Page 141 of Shadow

She understood and kissed me again.

When she broke away, it was because Church was taking her and bringing her to his lap.

I exhaled, feeling like I did a decent job. Ashes gave me a quick thumbs up, and Mirage nodded.

Sin and Stitches had gotten up and were trying to join Church and her.

“Come on,” Mirage said, nodding his head to the patio. “Let’s talk.”

I knew he didn’t want to see Sirena being fucked, so I followed him out to the patio after grabbing my jacket.

“You did good, man. I’m proud of you,” he said as he leaned against the railing.

“Thanks. Did I look like a fucking noob?”

“No. You looked like a man who loves a woman and wanted to make her happy. It was hot, honestly. Got my dick hard.”

I snorted at him.

“You’re going to do fine. I think you’re in your head too much. Always thinking. Stop thinking. Just do it and enjoy it.”

“Is that your idea to help me?”

“Mostly. Either that or my carrot.”

I rolled my eyes. “Do you think it will help?”

“The carrot? Couldn’t hurt.”

“No, man. If I got out of my head and just went for it.”

“Yeah. I do. I think you overthink. Once you’re in the moment with a girl, it’s different. Yeah, it feels good, but I think you won’t feel so pressured once you do it. If the first time sucks, you have a fuck ton of times to make it up. Just do it.”

We were quiet for a moment as I contemplated his words.

“Why did you want to come out here?” I asked, deciding to change the subject.

“I’m not ready to see them rail into her,” he said, staring up at the stars. “I guess I’m like you in that respect. I want us to be alone when it’s my time with her. At least at first.”

“Are you ever really alone?”

He smirked at me and tapped his head. “No.”

We both stared out at the frozen lake.

“What have you seen, Mirage?”

“That shit is going to get rough. I don’t know everything. Just know bad shit is around the corner.”

“And Sully? What are you going to do about that?”

“Play the game,” he murmured. “Play to win.”

I looked at him. “Are you sure? It’s going to fuck you up.”

“Rather it fuck me up than her,” he said, looking over at me. “I owe her after the shit we put her through.”

“Paying your penance,” I said softly.

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