Page 69 of Inked Heart
“Also what?”
“Strong.”The soft word resonates somewhere deep in my chest.
“Strong?”It isn’t what I was expecting her to say.
“You stand your ground.”
“I’ve had a lot of practice.”
“With your brothers?”
“With life.”
She nods slowly.“I noticed that.”
“Not many people do.”
“I pay attention, too.”
For a moment neither of us says anything.The water laps gently against the dock beneath our feet and a bird glides across the surface of the lake.It’s peaceful and comfortable.
Then Quinn tilts her head slightly.
“Can I ask you something?”
“You don’t have to ask permission, Quinn.Just ask whatever you want to know,” I reply honestly.“I don’t have anything to hide.”
“When did you stop being the quiet kid from high school?”
I laugh softly.“You remember that guy?”
“Vaguely.He was very skinny and awkward.”
“Yes, I was.”The thought of that young boy actually hurts, but I am not that person anymore.“And easily shoved into lockers.”
Her expression softens immediately.“That happened?”
“More than once.”
She frowns.“Who did that?”
I hesitate because the answer feels unnecessary now.But Quinn’s watching me carefully and I just said that I don’t have anything to hide.
A deep sigh leaves me before the word does.“Emette,” I say finally.
Her eyes widen.“What?”Her voice is loud in the silence.
“Yeah.”I don’t want her to make aa big deal about this.I have moved on and I do my best not to allow myself to let the memory surface.
“Damien...”
“It was a long time ago.”
“I had no idea.”She sounds sad and my heart hurts.
“Most people didn’t.”
“That’s awful.”
