“And in a different time … a different place in our lives, I’d tell Rory and the rest of the world to go fuck themselves. I’d prove them all wrong. We’d prove the naysayers wrong. But … I don’t think they’re wrong. Not now.”

Sniffling and ignoring the unstoppable tears, I turned. “I’m beautiful …” I nodded slowly. “A pretty face. Long legs. Perky tits. And I sucked your cock. No college education. No fantastic job. Nothing … but I’m beautiful. Young. Innocent. And maybe the perfect amount of naive. It makes sense now.” I laughed through my tears. A crazy laugh. The edge of my sanity laugh. “Stupid, stupid me. I thought we were this magical thing that couldn’t be described. We didn’t make sense because magic, fate, and serendipity don’t have to make sense. I actually liked that we didn’t make sense, yet my universe seemed perfect when it was just us. I guess the eight-letter word for that is illusion. You played me. You liked the chase. The game. And what better chase than the virgin wearing a cross around her neck?”

Fisher shook his head slowly. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Because I’m eighteen?”

“Because you’re scared.”

“Of what?”

“Failure. Eighteen-letter word. Starts with a K.”

I wasn’t following him. So I said nothing. I did nothing but blink my tear-ladened eyelashes.

“Kakorrhaphiophobia. An abnormal fear of failure. That’s why you’re here and not chasing a dream. Not in college. Not making any plans in your life. Your dad died. Your mom went to prison. And you’ve been left with a Bible that prepares you for death and makes you feel ashamed of anything you do in this life to truly live.”

He opened the door, and I waited for more, but he didn’t give me more. We climbed into his truck and headed home, or so I assumed. We didn’t make it home. We pulled into his parents’ driveway instead.

“Let’s go.” He hopped out.

I didn’t.

Fisher came to my side and opened my door. I assumed my recent firing allowed him to open my door.

“They’re out of town. Let’s go.”

I eased out of the truck and followed him into the house. He opened a door to a storage and utility room, scanning a wall of boxes and plastic containers. When he found what he was looking for, he pulled a box from the shelf and brought it out to the family room.

“Sit.” He nodded to the sofa.

I eased my butt down to it, watching him kneel on the floor and open the box. I couldn’t see what was inside. He paused, staring at its contents.