Her head drops. “It’s actually foolish, simply… Simply one other dangerous overview concerning the lack of amenities… and a visitor was yelling about dangerous signage. I do know, it’s nothing…” However her breath hitches.

“Ah, Julie, come right here.” I pull her into my embrace, and he or she comes willingly, melting in opposition to me.

“I simply hate confrontation.” She sniffles.

“I do know, folks could be so insensitive.”

It feels good to have her in my arms, to push my very own worries and desires apart and focus absolutely on one other particular person. It’s what I’ve at all times accomplished. It’s why these final months have been so arduous.

I’ve been alone.

“There’ll at all times be dangerous folks, Julie, however so long as you do no matter you may to be good, you’ll be effective.” I rub my hand up and down her again.

“I-I don’t really feel effective proper now.”

I cup her cheek and tilt her withstand me. “Possibly not, however you’ll be effective. And that visitor who yelled at you, he’ll have a punctured tire on his means dwelling. Karma’s a bitch.”

Fun bursts out of her mouth. “Thanks, Jamie,” she whispers, her teary eyes heavy with gratitude.

My thumb skates over her cheek. Her gaze drops to my lips. I swallow arduous. Earlier than I’ve an opportunity to maneuver away, she pushes up on her toes. Her lips meet mine.

No, no, no….

I wish to draw back, however I do know the rejection will crush her after the dangerous morning she’s had. So although the voice behind my head is screaming for me to cease, I maintain nonetheless. It’s a aid when her eyes – the identical color as her brother’s – flutter shut. Her lips transfer, opening…

I pull again.

“We higher cease whereas we will,” I mumble and press a kiss to the highest of her head, a little bit lie to verify I don’t crush her emotions. I’m at all times in management sexually, I can cease any time I like. However Julie is flustered by the little kiss, her chest already rising and falling quickly.

“O-okay,” she stutters.

“I have to bathe earlier than Adam will get uninterested in watching TV.”

6

Letting Go

Julie follows me out the entrance door.

“You’re going to be okay, Julie,” I promise.

I seize her hand, squeezing it gently. A number of the confidence is again in her smile.

But my smile drops as I flip and stroll away, my chest full of guilt. I hadn’t meant to kiss her – didn’t wish to kiss her. I’ve damaged the promise I made myself yesterday, that I might steer clear of Trevor’s sister. Though I by no means meant for the kiss to occur.

“What the…!”

A giant, callused hand grips my shirt and hauls me by the door of an outbuilding. The air in my lungs is knocked out of me as I’m pushed up in opposition to the wall. My bathe bag drops to the bottom.

“What the hell are you at?” Trevor’s blue eyes are darkish, stormy, and the phrases are snarled. Mud is dancing within the air, lit up by cracks within the wall.

“Jesus Christ, Trevor! You scared the dwelling daylights out of me.”

“What the hell had been you doing in my home, with Julie?”

“I used to be… I… She’s letting Adam watch cartoons whereas I bathe.”

His gaze flicks between my eyes, a slight hesitation earlier than his subsequent growled phrases. “Then why had been you holding her hand like that?”

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