with your next move out of sight. I was rebuilding what you let die, You were rehearsing how to say goodbye. You got your fresh start. I got the sleepless nights. You weren’t sorry. You were buying time. [Outro — almost spoken] The cruelest thing wasn’t watching you go. It was hearing “we’re healing” From someone Already packing clothes.
