Page 82 of Breathless

GoodLord.

“And you’re done with rehab? You… you’re feelingbetter?”

“Yeah. I’m off the hardstuff.”

My eyes drift to his arms where the track marks have faded. “Silas, please take care ofyourself.”

He pauses with a fork of food halfway to his mouth. “Really. I’m cool.” He studies my appearance. “What about you? Where youstaying?”

“Logan’s.” I answer withoutthinking.

His whole body tenses. “What the fuck, Josephine? Don’t you have other friends you could staywith?”

I clench my hands so I don’t reach for a blunt object. “Where was I supposed to stay? You sold our house. Without bothering to mention it tome.”

I’m annoyed with myself for bringing up Logan when I know the topic triggers Silas, but why should I have to hide things about myself? All I ever did was hide who I was growing up to make my parents happy. I was too awkward? I shut the hell up. I giggled too much? I stopped laughing. They didn’t want me to show too much skin? I wore freaking overalls. Well, they’re not here to tell me what todo.

Before he can respond, I shake my head. “Why do you care if I’m withhim?”

“What do you mean you’re ‘with him’?” His eyes narrow into tiny slits. “You’redatinghim?”

Here wego.

“You could give a shit what happens to me as long as it does not involve the Carters. Why isthat?”

With a clang, he drops his fork on his plate and jabs a finger at me. “You know why. You know their fucking father cheated with Mama. Hell, if you hadn’t been born before we met those people, I’d wonder if that man was your sperm donortoo.”

I’m so disgusted I can barely talk. “Not this again.” I shake my head. “Daniel Carter would never cheat on Beverly. Besides, the man has passed, rest his soul. And it’s in poor taste to talk ill of the dead, Silas. I know you harbor this misplaced resentment, but those rumors aren’t true. Mama might have cheated, but I seriously doubt it happened with Mr. Carter. I always thought Daddy was delusional, all hopped up on drugs, and imagined the wholething.”

“You’re a fucking fool. It happened right under your nose, and you refuse to seeit.”

“See what? Tell me what I’m missing. Are you mad because Mr. Carter laid off Daddy because he was coming to work drunk or high? I can’t say I blame him forthat.”

He pushes his plate away. “Daniel Carter slept with Mama and laid off Daddy while he had the whole town thinking he was a saint. That’s why I hate that fucking family. Logan’s just a carbon copy of his old man, and you’re a dumbass to think he won’t do the same thing to you. With the way you’ve chased after him your whole life, he probably decided to go for the easy lay. So don’t go thinking you’re special. He’ll be on to the next pretty thing who spreads her legs in a fewweeks.”

I suck in a breath at his hatefulwords.

Heat stings my eyes, but I refuse to let the tears overflow. “If anyone is like their daddy, it’s you, Silas. Maybe you should look in the mirror before you go casting stones.” I toss down some money to cover lunch. “Funny, but I used to look up to you when we were younger. I honestly don’t know what I ever did to make you treat me this way, to act like you hate me.” With a swipe of my elbow, I wipe my eyes. “You always said you wished you didn’t have a sister. Congratulations. You’re getting your wish. I hope you have a nicelife.”

I’m surprised to hear him call my name as I race out of the restaurant, but there’s no way I’m going to sit there and let him talk to me thatway.

My days of being a doormat are over. Even if it breaks my heart to lose mybrother.

34

Logan

Today is not goingthe way Iimagined.

Last night, when Ethan texted to say he’d pick me up late, I decided to sit Jojo down for breakfast while I explained why I’m at this other chick’s beck and call. The more I thought about what Isaiah said, the more I realized he was right. Jo deserves for me to talk to her, one on one, and explain how I got myself into thissituation.

Instead, I fucked her like an animal and overslept in a post-sexhaze.

Real mature,asshole.

Worry gnaws at the back of my mind. I didn’t mean to be so savage with her this morning. We fucked like the world was ending, and it was hot ashell.

I’ll be honest, though. I’m having a hard time melding Joey, my childhood best friend, with Joey, my girlfriend, the woman I want to fuck until I can’tmove.

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