Page 70 of Reverse Pass

“I’m sorry, are you implying something? Because you didn’t complain about my experience before. In fact, I remember you getting pretty pissed at your ex over it.”

She at least has the decency to look embarrassed for herself for half a second.

“I don’t care what you do. Just don’t bring her back to the apartment.”

“Why not? You and me, we’re just friends, remember? Why would you care? Or at least that’s what you wanted him to believe.”

“Topher? Are you serious right now?”

“Whatever the fanboy’s name is.”

“Yeah, Ben. Fanboy.Yours. He was hitting on you, not me. Good lord, you’re dense.”

“What?”

“He’s gay, Ben and a huge fan of yours in general. It’s all he’s talked about. I assume he was hoping you were interested. I don’t know. But he was definitely hitting on you. Not me. You notice he was offering to buyyoudrinks?”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.Oh.”

“Still doesn’t change the fact that you literally pushed me away tonight when I tried to kiss you.”

“You know why.”

“Because you’re embarrassed of me?”

“I’m not embarrassed of you, Ben. I’m worried about people thinking I’m an asshole for taking advantage of a kid living in my house when he’s trying to get his act together. Particularly your sister who I lovelikea sister.”

“I’m not a kid, Violet. And I don’t care what they think. Nora will get over it. So will mom. Fuck, if you really thought it through, mom would probably love it.”

“Love the idea of me fucking her baby boy? I doubt it.”

“We don’t have to tell them you use me like your own personal fucking sex toy.”

There’s a little gasp from her at the accusation, and I smirk.

“I do not do that.” She glowers at me through the dim light.

“No? You sneak in and out of my room in the middle of the night. Only touch me when no one’s around to see it, and otherwise act like you barely know I exist? Sounds like it to me.”

“You started this by sneaking into my room, if you remember.”

“I told you. I knocked. I can’t help it you were too heated to notice.”

“If it’s all so distasteful to you then why do you keep doing it?”

“I never said it was distasteful. I love watching you and you can use me any time you want. I’m just saying you should be honest with yourself about it.”

“If you think I’m using you, then we should stop while we’re ahead.”

“Why?”

“Because you feel like you’re being used. I don’t want that.”

“There’s an alternative you know, to using someone or stopping.”

“What?”