Page 67 of Run Away Home: Tempered

He turns around quickly to look at me. He squeezes the rolled-up magazine tighter with both hands.

“What did you just call me?”

I just called him something... What did I call him?

“Uh...I didn’t call you anything.”

“What did you just say? Say it again.”

“I said Danny has someone who loves him...and cares about him. Oh, yeah, and not like a mother, like a man. In my experience, men usually don’t—”

“That!” He smiles very big, then slaps the top of his legs and crunches the magazine. “Thank you.” He stops smiling and sighs, gazing down at the floor. “I don’t think anything I’m doing is working with him.”

Hmm...Okay, whatever.

“It didn’t work for Melissa either. Don’t feel too bad.”

“Yeah, I know. She gave me a warning when we were working on transferring guardianship. I told her I can handle it...and Icanhandle it. I will do everything I can possibly do to handle it.”

“A warning? That’s so funny.”

“Not that funny. She gave me a warning about you too, like I was about to become your guardian, as well, and not your boyfriend!”

“She was such a bitch sometimes, jeez.”

“You were just singing her praise a few weeks ago.”

“What are you saying? A woman can’t be both a bitch and a hero at the same time? Those are the type of women who get shit done.”

He laughs.

“Come here,” I say and put my arms out.

“No, I really want to shower. I’m sore. I had a long day.”

“I said come here!” I reach up and pull him backward by his bun. His head lands in my lap. “You don’t need to shower. You smell good!” I rub his hair.

“It’s the cologne that’s masking the ripe scent of body odor,” he says with a laugh.

“Close your eyes.”

“Why?”

“Do you trust me, Peter?”

“I do.”

“Then close your eyes and relax.”

He closes his eyes.

“Now, flip over,” I continue.

He smiles.

“What are you doing though, Hayley?”

“Can anyone ever be in control other than you? Flip over. Put your face into the pillow.”

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