Page 65 of Just One Moment

“Yeah,Ithink it’s hereditary.Dexhas just been hanging around us all for too long.”Hedrops his hand asIturn to face him, andIimmediately miss his touch.“Yougood?”

“Stuffedfull of pizza, butIhad a great time.Eveningshere are always fun.”

“It’spretty rare we’re all available but we make time.Areyou ready to head out?”

“Yep.”Myvoice oozes confidence despite the giddy nervesI’mfeeling at the idea of being properly alone with him again.MostlybecauseIwant to jump his bones.

Thecar ride home buzzes with tension.Thesmall space between us crackles and pops, but neither of us makes a move.

Twentyminutes later, we’re walking up the stairs to the apartment, armed with leftover pizza, when my phone vibrates in my back pocket.I’mso worked upIforget to check the callerIDbefore answering. “Hello?”

“Abakery?!” a hoarse, haunting voice barks through the speaker.It’snot the volume but the realization of who is behind it that has me flinching. “Isee you’re still a greedy bitch.Thingsnever change.”

Myentire body seizes up, leaving my left leg suspended above the second-to-last step on the stairs.

Iwas never supposed to hear that voice again.

Hertexts and calls have become less frequent and a naïve part of me thought she was finally done.

Grahamnotices my pause and turns to face me as he reaches the top.Whateverexpression is written across my face has his falling, and he’s by my side in an instance.

Mylips part andItry to get my voice to work, but it’s broken.She’ssucked it up, along with all my joy.

“Areyou there?How’sfuckingMaine?Justbecause you’re halfway across the country, owning some fancy business doesn’t make you better than me.You’restill trash,Quinn.Fattrash.You’llfail at it like everything else.”

He’sclose enough to hear her raspy voice now.Dreadand mortification crash through me like a flash flood.Idon’t want him to believe her words.Tosee me as trash.I’mnot.Notanymore.

No.Inever was.

Thisis what she’s always done.Lacedmy brain with a sense of worthlessness.Eachword hollowing me out until all that’s left is a husk of shame.

“Don’tfucking ignore me.Iknow you’re there.Youowe me.Oweme for ruining my life.”

Graham’snostrils flare and from the raw anger burning off him, he’s heard every word.

“You’rea worthless piece of shi?—”

BeforeIeven know what’s happening the cell is ripped from my hands andGraham’sdeep voice fills the stairwell. “Ifthis is whoIthink it is, you will never call this number again.Youwill never speak to her again.Youare the unworthy one.Youdon’t deserve to speak her name, let alone think about it.Sheis done with you, andIam done with this call.”

Ican hear the beginnings of a shriek before it’s cut off when he stabs at theEndCallbutton with his thumb forcefully.

Inthe space of sixty seconds,Grahamhas said to my mom whatIhaven’t been able to say for twenty-six years.

Westand there motionless as the aftermath of what’s just happened takes root.Thereare too many emotions whirring through me to sort them out and understand whatI’mfeeling, but he still simmers with rage.

Witha gentle grip on my hand, he pulls me up the last two steps and then shifts me to stand in front of him so he can direct us toward the door of his apartment.I’mpressed against the wood when he crowds me with his huge frame while unlocking the door, and once the snick of the lock sounds, he’s pushing it open and ushering me inside.

Thesound of the door closing hasn’t even reached my ears before he’s spinning me around, pocketing my phone in his jeans, and cupping my cheeks with his hands.Hiseyes say so much.I’msorry.WhatcanIdo?HowcanIhelp?

It’sthe soft kiss he brushes to my lips that soothes the archaic pain quaking in my chest. “You’rebrave.”Akiss to my cheek. “You’reselfless.”Theother cheek. “You’rekind.”Mynose. “You’refunny.”Helingers longest on my forehead before pulling away. “You’reexactly how you should be; and that is perfect.”

Myvision blurs, andIswipe at my tears, not wanting to lose sight of the man in front of me. “Youheard her?”

“Iheard lies.Fromthe mouth of a woman who clearly has a lot of deeply embedded regret, that has nothing to do with you, no matter what she says.Ifind it hard to believe you came from her, andIhate you had to listen to her vile words.I’mso sorry.”

Hishands are still shaking as they caress my tear-soaked face, andIraise mine to cover them. “Youhave nothing to be sorry for.”

“I’msorryIcouldn’t stop her.”

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