I HOBBLE UPthe stairs.
My mother hovers in the foyer until I make it to the top. “I’m fine,” I gripe.
“I know,” she responds. “Just playing it safe.”
“Playing it safe gets you nowhere.”
I hear her sigh. It’s an amused sound. “I’ll be back in a little bit. The door is open for the tutor.”
I throw my hand up over my head in acknowledgement. Tutor.Yay.
I drop down onto my bed. The fun starts soon. I’m going to try and enjoy my last shred of peace and quiet before I am officially tortured by some scrawny dork quizzing me onBeowulfand international politics.
The doorbell rings abruptly. Here we go. “Come in!” I yell, right after I consider smothering myself with a pillow.
I hear someone walk up the stairs. “Kam?” a girl’s voice carries down the hall.Oh, shit.
“In here.”
A few seconds later, Darla walks into my room.Double shit.
“Hey,” she drawls with a sugary smile.
“Hey,” I respond flatly. I need this like I need a hole in my head. Ever since I got out of the hospital she’s been texting me nonstop. Asking how I am and if I need anything. I tried to be polite and tell her I was fine, and not to worry over me, but that is just not happening. “What are you doing here?”
Please, don’t be my tutor. Dear God, please.
“I just wanted to see you. Been missing you, that’s all.” She walks into my room warily, like she isn’t sure if she should be here.
She shouldn’t.
“Oh, yeah? Sorry about that. Been a bit preoccupied recovering and all.” I motion to my worthless limbs.
“Well, I thought I could make it a little less painful for you.” She saunters toward my bed.
“Darlin’, the only thing that’s going make it less painful is if I go back in time.”
Darla frowns. Her blonde hair is curled, perfect ringlets framing her face, and dressed exactly like my bitchy ex. Pristine. An image to be had.
“Well, I can’t turn back time, but history can definitely repeat itself, if you want.” She crawls onto the bed like a cat stalking a mouse. I just lie there and watch her move, coming closer and closer to my weary body. I contemplate so many things in that moment. Should I let her touch me? Should I send her away? My body is screaming for the release, but my head wants no part of the aftermath. She wants more. It’s evident. And I just don’t, at least not with her. She’s too much of the same, too much of what appalls me.
Darla reaches me and begins kissing my neck. My body and my mind wage war. I shouldn’t let her do this, but Jesus Christ, I need it so bad. My eyes roll to the back of my head as she works her mouth over my skin. My body responds, but my brain shuts down. “Darla.” I grab her arms, stopping her.
“Kam?” She looks back at me, confused.
“Please, stop.” I clench my jaw.
“What?” Her eyes widen.
“I can’t do this.”
“Can’t do what? Fool around? Your part’s broken or something?”
I glare at her. “No, it works just fine. I’m just not that into you anymore.” I finally break the news.
Her green eyes darken with rage. “The tent in your pants says otherwise,” she snaps.
“Yeah, well, that head isn’t in charge at the moment. I’ve tried to be nice, but you’re just not getting the message. I don’t want to see you anymore.”
