“Because what you did reminded me of something shitty that happened in high school, all right? SomeoneI thought was really into me betrayed my trust and outed me for his own perverse amusement. I swore I’d never let someone play me like that again. And then you pulled that stunt. It was like I relived the whole harrowing experience.”
“Oh, God.”
I looked at him and saw his chagrin.
“I really fucked up, huh.” He cupped my cheek, but I moved out of his touch. He let me, this time.
“I’ll admit to overreacting to what you did, and I am sorry for breaking your nose. I’ve learned to protect myself and built a wall around my heart. I don’t know how to be any other way. Anything outside of the parameters I’ve created brings pain and suffering, as you’ve seen.”