Page 44 of Darlin'

"Everyone," I grunt out in frustration. "Every single person I thought I could trust has gone and pissed me off, okay? So you might wanna tread lightly."

"Come on, tell me," Jesse probes again, nodding with a cheeky smile. "I know you wanna..."

He's right. Idowant to talk to someone about it. If I keep talking to myself, I might just become Bertha after all.

"Fine."

Verbal vomit spews from my lips as I recount all the shady lies and secrets my family hid from me over the years. I tell him about Beau and Momma and Daddy. Hell, I even toss in a tangent about Felicity, who stole mylocker in senior year; it was related somehow...I think. By the time I'm done venting, my mouth is dry, and Jesse's coffee is ice cold.

"Shit," Jesse hums, scratching his beard. "That's tough, babe."

"I know!" I groan as I take a deep breath that fills my lungs with ease. "And to top it all off, I got a roommate who can't stand me. Ain't that just peachy?"

"Well, maybe that's a sign it's finally time to accept the fact thatyou'rethe problem," Jesse jokes, attempting to lighten the conversation. It doesn't work, and I elbow him in the ribs. "Fucking hell, woman. Sense the tone! I was kidding, for God's sake."

"Do Ilooklike I'm in the mood for jokes right now?" I ask, scowling. "Read the room, Paxton."

"I would, but"—he smirks—"we're outside."

My eyes narrow. "I find you incredibly annoying right now."

"I find you incredibly annoyingallthe time," Jesse retorts with a smug smile.

"Just go away. I knew you didn't care." I turn away from him, sighing. "Let me sulk in peace."

"Oh, come on, Sav, I was kidding." Jesse gives my thigh a gentle squeeze. "Listen, I know you're bummed that your parents are shitheads, okay? I get it. It sucks that they lied to you but look, you're here now." I nibble on my bottom lip as he continues, "So fuck 'em. Don't even think about them. Enjoy the time you have with your brother." His voice softens and cracks as he adds, "You never know how much time you've got left with the people you love."

Dang it. There it is again. In between the ice andheat, there's this little smidgen of neutral territory that frightens me beyond belief. It's a place that's raw and honest. It's a place he hides real well. Maybe he doesn't even know it's there. No one's welcome inside. Certainly not me. But I've seen it a couple of times. Only for a second. But it's there...just tempting me to step inside.

I swallow, bracing myself as I try to penetrate the walls. "She's still with you."

Jesse frowns, shifting uncomfortably beside me. "Who?"

"Your momma. She's still with you." I reach over and gently poke Jesse's firm chest. "Right there."

"In my lung?" Jesse asks, brushing off my comment. It was worth a shot. "Shit." He looks down as he says, "'Sup, Mom. Sorry for all the smoke."

I roll my eyes. "I meant your heart, you jackass."

"That's where you think your heart's located? Damn, someone skipped Anatomy 101," Jesse jokes, steering us back to chartered grounds. "Hope you're not in med school."

"You're impossible to talk to," I note in a grumble. "Is everything a joke to you?"

Jesse grins. "Yes."

"Lovely," I mutter. "I'm living with Krusty the Clown."

Jesse snorts. "Which makes you Sideshow Bob. Sure you wanna wear that title?"

"Can't be worse thanBertha." I scowl. "Just add it to the list of offensive and inaccurate nicknames."

"And a cartoon clownisn'toffensive?" Jesse chuckles. "You really do live in your own little lalaland, don't you?" He snaps his fingers. "It's time to wake up, Dorothy."

"Oh, another one, great," I say, playfully shoving him. As much as I hate to admit it, I don't feel as sad now as I did a couple of hours ago. Maybe this is okay. Maybe rolling the dice daily won't be that bad. At least I'm entertained. "By the end of the summer, I'll have enough aliases to be a full-fledged member of your little club."

"Yeah?" Jesse grins. "You wanna wear the cut, princess?"

"I mean, Idolook great in leather," I reply in a flirty tone. Lord, help me. "But I think my presence might distract all the boys. Wouldn't want that, would we?"

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