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She was silent so long, I didn’t think she was going to speak Then, “He’s the first guy I ever wanted to sleep with I don’t know if I loved him … but I wanted hi here, I could be out there,hiuy will ever want again”

There was so much in that to hate, and I had to reht now “You’re not a cripple You alk again, and it’ll happen faster once you fight Not ht for you” I sucked in a breath and stood up She followedagain, I can’t stop you fro I haven’t even told him … I love him, Dillon Like, can’t breathe without him kind of love” Tears blurred my eyes “You have to know that because you have to knoould never let a guy come between us otherwise I met him before I kneho he was to Gary, and he and I have had a connection ever since He never meant to hurt you We were both pretty ht in the crossfire”

I approached her bed as I saw her chin wobble with emotion “I adore you I’ toup Michael would be like cutting off my arm”

Tears rolled down her cheeks and hope filled me

I reached for her, and that hope deflated when she turned her head away “I’m tired”

Dropping my arm, I nodded With a heavy heart, I slipped out of her hospital room

Hours later, the need to disappear in Michael was greater than ever As soon as he pulled his car to a stop in the dark, empty lot by the woods, I jumped him

He laughed against my mouth, his hands firm on my waist, and he broke the kiss with a breathless chuckle “No ‘Hi, dahlin’, hoas your day’?”

I shookwith need Frantic, almost “I want you”

Michael groaned “Fuck, you knoant you too, but not in the car”

“Your apartment, then”

“I told you that place is a shithole I’et a nicer place, and then we’re good to go”

I narrowed my eyes “Do you not want me?”

His expression was incredulous “Do you kno many cold showers I’ve taken these past two ht hand “I’ve grown more acquainted with this hand than I ever fuckin’ did as a horny, blue-balled teenager”