Page 95 of Of Flesh & Bone

"I thought you left again."Adam's face is full of shame and worry.He knows he overreacted, and he's worried about how I'll take it.He had my keys.How far could I have gotten?I'm struck by how much he's still affected by the time that I walked out on him.

"We'll stay at the apartment tonight."I kiss him on the cheek and turn on my heels, heading down the stairs.I can feel the tension leave his body while his eyes remain on me as I walk away.

CHAPTER 31

Eve

Cotton and I pay almostzero attention to the professor as she talks about the mathematical backbone of psychology.Instead, Cotton explains the pathophysiology of anger, obsession, fear, and anxiety to me in hushed tones.I know he's explaining Adam and I without coming right out and saying it.

His hand is healed now, but I still feel very bad about what I did to him.This is a good man.A really good man.He's a good friend to Adam and they've been friends for years.He doesn't have to be so good to me, but he is.Cotton put himself between a knife and a man's back and I know he did it for me.He kept the whole thing quiet and got me out of there without anyone being the wiser.No one in that room but Adam, Cotton, and Cal know just how fucked up I really am, thanks to Cotton.I realize I've been smiling up at Cotton when he asks, "What is it?"with a quirked eyebrow.

"Can I keep you?"I ask, keeping the big cheesy grin on my face.

"We can discuss terms.You know Cal comes in the deal and we eat a lot.Cal takes up a lot of space and I need plenty of alone time to brood."

A laugh slips from my lips, and I cover it, realizing that I'm drawing attention to us.

"I'm ready to negotiate.Let me know when you've set your terms."

"Will do, Mason.Will do."

I like the nickname.I don't even know if it's technically a nickname since it's just my name, but I like the familiarity he must feel with me to use it.When I look back over, I see that Cotton is looking at his phone with raised eyebrows.

"You know you aren't supposed to watch porn in public settings?"

He turns to me quickly as though he forgot I was sitting here.

"Uhm.Right.My bad."He lets out a forced laugh and slides his phone back into his pocket.

"Come on.I thought we just shared a moment there and now you're mushrooming me."

Cotton runs a hand down his face like he's getting too old for this shit before he says, "Do I even want to know?"

"Keeping me in the dark and feeding me shit."

"Ah yes, a mushroom.It's not a big deal.I just don't think you'll want to see it."

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