Playing (Inked Hearts 2)

"No."

"Oh."

He tosses his phone on the counter. Runs a hand through his hair.

His eyes go to his sister. "You can't stay here."

"Are you… are you going to let me explain?" She pulls her arm over her chest. Wraps her fingers around the crook of her elbow, covering an injection site.

But it's too late. Too slow. Walker sees it.

His voice drips with frustration "What could you possibly say?"

Her eyes turn down. She looks wounded. Like she really is sorry she's hurting him. Like she has no idea how to stop.

No. It's not like.

She doesn't.

I know. I've been there.

He looks to me and mouths sorry then looks back to his sister. "I'll drive you home."

"But." Her eyes go to the floor. "I'm sorry."

He shakes his head no, you aren't.

But she is. It's all over her face.

This is way too familiar.

She's here because she trusts him. Because she has nowhere else to go. Because, deep down, she wants help.

Okay, I'm projecting.

But, God, the way he clams up when he mentions her…

There's no way he'll be with a former addict.

There's no way he'll be with me.

He looks to me. "You can stay here or I can drop you off."

I shake my head. "I'll come."

He arches a brow. "You want to?"

"Yeah." I… I have to see this. I have to understand. I have to know if the possibility of us is totally fucked.

* * *

Walker's sister sits in the backseat, her arms folded, her gaze on the window. She doesn't apologize, or try to explain, or comment on the music.

Walker keeps his hand pressed against mine.

He's trusting me with this. With something he doesn't share with anyone. With something that could break his heart.

And I'm holding onto my secret like my life depends on it.