Page 82 of Bruised

Shit never tends to work out that way with Tess, though. The moment I enter her tiny downtown apartment, she knows something’s up.

“Well?” she asks. “Should I find you a spare toothbrush or get you a beer?”

“You know I can’t drink.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m not gonna tell on you.”

“I can’t.”

“Fine, but I’m having a smoke, and then you’re gonna sit right there and tell me what’s happened.” She points to a patterned ottoman next to her window.

I go sit at my designated spot while Tess gets her vape out and a mason jar full of weed. I watch her break apart the buds with mild interest. Tess and I used to smoke all the time after work. I haven’t gotten high since before the incident, and I shouldn’t be stupid enough to use drugs when my parole officer can call me in to piss any time he feels like it. I’m not supposed to hang around people who smoke, either, but hell, I’ve already crossed a bunch of lines. Why not one more?

Tess sits on a window seat facing the courtyard. She gets the vape ready, and after waiting for her to take a drag, I reach for it.

She raises a brow. “That bad?”

I nod. It is that bad.

“Let me guess,” she says, and she doesn’t hand me the vape. “It’s about that cute little goth boy, isn’t it?”

I shrug and shift my gaze. If I try to lie, she’ll see through it, but if I stay silent, she’ll figure it out either way.

“What was his name again? Lane, right?”

I nod, saying nothing.

Tess rolls her eyes. “You’re not giving me much to work with. Go on, tell me what’s up.”

“Do I have to?” I mutter.

“That depends.” She smiles knowingly. “Did he steal your words as well as your heart?”

My mind tries to push back against her words, the implication too uncomfortable. Lane hasn’t stolen anything… has he? Except for my ability to stay in control.

I heave a heavy sigh. “It wasn’t supposed to be anything serious. Just some fun.”

Tess nods and stays silent, letting me continue.

“He was cute,” I grumble. “I wanted him.”

“Naturally,” she says with a roll of her eyes.

More than cute. He checked every single one of my boxes. Made me rock hard just at the thought of kissing him, just by being near him. I like sex, sure—I’ve always liked sex. But with him, I was present in a way I’ve never been before, and even that was unsettling. I’ve fucked dozens of guys like him, but Lane… I don’t know. He’s different. He always has been.

I’d like to say it blindsided me, but the truth is I always knew. I just ignored it.

“But I guess I…” Scowling, I avert my gaze. “I…”

“You wanted him too much?”

I nod.

“And it scared you.”

I nod again. Fucking Tess. Always knows exactly how I feel.

“So what happened?” she asks. “Did you tell him?”