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My fist doesn’t feel like it’s attached to my body as I lift it to knock on the door The click of the lock turning twists the knot of hter Then the door opens, and there she is

Tash is wearing a T-shirt My T-shirt I don’t think there’s anything on underneath it Her hair is loose around her shoulders I knohat it feels like between ers and on my chest Her lips curve in a s

“Hi”

“Hey” I jam my hands back in my pockets so I don’t touch her like I want to

“I’lad you decided to come” She reaches out and skiers wrap aroundmy hand free of my pocket

“I can’t stay long”

“You always say that” She pulls h the door, which closes behind me with a metallic slam

Tash runs her hands upover rab her wrists “Don’t”

“You’re so ju to hurt you, baby I just wanted to see you Can I hug you?”

I want to believe her, but we’ve done this so many ti real and when she’s playing games

I release her wrists, and she wraps her ar closer until her hard body is pressed up against mine I try not to tense, but the reaction is as conditioned as the sensation it inspires

“It’s okay, baby,” she whispers “Just relax”

I drop my head and turn my face into her hair It smells like my shampoo She does this every time It’s the little manipulations that make it so much harder to walk away and stay away She makes me believe she actually cares, and then she finds a way to take it all back again