t everyone starts on the same line. The sma
e with Dad, she moved to the city with Mom and
what
hands - long, strong fingers that could probably make you forget your own name with on
a low groan escapes him. Things
gets up. Wordless. Heads
st the headboard, body stiff. Silent
st one of Henry Smith's many esta
ow much I try to pretend otherwise. I'm the
ling her body - it's the one handing ove
sn't matter how good things feel in the moment; he always
ipped the condom, he always snapped back
et someone like
n't half gone before he was dr
ering with modesty, I
se in his step. He di
oked on all night finally clawed its way out: "Hear
if I'd actually spoken aloud-if that bu
teps again.
p, he was turni
for an answer. He finally spoke, his voice cold, detached: "K
ttle smile. "Relax. Just wanted to know
olve - the same way I'd never cracked him. Then, just like that
e. A moment later, only the heav
d by the window, staring i
first meeting. Another autu
the head. The guy got away. No insurance. No money for the hospital.
Carter's big-shot graduation party. Their ma
the plague. Out back, Lena was posing in her cap and gown, flashing that camera-ready smile. Sh
uy walking past who looked important enough
hought I'd gra
onto a knife - and it