Chapter 11

“Did he hit you?” He brought his fingertips to my cheek. The bruise was fainter, but it was still visible.

I couldn’t meet Paul’s eyes.

“Wanna talk about it? I’m a good listener. Even Tim says so.”

“Like I told Tim, my father threw me out. And there was Fr—this guy, waiting for me. I was so stupid.”

He put an arm around my shoulder. “No, you—”

“I was. I didn’t get it. I thought he…he fell in love with me at first sight. I thought he was my boyfriend. Even when he brought another boy home and wanted the three of us to…to fuck,I didn’t get it. And after Fr—after he hit me…. he started crying. He said it was just because we were so broke.”

“Let me guess. And then he said if you loved him, you’d do one little favor for him.”

“Yeah. How did you…oh. See? Stupid.”

“Not stupid, Sweets. He just got you when you were vulnerable. Pimps can be bad news. I know, I had one too. Tim got me away from mine. And you were smart enough to get away from yours. Whatmade you run?”