After four or five rapid blinks, she glares at my hand like it’s offending her. Without commenting, I lift it off her shoulder.
“You know the funny thing about offered help, Reed?”
“What?”
“It’s only helpful if you trust the person making the offer.”
Without giving me a chance to defend myself, she stands abruptly and pastes on her most plastic smile. “It’s almost dusk. We should go before the mosquitoes swarm.”
Sometimes you have to know when to circle the wagons and regroup. Now is one of those times.
But not for long. Icannotlet her go tonight without ensuring she knows how dangerous the situation has become.
The walk back to the car should give me enough time to reassess. I’ll try again on the ride home. I’ll drive the long way if I need to. And stand outside her bedroom window all night until she hears me out.
About five minutes into our return stroll, she wordlessly reaches for my hand. As I entwine our fingers, it feels as if she extended an olive branch. Then again, maybe this is part of her manipulation. I’m not the only one with a job to do today.
We both know what game the other is playing.
Halfway back to the car, the comfortable vibe has returned for the most part. She even points out a few more birds.
“Reed?” She brushes her hair away from her face with her free hand. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“Why do you hang around the casino? Aside from the one time when you were obviously messing with me, I’ve never seen you play.”
My brows furrow tightly, and tension settles onto my shoulders. “Um. That’s uh...”
Words trailing off, I lick my lips while wondering if I’m strong enough to confess this to her. It isn’t something I’ve discussed with anyone.Ever.
By the lake, she shared some of her dark side with me. I’m sure she wants to even the playing field. Makes sense.
Lila pulses our joined hands. “Never mind. I can see you’d rather not talk to me about it.”
I despise the disappointment in her tone. When I glance her way, her expression broadcasts it in screaming color. From the downturn of her cheeks and the worried pinch of skin at her temples.
Desperate to drive those emotions away, I blurt out the truth. “When Dad got really sick, I started gambling. To cope or something. It became a huge problem for me. Started taking over my life.”
The confession surprises me, and it frees up some of the space under my ribs. If I give her a little more, maybe I can breathe easier. “It became an addiction. It was the only way I felt alive.”
She tugs on my hand, slowing our pace. “Oh, Reed. I’m so sorry.”
My head slants to the side. “Why? It isn’t your fault.”
Her face falls, and she seems to struggle to find the words. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m sorry for bringing it up. Or that it happened to you in the first place. Or because you’re suffering. I guess I’m just sorry.”
Sweet woman.
“Don’t be. I’m better now.”
Mostly.
She waves a mosquito away from her face. “Shouldn’t you avoid casinos? That’s like an alcoholic hanging around a bar.”
I give her a pull toward the car so I can get her away from the bugs. “That’s exactly what it’s like. I needed to prove I could do it.”
“Prove to whom?”
