Page 42 of Affliction

“What did you tell him?”

“I told him Bryce was just a friend,” I said sheepishly.

“Oh, Mia. You know he’s a bit more than that. And if he was waiting outside of Bryce’s apartment, he probably saw the little love bite he gave you. That’s not something a friend does,” Ally said, watching me with raised eyebrows.

“Yeah, he saw it that morning. I thought I had it pretty well covered today, though.” I attempted to peek at the spot on my collarbone, but it was pointless.

“Eh, it could be better. I can still see it a bit. Want me to go grab my concealer from my desk and help you cover it?” Ally offered.

“Thank you. I’m not too worried about it. I’ll be stuck in my office for the rest of the day anyway.”

Ally nodded in reply. “Were you just with him?”

I nodded. “Yep.”

“How was that?” Ally giggled and then added, “As if I can’t tell. You missed your meeting, and you don’t miss meetings. What happened? Any kissing or touching?”

We laughed like a bunch of schoolgirls at her suggestions.

“No, none of that. Just some eye contact and light touches,” I admitted.

“Oh, well, I hope you were using protection.”

“Ally!” I exclaimed.

“Relax, I was only teasing,” she said, holding her hands up in surrender. “Talk to me, honey. What’s going through your head?”

“So many things,” I admitted out loud for the first time. “I don’t understand how one man can stir up so many feelings inside of me. Especially after all the time we spent apart. But he does it. One look and he sends me into a tizzy.”

“Does he know he does these things to you?”

I nodded.

Ally’s face broke out in a smile. “If it helps, I think you do the same thing to him. He’s all twisted up about you. He hated that you left with Bryce. It drove him crazy. I’m not sure how he figured out where he lived. He asked me for his address, and I wouldn’t give it to him. Somehow, he figured it out. I think the man may still love you, Mia.”

“Then why did he leave me?” I shook my head. I felt so pathetic for still wanting an answer to that question. Something told me I would never have it. And even if I did, it wouldn’t satisfy me. My head was always so sure that it was simple: Terry didn’t love me anymore. But my heart swore the reason was deeper than that. I wasn’t sure which one I believed anymore. All I knew was that the pain was still there.

“I don’t know, Mia. Have you asked him that question?”

“Nope,” I admitted, popping the P. “I think I’m afraid to ask him. Besides, I’m not sure I would believe him even if he told me.”

“Have you caught him lying to you since you’ve been back?”

“No, I haven’t. But something tells me it’s not that simple. It’s like he’s hiding something from me. Or holding back. And Terry has never hidden things from me.”

“You mean the same way you’re hiding things from him?” Ally challenged.

“Hey, the things I’m hiding are because they’re too personal. Not everyone gets to know that part of my life,” I counter, a little bite slipping into my tone.

“I know, I know,” Ally backpedaled. “But I think he suspects that something happened to you. He was asking questions during the interview the other day.”

“I know he heard her asking me questions. What did you tell him?”

“To get his butt to Art so he could help you,” Ally told me matter-of-factly.

“Thank you,” I told her with a smile.

“What is this ‘in the dark’ thing he keeps referring to?”

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