Page 105 of Pucking Obsessed

Yet I couldn’t afford to buy anything to wear. I could hardly afford to buy a hot meal each day.

So, I bought a cheap, plastic pair of horns and went naked.

I became a campus legend.

I lost my sense of shame a long time ago. I do have a sense of pride, however, that I can affordan entire storeof costumes now.

I can choose the best outfits for myself and my lovers in Virginia.

Nobody handed me this life. I didn’t inherit it.

I worked hard for it.

I survived.

“Hey.” Robyn catches my hand between hers, stilling it. I realize that I’ve been tapping the shelf compulsively in rhythms of three. How long have I been out of it? “Are you okay?”

I force myself to smile. “I’m thinking how lucky I am to have you in my life.”

Robyn’s expression softens. “We’re lucky to have each other.”

When she moves to stroke my arm, however, I flinch.

It surprises even me.

Robyn freezes.

She looks at me, startled. “D’Angelo, you’ve been off from the moment that you drove me here. Is it about that Vega woman?”

My lips thin. “Garcia is investigating Vega’s background now. It appears that she has a Bay Rebels season ticket. She can watch the arena from her window and take photographs of players arriving and leaving from her house; you can see the photographs of me on her social media. Is she an extreme fan or a stalker? I don’t know.”

Except, I’ve been feeling like shit, since before I found out about Vega.

Unsettled.

Empty.

Plus, I have far worse Halloween memories than the one from college that Robyn knows about.

I didn’t think that it was still affecting me.

But then, with that asshole Heine reappearing, I should have expected it.

He tries to steal my strength.

My control.

My consent.

Without meaning to, I flinch again.

Robyn’s expression tightens. “Come on, we’re going home. Costumes can wait.”

I hurriedly turn to her. “I’m sorry.”

“You never have to apologize for being triggered.”

“Stop.” I grasp Robyn’s hand, before she can march out of the store in a beautiful display of protectiveness. “I am not going to give Shay the ammunition that I’m not only scared of horror movies but also Halloween costumes. I’ll never live it down.”

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