Page 50 of On My Side
I won’t even tell him how that lock’s probably broken too, so it’s not the safety measure he thinks it is. But instead I let my emotions take the wheel.
“No, absolutely not.” I spin on my heel and take two large steps toward him. “You donotget to ask any questions in this situation.”
His brows furrow in confusion for a moment before relaxing with realization, a smirk lifting those pouty lips of his. “Ah, you opened a certain app, I see.”
“What iswrongwith you?” I hiss.
He takes a step toward me. He’s so close I can see the flecks of gold in his eyes, and he can probably feel my hardened nipples against his chest.
Please, nipples. Chill out.
“I wasthinkingI didn’t have another way to get through to you,” he says, eyes narrowing at me. “And we need to talk.”
I laugh in disbelief and step away from him. “Unbelievable. Instead of coming to see me like a mature adult you made a goddamn erotic audio? What thefuck, Ren?”
“How long have you known?” he asks abruptly, voice cold.
I blink at him, taken aback. “I said no questions…”
“I never agreed,” he interrupts, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “How long have you known?”
I force myself to meet his eyes. “I don’t see what that has to do with anything.”
He laughs, a short, harsh sound. “You don’t see why you knowing incredibly personal information about me andkeepingthat knowledge from me has anything to do with you being called out about it? Really, Audrey?”
My cheeks heat. “You don’t get to be angry about this. What if people I know listen, Ren?”
“I didn’t give any identifying information,” he argues, throwing his arms in the air. “I wouldn’t do that, and you know it.”
“I don’t knowwhatI know,” I counter. “I didn’t think you’d use fucking 4Play to get in contact with me!”
“How long have you known?” he asks again.
“I don’t…” I shake my head, like it’s an Etch A Sketch and I need to reset my brain. “It was a few weeks ago.”
“Howmanyweeks, Audrey?” he says, and the sternness in his voice makes me want to withdraw into myself, hide my body in my shell like I’m a reptile. But it also makes me clench my thighs together and that isnotsomething I want to unpack today, thank you very much.
“Three weeks. Tomorrow,” I tell him, mouth dry.
I try not to watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows. I promise, it’s a valiant attempt.
“How did you figure it out?” he asks, turning his head away from me.
“It’s… it’s silly,” I stammer, cheeks reddening. “I didn’t know at first, you disguise your voice really well,” I assure him.
He’s silent, arms crossed across his body and eyes downcast, his posture reflecting the way I feel inside. Ashamed.
“It was your laugh,” I blurt out. “It’s usually different but in… in that week’s audio it sounded familiar, and I went back to your first audio…”
“Before I got the Sky voice right,” he finishes, tilting his head to stare at the ceiling and exhaling heavily. “Fuck.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I didn’t mean to…” Mean to what? Call him out? Show up at his apartment and accuse him? I meant to dobothof those things.
I can’t find the courage that brought me here to be honest with him. That bravery that had me asking strangers for Ren’s apartment number is long gone, replaced instead by shame.
“It’s a nice laugh,” I say smally, like that will make him feel better. “I like it better than your Sky laugh.”
Shutup, Audrey.
