Page 105 of Confessions of a Virgin on a Dating App
“Avery, but your surgery—”
“I’m fine,” I grumbled as I walked toward my bedroom door. “I can take care of myself. All you two are doing is making it worse.”
I slammed the door behind me before I could hear their response.
I steadied myself against the wall, my legs suddenly shaking now that all the adrenalin was wearing off. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Devin rise from the edge of my bed and rush toward me.
“Avery…” He swept me into his arms. I knew from the look on his face that he’d heard everything.
I couldn’t take it anymore.
The pipe burst, and I descended into frantic sobs. I could barely breathe as my legs gave out and Devin carried me over to my bed.
“It’s okay. It’s okay…” he laid me down gingerly before curling up next to me, rubbing my shoulder while his soothing words washed over me.
“You heard all that, didn’t you?” I asked between hiccupping sobs.
“Well…yes.”
“Am I an idiot?”
“No,” Devin kissed the side of my forehead. “In fact, I think you’re incredibly brave, finally telling your parents about your health issues after all these years.”
“God…” I cringed. I hated the fact that I’d just brought up my sex life to my parents.
“Your illness is nothing to be ashamed of,” Devin assured me. “And that includes your sexual issues. Sweetheart…I’m sorry you felt so alone in this for such a long time.”
“I’m broken,” I blubbered.
“You are not.”
“I feel like I am.”
Devin scooted closer to me, rolling up his sleeve and showing me his inner forearm.
“Do these make me broken?” he asked.
I pressed a finger against the largest scar, right before the crook of his elbow. “No.”
“Then you’re not either. Avie, we’re human beings, not dolls. We don’tbreak. We’re so much more complex than that.”
I turned over so I faced him, and a warm smile lit up his lips as he stroked my hair.
“Plus,” he continued. “Part of being human means that we can heal.” He pointed to my stitched-up abdomen. “That’s exactly what your body is doing right now.”
I smiled despite the tears. “Thank you, Devin.”
“Of course. We’ll get through this, sweetheart.”
I nuzzled closer to his chest, breathing in his mint body wash as his heartbeat synched with my own.
“I love you, Avie.”
Anotherwave of exhaustion rolled over me, and I closed my eyes.
“I love you too, Dev.”
“Avie. Hey, Avie.”
