Page 70 of All Your Firsts

“Um, yeah,” I say, reaching into the drawer filled with the same protein bars stocked all over his house. I hand it to him, and with two quick bites, he devours it before requesting another.

“You sure you’re okay? You sounded upset in your dream.”

“I’m fine.”

“But...”

“I’m fine, Rosie. Just old bullshit from my past.”

Understanding crosses my mind. “Your parents?”

“Yeah.”

“If you tell me about it, you might not have that same dream again. It can take away its power.”

“Drop it and stop with that look in your eyes,” Vic says as he rushes through putting his clothes on.

I can’t help but feel hurt as he shuts me out. I thought we were making progress and growing closer, but the wall that is his past is tall and unbreakable.

“How about we go by Burnouts?”

“Really?” I say, instantly perking up.

I expected us to go home after work and him to ignore me more. He’s been in a shitty mood since I pressed him on his dream this morning. It was stupid of me to push. I know I wouldn’t want to be pushed, but I couldn’t help it.

I want to know more about him, and I want to fix his pain, or at least understand it.

Vic is usually bossy and a complete jerk, but there are also those rare, tender moments I appreciate. These moments have become more frequent.

He took me to the lake, a place he finds peace, even though he never had to. He didn’t have to take me to the clubhouse, which he considers his home away from home, but he did. He’s given me more opportunities to draw for clients because he knows I love it. He makes sure I’m always protected and fed. He is a great guy, and I want to give back as a thank you to him.

Vic makes a U-turn, and we end up in front of the bar I haven’t been to since my first night.

One that I have very mixed feelings about.

The sound of that guy’s words still resonates within me, but it’s drowned out by the powerful sensation of Vic’s hand gripping my neck as he threw me over his shoulder and had his wicked way with me.

Do I need to see someone over how wrong that is?

Probably.

Vic looks back at the booth where he sat that night. Trey has a girl on his lap, and they look like they’re ten seconds from getting it on right in the booth. Geez. I avert my gaze quickly.

“We won’t be here long. I’ll be right back. Stay here.”

“O-okay,” I say, a little confused as I watch him head to the back. Why did we even come here if we’releaving so quickly?

I head to the bar and order a drink. The drink is barely in my hand before Vic grabs it, downing it in one go.

“Hey!”

“You drank enough last night. Let’s go.”

“What’s the rush?”

“Number two.”

“Number two?”

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