Page 78 of All Your Pucking Secrets

I order a raw vegan Snickers slice, figuring that the dates and nuts are surely better for me than the pure sugar of the other options. Echo, on the other hand, orders a decadent piece of chocolate cake, warmed so that the frosting oozes everywhere, and served with cream and ice cream.

We sit at a small table by a window while we eat. My slice is okay, but nothing to write home about. Hers, on the other hand, must be the stuff of dreams based on the way she moans with every mouthful. My cock is rock hard beneath the table, and I just hope I’ll be able to get it together before we leave.

“So, Soraya is in Newbury too,” Echo notes between mouthfuls. “What about your mom?”

I stiffen. “Mom didn’t leave Charlesville.”

She still lives in that too-big house with my father’s ghost. One of Soraya’s goals is to convince her to move into a smaller, cozier home, but she has her work cut out for her. Mom spent even more years being conditioned by our father than we did.

She nods, her sharp eyes no doubt noticing every micro-expression that flickers across my face, cataloging them to revisit in the future.

“Soraya told me she wants to be an attorney specializing in domestic violence cases,” she says. “That’s pretty impressive.”

My posture loosens. “Yeah, I’m proud of her.”

“She seems like a smart girl.”

I stab my fork into the last piece of Snickers slice. “She’s like you, in a lot of ways.”

Echo looks intrigued. “How so?”

I shrug and raise the bite of cake to my mouth. “You’ve both been through a lot, but, somehow, you’re still strong.”

“Did she…” She trails off, rubbing her lips together as if she’s unsure how to go on.

“What?” I prompt. “You can ask me anything.”

Her teeth sink into her lip, and then she busies herself portioning off another bit of cake. “Your dad abused her too?”

“Physically, she had it worse than me.” I drop my fork, no longer hungry. “He’d threaten her as a way to control me.”

“I’m so sorry. That must have been awful.” She puts her fork down too. At least we finished most of our dessert before we lost our appetites.

“It wasn’t great.” I glance at her plate. “You done?”

She nods.

“Let’s get you home then.”

We both stand, and I leave a tip on the table. As we stroll down the pavement, our arms brush every now and then. I’m tempted to grab her and refuse to let go. Having her so close, it’s like the thing I most want is within reach, but I’m not allowed to touch it.

Realistically, I know she probably wouldn’t mind a little physical affection, but our new bond is weak, and I won’t do anything to jeopardize it.

When we arrive outside her building, I come to a stop.

“Can I see you again?” I ask, knowing my feelings for her are plastered all over my face.

She holds my gaze for a long moment. “Okay, but anywhere we go has to be public.”

A flash of movement to our left catches my attention, and I glance over. It’s Ryan, and he’s coming straight toward us. I try to meet his eyes, and shake my head silently, but I’m not sure if he notices.

Damn, I’m going to have to come clean about at least one of my secrets soon, or there’s every chance that Ryan will do it for me.

20

TYLER

A little after 11 am on Saturday morning, I pull up outside the dorm where Ryan lives, along with the other members of the baseball team. He’s waiting outside, and he raises his hand as I park on the side of the road.

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