You and Joel were close- very close- thanks to the dumb little get togethers your dad held every Saturday with Joel and their other buddies. Quick, curious glances soon turned into talking, which then turned into exchanging numbers, which then turned into sneaking around and having your own ‘personal’ get togethers.

Why sneak around?

Because Joel was damn near twice your age, and your dad’s best friend. Your father would kill Joel if he found out- and you, probably. But sneaking around was fun, it was exciting. Plus, no other man made you feel the way Joel did.

Oh, how that man made you feel safe and adored. The way he’d hug you from behind with his thick, strong arms in his bed that faintly smelled like his body wash and faded laundry detergent as he pressed gentle kisses to your bare shoulder, whispering sweet nothings while absentmindedly playing with your hair.

‘Y’were so good f’me. Such a pretty li’l thing.’ ‘My sweet girl.’

Then one day, it all just… stopped.

He wouldn’t answer your texts, your calls went straight to voicemail- hell, he even avoided the Saturday get togethers at you and your dad’s house. When you asked your father about Joel’s absence, he simply shrugged and said something about how ‘Joel ain’t feeling too well.’

Luckily you lived in the same cul-de-sac, so it wasn’t a problem at all for you to just walk to Joel’s house. Ya know, a ‘wellness check.’

And there he was in his garage, idly fidgeting with something in his hands. You mutter his name and he looked up, expression neutral before he looked away. After demanding an explanation about his sudden radio silence, his gaze flit back up to you.

Joel shrugged with a subtle shake of his head, feigning ignorance as he leaned against a metal rack; and with a soft voice, he said,

“I dunno what you’re talkin’ about.”