Page 59 of Acid

I’m broken; I can’t even orgasm….

It doesn’t stop my heart from hurting, though.

We had our moment, and while yes, we love each other more than friends, we’re just not meant to be.

Maybe we could have been if he hadn’t run all those months ago. I could have worked through my problems, perhaps even been happy, but that didn’t happen. He ran, and Andrea took advantage of our situation, wanting everything I had, all because her dad had an affair with my mom.

Acid and I just weren’t meant to be, and the only reason he’s been hanging around is because of the notes. Before he found out about them, he kept his distance. Once we uncover who the person is, he’ll go back to distancing himself, and I’ll go back to being alone.

Don’t get me wrong—I know Cassidy is back, but she has her own life to live, and others to worry about. I can’t push my issues on her.

Maybe traveling is the best option for everyone, including me.

“Thank you,” the man says as I refill his cup. I smile at him before I walk to the next table when I hear, “Tinker?”

I turn and see Acid gathering the paperwork before our eyes connect. He nods me over, and Prudence scowls, pushing off the counter when she realizes she never had his attention, which I hate to admit makes me giddy.

“Prudence, zip your dress up, will you? This is a family diner, not the strip club,” Acid snaps when he notices her attire, and Prudence’s face reddens with embarrassment.

Again, the giddiness fills me.

“What’s up?” I ask when close, and he looks at me again, his eyes softening.

“Steal’s called for church. I need you to grab your bag,” he says, and I raise a brow at him while planting my free hand on my hip. Acid sighs, seeing my defiance; he’s known me since I was like thirteen or fourteen. Surely, he knew he’d get it from me.

“I’m working, Ol,” I remind him, and he smiles.

“I know,” he replies, picking up the paperwork, “but I?—”

I cut him off, “I can’t put my life on hold because someone left two notes.”

He narrows his eyes and snaps, “Three, Perrie, they left three. I found one two days ago, this time threatening your sister if you don’t stay away from the club, away from me.” My mouth parts in shock, and he sighs. “I need to know you are safe, Perrie. If anything happened to you….” He shakes his head, and my heart bleeds for him.

For so long, I was angry at him. He left me vulnerable on this very counter; he allowed me to believe he screwed my so-called friend and got her pregnant. He broke my heart, yet the pain he’s showing me, the pain he went through growing up kills me.

This man centers me, but we can never be.

“I have my ring, Ollie,” I admit, showing him my pointer finger.

His mouth parts in shock, and I shrug.

After Piston joined the club, he gave me a silver ring for when I’m ever in trouble. All I have to do is push down on it, cracking it, for an alarm to alert Piston.

“Go to church and I’ll probably see you at the gym later, though I am fighting tonight,” I say, and he groans.

“Again?” he mutters, flustered, and I shrug again.

I need the outlet. My mind is all over the place, especially about this man before me.

His eyes race between mine, and I know what he’s thinking, but I ignore the look and squeeze his arm before turning away.

How can I be so mad at someone yet love them even more? He hurt me, and yet as soon as he opened up about what his dad had done, my anger broke.

Pathetic? Maybe, but you can’t change your feelings.

“Any problems, Tinker…” Acid says, and I lift my hand as I walk past window, picking up table eights' order. I wish things could be different between us, thatIcould be.

“Hey, Perrie, can you take the trash out while I take this order?” Savannah asks half an hour later, and I nod, putting the cleaning cloth on the counter. The image of Acid and me from a few months ago flashes before me.

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