Page 45 of Silent Damage

Without thinking, I close the distance between us and inspect his brow.

“Gabe, don’t—”

“Shh.”

I soak a washcloth in warm water, then clean Jason’s cut. He watches me the entire time, studying me as I pick the Band-Aids box off the floor and place one over his cut.

He grabs my wrist and moves it away from his face. “Don’t do this,” he whispers. “Don’t care about me.”

His eyes can barely focus as he says it. My mouth falls open, desperate to ask why, but I slam it shut.

Jason shakes his head, then pushes past me, but his foot gets caught on the doorframe, and he falls, crashing to the ground and making the entire trailer shake.

“You okay, babe?” Angelique asks.

Jason slurs his words, attempting to brush it off, but as he tries to get up, he stumbles again, landing on the ground in a heap.

I go to help him up, but he bats me away with his arm. “Go to bed, Gabe,” he bellows.

Angelique approaches, and I see her expression.

Her mood has changed entirely.

That lascivious gaze from before has morphed into resignation.

“Come on, sugar,” she sighs as we both help Jason to his feet and lead him to the couch.

He plops down, groaning while rubbing his hands over his face.

“Come here,” he urges with his arms stretched out toward Angelique, but she pushes them down by his wrists and kisses his forehead.

“Get some sleep, hotshot.” She slinks to the front door and opens it.

“W-wait,” Jason yells. “You’re leaving?”

Angelique stops, looks over her shoulder, and says, “Yeah, honey. You don’t need sex. You need water and a good night’s sleep.”

Jason tries to get up, but falls onto the couch again. “Don’t go,” he groans. “Let’s fuck!”

Angelique sings, “Goodnight, baby,” as she exits.

When the door closes behind her, Jason glares at me. “Way to cock-block, asshole.”

I clench my fists at my sides.

The only one who cock-blocked you is YOU, you drunk motherfuc—

“Go to bed,” he barks. “I need sleep.”

I rush back to my room, shaking with rage, but beyond grateful that Angelique left. I don’t know what I’d do if I had to lie in here and listen to them fucking. It’s not logical at all, but I think I’d walk out there and pull her off him…

Which is a sign that I’m truly losing my mind.

My body lands on the bed with a thud, and I clench my eyes shut. I can still hear him in there, stumbling around, probably trying to turn off the light or something.

Well, fuck him.

Let him struggle. I’d be helping him if he weren’t the biggest dickhead on the planet, so let him reap what he’s sowed.