Page 86 of The Manny

“You’re so mean to me.” Scott stood. “I don’t know why I like you so much. You treat me horribly.”

“Said the man who I’m leaving work to go look at a car for.”

He gave a sheepish laugh. “Okay, you’re actually pretty fucking awesome to me.”

“Yeah. I know.” I smiled and opened the door. “After you, Mr. Taffet.”

“How about we make out in the backseat of the Mustang we’re going to look at? I need to know if having sex in the car will work.”

I groaned. “Scott, you’re relentless.”

“Yep.” He chuckled and brushed past me, looking very pleased with himself.

Chapter Sixteen

Thomas

Spending the night in Jack’s bed was becoming my favorite part of the day. I rolled off of him, my body warm and relaxed from sex. Little tingles still rippled through me, and I watched Jack beside me, feeling drunk with pleasure.

His chest rose and fell slowly, as he stared up at the ceiling. “That was extra nice tonight.” He turned his head, his expression unguarded. “I’ve been sleeping better lately. I think it’s due to our late-night sex routine.”

“I much prefer it to chamomile tea.” I smirked.

His teeth flashed white in the dim lighting. “I’ve never been a big tea drinker.”

“You’re big in all the ways that count though.”

He laughed.

I sat up and grabbed tissues, wiping my stomach clean, while he disposed of the condom. I moved to him and he looped his arm around my waist. I rested my head on his shoulder, sighing contentedly.

“Sometimes I can’t believe this is really my life.” His voice rumbled beneath my ear.

“Why?”

“I guess because there was a time when I didn’t care if I lived or died.”

His voice was so emotionless, it made my heart hurt. “That’s horrible.”

“Sorry.”

“No, I mean, I’m glad you’re telling me that. I just hate picturing you feeling so hopeless.”

He shrugged. “Life was pretty shitty to begin with, but when I went to prison, that was when I started to lose all hope things would ever get better.”

“But you came out of it and have made something of yourself.”

“Yeah.”

“Do you think about that time in your life much?” Usually, I wouldn’t have had the courage to ask him that, but he’d brought the subject up. I felt driven to hear more of his story. I really cared about Jack, more and more every day. If I was honest with myself, I was falling for him.

“I try not to think about it too often,” he said quietly. “Although, I was luckier than some guys in prison.”

“In what way?”

He didn’t respond immediately, then he said, “I met someone on the inside.”

“Youmetsomeone?”

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