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Maybe to celebrate Maybe to fuck with me Maybe to comfort me
I don't know
I liked them in Toronto
I like them now
"There's a lot I'd like to know about your body" I bring the drink to my lips Sweet, tart, the hint of alcohol The taste of her lips "We can start with the tattoos"
"Maybe we should start with yours" Her eyes flit to er is sweet?"
"In Latin"
"Isn't that obvious?"
"Cos on her ribs"
"In Latin," she returns
"Latin didn't save mine"
Her cheeks flush "You don't like it?"
"Did I say I didn't like it?"
"I don't care if you like it"
"Then why'd you ask?"
She takes a sip Motions to the pool "Are you going in?"
"After you" I offer to hold her drink
She gives it to ed makeup"
"Isn't it waterproof?"
"If it ses"
"Can I say it looks hot?"
"Can I stop you?"
I shake my head
She smiles
For a second, it feels normal Like it did last year The first time I felt normal after Bash died
Or at least, I thought I did
Now—
I try not to think about it He's gone I can't bring hi hirief
He almost died
He needed time to heal
And he was closer to Bash Closer than anyone
But it wasn't fair Adam took all the space I didn't have any Simon didn't have any
It wasn't fair to Bash either He wouldn't have wanted Adam miserable
He'd wantshe come on my face
He'd want the details later
He'd want to prove he could one-up me Be even more ridiculous
He couldn't, but he tried
We had soreement I tortured Simon He tortured Adam
Only it didn't work that way Ada Bash, even when Bash drove him crazy
Simon can't stand me Yeah, he loves me We are brothers But he can't stand me, especially when I drive him crazy
And now it's Siainst the ridiculous younger brothers
But I don't have backup Only this feeling everyone is keeping secrets
And now I've lost h horse too
How a about Bash's death when I' about Preston's?
He's not in the ground yet
Fuck
"Are you sure you're okay?" Briar's voice is soft "No I know you aren't I know so happened" She takes another step toward h to touch "But if you want to talk about it…"