Page 4 of Risks of Temptation
I blink hard and look away.
Way to show her I'm not weak. I can't even keep it together for a conversation. No wonder she doesn't trust me enough to tell me.
Naomi steps forward. "Box 1854. Don't forget the number."
I wipe my face and turn to her. "I won't."
She smiles. "Thank you. Now hug me."
I obey.
She holds on to me longer than usual.
"You can let go now," I say.
She releases me. "I'll be home later."
My chest tightens. "It's already nine o'clock. Where are you going?"
"I have to meet with Ezra."
"Why so late?"
"He had a lot going on today. I need his full concentration for this story. Knowing Ezra, it will take him a minute to digest. I don't know how long I'll be, so don't wait up."
I hate being at home alone at night. But I stopped telling Naomi a long time ago so she could have some sort of life that didn't revolve around watching my every move and wouldn't treat me like a baby.
A lot of good that did.
I force a smile. "Okay. I'll see you tomorrow morning for yoga class?"
"Yep. Want to hit the new cafe next to the studio after?"
"Sure. I heard they have awesome fry jacks."
Naomi licks her lips. "Mmm. I haven't had any in a while."
"Me, either."
She hugs me again. She usually doesn't hug me twice before leaving, which only makes my anxiety over what she's involved in skyrocket. "Get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Stay safe."
"I will," she claims then spins and leaves.
I follow her to the door and lock it. Then I turn on a few extra lights.
Ever since I was ten, I've been scared of things I shouldn't. Staying at home by myself at night is one of them.
Before I was ten, not much scared me.
Maybe that's why he was able to do to you what he did.
I shudder. No matter how much therapy I've had over the years, I still blame myself for letting my mother's boyfriend, Zaka Tillett, molest me.
Rationally, I know it's not my fault. But demons are hard to escape. And the bubble I live in—the one Naomi does everything in her power to keep around me—doesn't allow me to face my fears very often.
Maybe if I could, I would be able to get past certain things. Perhaps I could allow a man to touch me and not feel like Zaka's hands are still on me.
