Page 37 (1/2)

"You weren’t stupid," CJ correctsstupid, babe So quit thinking that Okay?"

I nod, letting CJ know I hear hio, I tilt my head and ask, "What do you mean, this was on you? What did you do? It was all Richard"

How can CJ think he was responsible for any of this? He was trying to protect me

CJ stares at me for a breath, then he rubs at his mouth and scratches his jaw His eyes cast down to a spot on the bed "I wasn’t watching hiins to explain "I’m trained to look out for stuff like that To be ready for it I wasn’t I atching you" CJ lets his hand drop to the bed Our eyes meet "I couldn’t brace when he hit me I wasn’t ready for it"

"He hit you really hard I saw him" My stomach drops at the memory "I don’t think you could’ve braced for it It was out of nowhere"

CJ’sa little "Nice, babe I’ot Are you trying to bruisesick twists into be laid up for fivecloser to the bed "They said that?"

CJ lifts his head again and jerks his shoulder, answering, "Close to it, probably Depending on how e"

I inhale sharply through e?

Oh, no Nononono

Oh,it’s definite I’m not worried about it"

"I’ in ht "Babe," he starts, head tilting as he looks at nore hi

"I hate that this happened I know you were just trying to protect ot ht? You knew Richard was on so"

CJ nods

"I should’ve stayed with you," I continue "I never should’ve let him take me outside This is my fault I’h his nose and exhales it noisily His jaw is set He looks ready to argue with ain, but a knock on the door turns his head and thena folder in her hand and s at CJ She doesn’t even take notice ofin the ho you about I went ahead and got it fro proud of herself She sets the folder on his food tray that’s pulled up next to the bed

"Thanks Appreciate it," CJ replies