Page 9 of Brazen Mistakes

He laughs at my sarcasm. “You never know. But seriously. Are you going to be okay? Walker’s worried about you.”

“Just Walker? You’re all treating me like a Faberge egg that’s teetering at the top of a ten-story staircase.”

The silence would freak me out if it was anyone but RJ on the other end of the line. Wiping away a single tear thatescaped my locked up emotional safe, I tuck myself in with the towel, like I’m in a bed instead of a porcelain tub.

RJ clears his throat. “I don’t want to push or overstep or something. But let’s just say you are a Faberge egg. Because youarethat precious to all of us. How far are you from the top of that ten-story staircase?”

I throw myself out of the tub, rubbing my skin dry and tugging on my sweats and t-shirt. “I’m not an egg, RJ.”

“Of course not.”

Gripping the edge of the counter, I risk a glance in the mirror. Still me. Same dark hair and eyes. Same medium height and runner’s build. Same bump on the bridge of my nose.

But I look older. I look scared. I look like a Faberge egg that’s already tumbled down the stairs, broken pieces clattering against the concrete.

“I’m sorry, Clara. I didn’t mean to push.”

I turn away from the mirror. “No, you’re fine. I’m just…I don’t want to talk about it. I’m going to be alone tonight, it’s going to be fine, and I’m going to get better. Nothing even really happened. I shouldn’t be so sensitive.”

“Clara, a guy had you pinned to a wall. His hand—”

“No. Not now. Don’t tell me it’s normal to be freaked out. I’m fine. And if I’m not, I will be.”

He sighs but doesn’t answer.

Of course not. I shut that shit down fast. And now I ruined a perfectly decadent afternoon. “I killed the mood.”

“We just care, Clara.Icare. A lot.”

“I know.”

“When you’re ready, I’m here. We all are.”

I go back to my room, yanking on my fuzzy socks before curling up under my blanket. “Got it.”

This silence is long and uncomfortable.

RJ sighs. “I’ll be back this weekend. Maybe we could go out or something over break?”

“Like, a date?”

“Yeah. Like a date. I can’t believe I’m doing this all backwards, but yeah. Maybe dinner? And, I don’t know, something cliche like a movie? I’m sure I can think up something more original in the next few days. But a date. You and me.”

Is RJ rambling? Is he seriously nervous right now? “RJ, I’d love that.”

“Oh. Okay. Good. We’ll do that.”

Despite everything, a smile forces itself across my face. “I’m already looking forward to it.”

Chapter 4

Clara

Jansen sends me a video chat request during the second John Wick movie, so I take a break and decide to eat my first actual meal of the day—at seven. I’m really rocking the self-care today.

“Hey,” I say, wandering into the kitchen.

Jansen’s holding the phone a little too close, his nose and green eyes taking up most of the screen. “Hey! I’m so glad I caught you. I just wanted to say hi and see how your day was going.”

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