“What the hell, Kyle? How many damn times have you snuck out of the house?”Kyle’s laugh filled the small car. “Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to. Now tell me more about this drug den.” Kyle cranked the heat up to full blast to counter the night wind as they drove.“Well, it was scary at eight-thirty in the morning, so at ten o’clock at night, we should crap our pants.”“Ah, good times. This should be fun,” Kyle said with a smile.”

“A very bouncy Kyle woke Livia at some ridiculous o’clock on Friday morning.“Wakey-wakey, you sloppy, old whore. It’s time to do you up. You’re going out tonight, so you don’t get to dress in nursing home casual.” Kyle ripped off Livia’s covers.”

“Don’t pray to me. Don’t pray to me!” Kyle said, alarmed. “We’re in this together. I’ve done things wrong too. We’re human, Cole. We’ll still make mistakes, but now we’ll always have each other to hold when it hurts.” Kyle’s eyes filled with tears.”

“So, seeing as you know all the details already, can I count on you to be best man?” Cole watched fear creep over Blake’s face. “The ceremony is at night,” he added quickly.“If Mr. Old Timey is still all jacked up from being a bullet catcher, we’ll put it off,” Kyle added.Blake smiled and held his arms open to the female ball of fire. “I’ll be fine, Kyle. I wouldn’t want you to spend one extra day not married to Cole because of me.”Kyle hugged him carefully. “Your being well is one of the only things that could ever make me wait.”Blake answered Cole’s question still hanging in the air. “I’d be honored to serve as your best man.”

“Do you know how many guys I’ve been with?” Kyle asked, meeting her eyes for just a moment. “So many. You know why? Because in that moment, just before you let them fuck you, you’re the center of their universe. It lasts just seconds, but I like that feeling. I crave that feeling.“This morning—last night? Whenever it was, standing in that church in front of him? I had that feeling. I was the center of his universe. And we had all our clothes on. That feeling lasted for hours.” Kyle closed her eyes as if to transport herself back there.”

“Livia covered the phone until Kyle looked at her. “You’re simply the best lady I know. I promise not to be oblivious anymore.”Kyle nodded. “I love you too. Want to make out?” Despite her mocking tone, Kyle squeezed Livia’s hand before getting out of the car.”

“Cole returned and took her hand. “Kyle, will you promise me something? It’s all I’ll ever ask of you, please?”“Yes. I’ll promise you anything.” Kyle looked into his eyes.“Don’t let that girl inside you win. Ever again. Be the real Kyle. Promise me you’ll be you.” Cole looked desperate.Kyle shook her head, eyes pleading, but she responded in the affirmative. “I promise. Cole, what’s next?”Cole looked around the room sadly. One man was clearly dead and the other moaned softly.“My sweet, beautiful Kyle, I have to atone for what I’ve done here. I want you far, far away when they put the cuffs on me.”