Page 59 of Mayfly

“You know that’s not what it is.”

“All the same. Some emotion would be nice.”

”You never used to care.”

“That’s because—” He gulps, clearly frustrated that he let himself go back there. To our room. To the bunks. Both of us on the top one, my arms around him with my back to the door because it was the only way he could sleep.

That’s when my self indulgence started.

I wasn’t doing it for him.

“Why am I here?”

“You never want to talk.”

“Yet you insist on constantly calling me.”

“I’m your boss.”

“I have no boss.”

“I’m—“

“My sugar daddy?” Pushing off the wall, I slide my hands out of my pockets and rub them together. “I’ve been telling you since juvie, being a year older doesn’t mean you automatically get to tell me what to do.”

“What would you have without my help?”

“A life perhaps. At least a permanent residence.”

“How many times have I asked you to come—“

“Shhh,” I gently whisper, slowing my pace until I’m barely moving. “You know how much I hate Bucharest. It’s terribly dull.”

“You’re from London.”

“Now, now. Don’t pretend you didn’t know I hate it here as well.”

“Your money would go much further in Romania.”

With an exaggerated sigh, my head flops back like a toddler’s. “Yes. But then I’d have to live in Romania.” I can hear the wavelike sound of blood rushing through my ears. “Do you ever pay actual attention to me?” I ask, once again meeting his gaze with the tiniest pout of my lips. “Or do you just see me as dollars, pounds, and euros?”

“I wanted us to be partners. I still want us to be partners.”

I move half a step closer. “But where’s the adventure in that for me?”

“I could give you the home you’ve always wanted.”

My chin lowers, and I shake my head. “I guess I don’t really know what I want.”

“What about somewhere else, then? I have family in Serbia and Albania.”

“Is there any part of the eastern block your family hasn’t infested?”

A full, sincere smirk appears on his face. “I seriously will move. I’ll only be there half the year, anyway. That should give you plenty of time to adventure however you want.”

My lips purse and I push them from side to side, mulling it over. Then, with an apathetic shrug, I raise my eyebrows, let my head fall to the side, and look properly at Jude for the first time.

“Why don’t you tell me whatthatis all about, first?”

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