Page 11 of Ruin

“If I have a secret, I keep it a secret,” I laugh. “If I need to talk to someone about something, I’ve got your brother and Country.”

“Oh, please. Does Country drag you to sex clubs on random summer nights? No, he does not. Therefore, not your bestie.”

I grin. “That’s fair. I can honestly say Country couldn’t convince me to go to a sex club with him.”

“Right, and besties tell each other secrets. So, spill ‘em.”

“I’m a steel trap. Once the secret’s in, it’s gone. Besides, I don’t think I have anything that is serious enough to be a secret.”

Her eyes roll playfully. “Everyone has secrets.”

“Well, when I was in prison, I—”

“If this is some kind of bar soap-shower thing… maybe I don’t want to know.” She grins.

“No,” I laugh, “but… I did hear about that a lot. I, ugh, I wrote a book.”

“You… wrote a book?”

“Yeah.”

“About…”

“It’s about this guy who’s in love with a girl he can’t have. He spends time with her and lusts after her from a distance for years, knowing nothing can ever come of it.”

She stares toward me, swallowing hard. “Did you really write that?”

“I did.”

“So, you wrote a romance?”

“Well,” I grin, “I was pretty lonely. Two years is a long time to spend behind bars. Your turn now. Tell me a secret.”

“Wait, are you going to publish it?”

“No. It was for me. Like I said, I was lonely, so I wrote.”

She nods slowly as though she’s processing through what I’ve said. Maybe it was too on the nose. I’ve laid it on pretty thick today for a guy who was moving on last night.

“My secrets are way less impressive. Besides, I think you know everything. All I can think about right now is tonight.”

“What about it?”

She shrugs and leans in. “I’ve never done anything this crazy. I’m excited!”

“Did you decide if you were,” I swallow hard, “participating?”

“No, not yet. You?”

I laugh. “Nope. No way. Not happening.”

“Why?” Her tone is a near whisper.

“This isn’t my thing. We’re here for you.”

“Right, but don’t you want to… have fun too? I mean, we’re here. You might as well—”

“Not happening, Peach. Just promise me you’ll stay by me.”

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