Page 49 of The Lies I've Told

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“My brother taught me.”

Silence settled between us before I broke it, “Now, it’s my turn. When was your last relationship?”

“Pass,” she nearly squeaked.

I gave her a hard stare. “No passing. Remember?”

Her forehead furrowed, and she let out a few choice words as I grinned. “Fine. It was recent.”

“How recent?”

“No! It’s not your turn anymore.”

I let out a growl.

“Why’d you approach that man in the gas station?”

Now, she was really digging deep.

“Because he was an asshole,” I answered. “How recent?”

“Very.”

My fists balled at my sides.

“Did your dad treat you like that? Like the man with little girl?”

“That’s two questions,” I said. “And which one? I had lots.”

“What?” Her eyes widened.

“Nothing. Yes,” I answered flatly. “Did he hurt you?”

“Who?”

We were rapid-firing these questions so quickly; I thought we were both getting confused. But I was willing to give her information in exchange for answers in return.

Especially this.

Because this was something she hadn’t even shared with me the night we supposedly bared our souls to one another.

This was sacred.

“No,” she replied before amending. “Yes. It’s complicated.”

“How?” I asked, not even caring in the least that it wasn’t my turn.

She seemed to pick up on that little tidbit and didn’t bother challenging me.

“He led me to believe…” She let out a deep sigh. “You know what? It doesn’t matter. This was a silly game.”

I reached out for her hand, causing her breath to hitch. “He led you to believe what?”

A single tear fell from her eyes. “He was my boss. I was stupid. It’s over.”

I wanted to ask if this was why she’d quit her job, but I didn’t.

Instead, I squeezed her hand and let her drive in silence for a while, knowing I’d do anything to make the pain go away.

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