Page 18 of Defend Me
Tipping his head back on the top of the couch, he laughed. “You know that’s a really weird thing to offer, right? You’re just weird all around.”
“I’m weird?” I repeated, faking offense.
“You gave a little old lady your seat, you don’t like this apartment, and it seems like you’re always playing a game.”
“Lorelai deserved that seat and I’d classify that as kind, not weird. The second one is less about the apartment and more about feeling trapped. It seems like I’m always playing a game because I am. Life is all about wins and losses.”
“Hm. Trapped how?”
“Let’s not settle on that one as a topic of discussion.”
“Maybe if we become friends,” he said, rolling his head along the back of the couch to look at me. His expression told me that he rejected the entire idea.
“Especially not if we become friends.”
Ignoring his questioning look, I pulled out my phone. After I picked what I wanted from my favorite Thai place, I tossed it to him.
“Get whatever. If I hear your stomach growl one more time, I’ll tie you up and force feed you anything I can find, edible or non-edible.”
He scrolled through and picked his food. While we waited, it was awkwardly quiet. Usually, I’d fill the silence, but he looked deep in thought.
“Are we gonna address the elephant in the room?” he asked suddenly.
“There are better insults than calling me fat.”
“You’re into Tilian. That’s part of why you’re trying to get on my good side.”
Failing to hold back a smile, I shrugged. “He’s scared of me.”
“Wonder why. You come on strong.”
“I’m notcoming onto him. All I’ve done is talk to him.”
“He’s chill and you’re aggressive.”
Leaning back, I swiped my hands down my face and tried to stop laughing. “He’s adorable.”
“Brooks.” I looked at him and raised a brow. “Seriously, don’t break him. He’s quiet with new people and you don’t know him well, but he’s a really good person. Regardless of what happened with Sadie, I don’t really trust you and I’m gonna watch out for him.”
“Why don’t you trust me?”
He eyed me for a minute. “Because, despite how you present yourself, I think you’re a deeply selfish person. It’s too easy for people like that to prey on someone like Tilian. If he likes you, he’ll do way too much to make sure you’re happy.”
I tried to play off his statement, but it made me uncomfortable. It wasn’t offensive. I didn’t like that somehow, this muscled up football player who I thought was simple, was able to see me too well.
*****
The Unhappiest Place On Earth… Until Now
“Hey!”
I stopped and turned around. I wasn’t sure if the person was calling for me, but it’d be rude if they were and I kept walking.
Tilian jogged toward me, already looking embarrassed to exist. He needed someone to convince him that he was a gem who deserved love and recognition. Maybe he didn’t want that. He might prefer to be a pearl, hidden away inside of an oyster. I shuddered at the idea. Pearls were just icky secretions and tissue. It was gross to think about.
When he stopped in front of me, he looked uncertain. “Uh, hey.”
“You said that.”
