Page 71 of Silent Damage

“What’s wrong?” Torren asks with a mouthful of donut.

My mouth opens, but my throat closes the moment words try to escape.

Felix must see my struggle because he opens a kitchen drawer to retrieve a pen and paper.

I look at the paper, trying to decide what on earth I want to tell them. My brain tells me it’s better to get this on paper, but my gut hurts just thinking about spelling out the words.

How do I write out the long, convoluted tale that is my relationship with Jason?

It’s too hard, so I just scribble something basic and not even close to what is actually happening inside me.

My stepbrother is living with me. We don’t get along.

I slide the paper over to Felix, and he and Torren read it. “Want me to kick his ass?” Torren asks.

“Is he mean to you? Do you want to stay here?” Felix asks.

“Yeah, you can always stay here if you’d like. We can set you up on a cot,” Torren adds.

My hand reaches for the paper, and I scribble down: Where will you two fuck?

When I pass it back to Torren, Felix cackles. “Kitty Cat Club!” he explains. “Torren and I love our Thursday-night shenanigans.”

I grab the paper and scribble, What about the rest of the week?

Torren and Felix look at each other for a beat. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” Felix explains with a wink.

“Fonder? I think you mean feral,” Torren adds. “We’d be fine, Gabe. I’d want you here if being at home makes you uncomfortable. Period.”

“Absolutely,” Felix assures me.

I wish there were a way I could express how much I appreciate them—they’re just the best.

I signal to Torren to give me the paper.

I couldn’t do that. I’ll be fine.

Once they read it, Felix says, “You know, if you ever need anything, like a security deposit for a place or first month’s rent, I’d be happy to give it to you.”

I’m really okay, but that’s so sweet of you. Thank you. I scribble.

Felix’s father was the Mayor of Belmont. When he died, Felix inherited a lot of money.

He puts his hands on his hips. “You’re as stubborn as Torren is.”

“No, he’s not,” Torren replies with a chuckle.

Felix smirks and says, “Yeah, you’re right. I’m going to change out of my work clothes. Be back in a sec.” Felix kisses Torren’s temple and then leaves the kitchen.

I grab the paper once more and ask the question I’ve been dying to ask.

Why does Felix still work at Maggie’s if he has so much money?

Torren glances at the paper. “Because he likes it.”

Huh. I guess that’s fair.

“Tobias wants me to watch the candidates' match on Wednesday. You wanna come with? Might get you out of the trailer and away from dipshit. What’s his name again?”