Page 117 of A Lie so Dangerous and Fragile

“Your girl going on a date with someone else?”

“My girl?”

“Yeah, curly hair with an attitude?” I described, and he scoffed.

“She’s not my girl, and she’s free to date whoever she wants.”

“But you like her, right?”

He took a glance at me, as if annoyed by my questions. “I’m attracted to her—that’s it.”

“And you don’t wanna explore this attraction?”

He was quiet, eyes focused ahead as we jogged.

“Look, bro, I get it. Maybe you should give this one a shot.”

“What has Chloe been telling you?”

“Nothing I haven’t noticed.”

“Something is different about you today. Spill,” he said, slapping my arm.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, increasing my pace, but he caught up with me.

“You look rejuvenated and unusually chatty. I can’t remember the last time I saw you like this. Come on, man,” he urged.

I stopped. We were both panting from running and talking. We began walking and doing a few stretches along the way.

“I don’t know how to explain it. I feel like I wished for something, and it was just given to me.” I paused and scoffed at the thought. “Do bad people get a happy ending? I have done awful things, man, and then I’m given everything I’ve ever wanted, and I fucking feel like I don’t deserve it. Chloe is there in my bed, and we have two kids running around, and it still feels like a dream. I’m afraid to blink or close my eyes ’cause I’m scared it will all disappear. You know that feeling when everything feels too good and it’s hard for you to believe it’s real? That’s how I fucking feel, man.”

“I’m just happy for you.” Adrian grinned, putting an arm around me.

I smiled and patted his back.

“I will fucking kill you if you hurt her again. I don’t care about our friendship,” he said before pulling away.

He winked at me and took off. I shook my head and tried to catch up with him.

***

I rushed into the kitchen for a bottle of water as soon as I entered the house. I found my mom with Kayla in the kitchen. I stepped closer and gave each of them a kiss on the cheek.

“Hey, princess.” I poked her, and she giggled.

She was still in her onesie, and Mom was mixing her formula in a sippy cup.

“Sorry. Daddy is sweaty,” I said when she opened her arms for me to carry her. “Where is Kayden?”

“Chloe,” Mom replied.

Mom was smiling at me as I gulped down a bottle of water. I knew this was about last night, and I planned on ignoring her.

“Are you back together?” she asked softly, her voice harmless and curious.

“Don’t ruin this for me, Mom,” I said, and she frowned. “I’m getting a place next week, and we’ll be out of here.”

“Why would you say that? You can stay as long as you want, and the last thing I’ll ever do is take away your happiness.” She looked hurt at my words, but I knew my mom too well. She could get what she wanted with that innocent look and the tone of her voice.

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