Chapter 14

“Don’t be afraid of me.”

“I’m not afraid of you.”

“You’re terrified of me,” he said. “It’s all over your face and actions. You’re afraid of hurting Armin because he’s your best friend.”

“I like Armin. We’ve been friends for years. I wouldn’t think of ruining that.”

“He’s not as nice as you make him out to be.”

I knew that, but never wanted to admit such a fact out loud. Armin kept secrets from me that I accidentally learned on my own. Some of those secrets were nasty, like his cocaine use and how he sold his body for money, even when he didn’t need the cash. Other questionable behavior entailed his numerous trips to European countries where I assumed he had affairs and purchased a variety of illegal drugs to use socially after dark at the rambunctious night clubs.