Page 34 of Rousing Renee

“Win. We’re doing our own thing and you’re not going to let her influence your actions and neither am I. You know, the only reason I wanted to leave the restaurant was to go for a walk so the place could air out from the stench of her audacity. This is my date and nobody should have the power to disturb my peace in it with you. It took you being in the bathroom for me to realize that, but I did. Don’t tell me all the thoughts in your head added up to the conclusion you should flee the crime scene.”

“I used to love Tammy. I thought she was the best friend in the world. She was the one person I could confide in. For her to air my dirty laundry out to the world because she’s upset only confirms that she really wasn’t my friend.”

“Wait, so that was true?”

“Yes.” Renee wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I know you probably don’t want to be around me now that you know, and I’m fine with that.”

“Did the person on the phone put that in your head, or did you?” I asked, wanting the truth.

“Were you listening to my conversation?” She put her hands on her hips, ready to put me in my place. It was sexy as fuck.

“No, I came to the door to check on you. When I heard you talking to someone, I left you to what you were doing.”

“I was talking to my therapist, so no, she wasn’t encouraging me to leave. Quite the opposite.”

“Meaning?”

“That I should sit down and talk to you about what you heard and let you form your own opinion of me.”

“How long has she been your therapist?”

“Six months.”

“Is she helpful?”

“Extremely.”

“Good. Then now isn’t the time to stop listening to her.” I patted the spot in the booth next to me. “Let’s talk.”

Renee sighed. “This isn’t what I came here for. I came for dinner and then you told me you’d take me back to your place to teach me how to make your famous grilled cheese.”

“And we will get to that.”

Renee rolled her eyes and sat next to me. She’d pay for that infraction later. I dropped an arm around her and pulled her closer.

“Tell me your story.”

She told me about her mother and father, the pressure of cheerleading, and having lots of poor decisions, also known as boyfriends. We ordered lots of food and talked while we ate.

“Cutting was a way to relieve the pressure. In college, I met Sampson, and we were drawn together. Turns out we were both going through some of the biggest struggles of our lives at the same time. We became best friends, and he made me promise to stop cutting myself. He also made me promise that the next time I felt like hurting myself, I’d call him first. I made that dreadful call to him six months ago, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. It brought me here. I’m surrounded by people who understand most of my issues. I learned that there are healthy ways to cope. It’s why I signed up for your class. To help me make better decisions and to explore who I am.”

“Am I disturbing your journey?” I asked her. “I can wait to date you. You’re more than worth it. I’m not going anywhere. You can come into whoever you were meant to be, and then I can claim you as your reward.”

Renee giggled. “I think you misunderstand how that works. You getting to claim me is the reward for waiting.”

“Meh. I’m winning regardless.”

“Ezra two points. Renee three.”

“Damn! That was only worth three quarters of a point?”

“It’s tough out here,” she joked.

“Yeah”—I kissed her lips—“it is.”

“What happened between the two of you?” she asked.

“I thought we weren’t talking about our pasts,” I teased her.

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