Free Because of You by Rashelle Workman

uncle must be so proud.”
    The guy snorts. “What a pussy.”
    Evan chuckles, giving me a barely there nod. It’s his non-verbal way of telling me to stay chill.
    I’m not feeling that though. It’s time to kick this guy’s ass.
    “Why don’t you say that to my face,” I say, heading down the stairs.
    Golden-Teeth rolls his eyes. “Puss—”
    Before he finishes, I send my fist into the guy’s face. I’ll show him who’s the pussy.



Maddie
    ’m not sure how we get to his room. My vision is blurry. I think four Jell-O shots were two too many. My stomach is in knots, rebelling against the sugar and the alcohol swimming inside. A moan escapes my throat.
    “How you feeling?”
    My head snaps in his direction. “Kyle,” I whisper.
    The room spins, and he helps me sit up.
    “Give me your feet, I’ll help you with your shoes.” His voice is tender. Smooth, like chinchilla fur, and I think about stroking him.
    Instead I focus. He wants to help me take off my shoes. And I realize my feet are killing me. There are probably a thousand blisters.
    “Please.” I lay down.
    The pillow smells like him. It’s earthy, manly, with a hint of vanilla. I take a deep breath through my nose.
    He unhooks my shoes, slips them off. “These are deadly.” He chuckles.
    “They’re Gina’s.” I close my eyes, but the blackness spins faster. “Whoa.”
    “Hang on.”
    I hear him move away, and I miss him. Water runs in the background. He returns quickly.
    My eyes peel open. “You’re back.”
    My hands find his arms. He helps me up.
    “Take these.” He hands me a plastic cup and two white pills.
    “What are they?” I try to gauge his facial expressions. “You aren’t trying to drug me, are you?”
    He kneels so I can see his face without looking up. “I wouldn’t do that.”
    I focus on his eyes and sigh. They’re such a strange shade of blue. Like the way ice looks at sunset.
    “Why don’t you know who I am?” I slide off the bed, onto his knees.
    He catches me, wraps his arms around my waist, and pulls me against him. My dress is around my waist but I can’t make myself care to fix it. His body feels so good, and I promise myself that I’ll stay here forever.
    Kyle shakes his head. There’s something in his expression. Like he’s trying to make a decision. His movement spins my head on a merry-go-round.
    “It’s been too long.” He pushes some hair off my shoulder, sending tingles over my skin. His hands are so tender, and I can’t help but imagine them everywhere. Against my hip, dragging along my thighs.
    I shudder. “Kyle.” I close my eyes, tilting my face toward his. “Kiss me. I’ve waited so long.”
    He inhales. Touches my lips with his fingers. “When I kiss you, I want you sober enough to remember it.”
    “My first,” I say and giggle. “You’ll be my first. We made a pact.”
    He lifts me onto the bed. I feel a blanket cover me, and I want to be sad. I’m no longer in his arms. But I can’t keep my eyes open. Too tired to be mad at myself.
    This doesn’t seem very kinky
.
It’s more heavenly.

    Kyle
    My heart’s pounding, and I’m at a loss. Maddie is here, in my bed. Her hair lies across her face like a silk scarf. Her hands are tucked under her cheek. She mentioned the pact we made. A long time ago. When we barely understood what we were promising each other.
    “Why is my dad such an asshole?” I wipe angry tears off my face. Stare up at my boring white ceiling. Watch the light flicker. The bulb’s been about to die for weeks.
    Maddie shuts my window and plops next to me on my bed. “I watched him leave. He seemed…um, grouchy.”
    I snort. Rub my jaw in the spot where my dad hit me. “That’s an understatement.” But that’s Maddie. Always kind. Always tries to see the best in people. Including me.
    She pats my stomach, and I tingle. Maddie has a way of making me feel better, no matter what’s happening. “I’m sorry, Kyle.”
    “Yeah, me too.” I shrug. Push