Page 351 of Rock Me All Night
"Yes, I am."
"You're running from something bad, huh?"
"No. Just..." I pull my hands into my lap. "Just the normal stuff."
"Normal. Is that why you're cringing?"
"I'm not."
"Yeah, you are. Whatever it is, it's not normal."
I turn to face him. "It's very normal."
"Bullshit. You want me to call Hazel and tell her you're a liar?"
"Would you really do that?"
"I might." He stares into my eyes. "Been known to do whatever it takes to get what I want."
"You swear you won't tell Drew?"
"Why should it matter if—"
"Swear or I'm not telling you."
He nods.
Panic fills my stomach. I stare back at Tom. There's something earnest about him, something trustworthy. But that's not enough. I need to be sure.
"Seriously," I say. "If you tell Drew, everything is going to be fucked. You have to promise."
"I won't tell him. We're friends. Any secret of yours is just between us. Same goes for any secret of mine."
"Okay."
His shoulder presses against mine. He's warm.
"I live in an apartment in Berkley. A little studio in a six unit building. Mom didn't take me changing my major to photography too well. I moved out before she had the chance to kick me out. The place is a great deal and about all I can afford. I don't really have a choice about moving. Not without some serious cash."
He stares back at me. "I get that."
"My ex-boyfriend showed up as my new next door neighbor. Convinced my landlord that he's a nice, dependable guy I guess."
"He hurt you?"
"Someone always gets hurt when a relationship ends."
"He hit you?"
I can’t answer that. "I don't want to be around him. That's all."
"Yeah, sure."
His fingertips brush my wrist. The touch is soft and delicate. How can someone who comes in like a God damn wrecking ball have such a delicate touch?
I say nothing. He responds with silence. We lean against the car, him looking at me, me trying hard not to notice how he's staring.
Minutes pass. My heartbeat, my breath—both slow to something normal. Until the only thing mixing me up is how badly I want the comfort of Tom's arm around me again.
