Page 118 of The Moon Also Rises
“And by the sounds of it, not many people know about it?”
“Nobody knows. Apart from you.”
Rami pauses. “Not even Jenna?”
“Especially not Jenna,” I say with emphasis.
“And why's that?”
My shoulders sink when I realise what he's done. “Because I don't want her to think less of me. I... I couldn't stand it.”
“You're ashamed.” Rami's hands slide over mine, covering them. Seeing and feeling his fingers on mine makes me feel protected, safe almost. It’s a moment of calm in the chaos.
Maybe that's why I start crying. Because I finally feel I can.
When I make a wrenching whelp of a noise in the back of my throat as my tears quickly turn into sobs, Rami's hands come off mine.
“Jesus," I say, rubbing at the skin beneath my eyes. “I'm sorry. I'll get my shit together and—”
I run out of words and am painfully aware of how Rami isn’t saying anything. Eventually, he stands and I look up at him, ready to watch him leave.
“It's okay. You go,” I say. “I'm just sorry I—”
“Shut up and get up, Jake," Rami says in a low voice. That low sexy demanding voice of his.
“Okay," I say, my own tone faltering and weak.
I'm barely standing all the way up when I feel Rami's arms wrap around me and his body step closer to mine. He holds me against him like he needsmeto stand up. He grips me so tightly my breath is now irregular for a very different reason.
“You are not your debt,” he says. “You are so much bigger and brighter and better than that or any one thing.”
I don’t have words in response. Only tears, which keep on coming and coming. But Rami continues to hold me, and he doesn't let go, not until my tears stop.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Rami
Our train is stuck in the middle of nowhere and Radia is not okay about it.
“I should be lying in Barista Babe’s bed not here stuck in a metal box in the arse end of Staffordshire with you,” she grumbles as she stares out of the window.
“I’m not sure who should be more offended by that. Staffordshire, me or yourgirlfriendwho has a name.”
This changes Radia’s expression, melting her frown into a giddy smile. “My girlfriend, my girlfriend, my girlfriend!” She taps out every syllable of each word on the table that fills the space between our seats which face each other.
“It’s a shame Chloe had to work later today so she couldn’t come,” I say.
“Next week,” Radia confirms and she looks a lot less grumpy than she did a few minutes ago. “Maybe you can bring Jake with you too?”
It’s my turn to feel my mouth melt into a silly grin and I don’t even try to hide it.
“Oh, Rami. You’ve got it bad, bab.”
“You can talk!”
“Yes, but IknowI’ve got it bad. I talk about how bad I’ve got it all the time. You’re still trying to deny it.”
“I’m not denying anything.”
