Page 90 of Fragments

“Youaremy best friend,” I hum.

He nods, showing me a small smile, like there’s more he wants to say, but he doesn’t know where to start.

I know the feeling.

We get to the row, and Lex wanders off toward his cell at the opposite end, mumbling, “Later.”

Then he waves. The same small, corny wave I gave him earlier.

I can’t… I can’t even do this anymore.

Joy is distracted with getting the rest of inmates into their cells, so I make my move. I stroll casually past her, walking behind Peters as he brings Lex inside his cell, unlocking his cuffs. I slink inside with them, and they both gape at me.

“What the hell are you doing, inmate?” Peters growls, hand falling to his Taser.

“Just give me five minutes,” I beg, desperation in my eyes. “Please?”

Peters glances to Lex, who appears sufficiently baffled. Then he returns to me, shaking his head on a frustrated exhale. “Five minutes. That’s it.”

He turns to leave, but I grab his shirt, holding up my cuffed hands. He rolls his eyes before unlocking them, striding out of the cell and slamming the bars behind him.

Turning to Lex, I have this overwhelming buzz of a thrill moving through me. I’m actually in his cell with him.This has never happened before…

We’re only ever able to talk and hang out around other people, in rooms filled with criminals, psychos and the noise they bring with them. This is totally different. We’realone.

“Why are you in here?” he rasps, a grin breaking out on his lips at the ridiculousness of it.

“I… wasn’t ready to say goodnight,” I whisper, taking a step closer to him.

His eyes widen, and he backs up. “Okay…”

“I wish we had more time.” I keep going, easing myself into his space while he keeps moving away. “It’s so crazy to be alone with you, ya know? Good crazy, I mean.”

“Ren, what are you…”

“Imagine if we weren’t in prison? We could hang out alone like this all the time.” I push in closer.

He seems really nervous, taking a quick seat on his bed. I plop down next to him.

“I d-don’t know if we… would,” he stutters, bright green eyes all round and shimmery, driving me mad. “You think we’d be friends on the outside?”

I shrug. “Maybe we wouldn’t run in the same circles. But if I saw you, I’d need to meet you.”

His lashes flutter, shoulders a bit bunched. “Really?”

I nod, focusing all my attention on the sudden pinkness in his cheeks… and the way it matches those pillow-soft lips. “Without a doubt.”

He fidgets next to me, rubbing his palms on his thighs. “Why? I mean, what’s so interesting about me?”

Oh, sweet, shy boy… fuckingeverything.

“I can think of a few things…” My voice travels on another whisper, eyes zeroing in on his mouth when his face slants in my direction.

Those lips are just too damn pink… I can’t even fucking stop myself anymore.

Leaning in quick, I press a soft kiss on his mouth. Onesecond, and it’s already the best thing I’ve ever felt in my life.

Mouth still hovering over his, I open my eyes to find him gawking at me in pure shock.