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“Whatever Karli. You know what? Maybe I was wrong about you. Maybe I was wrong about us. I’ve gotta go. I wouldn’t want to keep you from your boyfriend.” Click.
“He’s not my boyfriend!!” I screamed into dead air. I threw my phone up against the wall and took out a chunk of sheetrock. “Shit!” Turning around, I saw Leo standing in the doorway.
“I heard shouting from the bathroom. Are you okay?” When I didn’t answer he walked up to me and braced his hands on my shoulders. “My love, are you okay?”
I shoved him….well, as much as I could anyhow. “No, I’m not okay!” I screamed.“Is that what you wanted to hear? Everything is so fucked up and I don’t know how to make it right! I have all these damn changes going through my body and I have too many fucking thoughts running through my head! I’m sick of trying to sort through all of it! To top it off, I’m pretty sure I just broke my damn phone!”
I started bawling hysterically as I was pounding my fists into his chest. He just stood there taking my abuse not saying a word. He let me vent until I couldn’t scream or cry anymore. I was so exhausted that I eventually collapsed onto the floor. I started protesting when he scooped me up into his arms and carried me over to the bed, but he ignored me and gathered me into his lap, whispering words of comfort into my ear. I was too drained to fight so I just let him rock me and pet my hair while I sobbed. I think I saw the dawn coming through a break in the curtains before my lids became too heavy to hold open.
Chapter 21
**************
I was still in Leo’s arms when I awoke later that morning. We were on top of the covers and he was still asleep. I shifted my body, waking him up. He kissed the top of my head and said, “Good morning.”
Feeling embarrassed about my outburst, I sheepishly returned the gesture. “Morning. What time is it?”
He checked his watch. “About ten thirty.”
I stumbled into the bathroom without another word and took a long shower, letting the hot water soak into my sore muscles. God, I am so damn tired. When was this going to end? I came out wearing a bathrobe and collapsed face down on the bed.
Leo tucked a stray hair behind my ear.“Are you feeling any better?”
I turned my head just enough so my voice wasn’t muffled. “Not really. I’m really tired again. But thank you for last night Leo. It was nice having you here with me.”
“Anytime my dear. I just wish I could have done more.”
“Trust me Leo. You did a lot. More than you could ever know.”
“I don’t understand.” He said.
“I know, and I’m sorry I have to be so secretive all the time. There are just certain things that are better left unsaid.”
“But not from Vance. You trusted him with your secret.” It wasn’t a question, but I felt the need to explain anyway.
Sitting up on my knees, I grabbed his hands. “No Leo, you don’t understand. I didn’t tell him anything. He figured it out. And it turns out that was a good thing because he’s actually been able to help me through a very difficult part of my life. And it’s something that only he could help me with. I’m sorry that I can’t explain it any further. I just can’t. It’s too dangerous.”
Recoiling away from me, he said, “Too dangerous how? Do you think that I am a danger to you?”
“What?” I asked, startled by his reaction. “Yes…….I mean, no……..Ugh, I don’t know. Look can we please just talk about something else?”
He pouted. “Like what?”
“What’s the story between you and Vance?” I asked.
“Next question.” He replied.
“What? Why?”
“Because it’s not my story to tell.”
“But he told me to ask you! Please Leo, I need to know what the deal is between you two. Is this about a woman?”
He shrugged. “Not entirely.”
I was going to get to the bottom of this if it killed me. “Is it Maria?” I asked.
He looked surprised. “What did you say?”
