"Youareserious. Aren't you?" he said. "After what they did to you? You think that's alright?" He turned to glare across the parking lot. "Because I'm not gonna lie to you, Chloe. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. And if they ever pull that crap again, especially with you, they're not gonna get off so light."
I gave him a smirk. "So they got off light, huh? Well, what aboutyou?"
"What about me?"
"You got off lightest of all, didn't you? Look." I pointed directly at his chest. "You'refine. Not a scratch on you, is there?" I turned toward his car and pointed again. "And look. Your car's fine too." I turned to face him. "Seriously, what has any of this cost you?"
"Chloe." His voice was very quiet. "It's cost me everything."
"Yeah." I rolled my eyes. "Right."
"Everything that matters."
"You know what?" I said. "That's real easy for you to say." My voice rose. "Me? I'm an inch away from losing my job. Those guys, they got their car trashed. But you? This has cost you nothing." I took a step closer. "Nothing!"
With an anguished expression, he reached out for me. I slapped his arms aside. "So who's gonna kickyourass? Who's gonna getyoufired? Who's gonna trashyourcar?"
"You want someone to kick my ass?" He threw up his hands. "Go ahead. I'd welcome it."
"Sure you would."
"Think I'm lying? You think I don't know that I deserve it?"
"Yeah? Well, words are cheap." I turned to go.
"Wait," he said.
I stopped. "For what?"
"Proof."
Chapter 12
As I watched, he strode toward the back of his car. He popped the trunk and rummaged inside. A moment later, he slammed it with a thud.
He emerged with an old-fashioned tire iron. He held it out in his open palms. "Here," he said.
I glanced down. "What would I want with that?"
"Take it." His eyes met mine. "And hit me."
"Oh shut up," I said. "I don't want to hit you."
"Alright," he said. "Get someone else. Have them do it."
Not too long ago, I'd fantasized about such a thing. And here it was, the chance to make it a reality. This was just my luck. A fantasy comes true, and it's not even a good one.
I shook my head. I should've fantasized about winning the lottery.
He glanced toward the restaurant. "Go ahead, find someone. I'll wait."
"Oh c'mon, you can't be serious."
"Why not?" His voice was raw. "I deserve it. Just like you said."
"You are seriously messed up. You know that, right?"
"Hell yes, I know it! You think I'm liking myself right now? You think I don'tknowthat I deserve an ass-beating? You think I don'twishit was me 'suffering,', as you say?"
