Page 51 of Never Your Girl

I hesitate, my fingers tightening around the phone. Lying would be easier, but I don’t want to do that with her. Not when she’s the only one who gets it.

Me

Rough. Had an ugly run-in with my dad.

There.

It’s out.

Poison released into the atmosphere.

I lean back in the seat and stare at the screen as I wait for her reply. My pulse thuds in my ears as anticipation and dread twist together.

The typing bubble pops up and then her message appears.

FragileLikeABomb

I’m sorry. That sucks. Do you want to talk about it?

Her words stare back at me, offering a lifeline I didn’t realize I needed. My chest tightens again, but this time it’s different. It’s less suffocating. More like the release of a valve.

I run a hand through my hair, trying to decide if I can even put it into words. If there’s one person I can try to explain it to, though, it’s her.

Me

It’s just… him being him. He knows exactly where to hit me, and he never misses.

Her reply is immediate.

FragileLikeABomb

That’s brutal. You don’t deserve that.

The knot in my chest loosens a fraction more, her words cutting through the haze of anger and frustration. I don’t respond right away. Instead, I stare at her message like it’s something solid I can hold on to.

Me

Thanks. You’re good at this, you know.

FragileLikeABomb

At what?

Me

Making me feel like I’m not completely falling apart.

The pause before her next message feels longer than it probably is.

FragileLikeABomb

That’s because you’re not. Falling apart, I mean. You’re stronger than you think.

I let out a breath, some of the weight lifting from my shoulders.

Me

You’re good people, Fragile. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

---