Page 51 of Heartfelt Pain
The men stare at me like they’re just now remembering I’m in the same room.
“Do you want pizza or not?” I ask Roma, pointing at the box.
“No.”
It’s late and I’m suddenly sick of the reality show on the TV. Roma and Trevino are still both standing.
“So did you move in or?” Roma asks him.
“Yes,” he confirms.
Roma bites the inside corner of his lip. “Okay, I’m going to need you to go outside for a second.”
Trevino’s eyes meet mine. I nod.
With a sigh, he slips out.
“That’s kind of rude.” Earlier today, I didn’t want to hire him, but now he’s like a houseguest.
“You think he has voyeurism tendencies?” Roma asks taking off his jacket. He looks around for a spot to hang it up.
I curl my legs to my chest, pulling the blanket up. “It wouldn’t matter seeing as nothing’s about to happen.”
He throws his jacket on the edge of the couch. “You called my dad about your ex-boyfriends dying but you didn’t want to call me?”
“Not particularly, no.” I reach for my can of Pepsi.
“You still drink that stuff?”
“I will drink whatever I want in my own damn house.” I take a sip. “What do you want, Roma?”
“Mostly to get laid,” he admits. I almost choke on my drink.
“Those are some high hopes.”
He shrugs. “You should take more pity on me. My days could be numbered.”
“Why did you come to Hartright’s on Saturday?”
He slides onto the couch, taking Trevino’s spot. “Lennie told me where you were going. And I don’t know.”
I lift a brow. “You don’t know?”
How can we go for years without talking to suddenly making out in the back of a cab?
Without hesitation, Roma replies to my question. “I’d rather tear you apart than let you sleep with another man.”
He’s steady as he says it. Serious, brown eyes never leave my face.
I should be scared. But I’ve lived with monsters for so long that I’m not.
I’m a monster too, after all. I’ve killed men.
“I’d rather be torn apart than sleep with you,” I tell him.
This man dares to brush my hair back as he replies, “You always liked it when I tore you apart.”
I shift back, but he doesn’t stop. “My cock in your cunt. Buried deep. You cried for me. Every time.”
