Page 61 of Getting It Twisted

“It’s worth a try,” April says. “I talk to a therapist myself, I could give you her number if—”

“I’m fine.”

“Sure you are, but we all need someone who listens to us at times.”

“Daniel listens to me.”

April makes a face halfway between a grimace and a smile. “Daniel’s a good guy, don’t get me wrong, but he has his head in the clouds most of the time. He’s more of a hands-on type than a listener. That guy doesn’t see more than two feet in front of him, too wrapped up in his own world. Not like you. You like to escape yourself, am I correct?”

“I don’t think ahead. I just do what feels good.”

“But what feels good sometimes leads to bad things, doesn’t it?”

My mouth pulls tight, and I don’t feel like saying much more, so I don’t. Somewhere along the way, I lost control of this conversation, and I need to get it back.

April’s warm brown eyes study me for longer than I’m comfortable with, and her voice grows quiet and soft. “I get why he wants to help you so badly.”

“Help me?” I smirk, hoping to throw her off guard. “All men want is a tight hole to fuck.”

She huffs out a startled laugh. “Is that what you think?”

I thread my fingers behind my neck and lean back in the chair. “Well, that and fat stacks of cash.”

“What about Daniel?”

“What about him?”

“He seems to want more from life. From you.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”Maybe he’s just fooled himself I’m worth his time. Once he finds out what a fuckup I truly am, he’ll be disgusted with himself—with me—and completely regret the effort.

“What do you do out there anyway, at that house?” April asks.

“Nothing much.”I disintegrate piece by piece, plagued by memories of my messed-up past.

“If you want something to do, there’s an animal shelter up north. They always need staff. Doesn’t pay much, but if you want to stay in town, it might be worth looking into.”

I roll my eyes. “I take it Daniel’s been yapping about me?”

“He doesn’t say much, but when he says something, he really means it.” Her eyes twinkle. “Unlike . . .”

“Yeah, yeah, unlike me. What can I say? I’ve got a talent for running my mouth.”

“I get it. George is the same.”

Me? The same as George? I resist the urge to dry-heave at the idea.

“How are you able to stand that guy anyway? You’re . . .” I gesture wildly at her. “You’re actually nice. Unlike him.”

“George can be nice,” April says, “if you’ve earned his trust. What can I say, I like a guy with steadfast principles.” She leans over the table and speaks in a softer tone. “He doesn’t hate you or anything, you know. He’s just protective of Daniel and worried you’ll hurt him.”

“I don’t plan to hurt him.”

“I didn’t say you do.”

Footsteps creak on the porch outside.

“I know!” George exclaims as the door swings open. “But that’s just the thing. We’ll never get it under control if we don’t—” He stops in his tracks as he catches sight of me. “Oh.You’rehere.”

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