"Yeah." It feels too good being in her arms. Right now, that's wrong. No, it's always wrong.
I can't give her more.
Which means I can't take more.
It's not fair.
She pulls back and looks to Kit and Piper. "I'm sorry about your mom."
Piper purses her lips. "I'm sorry you had to be here for this. I…" She looks back to Kit with a frustrated sigh.
He looks back at her. "Piper, it's okay you're sad about this."
She sends him a death glare then she turns back to Lacey. "Do you want to go home with Mal or should I?" She clears her throat. "Obviously, that could end very differently."
Lacey's eyes meet mine. They're a plea, but for what? I only know that it's something I can't give her.
"I will." She stares back into my eyes. "Your parents are at your place?"
"Yeah."
"Let's go to mine."
"I don't know."
"I'll drive."
I just stare at her.
She reaches up to run her fingers through my hair. Her touch is soft and sweet, with every ounce of affection in the world. "It will make me feel good to take care of you."
"But I—"
She leans in to whisper. "We can do whatever you want, Mal. Sex, talking, cuddling. You can sleep on the floor and ignore me." Her fingertips press into the back of my neck. "I can't let you be alone right now."
I'm in no state to dominate her. I'm in no state to see fucking human beings.
But the look in her eyes calls me.
I want all the comfort she can give me.
It's selfish, taking it.
But right now, I don't care.
26
Mal
As soon as we get into Lacey's car, she turns on the radio. It's playing some familiar song, one I've heard a million times.
The chorus is this string of words that used to mean something.
The riff is heavy and the singer's voice is that mumble of grunge.
I know this song.
Everyone knows this song.