Page 59 of Broken

“I’m telling you he’s more of a danger to himself than to me. It was self-harm?—”

“How do you know that?”

“I just do.” With my body aching from the day’s adventures, I can’t withhold my yawn when it breaks free. “He wouldn’t classify it as that but it is.”

“You should get some sleep.”

“It’s been a crazy day,” I admit.

“Sounds like I’m only hearing the half of it.”

I just chuckle. Tiredly. “The worst part was cleaning his back.”

“I’ll bet. I’m not sure how you do it, Andrea. You have a good heart.”

“Nah.”

“Yes. I wouldn’t be here, right where I am now if it weren’t for you.”

I know that.

We both know that.

“He’s farther along the path than I expected. Farther than even you were.”

“Wow. You expected him to be fucked up?”

“You know what he endured as well as I do.”

“True, but… would the Church let him be a priest if he were that bad?”

“They shield pedophiles, Diana,” I grumble. “What do you think?”

“Ugh,” she whines. “You’re not encouraging him to resign so that you can be with him, are you?”

I can’t stop myself from cackling. Though she’s right, I just say, “You think I have more power than I do.”

“No, I’ve seen you at work. You’re half-guardian angel, half-bulldozer. People think because you’re blonde and beautiful that you’re a pushover. But they’re the ones who get railroaded into doing whatever you want them to.”

“You make me sound despotic!” I cry.

“Only when it comes to someone you care about.”

Though I purse my lips in annoyance, I confess, “I want to have sex with him.”

“Didn’t think you wanted to gaze adoringly at him for a lifetime.”

“Diana!”

She sniffs.

“Sex isn’t a salve. Plus, I’m probably shit in bed so it’s not as if I even know how to help him.”

“God, I wonder if he’s a virgin too.”

“Maybe. He wasn’t exactly a baby when he entered the seminary though. Still, if any man needs an orgasm, it’s him?—”

“Andrea!”