Page 60 of The Fire Walker
Dee
Iwoketo a hand on myshoulder.
As soon as I shifted in the chair, I knew my back was stuffed. My head ached, but that was from the multiple punches I’d copped the nightbefore.
“You should’ve slept in the bed,” Jessie said thinly. “I wouldn’t haveminded.”
I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak, and rubbed some feeling back into my neck. Last night, she’d taken care of me and cleaned my wounds like a fucking sexy nurse. It would’ve been so easy to lean over and kiss her, to lose myself again, but I couldn’t. I just couldn’t find it in myself to let itgo.
Seeing that guy trying to pressure himself on her, that had broken something inside me I never thought lived in there.Jealousy.
“I was...” I began but didn’t know how to finish thesentence.
“Waswhat?”
“Too fast in saying all that stuff to youbefore.”
“Oh.” She edged away slightly, her gaze downcast. I knew what she wanted but me? I still wasn’tsure.
“It was probably for the best that you ditched me.” I leaned forward, elbows resting on my knees, and rubbed the sleep from myeyes.
“Dee…”
“I’m sorry you came all thisway.”
“Shut up,” she saidirritably.
“It’s the truth.” As the words fell from my lips, I wasn’t so sure that statement was as truthful as I wanted it tobe.
“Are you trying to punishme?”
My head dropped into my hands, and my fingernails bit into the skin of myscalp.
“How long is this going to go on, Dee?” Her voice wasclipped.
I got up and started to shove my stuff in my bag, just scooping my clothes from the night before and screwing them up in balls. Anything to get away from thisplace.
“What are you doing?” Jessie asked. She hadn’t moved from where she stood by the chair, arms wrapped around hermiddle.
“We’re going,” Isaid.
“Then let medrive.”
“No. I’m fine. My head doesn’t hurt anymore.” Totallie.
“If you don’t want me to drive, then at least stay here another night. You’ll wear yourselfout.”
I should’ve felt at least a little warm that she was worried about me, but I just wanted this whole thing to be over. It was too complicated and confusing for a simple guy likeme.
“Dee, you were punched in the head repeatedly, kicked in the stomach, and you slept in a chair all night. If you’re not going to let me drive, then we’re not goinganywhere.”
I grabbed the keys off the table and walked toward the door. “Fine. Then you can stay, but I’m going.” I opened the door, but her hand was there, slamming it closedagain.
“You’re such a stubborn asshole,” she saidheatedly.
I let my head bash against the back of the door and dropped mybag.
“Have a shower. I’ll go get some breakfast for us. Okay?” She pulled me back from the door, and I didn’t have it in me to argue anymore. She pushed past me and went outside, giving me a pointed look as she closed the door. Damn it. Of course, she knew I wouldn’t leave without her, so that meant I was stuck here until she gotback.
