Page 34 of Deliah
“Well, maybe I fucking am,” I snapped, voice shaking more than I wanted it to.
“Then let me see what’s underneath.”
I hated that he meant it. That he wasn’t backing off like most men would’ve by now. I looked at him. Then the stars. Then back. And it just slipped out. “His name was Jay.”
Damion didn’t even blink. “Ex?”
“Something like that.”
“You still love him?”
I hesitated. “I don’t know.”
“Do you miss him?”
“No. Yes. Sometimes.” I shook my head. “Depends on what day you ask.”
“What happened?”
I sucked in a breath so sharp it hurt. “He’s a prick.”
“Be more specific.”
“He lied. Cheated. Took everything and made me think I was lucky just to be there.”
He didn’t speak right away. He just watched me. And I felt the temperature in the car shift. Like the air got heavier.
“He ever hurt you?”
“Sometimes. Not with fists.” I swallowed. “But he knew exactly how to fuck me up. Put it that way.”
“And now?”
“Now I don’t trust anyone.”
Damion’s brow twitched. “That’s smart.”
“No, Damion. That’s sad.”
“Both can be true.”
I laughed under my breath. Bitter again. “Story of my life.”
I hated that I was telling him this. Hated that I couldn’t stop. All the things Jay twisted inside me, I was now handing to someone else on a silver platter. What the fuck was I doing?
“Why am I telling you this?” I muttered.
He smiled faintly. “Because now I can see what you need, and it clearly isn’t him.”
His voice was steady. Firm. But there was heat behind it now. Not the kind that scared me. The kind that said he meant every damn word. And suddenly, I wanted to cry. I blinked hard, fighting it.
“He fucked me over,” I whispered.
“He was wrong.”
“He used me. Not just my body… my soul.”
“He should’ve been lucky you gave a shit,” Damion said quietly. Then he looked me dead in the eye. “And he should’ve begged to keep it.”
