Page 478 of Rock Me All Night
Technically, it's not his business. But I can't argue that I didn't intentionally deceive him. "I was afraid how you'd react. That you'd go apeshit like you did with Bradley."
"I'm not seventeen anymore."
"You just threatened to quit the band." I press my hand against the door. "I don't want to be the hussy who ruins your careers. And it's not fair putting that on me."
"It's not about you, Wil. Tom made me a promise."
"Fuck Tom."
"You already did. Pretty recently from the looks of things." There's no humor in his voice.
Apparently, this is not a joking matter.
Okay. Deep breath. I'm not backing down. I press the door closed and find a seat on the armchair in the corner. "Ever since Bradley, you've tried hard to protect me. But I'm not a thing that needs protecting." I sit up straight and make eye contact. "I know you have good intentions. I know you want the best for me. But you need to let me live my own life and make my own mistakes."
He takes a spot on the bed across from me. "Wil, you're the only person who knows how fucked up our family is. The only person who will ever understand. You remember that trip to Hawaii?"
I nod.
"Supposed to be mom and dad reconnecting, but they fought the entire time."
"And when I freaked out, you convinced me to sneak away. We spent the whole day snorkeling without parental supervision."
"That was a pride I'd never felt before, getting you away from the situation that was making you cry." His smile fades. "It killed me when you ran off with that asshole. I was supposed to protect you from all that bullshit. Certainly supposed to protect you from guys like him."
"Tom isn't—"
"Let me finish." Drew stares into my eyes. "I'm sure you remember what a tool I was in high school, all caught up in being popular and cool and—"
"Winning Homecoming King?"
He nods. "I saw the signs. The bruises. The fear. You'd always gotten freaked about Mom and Dad fighting, but once you were with that asshole, it was different. You froze." His gaze goes to the floor. "It broke my heart finding you at his place, knowing how he'd hurt you."
"It broke my heart too. What he did. And worrying that you'd gotten yourself killed defending my honor."
His eyes fill with frustration. "I promised myself I'd never let anything else happen to you."
"Nothing has happened to me, Drew. I had sex with Tom. I wanted him. I asked him. And he was fucking fantastic. Caring. Attentive. Always made sure I came."
"These details are not making me feel better."
"I'm an adult. As long as we're both on the same page, what's the harm in me and Tom having sex?"
Drew stares back at me. "Are you in love with him?"
"Yes."
"Have you told him?"
"No."
"Go fucking do it." Drew rises to his feet. "That's the only way you'll know if it's real."
What? My head is swimming. "I thought you were against the whole thing."
"I am." He offers his hand. "But I'm not blind. I've seen the way he makes you laugh. Fuck, you haven't laughed like that since last time I face-planted on my skis. And that must have been ten years ago.
He motions for me to grab his hand. When I do, he pulls me up. And he hugs me. It's not an awkward, stilted hug but an affectionate one.
