Chapter 243

“Well, thank God for that,” Andy said. “He was trying to goddamn rapeyou, that little scratch you gave him is the leastof what he deserves.”

Andy broke up in the shimmer of tears, a hundred tiny versions of him. “I hurt someone. I hurt someone again. Andy. You have every reasonto be scared of me.” Andy had left him once because of it. And Andy should go, he should take Billie and get away. Oh, God

“Oh my God, is thatwhat this is?” Warm hands cupped Scooter’s face and Andy brushed a gentle kiss on his forehead. “You hurt him in self-defense, sweetheart, that’s…I’m not scared of that. He was trying to hurt you so much worse. And I know it bothers you, I know, baby. But you’re not going to hurt me. You’re not. You’ve only ever hurt anyone in defense. Hell, you have to be wound up so tight it hurts just to get you to yell at me when we’re fighting. Anyway, what kind of asshole would I be if I dumped you for defending yourself, hm? Kat would hunt me down and stab me with a spoon.”