Page 103 of Robbin’ the Rich

"Don’t do that." The words burst out before I could stop them.

Micah blinked.

I took a step forward. "I don't want fair, Micah. I want to know how I got this so wrong."

The anger I'd spent most of the day directing at digital zombies surged back to the surface all at once. Apparently, several hours of simulated violence had not been as therapeutic as advertised.

"You didn’t get everything wrong."

The confession came out sharper than I intended. "I told you about Lila. I told you about Ascension. I told you exactly what that church did to people I care about."

His expression tightened. "I know."

"You knew. You sat there and listened while I talked about your family."

The guilt on his face was immediate.

“You’re right. You’re right about all of it. I was a coward. I couldn’t stand up to my family, and even worse, I couldn’t tell you the truth.”

“That’s bullshit.”

“No, it’s the truth. I’m finally telling the truth, even if it’s too late. The truth is that I haven’t believed in the church for years. I’ve just been going through the motions because it’s easier. I live a double life because I was so afraid of my family's disapproval. You changed everything for me, Robin.”

I swallowed the emotion that was currently stinging my sinuses. I would not cry.

“Clearly I didn’t if you could still lie to me.”

“Just being around you made me stronger. You’re so brave. You don’t care what people think of you. I wanted to be like that. I told my family before dinner that I was done. I will no longer attend that church. I will be honest about who I am. I was going to tell you last night.”

“And that’s supposed to make me feel better? You still lied to me all this time. How am I supposed to believe a word you say?”

He blew out a shaky breath and closed his eyes. For a long moment neither of us spoke. Then he opened his eyes and pinned me with his sad gaze.

"I wouldn’t blame you if you never forgive me… but I was just wondering… if maybe you could forgive me."

I stared at him Finally I laughed. "You cannot be serious."

"Robin—"

"No. Absolutely not."

I threw my hands into the air. "You lied!"

His shoulders sagged. "I know. I won’t do it again."

I was so stunned by the statement that for a second, I forgot how language worked. Then outrage arrived to fill the void.

"That is your defense?"

"It's not a defense."

"It sounds a lot like a defense."

Micah dragged a hand through his hair. "I know how it sounds."

"Good."

"Because it sounds terrible."