Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
She frowned again. “He didn’t mention that part. He said he misjudged the assignment and that if it hadn’t been for you, he would’ve died. He said you saved him from an explosion.”
The scene flashed before my eyes. Mario setting the charge. We’d thought…
No, don’t go there.
I’d been the one to raise the warning, to get everyone clear. Yes, I’d made Mario leave when he was insisting on staying, arguing it was his duty, but I was just doing my job. There were no heroics involved.
Sabrina persisted. “You saved him, and if he rejects you because of who you love, then he’s a bigger bastard than I ever thought possible. I love him, but he’s stubborn and stupid about so many things. I can excuse most of them, but I would never forgive him for pushing you away.”
And that was one more reason to keep the fact I was gay to myself. “I don’t want to come between you.”
She stepped closer and took my hands in hers. “You’re not. Mario and I have always had problems. I should have told you when you came out, but…”
“Told me what?” Had she been keeping secrets from me? The thought unsettled me more than I liked. She’d been an anchor for me since I’d left the Marines.
“I like David, but I’m not going to sleep with him because I don’t sleep with men.”
“What?” Could this night get any crazier?
“Have you ever seen me go out with a man?”
I almost said that, of course I had, but when I really thought about it, I realized the answer was no. Sabrina had gone out in mixed groups, and I’d just assumed. She’d danced with men but never gone home with any of them. I’d seen her cuddle with other women, but I’d just thought they were friends. Girls did that kind of thing.
“Ingrid wasn’t just a friend. We were dating.”
“And now you’re not, and that’s why she hasn’t been around, since she didn’t show up for Shakespeare.”
Sabrina nodded.
“Why didn’t you tell me? We’ve been friends for over a year. I lived with you.”
She sighed. “At first I didn’t tell you because you and my brother were so close, and I thought you might feel the same way he does about the gays.”
Frustrated, I shook my head. “Fuck, if I’d just told you at the beginning…”
“It’s not your fault. By the time you’d been here a few months, I knew you weren’t like my brother. I started to wonder about you. You notice men in a way I wouldn’t expect a straight man to, but you also notice everything around you. You’re always checking your environment just like Mario does, so I thought maybe that was just the Marine in you.”
“Marines scan the area, but the straight ones don’t stare at guys’ asses.”
Sabrina grinned. “When I saw you with Jeremy, I felt certain you were gay too. I was going to tell you I liked women but then you told me about yourself, and I wanted your coming out to me to be about you.”
I guessed that made sense, but I was still a little hurt that she’d waited so long.
“I’m sorry. I should have told you before now, but tell Mario about yourself, please.”
“Does he know about you?”
“Yes, but he tries to pretend he doesn’t. He’s certain I just need to meet the right man.”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course he does, and you’re right. I should tell him.” That didn’t mean I would actually find the courage to.
“Go talk to Jeremy. I had to hold him back from charging out here to save you from David. He’ll want to know you’re okay.”
I raised a brow. “I hope he knows I can hold my own against a snarky attorney.”
“I have no doubt you could kill David sixteen different ways with your pinkie, but in here,” she tapped my chest, “your defenses are lacking.”
I nodded but didn’t say anything else. Sabrina was exposing me too thoroughly and the feeling unsettled me.
“You’ve been through hell. I know there’s a lot Mario hasn’t told me. Neither of you are ever likely to tell me the whole story, even if you could, but please don’t let those memories keep you from being with Jeremy. I still think you should call Larissa, my therapist friend.”
I started to protest, but Sabrina held up her hand. “I know you’ve had bad experiences with therapy, but remember, this is me making the recommendation. You trust me, right?”
“With my life.” I echoed her earlier words.
“Good.” She rose on tiptoes and kissed my cheek. “I’m going to take David home now.”
I stayed on the porch while she got David out of the way. As soon as the door closed, I heard Jeremy’s footsteps coming down the hall.
“I’m sorry about David,” Jeremy said as he stepped onto the porch.