More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
For a long time, I just stood there in the middle of his bathroom, listening to absolutely nothing. No screaming voices. No stomping footsteps. No rattling door handles. No feelings of impending doom. Just peace.
“Someone touched you,” Johnny whispered in my ear, placing his fingers on the marks. “I want to know who.”
He was seriously huge. It was incredibly intimidating. But I knew he wouldn’t hurt me. It was one of the few things in my life that I was absolutely certain of. This boy would never put his hands on me in anger.
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.”
No, this boy who made my heart jackknife in my chest at regular intervals and my common sense flatline, was standing in the middle of the school hallway, defending my honor. He had rejected me last night, and today he was taking on my bullies. My mind was spinning, I felt so confused.
“Don’t ever lie to me again,” he finally said in a quiet tone as he cast me a sideways glance. “I can’t take it.”
I was not fucking around. Not when it came to the girl sitting beside me.
Whatever she needed from me, I was more than willing to provide. That was a sobering thought.
“You should,” Shannon continued to say. “Listen to it, I mean.” Her cheeks turned pink when she said, “It reminds me of you.”
They are literally meant for each other and you can’t change my mind
“You would do that for me?” she asked, voice soft. I would do pretty much anything for you. “Yeah,” I replied, unable to keep the gruffness out of my tone. “I would.”
Having him in my space like that, even just for a little while, was wonderful. It was personal. And I felt safe. Like nothing could touch me when he was close.
“But just so you know?” he added. “She’s always been your Shannon.”
“Well, thanks for caring,” I breathed. “Thanks for being worth it,” Johnny replied, hand still on my cheek.
“I need you to stay safe out there, okay?” Resisting the urge to fold myself into him, I released his neck and stepped back. “Be careful.” I took another step back, eyes locked on his. “Okay?”
He’s gonna get hurt so bad I feel it in my bones
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 don’t want to know if he can play rugby or not,” I squeezed out as a wave of guilt swallowed me up. “I want to know if he is okay! Him. Johnny! The person. Not the fucking rugby player!”
“She’s a river.” I sighed and closed my eyes. “I’m keeping her, Da.” “Okay, son,” he coaxed. “You keep the girl.” “She makes my heart go, like, whoa.” “Is that right?” he mused. “So bad, Da.” I sighed. “Boom, boom, fucking boom.” I shook my head. “All the time.”
“Hi, Johnny.” “Boom, boom, fucking boom, Da,” I groaned, slapping a hand against my chest. “I’m done for.”
I didn’t care what I looked like anymore. It didn’t matter. Because my mother had just ended my world. She went to him. He beat us. Terrorized us. Tortured us. And she went to him. She chose him. Our own mother.
This is so fucking horrible
