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Without ever taking his eyes off Todd, he says to et hurt I don't havewith madness

I'm terrified and I tell him In a small voice that quavers, I say, "Nix, please You're really scaring me"

Nix's gait falters and then he stops in his tracks He looks down at reen eyes are dark, his pupils wide His teeth are clenched and his face is full of anger And thenit's like my words penetrate fully, or maybe it's the look of fear on my face, because I watch amazed as the heat leaves his eyes His forehead smoothes out and his eyes soften I tentatively reach my hand up and lay it on his cheek

Nix blows a deep breath out of his ht into his body "I'm sorry," he says "I didn't mean to scare you I would never hurt you, Emily I swear"

I wrap my arms around his waist and squeeze him as if my life depended on it "I knoas afraid you'd hurt Todd and he doesn't deserve that"

Nix stiffens slightly but he still holds me tenderly "What does he want?"

"Apparently, he wants a sha me about it" My voice sounds as bewildered as I feel over the concept that Todd is gay

Nix looks over at Todd with skepticis his hand aroundthe front of my neck with sweet care "Are you sure you're okay? He didn't hurt you or say anything to upset you? I saw the look on your face, E"

I shake my head and lean up to kiss hi Let me have a few minutes to talk to him some more and I'll come and find you"

"Try again I' you alone with him"

"We're just going to talk," I say with exasperation

"I don't give a flying fuck Theyou You're lucky I'ht now Talk if you must, but I'll be in the sa his ar me to call his bluff

I sigh There's going to be no talking Nix out of this "Fine You're such a bully, though, you know?"

He gives s, Emily Bully is just one of many"

I huff but turn around to tell Todd that we can continue our talk Before I can utter a word, Nix hasmy attention back to him "I really am sorry, Em I didn't mean to scare you"

I place y "Don't be sorry I wasn't afraid you'd do so to Todd and that you would lose yourself"

He closes his eyes briefly and lets my words sink in He just nods his head in acceptance of what I've said

The rest of the evening is spent listening to Todd spill his guts toat him It had to have been hard on poor Todd I ca of his motivations In fact, when the full i ay explained a lot of things to me Like why I always seemed to be the one to initiate any sort of intimacy with him, or why he fumbled so much ere intimate Heck, it even explained why he never really wanted to pleasure me

It alsoa lie most of his life, just to avoid confrontation The pressure and stress, I'm sure, had a lot to do with how craptastic he was all of the time I offered my support to Todd if he wanted to coet from me

Nix had the final say-so with Todd Let's just say he left with a very clear understanding froain While I felt sorry for his situation, I ae that ere over for good

CHAPTER 25

Nix

That stupid fundraiser is over and we are heading back to Eht toto me how I've become so used to the feel of her body How ainst mine

I layI had thought going in that the worst part would beEmily's parents

Another first for me