Page 27 of Jase

“There’s even a dating section if you’re ever looking.”Tiffany glanced over.“Not that you probably are right now, but someday. Hell.”She moved on, clicking to the next screen. She didn’t even bother asking Kody what picture she wanted to use. The woman got into her cloud from her phone and chose it for her, continuing.“They even have a hook-up section if…you know.”

“Hook up? Like sex?”

“Probably not the best way to go about it, but I won’t lie, I met someone a few months back. Just a one-nighter. It was fun, and we’d been friends for a while, so I went with it. We’re still friends, but nah, I’m good on that front.”

“This site really does have everything.”

Her whisper had me moving closer to the screen. Tonight, she was wearing makeup. The bruises were still there, but she had more color. There was also something else I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Something was off with Kody, I just wasn’t sure what it was. Depression? Most definitely. But something deeper. Something that gave me pause.

“There. Perfect.”Tiffany typed in her name, going to her profile. She added herself, scrolling down her page to show more detail into what it was all about.“See, here’s my picture from lunch. There’s me and Ray goofing off during our break.”

Kody’s bottom lip pouted, but her eyes weren’t sad, they were weary.

“You went to Red Rally’s. I’m so jealous. I miss that place.”

“You’ll be eating back there before you know it.”

“Who all can see these pictures you post? Can strangers?”

Tiffany’s mouth opened, only to close.“No, honey, no strangers. I have mine set up to where only my friends can see my posts. I have yours set up the same way. You never have to worry about strangers seeing where you are. They make these sites to keep you safe. This is the best one out. They’re super on top of it.”

Damn right we were.

“Okay. And where do I find the groups?”

“Right here. What do you want to search out?”

“A book club.”

“Okay.”Tiffany typed it in.“Wow. Any specific genre? Wait, let me narrow down the results to location. Here we go. How about Book Alley? The admin who runs the group is the owner of Little City Books.”

“I love that place.”Kody lit up, nearly taking my breath away with her smile. It was real, and it was beautiful. Had I thought her pretty before? Happy, she completely transformed. I wanted to see more.

“There. Once they approve, you’re in.”Tiffany glanced at her watch.“It’s getting late. I should be heading home. Are you sure you don’t want me to stay? Not even for a night?”

“I’ll be fine. I have something to keep me occupied now. Let me walk you out.”

A good minute passed before Kody sat back down. She didn’t type. She didn’t even touch the mouse.

“J?”

My lips pressed into each other, not sure whether I should answer. Kody waited a few more moments before she headed back to the group search. She added a few more book clubs, and then changed her search to baking. I watched in fascination, wondering how well she cooked? Did she bake often? What sort of things did she like to make?

Kody fidgeted in her chair, standing up, only to sit back down.

“J? Are you there?”

When I stayed silent, shaking began to become evident. I leaned in, and I almost spoke. It was her typing that kept me from speaking.

Bondage.

The page filled up with sites. Kody didn’t care for those. She clicked on the images, covering her mouth with her good hand as she continued to tremble. Whatever she was thinking or going through, she didn’t need me interrupting. A tear raced down her cheek, and she stopped as she lowered to trace the stitches and healing wounds on her broken wrist. Still, the tears fell.

“This is wrong. I need…help. It doesn’t make sense.” She quickly wiped her tears, but the sob escaped anyway. She moved in her chair again, closing her eyes as she went back to tracing over her healing wrists. Her breaths were getting heavier, her skin more flushed. I almost wasn’t sure what I was seeing. I secretly wished, but I wasn’t sure.

“J?”

Her eyes opened, taking in more of the pictures. When her hand lowered to her lap, so did mine. I was so hard watching her move against her chair. She had friction. I didn’t until my hand gripped around my cock through my sweats. Fuck, I was throbbing.