Page 77 of Fire

She tentatively reached out and placed a hand on his knee. “I’m grateful you were there at all. All those people around and no one saw anything.”

“I was watching you all night.” He bowed his head, shielding his face from her view. “I’vebeenwatching you the past two weeks.”

“I know.”

His head snapped up, eyes drilling hers.

“Well,” she amended, “I didn’t know it was all the time, but I did know you were keeping tabs. You knew about my date with Jason.”

His nostrils flared as if she’d hit a nerve, but he didn’t comment about that, instead asking, “And it doesn’t worry you, that I’ve been following you?”

“You once told me you weren’t acrazystalker.” She shrugged. “I’m holding you to your word. It’s rather flattering, actually.”

He shook his head. “You’re crazier than I am.”

She full out laughed at that. “Maybe I am.”

Her merriment died. “Is that what you meant by you’re not good for me?” And then she answered her own question, shaking her head. “No that can’t be right because you pushed me away before any of that happened.”

He watched her, not saying anything.

“Feel free to jump in at any time.”

He smirked. “Let’s forget I said it.”

But she’d have none of that. “So you don’t have to explain yourself? No way. I’m not letting you off with a he’ll-tell-me-when-he’s-ready attitude any longer.”

Distancing himself, he turned his body to face forward, resting his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands together, fingers entwined. His head dropped to stare at the ground between his feet. “I don’t even know where to start.”

She touched his shoulder, and he stiffened. “How about you start with why you don’t like me touching your back. Why you never remove your clothes. Why you keep yourself hidden.”

He rolled his neck, turning his head to face her. “Aren’t you observant.”

Sarcasm dripped from his tone, but she didn’t let his asshole behavior deter her. She knew opening up was hard for him so gave him a pass. But she did narrow her eyes at hisagainnon-answer.

Sighing, he returned his gaze to between his feet, ending their stare-off.

When his silence stretched, she tried, “Okay, why don’t you start with the emergency phone calls that take you away at all hours of the night.”

He nodded as if that question were easier to answer. “My sister. She’s—” He stopped suddenly.

Gwen could tell he was struggling to find words. As closed off as he was, she knew talking about anything personal was difficult. She sat silently, giving him time.

After a long minute, he continued, “She’s not mentally stable. Hasn’t talked in over sixteen years. She has… spells… fits. I don’t know what to call them, but I’m the only one who can calm her.” With his head still turned, she couldn’t read his expression, but she heard his pain.

“That must be hard.” When he only nodded, she asked, “Where is she?”

“Living with our grandparents in Rancho Palos Verdes.”

“And your parents?”

“They died when I was sixteen.”

She was about to express her sympathy, but his next words stopped her.

“No, that’s not the whole truth. They didn’t just die, they were killed.”

Startled, her question slipped out before she could stop it. “How?”

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