The Co-op

by Tarah DeWitt

stay with me and I want you to never fucking leave. I want your bobby pins everywhere and your hair in the shower and I want to hear you snore.” He blinks. A rabid, dark laugh tearing out of him before his palm grates across his jaw. He looks away at the floor. “Jesus, I’m so sorry, I can’t believe I’m acting like this. I know I should just be happy to be your friend, and I am, okay? I get that we weren’t good to each other before and this is off the table, but I can’t do it anymore, I’m sorry I don’t think I can stand it, I—” “Show me,” I say shakily, heart swelling so fast I think I might break. “Show me where it hurts.” His head snaps up to mine and I step to him, between his parted knees. He studies me for one more echoing beat before he exhales, lets his forehead fall against my lower stomach with a groan. His shoulders drop with something like relief. “Show me,” I repeat, my fingers knitting in his curls. He tips his head back as he snakes up a hand to grasp at my hip, places the other against his chest. “Here,” he croaks. I