Page 70 of Wanna Play A Game?

It’s almost dark out now. There’s silence for a long time. I usually hate the silence, but right now, Cali’s presence keeps the demons at bay.

We walk for a bit, then Cali asks, “What were you like as a kid?”

The question surprises me. “A little shit,” I say.

“Wow, I’m so shocked,” Cali says sarcastically.

It sends a thrill through me and straight to my dick. She’s such a smartass. “What wereyoulike?”

Cali pauses. “I was told I was disrespectful.”

Despite myself, a laugh pops out. “Not you.”

She huffs. “Yeah, well, they beat it out of me, can’t you tell? I’m reformed.”

I recognize that deflecting humor. I do that. Someone fucked this woman up. I clench my jaw. We walk in silence again. The house is a few roads away into the sticks. I get lost in my thoughts.

“You like cats?” Cali asks. The question startles me.

“What?” I look at her.

“You know. Cats. Pussy. The animal.” She rolls her eyes.

God, when she rolls her eyes, it makes the blood run straight to my dick. “Yeah, I do like pussy. And cats.”

“Why?” she asks.

“What kind of question is that?” I glance at her. The sun is down completely, and her hair looks pale and ghostly in the twilight, the curls catching the faint light.

She says, “I have a cat, the one you saw. He’s an ass,” she scoffs. “But I love him. He’s been there for me.”

Love. I turn to fully look at her.

Cali pauses, looking uncomfortable. “What?”

“Nothing. Didn’t think you could love anything. With your prickly attitude and all.” I motion at her.

She turns away and keeps walking. “Don’t project. I doubt you’ve loved anything ever.”

I catch up with her. “That’s not true.”

“What have you loved?”

I swallow. My chest feels uncomfortable, and my muscles tighten.

I love the boys.

You loved me.

I clench my jaw. Even when we lost all our money to her habit, I did love my mother. Even when I went without food. Even when she was high off her ass. Even when her Johns came over.

Even when she pimped me out to them.

I was an idiot back then.

And you’re a fucking idiot now.

Cali’s hand brushes mine as she walks next to me, and it yanks me out of my memory with a startle. I clear my throat. She looks at me like she expects an answer.