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“I just don’t understand why you’re so distant, Joey,” Mom said, eyes gleaming with tears. “It’s like you came out of that prison a totally different person.”

Damn. I hated when she got like this. “I’m sorry. I guess I did. But I’m still your son. I promise.”

I let her draw me into a clinging hug, even though it made me want to claw out of my skin.

“I really gotta go,” I said.

“I’m glad you have someone, Joey.”

I pulled away and forced a smile. “Thanks.”

Kit wasn’t the boyfriend my mother envisioned. He wasn’t devoted to me. Wouldn’t ever be more than a guy who had hot sex with me. But it was more happiness than I’d expected.

I escaped out the kitchen door and pulled out my phone to text him. This morning, I’d discovered a credit card lying half under the bed with the name Dr. Christopher Willis.

Weird to think I was fucking a doctor. Weird also to think a doctor could be as dirty as Kit was.

Joyride:

I’ve got something that belongs to you.

I got into the Hummer and set my phone into the cupholder. I put on my seat belt, adjusted the mirrors, and started the car.

My phone buzzed with a text. I snatched it up eagerly.

Kit:

Is this some sort of foreplay? I’m at work, Joey.

Joyride:

No! Haha.

I pulled out the credit card I’d found and took a photo of it, leaving my thumb over the number to protect Kit’s info, and sent it to him.

Kit:

Well, shit. I wondered where I’d lost that. I’ll pick it up tonight.

Joey:

Is that the only reason you’re coming by?

Kit:

I don’t know. That depends on whether you’re good and resist touching yourself all day.

I bit my lower lip. I kind of wanted to touch myself right now. Just because we were texting. It was tempting to hit the Call button. To tease us both with a voice exchange.

But he was at work.

I typed out a response.

Joyride:

I’ll be so good, Kit. The best.

Kit: