Page 10 of The Dirty Saint

Friendly jabs at each other are one thing, but no boss likes to be belittled by their employee.

It doesn’t matter what the relationship is outside of work.

“So, are you done,” I ask. “Or should I plan out my next move?”

Dom looks at me, frustration radiating off his body. “My mouth is shut. But instead of focusing on me, I think we should be focusing on,” he points to Ezra, “Our new acquaintance.”

I nod.

“Good idea.”

Where to begin, however, is the real question.

“Should I start from the bottom and work my way up or…”

Ezra lets out a breath. “I don’t know, but I dare you to come closer to me with that knife.”

Tracing a finger across her thigh, I grin.

“So brave, are we,” I whisper. “Well, bravery doesn’t shield you from pain. It just you buy a little extra time before—”

“Before what? Before you finally shut the fuck up and actually put your money where your mouth is? Well, until then,” Ezra looks down at her fingernails, “I’ll be waiting for you to axe the training wheels and move on to a big-boy bike.”

Oh, Ezzie. Ezzie, Ezzie, Ezzie.

Be careful what you wish for.

3

Chapter Three

After

EZRA

He hurt me.

Then again, a lot of people have.

I know people won’t understand the love I have for Joey Odeh, and that’s okay. They don’t have to. They weren’t in that environment. And they don’t know what we shared.

And, frankly, it’s none of their business anyway.

But right now, I can’t think about any of that. Because, god damn, does it hurt. The pain. The grief. It feels like a weight is pressing on my shoulders and no matter what I do, I can’t shake it.

It’s all too much for me to handle at the moment.

Speaking of which.

“What are you doing here, Mom,” I ask as I set my keys in the bowl by the front door. “Noah is supposed to be with the babysitter.”

“I know, it’s just—oh, sweet baby boy, I think our cookies are ready.” My mother stands up.

“Jesus, Mom.”

She shrugs.

“What? They’re chocolate chip. They’re your favorite.”

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