Page 23 of Broken

Myth grinned. “Look, when you say it like that, Iknow it sounds bad.”

“It does sound a little bad. I mean, it’s notexactly great.” She smiled over at him. “Myth, I didn’t think the time we hadspent together was anything but two friends getting to know one another. I knowit’s strange because the truth is I barely know you, but I kind of like you,and it seems easier somehow. Does that make sense?”

“It does.”

“So, we’re agreed then. You and I are notromantically involved, nor will we ever be. You’re my friend.”

“That sounds good,” Myth said.

Petal smiled. “It does.”

They were silent as they sipped their drinks. Herswas still piping hot, but it felt good. It was a nice mug of coffee. She didn’tnormally take a coffee before bed, but she liked this.

“Do you want to talk about you and Dirty?” Mythasked.

She suddenly turned toward Myth, completely takenaback. “What? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She still hadn’t toldRosalie about anything.

“Come on, Petal. I saw the way he looked at youtoday, and I also saw how you seemed to withdraw. Something has gone on betweenthe two of you.”

Petal stared at her mug and frowned. “I, uh, Idon’t know what to say.”

Myth shrugged. “You don’t have to say anything. Ijust thought as friends, we could share.”

“Do you have something you want to share?”

“I’m in love with a woman that doesn’t know Iexist.”

This made her eyes go wide, she was so shocked byhow open he was. “What?”

“You heard me.”

“A woman that doesn’t know you exist. How is thatpossible?” Petal asked and frowned. “Wait, you’re not, like, in love with Kim,are you? Because I think that would be considered a danger to life falling inlove with her.”

Myth laughed. “I’m not in love with Kim.”

“Do I get to know who she is?” Petal asked.

“No. I’m not ready to say.”

“Is it Raine?” Petal asked.

Myth’s face scrunched up, looking somewhatdisgusted. “Okay, okay,” she said, holding her hands up. “It is not Raine. If Iguess it, will you tell me?”

“I don’t know, you want to tell me what is goingon between you and Dirty? Or is it too complicated?”

“It’s not complicated. It is not even difficult,it’s just … we were together because Colt told him to keep me busy. I found outthe truth, and well, we fell out, and that was the end of it.”

“Just like that?” Myth asked.

“You know, I didn’t take you for the gossipingkind of guy.”

“I’m full of surprises.”

She found this funny and had a chuckle. “I guessyou are. Wanting to talk, offering a rejection before I even get chance to askor hint at having a crush on you.” She smiled and then rested her head on hisshoulder. “He hurt me. That is all you need to know.”

“Do you need me to kick his ass?”

“No.”

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