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Jesus, this girl was beautiful.
But now, seeing her up close like this and being able to count the freckles on her face—eleven by the way—it was hitting home just how striking she was.
“I’m actually hot.” “Completely fucking accurate assessment.”
“I’m your daddy on the field, bitch.”
“You are so concerned with fighting the bullies at school, Mam,” I sobbed, tears streaming down my cheeks, “when the biggest bully of them all lives under this roof.”
“What happened?” he demanded, glaring down at me. “Who the fuck made you cry?” “What?” I breathed, shaking my head. “I’m not crying.” “Your eyes are red and swollen,” he deadpanned. “You’ve been crying.” His eyes moved to my cheek. “The fuck happened to your face?”
“Give me a name,” Johnny growled, dropping his hands to his hips. “And I’ll take care of it.” “What—no! I’m grand,” I quickly replied. “I have allergies.” “Me too. To assholes and bullshit,” Johnny snarled. “Now, tell me who made you cry and I’ll fix it.”
Yeah, well I was bored, too. With this conversation.
“Now,” I sneered, glaring down at their faces. “Who wants to call my girlfriend a whore to my face?”
No, he was perfect. God hadn’t made a single mistake with this particular boy.
“Yeah, Shan.” Offering me a small smile, he reached for his bottle of water and took a swig. “You’re good for me.”
You could love this girl your whole life, the crazy thought persisted inside my brain over and over, if you just let yourself.
“And I’m wondering what the hell possessed me to ever put my dick inside something so fucking poisonous.”
“Praise fucking Jesus,” I shot back sarcastically. “That’s the best news I’ve heard all year.”
I shrugged and contemplated telling him to drive over the annoying fucker, but then I knew I would be terribly lonely without him. And in all fairness, he had taken a few slaps defending my honor tonight.
“Yeah, I got you a burger.” “Thanks, Johnny.” “And then I got hungry so I ate it.” “You’re a monster.”
Because of her. Because he was important to her. Because if I hit him, I would hurt her. And hurting her was bad. Hurting her made me want to hurt something harder.
She was mine and I didn’t want to share.
“There is something about her that makes me want to wrap my arms around her and cuddle the sadness out of her eyes.”
“Someone touched you,” Johnny whispered in my ear, placing his fingers on the marks. “I want to know who.”
Releasing an unsteady breath, I reached up, grabbed Johnny’s neck, and pulled his face down to mine. And then I kissed him.
“Jesus Christ,” Johnny groaned, dropping his head in his hands. “Of course, I like you.” He tugged on his hair and sighed. “I think it’s pretty fucking clear that I’m mad about you.”
Without another word, he leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss to my forehead. And then he turned around and walked away.
I knew I was too old for her. I knew she was too sweet and pure to be dragged into the limelight that came with my life. And I knew that she was too fucking broken for a guy like me to get tangled up with. But I already felt like I was drowning with her.
That’s how consumed I was in this girl. That’s how much I loved her. Fuck.
“I lied,” I snickered. “I’ve been lying all along.” “Oh, Johnny,” Mam sighed. “You never had to lie, baby. I like that girl.” “She’s mine,” I grumbled. “You can’t have her.”
“Boom, boom, fucking boom, Da,” I groaned, slapping a hand against my chest. “I’m done for.”
