stepping in closer.
“C’mon, don’t say that.
“You really think that’s what this is?”
Jesus Christ—am I overreacting?
Fuck if I know. I don’t do this shit.
All I know is I’m reacting,
and I don’t trust this feeling.
I pull in a breath,
then say as calm as possible?—
“You expect me to quit usin’ Ben,
“to fall apart in your hands,
“hand myself over to only you.
“Meanwhile, you?
“You slam the door in my face.”
I shrug, dead-eyed.
“Yeah. You want everything. But Allison?
“Nah. She only gets what I give her.”
He grabs his hips,
eyes on the ground,
finger tapping the bone once.
Deep inhale.
“God’s honest truth?
“Didn’t think it'd matter to you.”
Does it?
No.
Maybe.
Shit.
He wets his lip. “It ain't you I'm closing the door on. It's this place. I been tryin’ to leave it behind… I don’t want my past layin’ its filthy fuckin’ hands on you, aight? You’re not supposed to be part of that... I’m just doin’ Matt a favor tonight. One-time gig.”
He’s staring at me,
seeing if I believe any of this.
