Page 67 of Blood Queen

Tasha steals a fry from my plate and pops it into her mouth. “So,” she says around a mouthful. “What school do you go to again?”

I hesitate, then shrug. “I don’t.”

Her chewing slows. “Okay. Where do you work?”

I pick at my burger. “I—uh—

She tilts her head, eyes sharp.

Shit.

I take a sip of my soda, avoiding her gaze.

Tasha doesn’t say anything for a second, just studies me in that way that makes me feel like she can see straight through my bullshit. Then she leans forward, resting her chin on her hand.

“You live with Truman, don’t you?”

I freeze, fingers tightening around my cup.

She exhales. “Kid… you know if the school finds out, he could get kicked out, right?”

Guilt slams into me, a cold, sinking weight in my stomach. Idoknow.

But hearing her say it out loud makes it real in a way that squeezes the air out of my lungs.

Truman has worked his ass off to get here. And I’m just… hiding in his dorm like some stray cat, risking everything for him.

I push my plate away, suddenly not hungry anymore.

Tasha sighs. “Look, I get it. You guys are crazy about each other. But be careful, okay? I like you both too much to see this go to shit.”

I nod, even though my throat is too tight to speak.

Tasha watches me for a moment, then her voice softens. “What’s your plan, Kid? You can’t keep doing this forever.”

I let out a slow breath, staring down at the table. “IknowI have to figure things out,” I admit, my voice quieter now. “But Truman… he’s all I have. He’s all of my firsts.” I look up at her then, something raw and vulnerable creeping into my chest. “I love him.”

It’s the first time I’ve said it out loud. It hangs between us, real and terrifying.

Tasha’s expression softens.

Tasha’s smile is small but warm. “I get it,” she says. “I don’t know exactly how sheltered you were, but I can tell you’ve lived a… different kind of life.”

My pulse kicks up, but she doesn’t press, doesn’t ask questions I can’t answer.

“But that’s exactly why youhaveto start building something for yourself,” she continues. “Something that’s just yours. You know what happens if you don’t?”

I shake my head.

She leans in, voice gentle but firm. “You start to lose yourself. And maybe that doesn’t sound so bad now, but trust me, down the line? You’ll resent it. And if you resent it, it’ll bleed into your relationship, no matter how much you love him.”

A lump forms in my throat.

Tasha reaches across the table and taps my hand. “You don’t have to figure everything out overnight. But youdohave to start thinking about it. Create a life for yourself that you cansharewith Truman instead of just living his.”

I nod again, even though my chest is tight and I don’t know how to make sense of the emotions swirling inside me.

Tasha grins and steals another fry off my plate. “And hey, if you need a wing woman while you figure it out, I know agreatone.”