Page 88 of The Secret to Belonging

either of them

but then he’s holding your hair

rubbing your back

stakkars, he says. poor thing

i didn’t know you got carsick

his touch

so gentle

his duplicity

so brutal

don’t touch me, you hiss

the cupboard in your chest

slams closed

what? he looks at Alison

what’s happening? what did you tell her?

you get back in the car

slam the door

Alison grabs you by the sleeve

it was me. i propositioned him

i kissed him

he barely kissed me back

that’s why we had to leave early

he couldn’t stand another night

in the same house with me

he kissed her?

they kissed?

Espen

first serious boyfriend

first ever lover

steward of heart and soul

Alison