An hour later,I catch the bus to the community hall, arriving twenty minutes earlier than Bryan usually drops me off. I’m halfway through the alleyway, enroute to my support group, when familiar footsteps sound on the path behind me.
“Well, if it isn’t Regency High’s new sexting queen.”
Gripping my cane firmly, I keep going, refusing to give Damien the satisfaction of glancing over my shoulder. Still weirdly upset he never sent me a response.
When he draws level, I say, “Can’t you just leave me alone for a few minutes?”
“You’re not going in there.” He steps directly in front of me, blocking my path.
“Why?” He’s shadows and outlines in the dark alley, expression hidden, giving me nothing. “Did you tell Philip—”
“I didn’t tell him shit.” He makes a scoffing noise. “I didn’t have to. You stormed out of the room last week and when I ran after you, I was attacked. I had to convince him not to call police.”
Something I should have expected, but this group is my only release valve. “If Philip’s just guessing I’m responsible, then staying away will only prove it.”
I resume walking, and the tap-tap of my cane is the only sound until we reach the end of the alleyway, and Damien blocks me again. “Staying away also gives us a few hours of alone time each week.”
“Why would I want that?”
His hand catches my right elbow, loosening my grip on the cane. Soft clicks as he folds it. “How else will you gain control of the situation?”
“Not by sitting in your car, that’s for sure. You’ll just attack me again.”
I hold out my hand, and he lets the cane touch my palm, then snatches it back. “There are benches around back of the hall, looking over the rugby fields. We can sit there.”
Without waiting for an answer, he strides away.
I fist my hands, arms stiff at my sides, then blow out an exasperated breath and follow. I’m just a step behind when I stumble on the cracked asphalt, and he’s there, steadying me before I can fall.
“Cane,” I demand.
“Alright.” He places it into my palm, hooking his elbow through mine. “Just watch out for my ankles.”
With him guiding me, I don’t need it. The breeze is more cutting behind the community hall, but even though his body radiates heat, I sit apart from him, hands gripping the splintered bench so they won’t stray.
We sit in a silence only broken by the swish of passing cars, then he clears his throat. “So… those pills. Are they because of what happened with Craig?”
“This again?” I laugh in disbelief. “I’m not answering. You haven’t come good with the money you promised me last time, and if you don’t honour your bribes, what’s my incentive?”
“Why are you so secretive?” He slings his arm around my shoulders, pulling my head closer. “Honestly, you’re the most interesting person I’ve ever met, yet you never volunteer any information. Most girls gab all about themselves and here I am, pulling teeth.”
“Oh, gee.” I fold my arms, snorting. “I wonder why?”
“Is that a reference to my perfectly legitimate viewing request?”
I stay silent.
“I’m not the one who drove you to suicide. I just—”
“Want to watch. Yeah, I got that loud and clear.” When I turn towards him, he stares straight at me. Unnerving. “How’s this for an idea? Why don’t you tell me why you’re still hanging with Chelsea at every opportunity, even when you’re fucking me.”
The breeze picks up, carrying the scent of rotting leaves and stagnant water from the run-off pipe. I shiver, edging nearer his warmth, and Damien takes hold of my hand, guiding it to a ridge of scar tissue above his elbow.
“You feel that?”
“Sure.”
His fingers bump mine as he rubs it too, like he needs the touch to remember. “My dad. He—”
