“Yeah, but?—”
“Rory,” he says sternly. “You know what the therapist said.”
I roll my eyes but say, “It’s okay to ask for what I need.”
“And?”
“And be patient with myself,” I mumble.
“That’s right. Now try to get some rest. It’s not good for you to skip sleep.”
“Yes, Doc.”
“Smartass,” he teases and uses his hand to gently force my head to his shoulder. I’m almost asleep again when my phone rings. Which is good because sleep is where the monsters live.
“Did you hear what happened last night?” Vera screams into my ear, and I’m awake now.
“No, what?” I ask.
“Tanner posted a story about getting attacked last night.”
“What the hell?” I gasp.
“Turns out that someone broke into his place and left him half dead.”
“Seriously?” I gasp.
“Yeah!” She sounds way too excited. “I guess he posted something that was absolutely crazy, and it had to be taken down because it was so fucked up.”
“What?” I ask.
“Not sure, but I’m going to find out. Oh, gotta run. Nate’s here, and we have plans.” The way she says plans makes me think that it’s code for lots of sex.
“Eww.” I gag, but she’s already hung up.
“What did Vera say?”
“That she and Nate are going to have sex.” I wrinkle my nose.
“Not that.” He rolls his eyes playfully. “The thing you said seriously about.”
“Oh. She said that someone attacked Tanner last night.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, someone went into his house and left him half dead. Vera said she didn’t have any more details, but she’ll keep looking.”
“That’s messed up,” Brendan says. “But less than what he deserved.”
My mind drifts back to the attack. The feeling of his soft pampered hands on me as he held my shoulders down and?—
“Are you okay?” Brendan’s voice is hesitant.
“Yeah. I never want anyone to be in pain, but part of me is glad that he’s hurting right now. Does that make me a bad person?”
“No, that makes you the sweetest person. Someone who brutally attacked you is suffering and you feel sorry for him.”
“Not that sorry,” I rush out. “Just I know what he’s feeling.”
