Burned and itched.
Burned and itched.
Until—
“Marj?”
Jade’s voice. From behind me.
“Are you looking for something?”
I suppressed the urge to snap at her. She was my best friend, and she was pregnant. I was being self-indulgent.
I’d promised myself I’d stop this ridiculous self-absorption.
Why wasn’t I strong enough?
Why?
I closed the refrigerator door. “I need to talk to you.”
She nodded. “I know.” She led me down to the family room and sat next to me on the leather couch.
She didn’t push me, didn’t insist I start talking. She just sat with me, waiting.
I didn’t owe her any explanation. I didn’t owe anyone, other than Mel and Bryce, both of whom I’d lied to.
Finally, she said, “The razor blade.”
I didn’t respond, simply nodded.
“It was yours.”
Again, I nodded.
“It’s okay,” she said. “Anyone would—”
“I’m not anyone,” I said adamantly. “My brothers would have been stronger. Look at all of them, what they’ve been through.”
“Talon tried to get himself offed in Iraq,” Jade said. “Ryan nearly drove his car off a cliff when he found out about Wendy being his mother. Joe has the hottest head of all three of them, and he almost took a gun into the police station to shoot Ted Morse. Yeah, they’re strong, but they’re not invincible. They’ve had their own issues, and they’ve all nearly gone off the deep end at one time or another.”
“But—”
“I don’t blame you for idolizing them. They’re amazing, all three of them, especially the one I’m married to. I love him more than anything, but even I know when not to push him.”
“So you’re pushing me instead.” A statement, not a question.
“I’m not pushing you. I’m sitting here with you, giving you time. But if you think I can’t tell when something’s bothering my best friend, think again. I know you as well as you know yourself, Marj.”
“Not true,” I said.
“Bull.”
I chuckled. “Not true. You actually know me better than I know myself. I was trying to think what I’ve been through doesn’t matter because it was so tame compared to what Talon and the boys have been through. But you’re right. It was traumatic.”
“I know it was.”
“What you don’t know is…”