I Know How This End

Lyrics

[Verse 1] I know how a fire starts, I’ve watched one burn before. It doesn’t take a midnight kiss, Or clothes upon the floor. It starts with little conversations, A smile you can’t forget. A reason just to see her, And a line you haven’t crossed… yet. I told myself I’d learned my lesson, Swore I’d never be that man. But lately when I’m around you, I’m scared of who I am. [Verse 2] You got somebody waiting, And I’ve got a wife at home. And neither one deserves the hurt Of what they’ll never know. I love the woman I married, That’s the part that tears me through. ‘Cause I know just what I’m risking, Still I can’t stop thinking of you. Sometimes our hands will brush, And I feel it through my chest. And something deep inside me wakes That I thought I’d laid to rest. [Chorus] ‘Cause I know how this ends, I’ve been down this road before. It starts with wanting just a little, Then you’re wanting so much more. It starts with harmless laughter, Then a secret you can’t keep. Then you’re lying next to someone With another in your dreams. And I know that I should stop it, Before there’s nothing left to save. But there’s something in the way you look at me That makes me want to stay. I’m not afraid of falling, I’m afraid I’ll fall again. And the worst part of loving you… Is I know how this ends. [Verse 3] Sometimes you’ll say something, And I’ll wonder what you meant. Was that just another friendly smile, Or a message that you sent? Sometimes your eyes hold mine A little longer than they should. And I get that feeling in my stomach, That hurts so damn good. I find myself replaying Every word you said that day. Looking for a little sign That you might feel the same way. And I hate myself for hoping, But God, I hope you do. There’s a part of me that prays you don’t, And a part that wishes you knew. [Chorus] ‘Cause I know how this ends, I’ve been down this road before. It starts with wanting just a little, Then you’re wanting so much more. It starts with harmless laughter, Then a secret you can’t keep. Then you’re lying next to someone With another in your dreams. And I know that I should stop it, Before there’s nothing left to save. But there’s something in the way you look at me That makes me want to stay. I’m not afraid of falling, I’m afraid I’ll fall again. And the worst part of loving you… Is I know how this ends. [Bridge — Stripped down, almost spoken] See, I’ve made this kind of mistake before, I know just what it costs. I’ve felt the thrill of something new, And watched the trust get lost. I know how easy one more minute Turns into one more night. How you tell yourself it’s nothing, While you know it isn’t right. And if you ever looked at me And said, “I feel it too,” I don’t know if I’d remember All the things I stand to lose. ‘Cause I can fight a feeling, I can hide what’s in my heart. But I don’t know if I could stop us If you were the one to start. [Final Chorus — Powerful, emotional] ‘Cause I know how this ends, And that’s what scares me most. I’m standing here beside a fire That I swore I’d never stoke. I’ve got a woman who still loves me, I’ve got a life I helped create. And I’m terrified of finding out How much one heart can break. And you might not even know it, You might not feel a thing. While I’m over here imagining A life that cannot be. So don’t tell me that you love me, Don’t make me choose again. ‘Cause I’ve already been the villain, And I know how this ends. [Outro — Quiet, almost a confession] Tomorrow I’ll see you smiling, And I’ll smile like I’m alright. Then I’ll go home to the woman Who’s been loving me this whole time. And I’ll tell myself it’s nothing, Just like I did back then. But this time I know better… And I’m still letting it begin.