Page 14 of Born to Scar

She shrugs. “Sometimes he sleeps on the couch, other times he’ll sleep in my bed with me.” I blink at her, my brows furrowed. She smirks and tilts her head, barely containing her laugh. “Is that a problem?”

She says it as a tease, but I just look at her, not sure where my possessiveness has come from.

“He’s never touched me,” she deadpans. “We sleep. He doesn’t see me like that.” It’s hard to believe that, but she says it with such loyalty toward him. “I would never take advantage of him, either. He’s like a brother,” she adds in a softer voice, as if reading my mind. She hops out the door and shuts it, turning back and looking through the open window. “Thanks for the ride, Jared.”

A smirk, which she knows well, spreads across my face. “You too, Indy.”

She scoffs and rolls her eyes but smiles as she walks away. I only take off after making sure she gets in. Her taste still lingers on my tongue.

I am fucked for her.

CHAPTER 7

INDY

TWO MONTHS LATER

“What is this?” I pull his arm up, staring at the art on his triceps. Jay’s shirts always hide this part of his arm. Even still, it’s hidden beautifully in the rest of the scene that wraps around his muscle. We’ve been seeing each other for a couple of months, but this is the first time we’ve been this close without the implication of sex happening.

“Indy, please. Don’t.”

I kiss over the tattoo, flipping him onto his back, straddling his waist. “I’m sorry,” I say with my lips just over his. “I’m sorry you went through that.” My lips brush his. His breath shudders, and his eyes close as if he can’t bear the memories.

I know all too well what that feels like. Forcing him to talk about it could push him away. But I hope he trusts me enough one day to tell me.

“The way you have it presented is stunning. Its accuracy is astounding.” As I pull my body down to lie on top of him, he nuzzles my neck.

He pauses the movie and holds me for a long time. The silence grows between us. I know he’s deciding whether to tell me or not. His heart is slamming against his ribcage, but his hold on me is gentle.

“Jay, it’s okay. You don’t have to talk about it. I’m so sorry I brought it up.” I rest my hand on his heart. “I wasn’t thinking.”

“You’re the only person who’s ever noticed it,” he whispers.

I kiss his neck. “We’re cut from the same cloth, I guess.” The thought makes me sick. I can taste the bitterness on my tongue, the sting in my throat.

“No, Indy. I mean it. Yours is right there. No hiding it. No way to explain it away.” His fingers slowly graze up and down my spine. “Mine is meant to blend in. It’s not meant to draw attention. But…I needed it. You know?”

“You did a good job. So did the artist.” He nods on the top of my head.

“No one knows, except my dad.”

“Is that why you don’t talk to him?”

“Sort of. I should. I’ve been thinking about trying to salvage whatever’s left of our relationship.”

He wouldn’t want to salvage anything with his abuser. I can’t imagine what his father is going through. I can’t fault Jay, though. When you go through horrible things like that, it requires you to make decisions you never thought you’d have to make. Sometimes you lose people you never thought you would.

“He walked in on it.”

“Jared.” His body trembles under mine. “Jay, you don’t have to.”

“No. I need to. I do. I need to tell you.”

“I’m always here. I’ll never—” I choke the unfinished thought. He’ll never have to worry about me telling anyone. I can’t. He gently squeezes my back, kissing the top of my head.

“I know, sweet girl. I was begging her. She was…on top of me, and she wouldn’t stop. Dad came home early, heard me crying, and came in to check on me. The next thing I know, he barrels through my door, throwing her off of me.”

Her. An aunt? A babysitter? A family friend? He’s mentioned that his mom has been out of his life for a long time. I wonder if her not being around caused this or if her absence is somehow connected.