Page 31 of Devoted

"I weighed my options. If he is from IA there is really only one route to take. I've got to answer all his questions as honestly as I can. Only problem is, some of it is so hazy in my head, I'm not even sure how toanswer."

I rest against the cushions and put my feet back on the coffee table. My next comment is lodged deep in my chest with the million other questions I have about Freestone. Instead, I just offer an unnecessary opinion. "Freestone's not a good guy, Ten. I know in your mind he's stuck somewhere between good andevil."

"He let you go," she says quietly. "He could have killed you but he made sure yousurvived."

"Yeah, he did. But, Ten, he kept you drugged and he used you. He fucking used you." The last sentence squeezes past the lump in my throat. "I fucking hatehim."

She sighs wistfully. "And yet, I don't feel used. I guess that's because I wasn't really myself. I was a different person. I was Tawny. Everything that happened to me was happening through her eyes. The drug allowed me to let go ofmyself."

The beer sits like a lead weight in my stomach. "Not sure if I can hear this, Ten. Like you said, I'm a fucking coward. I can't hear you talk about him likethis."

Another sniffle through the phone. "Who then? You're my best friend, Maddox. Who do I talk to if I can't talk toyou?"

I sit forward to stop the pain in my gut. "I know. Fuck. I want to be there for you, baby. It's justhard."

A stretch of quietfollows.

"You've never called me babybefore."

"Is it all right if I call youthat?"

Another pause. "Yeah, I kind of like it. Just don't do it at thestation."

"Goodadvice."

Her yawn rolls through the phone. "Shit, all I did was answer questions and I'm so darn tired. I have to go back on Wednesday. If Mr. Winter survived the day. Clark put us up in some little seaside motel. The air conditioner was no better than a fan. Thought the guy was going to keel over fromheatstroke."

"Maybe that wouldn't be such a badthing."

Another sniffle. "I hate that I have to talk about this with strangers. Dr. Renfrew just sits there with her hands in her lap like a robot, giving the occasional supportive wink to let me know I'm doing all right. Ugh, I fucking hate it." She groans. "Excuse my pity party. I'm just tired and my favorite person has been banished from mylife."

"Fuck 'em. I'll come right now. Just say theword."

"Oh, this is awkward. I actually meantSilvana."

"Brat. Now I'm really coming because you need a damn spanking." After years of pretending to be just partners and friends, the dirty talk and flirting is coming pretty naturally. So far it's the only thing that's come easily with this newrelationship.

She mewls into the phone. "As fun as that sounds, I'm far too tired. And you should stay away. If Clark transfers you, I won't have a partner." A second even cuter yawn comes through thephone.

"Those adorable sounds are not helping me forget about the cancelledspanking."

She laughs. "Ooh, you know what I'd reallylike?"

I'm ready to jump on a list of sexy suggestions. "Tell me and let's see if it can be done long distance through a cell phone. By the way, I have been told I'm very good at phonesex."

"I'll be the judge of that," she says confidently. "But not tonight. Too tired even for that. Don't laugh and remember I can sense an eye roll through thephone."

"I will keep my eyessteady."

"Say my name. Say my name the way Mick Jagger would say it. Like in thesong."

I clear my throat and sing Angie into the phonetwice.

"My mom's right. You do sound really good. Well, I can't keep my eyes open. Sweet dreams,Maddox."

"Sweet dreams,baby."

"Hmm, I could get used to hearing that." Her words fade drowsily away and she ends thecall.

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