“I thought I’d already hit rock bottom, but you came along and introduced me to a new hell. You’ll be my destruction.”
“I don’t want to destroy you.”
“I nearly lost my fucking mind without talking to you, touching you, breathing you…” He groans.
Violent tremors wrack my entire body, momentarily rendering me unable to form words. Art’s shout of pleasure rings through my ears. Afterwards, we shower together then scrub the blood from the carpet. I never imagined period sex could be so damn amazing.
The next day, I devise a plan to help Art find closure. I’ll need his full cooperation for it to be successful. This weekend is the perfect opportunity, since Josh and Trevor are going on a fishing trip with Ricky. Ricky insisted Art join them, but not surprisingly, he vehemently refused. My mom and aunt, along with some of their friends, will be traveling to Las Vegas for a girls’ getaway Friday morning. They think I’ll be staying with Anneli. It was like pulling teeth to persuade her to cover for me, but she relented after I explained my reasoning. Once I’m sure everyone has left Saturday morning, I drive home before the sun brightens the dark sky.
I find Art awake, lying on his bed.
“Get dressed. We’re going on a road trip.”
He glances up from his cell phone. “Is that right?”
“Yep.”
“Where are we going?”
“Boston.”
“Why?”
“We’re going to visit Cole’s grave.”
“I’m not going there.”
“You need—”
“Drop it.”
“No.”
“Excuse me?”
“No, I will not drop it. We’re going.”
“I’m not having this conversation.”
“I’m not leaving this room until you do.”
“It would take me no effort to pick your little ass up and throw you out.”
“Fucking pussy.”
“I hate to break it to you, but reverse psychology doesn’t work on me.”
“You owe it to your brother to go.”
“Watch it. You’re treading on dangerous ground.”
“If it’ll get you to go, I’ll stomp all over the motherfucker.”
“Get out.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Art tosses his cell phone on the bed before standing. The dangerous ground he spoke of is about to crack, but I refuse to back down. He stops directly in front of me, stooping to my level until our eyelashes kiss.
