The day drags on forever, but I’ve stood my ground, no sex. Yet... Every time I move the ache between my legs throbs, even more, making it hard to think straight. Justin was right, I’ve thought about nothing but having him inside me all fucking day. Justin hasn’t been playing fair by any means. All day he’s been doing just enough shit to drive my insane. He’s been running around the house all day half dressed. While we were lying on the couch watching TV, he moved his hips forward, grinding his hard on into my backside. Or he will casually reach for something and brush his hands across my sensitive nipples. I called him on it a couple of times, and he played as if he had absolutely no idea what I was talking about.

When it’s time for us to start getting ready to go out, he strips down right in front of me. I have to bite my lip to keep from begging for him. I’ve been told that guys think of baseball or shit like that to distract themselves. Well, I tried it, and it didn’t fucking work. Nothing worked. I thought about baseball, knitting, even golf. It was all useless.

I give Justin plenty of time to get showered and get something on before I go in to take my shower. The thought crosses my mind to take care of myself while I’m in there. He’d never know. When I walk in there, he stands there with nothing more on than a towel. Droplets of water collect across his broad shoulders all the way down to his waist.

He looks over his shoulder at me. “Everything alright?”

“Yeah, I just thought you’d be done by now.”

Turning around, he leans his back against the sink. Holy fucking crap! I was enjoying the view from the back but now… I run my eyes down the length of his body stopping where the towel is tucked in just inches above what I’ve been craving all day.

My heart starts to race as I stare at the bulge under the towel. When he takes a step toward me, I slowly run my eyes up his body. Pressing his body into mine, until he’s backed me against the wall, he takes my hands, holding them above my head. His chest is mere inches away from my face. He smells clean and manly. The light smell of sandalwood, vanilla, and amber ravages my senses.

I turn my head to the side exposing my neck. Yearning, praying that he’ll take advantage of my offer. He skims his hands down my arms and across my neck. His touch causes my body to tremor. I watch him intently as he comes closer to me. Oh please, let this torturous game that I started be over.

I close my eyes and arch my body into his as he brushes his lips over mine then moves seductively up across my cheek to ear. “You’d better hurry up and get ready, or we’re going to be late.”

Slowly, opening my eyes, I find him still hovering over me with the sexy smirk on his face. Beating him to the punch, I say, “Score one for Justin.”

He stays in the bathroom while I shower. I make sure that I exaggerate every move I make from washing my hair to soaping and washing my body. I wonder if he’s paying attention at all to what I'm trying to do. I don’t have a lot of experience at trying to be sexy. I probably look like a fish out of water, moving in slow motion. I don’t care though. Even if I am making a total ass out of myself, he makes me feel… Sexy… Desirable… Wanted…

The shower door slides open. “How’s it going in there?”

“In here? Oh, it’s going great. Would be even better if you’d get in here with me and fuck me senseless or leave so I could have some privacy.”

The door rattles as it opens even further. Justin hangs his hands over the top of the shower door railing stretching his body causing every muscle to be more defined. “Fucking you senseless is definitely in my plans. And privacy…not so much.”

His eyes are filled with fire and passion as he continues to watch me in the entire time I’m showering. When I get out of the shower I slowing wrap a towel around my body. Justin steps over to me, lightly running his fingers from my neck down my arms causing my nipples to harden and pussy to ache even more. I watch his eyes and they move down and back up my body. I lean in towards him and then quickly step around him grabbing my cell phone off the sink. Smiling sweetly at him I put in my earbuds and start listening to music. Any distraction at this point would be great.

I carefully dry my hair, working the brush through the curls until they straighten out. Then I do the final touches with a flat iron. I’ve never been much when it comes to makeup. I dust a little blush across my cheeks, a touch of mascara and some lip gloss.

I hadn’t thought about what I was going to wear tonight, but I’m sure I’ll figure something out. He hasn’t said much about where it is that we’re going. Just that we’re going to meet up with Jenika and Jordan at a club. When I walk into the bedroom lying on the bed there’s a pair of black silk thong panties and a matching bra. I slip the panties up my legs and put on the bra. It pushes my tits up and together. Lightly running my fingers across the delicate fabric.

I hear Justin let out a deep breath behind me. I turn around and see him in the doorway with his arms crossed staring at me. He’s wearing jeans, and a dark sapphire blue dress shirt. The arms of the shirt are rolled up to just below his elbows showing the tattoos that run down his arms. He runs his eyes from the heels on my feet all the way up my body until he’s staring me directly in the eyes. I know without a doubt that the game we were playing all day is definitely over. His stare is so intense. His eyes are hooded; the way the light reflects off them makes it seem like they are on fire. He’s burning a hole directly into my soul. I don’t move a muscle as he walks toward me.

Stopping directly in front of me, his eyes haven’t left mine for a second. He reaches down and pulls the dress from the bed letting it fall to the floor. Sliding one hand around the back of my neck, he sweeps all my hair into one of his hands. Pulling my head, back using my hair to control my movement, he kisses down my neck all the way across my collarbone. He wraps his free hand around my waist and with pure instinct, I wrap my legs around him. He lays me on the bed, gently letting go of my hair, and it cascades all around me. He kisses me with the force of a freight train. He leans back and untucks his shirt from his jeans. I reach up, grasping his shirt. I rip it open as hard as I can. The buttons ricochet around the room before landing on the floor.

Justin pins my hands above my head, holding my wrists in his hand he begins running is tongue down my arm and across my neck. His movements are slow and methodical. He doesn’t seem to be in any kind of a hurry. He doesn’t realize how every inch of my body is craving his touch. How badly I want him to completely devour me. My nipples are hard and stretched out trying to get his attention. I feel his hard cock against my leg. Arching my body into him, I’m attempting to close any gap between us. He pulls my bra straps down my arms freeing my tits. He continues to move down my body sucking one nipple into his mouth and then the other.

He stands up from the bed. The sight of him standing here is mind blowing. His shirt is gaping open showing just enough of his chest to leave a bit to the imagination. My eyes move down his glorious body, tracing each muscle as I go. He slides his thumbs under my panties and slides them down my legs. Justin unbuttons his pants, slowly unzipping them. Anticipation has built up so much in my body that I know that all it’s going to take to send me soaring is one simple touch from him.

Leaning down, he slips his arms around my waist, picking me up from the bed, flipping me over. I pull my knees up under me, my backside completely exposed to him. He places both hands on my shoulders then runs them down my back. His touch is like fire against my skin. When his hands reach my hips, he quickly pulls my body to the edge of bed. With one swift move, he’s inside me. I scream with pleasure and immediately start to cum He wraps an arm around my waist to keep me from collapsing onto the bed. He continues his slow, glorious assault against my body. I reach back to where our bodies connect, placing my fingers so I can feel his movement as he slides in and out of me. A moan comes deep from within Justin’s throat. I reach back a little farther taking his balls into my hand caressing them gently. Justin tightens his grip around me and calls out my name. Moments later, he crashes down onto the bed pulling me against his body.

He's breathing heavy. “Fuck. I love you.”

Before I can reply Justin’s phone rings scaring the crap out of me. Justin laughs as he reaches for his phone he mumbles. “ Shit, you know who that is.”

“Hey, Jordan! Man, what’s up?”

I hear Jordan say something but can’t make it out.

“Yeah, yeah. Something came up.”

Justin starts laughing. “Yep, pretty much. Yeah fucker, I remember you two not showing up at all one time. So suck it! We’re just getting ready to head out the door.”

After Justin hangs up, he pulls me into his arms. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

I slide off the bed and start looking for my panties. “Glad to know these aren’t going to go to waste. Thank you by the way. I love them.”

“You don’t have to thank me. I saw them and immediately thought about how gorgeous you’d look in them. Or out of them either way, it’s pretty much for my benefit.”

"Well nonetheless, thank you very much.”

Justin holds out his shirt. “Speaking of going to waste.”

I feel my cheeks flush. “You know that’s really your fault. You’re the one who played hard to get all day long.”

He jumps off the bed, grabs me and tosses me back onto the bed. “Says my little vixen.”

I start laughing. “We’ve got to go. Jordan’s going to kick your ass.”

Knowing the Jordan and Jenika are waiting for us I get dress as quick as I can. I pick out a pair of leggings and an off the shoulder sweater.

We pull up in front of the club. It seems to be a quaint place. It reminds me a lot of Delish.

“That’s the great thing about this place. Nobody cares here. I’ve seen anything from Daisy Dukes to wedding gowns.”

“A lot of Daisy Dukes? Really?”

“Awe, I see the green monster is still alive and well. And yeah, there’s been a lot of Daisy Dukes. But most of them were on dudes.”

I smack him playfully in the chest. “Ass! So, are you trying to tell me something about your sexual preference?”

“No, I’m not. If you don’t already know what my sexual preference, I can prove it again to you right here and now.”

Pointing out the window at Jordan and Jenika standing in front of the truck. “Well, I’m not sure if they would enjoy that show or not.”

He shrugs his shoulders. “You never know they could surprise us and be into some freaky ass shit. For real though, this is just a place where people come to unwind and have fun. Everyone fits in here.”

Justin is right. There are people here from every walk of life. When we open the door, we’re greeted by music so loud that I can feel it vibrating through my body. Jordan tells us to find a table while they go to the bar to get us some drinks. We find an empty table set off in a corner. Jenika and I settle in and scope out the crowd. The music that’s playing is awesome. I’m itching to get out on the dance floor. Jenika is showing me videos of Jordan trying to build a swing set when the guys finally show up with our drinks. Justin sees the video of Jordan in a very provocative position, trying to hold pieces together and hammer them.

Justin starts to howl with laughter. “Are you building a swing set or practicing your stripper routine?”

Jordan instantly responds. “Yeah fuckhead, you try doing that shit while your wife is recording you while laughing her ass off.”

Justin looks at Jenika. “You’re going to want to call a professional to finish that project.”

After we’ve had a few drinks Jenika and I head to the dance floor while the guys go to play pool. The music is freaking amazing! The only time we take a break from dancing is when the waiter brings another round to our table. I occasionally catch a glimpse of Justin playing pool. Holy hell! He looks so incredibly sexy standing there. He’s rolled up the sleeves and unbuttoned the top few buttons of his dress shirt. When he looks up at me, I give him a sexy smile then turn around and keep dancing.

Jenika and I take a break from the dance floor and go over to our table to sit down with the guys. I’m covered in sweat. My dress clings to my skin. I try to pull it away, but it’s useless. I sit down next to Justin.

He gets up, stands behind me, wrapping his arms around me and blows on the back of my neck causing my skin to prickle and my nipples to harden. I reach behind me and rub his cock through his jeans. He whispers into my ear, “Vixen.”

I stand up, and in the process, I rub my ass up against him. Winking at him. “I’m sorry did I bump into you?”

Right then the song Kung Fu Fighting start to boom out of the speakers. Jenika and I look at each other, and in unison, we yell. “Hell yeah!”

We try to drag the guys out to dance with us. Jenika grabs their hands and tries to pull them. “Come on, you two. This is your song.”

Jordan starts laughing. “No. No. No. You gals go ahead without us.”

Justin sits back down. “Yeah, we’ll stay here and umm…” He looks around the table at the empty glasses. “And get us some more drinks. Yeah, that’s what we’re going to do.”

I look at Justin, giving him a wink. “Fine, your loss.”

Jenika and I go out on the dance floor and start doing our best Kung Fu moves. We both look over at the guys trying to show them what they're missing out on. To be honest, we’re so awful that they probably don’t want anyone to know that they’re with us.

 The next thing I know, someone grabs my arm and jerks me around so hard that I lose my balance and start to fall. Suddenly, there are these gigantic hairy arms wrapped around me picking me up and pressing me against a sweaty, just as hairy body.

 “What the fuck are you doing?”

He smashes his disgusting mouth against mine, trying to force his tongue into my mouth. I bite his tongue as hard as I can then jerk away and start pounding on his chest as hard as I can. It doesn’t do any good. He’s holding me too tight. That’s when I see Jenika’s face. Her hands are clasped over her mouth, and her eyes are as big as saucers. He hugs even tighter, so the only thing I can see is this fucker’s bear skin rug of a chest. By the look on Jenika’s face I know what’s coming, or should I say who. It’s like a storm. There’s not a damn thing you can do to stop it, all you can do is brace for it.

 Right then fur bear’s head snaps back from the velocity of the punch causing him to drop me. I bounce across the dance floor like a damn basketball before I finally stop. Jenika is by my side in an instant. “Holy shit! Are you okay?”

“I think so. My ass hurts, and I’m pretty sure that I need to take a bleach bath. Other than that, I think I’m okay. What a bastard!”

She points over in the direction of the guy. “Check it out.”

I look over and see this mammoth of a man sprawled out on the floor. Blood is pouring from his nose and mouth. I think maybe he’s missing a few teeth and there’s a black eye forming. Justin’s looming over him, glaring at him. He’s calm and collected, but there’s no doubt by the look on his face that he’s all business.

The thought of going over there and kicking the guy right in the nuts crosses my mind, but I figure that the situation doesn’t need to be escalated. Besides, he looks like he’s already lost a fight with a bulldozer.

 Jordan’s standing between Justin and what I’m guessing the fuck nuts friends. His eyes are moving from one person to the next just waiting for any of them to make a move, attempting to join in on the fight. 

Jenika helps me get to my feet. Once I get myself brushed off, I turn to her, with excitement in my voice. “Do you see that? That’s fucking awesome!”

She laughs, grabs my hand, and we start walking toward our table. “Yeah, I see it!”

 When Justin and Jordan walk away from the crumpled mass of nastiness on the floor, I notice that Jordan never fully turns his back on the group of guys standing around waiting to come in and scoop up their friend. It's obvious that this isn’t his first rodeo.

Justin wraps his arms around me and pulls me in tight to his body. So tight I can hardly breathe. “I’m so sorry that happened. I should’ve been out there with you, right by your side. That disgusting fuck wouldn’t have tried a fucking thing then.” He’s shaking, and every muscle is strained. I feel his heart pounding like a drum at a heavy metal concert against my face.

I put both of my hands on his chest, looking up at him. “Justin, you don’t have to be sorry. He was just some stupid fuck that had too much to drink. He didn’t cause me any real harm. Besides, you can’t be by my side every second of every day.”

“I know but…”

“No, Justin. No buts. You need to calm down. Okay?”  

Jordan tries to lighten the situation by coming over and smacking Justin on the back. “Jenika said that Sarah was pretty fucking excited when she saw what you did to that guy. I guess she’s in love with the Kung Fu Fighter side of you.”

Justin presses his forehead to mine and lets out a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Kitten.”

I start gathering up my stuff when I get to the table. Justin taps me on the shoulder. “What are you doing?”

“What do you mean? Aren’t we leaving?”

Justin looks confused. “No. But I guarantee that you’re not going anywhere without me. Ever!”

“But you just busted that guy up.”

“Yeah, well…I didn’t really bust him up. I mean look, he’s still able to walk. It takes more than one punch to be considered busting someone up. I just taught him a lesson. What I should’ve done was put him in a fucking wheelchair.”

Jordan downs the rest of his beer. “So, Sarah. What would you have done if you would’ve bitten his tongue clean off?”

Just the mere thought of it makes me barf in my mouth. I glare over at Jordan.

He looks as innocent as a child. “What? Too soon?”

I walk around the table to where Jordan’s sitting. Jenika and Justin give him a look like they’re not exactly sure what I’m going to do but know that he’s in a heap of shit. I reach between Jenika and Jordan grabbing the basket of popcorn from the middle of the table.

Jordan acts baffled. “Dang, Sarah. I would’ve passed that to you. All you had to do was ask nicely.”

Without saying a word, only smiling sweetly, I dump the entire thing of popcorn over the top of his head. Then leave the basket on top of his head like a hat.

I pat the basket. “Maybe a little.”

Jenika looks around the table. “Do you guys see what I have to deal with on a daily basis? You’re a fucking buffoon, Jordan.”

I see the corners of Justin’s lips turn up in an attempt to smile. I know the exact point and time that the fuck tart leaves. Justin’s entire demeanor changes. His body finally relaxes, and he’s not continually looking across the room with nothing but pure rage in his eyes.

We all spend the rest of the night dancing, laughing, and just having fun. Justin’s better but not back to normal. We say our goodbyes to Jordan and Jenika and head home.

In the truck, I reach out and take his hand. “You okay?”

He just shakes his head and mumbles something.

“Justin, it’s alright. You can talk to me.”

“Fuck, Sarah. What if I wasn’t there? Then what would’ve happened? I can’t even fathom it. You’re mine. You’re mine in every sense of the word. You’re mine to protect.”

I squeeze his hand. “We were in a bar. He was drunk. He took things too far. Don’t get me wrong. It wasn’t right, and I’m so grateful that you were there. I appreciate what you did more than you know.”

He’s so quiet for the rest of the night. I’m not sure what to do to help him out of this funk. When we get into bed, he pulls me over to him and wraps his arms around me. I just figured out what it is that he needs.

I snuggle into him. “Justin, I love you. To the moon and back.”

Justin’s phone ringing wakes us up bright and early.

His voice is groggy. “Hello.”

“Yeah, I am now.”

“Seriously?”

“Did you call Jordan?”

“Okay, I’ll be right there.”

Rubbing my eyes trying to wake up. “Is everything alright?”

Justin stretches his body out. “Yeah, there’s just a problem at work.”

I roll over and face him. “It’s still dark, what time is it?”

“Five.”

“Hmm, a problem at work. Why does this sound familiar?”

“Nope, not this time, Kitten. Just going to work. It sounds like a water main broke. We might have an indoor pool whether we wanted one or not.”

I give him a pouty face. “Isn’t this something that Jordan can handle and then you could just stay here in bed with me all day?”

“I’d love to, Kitten. But Jordan, the big pussy didn’t answer his phone, so that leaves yours truly.” 

While Justin’s off playing plumber, I look around the house to see if there’s anything that needs to be done. There’s a few loads of laundry that need to be done but other than that the house is spotless.

I’m folding the last of the laundry when there’s a knock at the door.

“Ms. Sarah! It’s me, Darla.”

“Come on in, Darla. It’s unlocked.”

She pokes her head inside the door. “Oh, Justin would be so mad at you for leaving the door unlocked.”

I make a face showing that I was super scared. “Ooh! Thank you for reminding me, I will be more careful from here on out.”

“Grandma and I are getting ready to leave, so I thought I’d better bring this over before I forget again.” She looks guilty.

She hands me a small plain brown box. “It’s Justin’s monthly surprise box.”

I shake the box. “Hmm. I wonder what it is.”

“I don’t know, but he gets the same box every single month. I don’t think he’ll be mad that I forgot to bring it over the other day. One time when I gave it to him, he tossed it on the counter, and it sat there forever.”

I shake the box again. “Every month?”

I hear Darla’s grandma call for her. “I’ve got to go!”

I look the box over to see if there are any clues as to what might be inside. I wonder what it is. Maybe a subscription to razors or something? The address is hand written, and there’s not a return address on it, so that idea’s out.

Setting the box on the counter it calls my name for the rest of the day. I’ve wondered all day what could possibly be inside of it. Something that comes each month. That’s the part that intrigues me the most. Is it some gift from an ex-girlfriend trying to bribe him back into her life? Remembering the last time, I was nosey, and how guilty it made me feel, I’m not going down that road again. I still don’t know who the other little boy is in that photo I found in the closet. If Justin wants me to know what’s in there, he’ll tell me. Even though that attitude has gotten me nowhere, but it’s the best way to go… For now…

When Justin walks through the door, he’s carrying a garbage bag with what appears to be soaking wet clothes. I’m also going to take it from that fact, and that he’s freshly showered and looks crabby as hell, it’s safe to assume that his day didn’t go so well. He comes straight over and plops down on the couch next to me.

I curl myself around him. “Rough day, Dear?”

He chuckles. “Yeah, you could call it that. It was complete shit. Finally, Jordan decided to answer his fucking phone, so he could come in fix it. Good news is, none of the equipment was damaged.”

“That’s good. Is there anything that I can do?”

He tilts his head back and looks at me with the most adorable, sweetest smile. “I could really use a neck rub.”

I climb onto the back of the couch putting a leg on each side of him.

I start to work my thumbs into the muscles in his neck and work my way down his shoulders and arms. I wrap my arms around him and tuck my face into his neck. He drops his head and leans forward so I can reach more of his back.

My thumbs are already feeling like they are going to fall off. “I thought you said neck rub.”

He leans even further forward. “Hey, go big or go home.”

I flick his ear with my finger. “It’s like I’m trying to get Michelangelo’s David to relax.”

Justin rolls his neck and stops half way through. I know he sees the box. “Fuck.”

He reaches back and grabs my hand. “Here, let me help you down, so you don’t fall.”

His reaction lets me know that whatever it is inside isn’t something good.

“Darla brought that over earlier. Is it something bad?”

“Yes… No… Fuck, I don’t know.” He sounds frustrated and irritated.

“What is it?”

He goes over and grabs the box then sits back down next to me and starts mindlessly flipping the box in his hands. He doesn’t say anything for the longest time. I wrap my arms around his, resting my chin on his shoulders. “Justin. Do you need to talk about it?”

He slowly opens the box. I have no idea what to expect. Is it a dead animal, a lacerated body part, a candy bar? No idea at all. Without even looking inside the box he points the opening of the box towards me.

“Go ahead, reach inside.”

I lift the top and put my hand in. Feeling around until I touch something hard and cold. When I pull my hand out, I’m surprised as to what it is I’m holding. “Justin, it’s a phone. Who would send you a phone? And why?”

He gets up from the couch. “I’ll be right back.”

Justin walks down the hallway toward the bedroom. I inspect the phone that’s in my hand. It’s nothing special. Just a plain old prepay flip phone. Man, I haven’t seen anyone use a flip phone in a fucking long time. I hear Justin rummaging around in the bedroom wondering what he’s looking for. I look back down at the phone in my hand. Anxiety starts to build in the pit of my stomach. What if I find something that I don’t want to know about? I run my finger along the edge of it accidently causing it to pop open. The screen automatically comes to life. I don’t see anything except a single phone number in the address book. My finger hovers over the call button when I hear Justin coming back toward the living room, so I quickly flip the phone closed. I look over at him, and he’s carrying a much bigger box than what Darla brought over today.

He sets the box down between us on the couch. “Go ahead. Open it.”

Justin rubs his temples then rest his forehead a top of his clasped hands. Setting the phone down I have in my hands on the arm of the couch. I slowly lift the lid from the top of the box. “What the fuck? There has to be like a hundred phones in here! Who are they from? What are you supposed to do with them?”

“I don’t think there’s that many. But yeah, there’s a lot.”

I’m at a complete loss. Why would someone send not just one phone but a shit ton of phones? “Justin. This makes absolutely no sense at all. What is all this?”

“Sarah. I have an older brother. I haven’t seen him or talked to him in years. These phones are from him. I don’t know why he keeps sending them, maybe in case I ever need him. Fuck, I don’t know. I’ve never used one.”

I’m completely dumbfounded. “You have a brother! So that’s the little boy in the picture that’s in the closet?” Biting my bottom lip out of guilt. “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything. I found it one day when I was getting a shirt. I figured you would talk to me about it when you were ready.”

“I’m the one who’s sorry. I should have told you about Ryker.”

“Why haven’t you talked to him?”

Justin moves the box of phones to the floor and pulls me close to his side. “Kitten. No matter where he goes or what he does it never ends well. He’s one of those people who the less you know about, the better off you are.”

“I don’t understand. Why doesn’t he just, I don’t know, call you using a normal phone or come see you?”

“I’ll only tell you about him if you want me too. But before I do, I want you to know that you’re better off not knowing any of it and you can’t tell anyone. It’s… Safer that way.”

He seems so unsettled and heartbroken. “Justin. Whatever it is, you have to know that I can handle it. I’m here for you. I think maybe if you did share, it would be good for you. I guess that if it’s something that I can’t tell anyone, then you probably haven’t either. But, I only want to know if you want me to.”

“Throughout high school, he always hung out with the wrong crowd. It got to the point when he was the where the wrong crowd went to hang out. He was out of control before mom and dad’s death, but after, he went off the deep end. He had developed a serious gambling problem. He burnt through anything that he had gotten from mom and dad. He’d embezzled money from where he worked, dealt drugs, anything he could do to get back to the table. He owed a lot of bad people a shit ton of money. He told me that to pay off one of his debts that he even killed a man. He did shit that nightmares are made of to pay off others, yet he still owed people. He had buried himself so fucking deep that he could never get out. Well, never get out alive.”

“Holy shit Justin. So, he came to you for help?”

“He found me while I was in New York. Everything that he was into had finally caught up with him, and he needed to vanish. He had no money, no friends, and had no idea where to go or what to do. He promised me that he was going to get his shit together, that he was done with everything. I gave him money and told him to get his fucking life together, that I was done. It was hard enough to keep my shit together after mom and dad died. I didn’t want or need his fucked up shit.”

“The phones, he wants you to call him? Do you think he’s in trouble? Needs money? Or maybe just to talk to you?”

“I don’t know. They’re prepaid phones so no one can track them, so I have to think that he’s still in trouble.”

“Or do you think that he’s protecting you?” I see Justin processing what I just said.

“I don’t know. And I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready to find out.”

I take the phone off the couch and toss it into the box with the rest of the phones. Putting the lid on top, I carry the box back to the bedroom. I find the hole in the closet and put the box back where he had it. I notice the corner of the frame belonging to picture that I had seen before. I guess had his reasons to have it stashed away. Out of sight, out of mind, but never forgotten.

When I get back to the living room, I grab my phone, the remote and sit back down on the couch. I pull Justin over so that his head is lying in my lap. It makes my guts twist seeing his beautiful brown eyes so heavy with guilt. “How does just you and me, no outside world allowed, some Chinese food and a movie sound?”

A smile feathers across his face. “That sounds perfect.”