Page 16 of Shattered

Sunflower: Oh my god! I’m so sorry!

She knows this situation isn’t just a matter of him losing his job. Our finances were already stretched thin, with my parents still trying to dig themselves out of the hole my sister put them in with one really bad investment and several other financial burdens caused by her, and I don’t know how we’re going to be able to get by on my mom’s income alone.

They always told me to focus on my schooling, likely hoping I’d somehow manage to get a full scholarship somewhere and end up with a well-paying job afterward. They discouraged me from getting a job while still in school, but their plan failed, so now we have to figure something out.

Sunflower: How can they do that?

Me: They’re accusing him of stealing equipment. He can’t prove he didn’t, so it was easy enough to get rid of him.

Sunflower: That’s bullshit!

Having the same words I had spoken earlier repeated by her makes my lips twitch the slightest bit.

Me: I will need to get a job ASAP.

Sunflower: I have no doubt you’ll find something right away.

I hope so, but my mom was right when she said Jennifer’s father has his hand in many businesses around town. And if he’s going as far as having my father fired, what hope is there for me?

Sunflower: I wish there was something I could do to help with all this, something to help your family. I’m so sorry.

My heart flutters in my chest, doing the same dance it always does when I’m talking to her. Her caring about me and what’s happening in my life helps, whether she realizes it or not.

Me: You can just distract me for now.

Sunflower: I do actually have something in mind . . .

Curiosity piqued, I stare at my phone, waiting for another message to come through, wondering what it could possibly be. But minutes tick by, and disappointment starts making its way through the cracks of my currently tender soul. She must have gotten busy.

I grab the water bottle off my nightstand, keeping one eye on my phone the whole time, just in case, while taking a drink, and then a message finally comes through.

Sunflower: I’m only sending you these because I trust you, Neilix.

Two pictures appear next, and the second I see them, I choke on my water, spraying it everywhere. I cough several times, my eyes glued to the screen, like the pictures might disappear if I look away.

Me: Holy shit.

Blood rushes to my dick, making me instantly hard, and my heart pumps wildly in my chest. Smooth skin, slightly pink, probably from the waxing, surrounds a triangle patch of neatly trimmed hair. One of the pictures is from above, and the other is a frontal view of her pussy from between her legs. I can feel my cheeks burn as I look at her most private part, torn between wanting to reach down and tug on my dick at the sight of it and trying to be respectful because she said she trusted me with them.

Sunflower: Do you like what you see?

Is she crazy? How could she even question it?

Me: Yes. Very much.

Sunflower: Are you touching yourself?

Electricity buzzes through my veins, making my hands flex in anticipation.

Me: Should I?

Sunflower: Yes.

Shit. I suck in a shaky breath, my eyes falling closed. If she’s telling me to do it, then there’s no reason to feel dirty or wrong about doing it.

I glance over at my door to make sure it’s closed. It’s not locked, but my parents never enter without knocking and waiting for me to tell them to come in. My free hand slips under the covers, and I hurriedly shove my boxers down.

Gripping my dick, I make a few strokes before squeezing the tip, feeling the pre-cum leaking out. My chest rises and falls as I make a few more passes, already on the fast track to come. Everything that’s happened today is like a distant memory that got further buried with every text she sent.

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