Chapter 17

“Because it’s true.”

“How do you know?”

How did I know? “Because, uh, you used to bang my sister’s brains out every night you were at my place. And I’m pretty sure Em wasn’t your first.”

“No, she wasn’t. But first what? Serious attachment? None of them were that. Sure, they were good in bed, but out of it? I don’t think I had a real and strong connection to any of them.” He stood and began to hobble around the room.

“Should you be walking without a crutch?”

Cory turned to face me but began to wobble. I stood quickly and steadied him.

“You see?” he said loudly. “You care…about me. Just now, and when you came in and got the weights. Then before that, you taking me in, feeding me, driving me about. Taking me for my hospital appointment and shit.”

“You needed help.”

“And you were the one who helped, not your sister! Not any of the previous women I’ve bedded. You, Mike, you!” He grasped my shoulders and gave me a shake.