“Any weakness that Mia exhibits will be a reflection on all of us,” Neil says. “But mostly me.” I can see now, the pressure he’s under. It doesn’t change anything, but I can at least see it. “I hope you understand.” “I don’t really, not exactly. But thank you for telling me.” I sigh. “I want t
That night, I’m heading to the kitchen to prepare Mia’s late night meal. She hasn’t woken up yet, I’m holding her baby monitor. But I expect her fussing at any moment. This, at least, is generally predictable and something Neil and I added to our schedule. Which is part of the reason I’m surprised
Later, I go to the bank and take out the money Tide needs. I want to save Tide, but I’m also pissed at the brothers. To hell with what they think. I’m going to do what I think is right, forget the consequences. I head to class and afterwards, pull Tide aside to give him the money. It’s in a thick
Neil walks around me to approach Tide. He doesn’t ask, doesn’t say a word. He simply rips the envelope from Tide’s hands and gives it back to me. Tide whimpers in response. That pathetic little noise seems to be what finally triggers Neil’s voice. “You are the lowest kind of low. Here you are te
So I don’t argue that point. “I understand now why you thought to sell your clothes, but you need to learn not to trust people so readily. I’ll help you. You can come to me and I’ll tell you who can be trusted.” “I can trust my own instincts.” “Can you? Because you nearly trusted Tide.” I hu
Angela. Neil’s girlfriend. Supposedly in name only, what with her regularly fucking Beau. Not that Neil knows about that. Or does he? It’s hard to tell. Neil immediately releases his hold on my arm. He steps away from me an inch or two. I feel embarrassed but I’m not sure why. Despite my horny t
He’s been cruel to me. I can’t forget that. Even now, he’s saying what we shared was nothing. He isn’t worthy of me. He doesn’t deserve me when he acts like that. But fuck it all, I still want him. I close my eyes, anticipating a kiss. It doesn’t come. In my mind, Neil presses up behind me
Angela has basically blown my mind and I’m totally speechless. There’s no way that she’s trying to tell me I could go after Neil if I want, but the way she’s talking, clarifying how little they do with each other romantically, I’m not sure how else to interpret it. “He’s a good man,” Angela says.