Page 75 of Sin With Me

"Yeah, I'm fine." She notices my boots and hat. "You goin' somewhere?"

"I was bored." I shrug. "Was gonna go down to the casino and get a drink, maybe play some slots."

"Oh, okay." She takes a step back. "I don't want to interfere with your plans."

Fuck my plans.

"You wanna come in?" I ask, opening the door wider. "Because I'd much rather spend time with you."

"You would?"

"Yes," I laugh, motioning for her to enter. "I didn't text because I figured you were hangin' out with your mom or too tired to do anythin'."

I wait until she passes me, then close the door and follow her further into the room.

"We got food, showered, and then she went to bed. I tried going to sleep but..." She lifts her shoulders, then turns to face me. "My overactive brain wouldn't let me."

"That's the same issue I was havin'..." I stand in front of her and tilt up her chin until her eyes lock on mine. "What would you like to do?"

Her tongue peeks out and my entire body goes hot.

"We could...um," she mutters, then swallows hard. "Talk?"

I bite my lower lip to hold back my grin. Fuck, she's adorable when she's flustered.

"Sure, we can do that." I release my hold on her, then sit on the bed, and pat the open space next to me.

When she doesn't move, I arch a brow. "Delly?"

She sighs and then stands in between my legs. "I should've said somethin' to you a long time ago."

"About what?" Leaning back on my palms, I watch her expression change and worry what her next words will be.

"Our history. That I was the girl from the crisis hotline. And why I kept quiet."

Oh shit. She wants to have that conversationnow? And here?

But I nod so she keeps going.

"I felt guilty for catchin' feelings for you while you were goin' through some of your darkest moments. And I felt somewhat silly about it because I only knew you by voice. When Waylon introduced us and I heard you speak, I was so conflicted on how to act. I recognized it right away and was partly in shock. Waylon had told me about some of your cuttin' incidents, soit was easy to put the puzzle pieces together once we met in person."

"So you knew right away, too?" I sit up straighter, wanting to be closer to her.

"I wasn't sure when you figured it out."

"Right away. We talked for six months, sometimes up to five times a week. I heard your voice in my sleep. Every time I contemplated pickin' up a razor, I'd hear you tellin' me to put it down." I shake my head at the memories. "But I knew without a doubt it was you when you said I was saved by theburden of proofbecause you had said those same three words to me on the phone."

"I can't believe you remember that."

I set my hat down next to me and brush my fingers through my hair. "Fuck, I was so pissed he found you before I did. Just my goddamn luck, too. The one and only person I've ever connected with was the one makin' my brother happier than I'd ever seen him."

Her eyes soften and she lowers them, choking back tears.

"I never expected to find you. You gave me a fake name, so you could've been anyone."

Shit, I never realized she figured that out.

"But I was so happy to see how well you were doin'. Or at least, how well you wanted people to think you were doin'. I couldn't believe you were right in front of me, and I couldn't say a damn thing without violatin' the confidentiality agreement."