Eventually, after a few choice curses and a moment of stony silence, he stated. “So, the designer purse in there isn’t yours either, I take it?”
“No, I took that from Tate last year.”
Shaking his head in disgust, he rasped in disbelief. “Tate Parker, so youstolein High School?”
“Yes. I found it hard to stop. It became a habit,” I pointed out, screwing up my nose. My palms felt clammy as they sat by my sides, and I felt exposed wearing only Nix’s T-shirt. My confidence was evaporating by the second.
“I thought you said it started at the Jacksons’ place?”
“It did, and I did manage to stop for a few years, and then when I came back here, it started up again.”
“But why?”
“I don’t know, I guess I felt alone again. And you treated me so differently.”
“So, you stole for attention?” he said, incredulously. “You took your chances stealing shit at school; there used to be cameras everywhere. And Tate Parker, that purse must be worth thousands of dollars, are you nuts?”
“I know it’s wrong, OK.”
“Did you take shit from your other friends?”
“Tate Parker was never my friend, and I’m not sorry I stole that; shedeservedto have something taken from her.”
“Did you ever steal from inside the family?”
“No, never,” I rasped, telling the truth.
Phoenix looked up at the ceiling in a ‘God give me strength’ motion, and I felt more shame pump through me.
He’s never going to look at you the same way again. You’re a dirty little thief.
Huffing and shaking his head, he said beneath his breath. “This is so fucked up.”
I watched as Phoenix started to pace, his body language showing how angry he was, and I knew I’d let him down.
“You know there’s a name for people who take shit for the sake of it?”
I backed away unsteadily as he stalked towards me.
“Yes, I’m aware.”
“I can’t get my head around it. You’re a fucking klepto, Harper,” Nix snarled, stopping in front of me and taking me by the arms. He wasn’t rough, but his hold was tight. Phoenix was all hard lines and muscle; his jaw continued to tick as he glared down at me.
“Look, I know it’s wrong, and I’m dealing with it. I was going to tell you, but it never seemed like the right time.”
He shook me once and then pulled me forward as he got in my face. “Where’s all the shit you’ve taken over the years?” It took my breath away.
“Please, let go,” I pleaded as his grip tightened. “You're hurting my arms.”
My comment seemed to knock sense into him as he glanced at his fingers.
Thankfully, he released me straight away and stepped back like he needed to distance himself.
I raised my hands, trying to reassure him. “I’m going to deal with it, Nix. I promise. I can stop, I know I can. And with your help…”
“You should have gotten helpbeforenow.Professionalhelp. You realize you get caught, you go back into the system. Maybe even worse.” Nix grabbed a handful of his hair and tugged at it. He clearly needed something to do with his hands.
“I know,” I said on a sigh, feeling like the biggest sack of shit ever.
