Page 34 of About That Night

She tries to school her features. “Sorry.”

“So did it work? Did you convince yourself that I took your virginity? Was it everything you wanted it to be?” I already know she had at least two orgasms, but there’s nothing wrong with getting a little ego stroke. But mostly, I want to know if it was satisfying for her.

“You know it was,” she says softly. “You made it more about me than about you, and I finally got what all the fuss over sex was about. My eyes were definitely opened, and you were good to me.”

It had been easy to tell she was inexperienced. I’d enjoyed giving her pleasure. “So in a way, I was your first time. For certain things.”

“For all the good things.” She gives me a smile. “I probably could have done a decent job forgetting all about Austin from Houston if I hadn’t found out I was pregnant two days later when I went to the doctor for a UTI. They did a urine test, and everything changed.”

Now, that was heavy. I can’t even imagine how stunned and scared she must have been.

“I still can’t believe your parents stopped talking to you.” That really pisses me off. It was premarital sex, not murder. “How did Austin from Houston take the news?”

“Austin from Houston never gave me his last name or a phone number. I tried to look him up on social media, but the details I had, which is everything I’ve already told you, didn’t give me anything. Oh, and he said he was twenty and in community college. Do you know how many community colleges there are in Texas? If he was even telling me the truth. He could have actually been Houston from Austin, for all I know.”

Damn. “Or Dallas from Paris. I see the problem.” I’m even more impressed with Chastity than I was before. “So you didn’t have your parents' support, and you didn’t have the sperm donor’s support. How the hell did you manage to survive? You’re a warrior, Chastity.”

She shrugs. “Most people in my life back then would argue I was just stupid, but thank you. I appreciate you saying that.”

That also pisses me off. “There you go again with the stupid. Don’t ever do that. You made choices you regret, so what? Do you know how many hundreds of thousands of people hook up on spring break? It’s not exactly an uncommon story. It’s your body, and you’re allowed to do whatever the fuck you want with it. That’s not the point. The point is what you did when shit got real, and you rose to the occasion. You had everyone, literally everyone, including my sister, turn their back on you, and you still managed to survive and eventually thrive. And it didn’t turn you hard. The opposite, actually. You’re an amazing mother and a compassionate human being who takes care of everyone around you and yet, you still act like you deserve to be the one doing all the work. Like you have to make amends or something. You deserve just as much as everyone else. You deserve support, you deserve a helping hand, you deserve love,” I say emphatically. “Fuck, Chastity. You deserve to be loved.”

I feel very passionate about letting her know that she has nothing to apologize for and that she is worthy of the biggest and truest kind of love from a man. Hell, I could fall in love with her. Easily.

Her face softens. “You’re a very good man, Hank. Thank you. I do have people who love me. My son, Nevaeh, Miss Loretta. I’m very fortunate. I have the family I’ve created, not the one I was born to, and I’m at peace with that.”

That mollifies me slightly.

“Well, let’s get you dating too. In a few days, we’ll have you swiping on guys left and right. Or is it right and left?”

She laughs. “I have no idea. Do you really think I should just jump on a dating app?”

No. I think she should jump on me. But she wants someone different, and I want her to have that. Him. Whatever. This is a woman who should have everything she ever wants and then some. She’s paid her fucking dues. “Why not? Dating takes practice, just like anything else. That’s your homework after today. You need to set up a profile.”

“You’ll help me so I don’t say or do something stupid?”

I give her a hard look. “Only if you stop criticizing yourself.”

She winces. “I do that, don’t I? You’re right. I need to stop. I like myself, I really do. It’s just a habit to feel…”

“Guilty? To think that if you enjoy yourself, you’re going to bring bad luck on yourself?” God, her parents kicking her out did a real fucking number on her. I hope I never meet them. Then again, I hope I do because I have a thing or two to say to them.

Chastity shrugs. “I know. That sounds stu—oh my God.” She groans. “I’m a mess!”

“Hey.” I want to hug her, but I don’t want her to think I’m taking advantage of her emotions. I just tap the side of my head. “The loudest voices are in here. Just shut them off and let different voices in. You know who you are.”

Her voice is soft. “You’re right.” She gives a firm nod. “I know who I am.”

I can’t help but add my final thoughts. “And Austin from Houston should have given you his number because he’s missing out on a great kid from all accounts and a great woman. You should be proud of yourself.”

“Thanks. You should too, Hank.”

“Me? What the hell have I done?”

“Are you kidding? You’re opening a restaurant. That’s amazing. You’re hard-working and loyal and kind.”

“Thank you, Chastity, you’re very sweet.” Her compliment means more to me than I’m expecting. “Food and family, sweetheart. That’s what life is all about.”

“And football?”

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