Page 51 of Bombshell

“Oh, let’s see. Two days ago, you took her virginity. That’s a friendship sure to blossom.” Sarcasm dripped from her words.

My face warmed, and I looked down at the floor. I hadn’t expected her to go there.

“Tink?” Micah slid a finger under my chin and lifted my face up to meet his. “Did you like sex? Did I make you feel good?”

Now, my face was on fire. My eyes widened, and he grinned at me.

“Come on. Tell her the truth.”

“Micah!” Pepper scolded.

“I enjoyed it,” I replied just above a whisper.

“And today, did I try to do anything more than comfort you?”

I shook my head.

He looked back at Pepper. “See? I’m here to be whatever she needs. I left her with you for two days, and the moment you left, she was slicing up that pretty skin of hers. Not happening again. I won’t let it. You failed at helping her. I won’t.”

“Shut up!” Pepper shouted, then pointed to the door. “Go. Just leave. I got this.”

Micah didn’t budge. He shook his head. “No.”

“Micah, so help me GOD!”

Stepping between them, I held up my hands. “Both of you, stop,” I pleaded. “Right now, I should send you both away, but I can’t promise I won’t get weak and pathetic. I might cut myself because I’m not okay. I hate it. I hate it so much. The truth is, I want someone here until I know I have this under control. Should it be Micah?” I paused and looked at him. “Probably not.” Then, I looked at Pepper. “But you can’t be here all the time either. I have two jobs. I will try to get more shifts. Or a third job. I don’t know. I do know I hate feeling like I’m a burden, but I’m willing to admit I need help. And”—I dropped my shoulders and sighed—“I really don’t wanna go back to my momma’s.”

Micah stepped toward me, and I held my hand up to stop him.

“I will be here when you are home. I will be wherever you need me to be. You just call me.”

God, I needed him to stop being so sweet. It was making this harder.

“I am her best friend. I will be here. You go handle that cocksucker that started all this.”

A knock at the door caused all our heads to turn in that direction. Walking past them both, I headed to open it.

“Wait, Tink. I’ll get it,” Micah said, stepping around me to grab the knob.

“I can open my own door,” I informed him.

He winked at me. “Easy, tiger.”

I was scowling at his back when he opened my door. The large bouquet of bright pink, blue, yellow, and orange flowers almost completely hid the delivery boy’s head.

“These are for Dolly Dixon,” he said, holding them out.

Micah was glaring at him as if the boy himself had sent me flowers.

I moved around Micah and reached for them. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied nervously before hurrying to get away from Micah.

“Who are they from?” Pepper demanded.

I walked over and set them on the table beside the door. Micah reached for the small envelope before I could and started opening it.

When he jerked the card out, he read it, and his jaw clenched tightly. “Motherfucker.”

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