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“Don’t talk to me,” Joey warned when I passed him my keys and slid into the passenger seat. The fact that he had climbed into the driver’s seat beside me wasn’t a victory that I could celebrate, not when I could feel the war brewing between us. “Not a fucking word.”
“That’s exactly the point.” So fucking confident. “You were wrong to do what you did.” “No, you were wrong.” “He’s not someone you mess with, Molloy. Did you think about that before you decided to kick the shit out of his car?”
“Even then. You don’t own me.” “Yeah, I do.” “No, Molloy.” I blew out a frustrated breath. “You don’t.” She glared back at me. “You’re here, aren’t you?” “Because you’re being a brat.” “And you came running.” I narrowed my eyes. “Molloy.” She narrowed her eyes right back at me. “Joey.” Jesus, I couldn’t deal with this girl. I shook my head, feeling at a loss. “Well, if people at school didn’t know about us before, they certainly do now.”
“Because you’re in love with the person staring back at you, the same way I am.” “I’m not in love with you,” I warned her, tone shaky now. “I’m not, Molloy. I don’t love you.”
“The first one,” I quickly replied, breathless. “I can do the second one later.” Joey chuckled. “That’s my girl.” Jesus.
“It’s just…you said bloody…platter.” “Oh, cop on to yourself!” I flushed bright pink. “You know what I meant.” “Yeah, I do.” He chuckled. “It just got me.” “So come on,” I demanded. “Tell me why you laughed.” “Because you were high and not thinking it through.” My mouth fell open. “I don’t take drugs. I’m not you, asshole!”
Hanging up, she tossed the phone on her lap and twisted in her seat to face me. “So, I had a really good time this weekend, boyfriend.” “I’m not your boyfriend, Molloy.” “Oh yeah, I forgot,” she shot back with a grin. “You’re my bitch.”
“I’d prefer if you got a handle on me instead.” His hand gripped me tighter. “Again.” “Okay, you’ve officially shamed me into silence.” My cheeks flushed bright pink. “You win this round.” “Thanks.” Grinning, he caught ahold of my hand and led us toward the main building. “I look forward to your comeback, Molloy.”
“Everything is fine,” he soothed, leaning down to press a soft, lingering kiss on my lips. “Stop worrying.” He kissed me again. “I’ll meet you in class,” he added, giving my chin a playful nudge with his fist before he turned on his heel and jogged across the car park.
“Yeah, you heard me, cunt!” I hated that word. There were few
“Her?” I looked around me. “Who’s her?” “Me,” Shannon whispered, trembling behind me. “It’s me.” “If by her you’re referring to my fella’s sister, then I’ll give you a five-second head start to get the fuck out of her face before
“You want to be my friend?” “Is that okay with you?” “Yes.” She nodded uncertainly. “Please.” My heart cracked in my chest. She was so small. So vulnerable. So broken. “Then it’s official.” I gave her a reassuring hug as I walked her down the corridor to class, making sure that every catty bitch in this school got a good look at us. “We’re friends.”
“Don’t hate me, Molloy,” Joey mumbled, falling into the passenger seat the moment I let him go to open the car door. “You’re all I have to wake up for in the morning.”
Disgusted with myself, I looked around her disheveled room, her now stripped bed, and bit back a groan. “Did I…” “Destroy my room in the process of destroying your brain?” she was quick to hiss. “Yep.” “Sorry.” I blew out a breath. “I’ll clean everything—” “It’s already
Crying hard, Molloy clung to me like a baby monkey, holding on to my body like it
need you. I need you, Joe. You can’t do this to yourself.” “It’s okay.” Rattled by just how deeply her pain affected me, I wrapped my arms around her. “Shh. It’s okay.” “We could get out of here,” she sobbed against my neck. “You and me. We could just load up the car and leave this shithole town behind us. I would go with you, Joe. I would. I love you.” She continued to sob, peppering kisses down my neck. “I love you. I love you. I love you so fucking
“Then stay,” I whispered, pulling him close enough to touch his forehead against mine. “Stay right here with me.” Stroking my nose against his, I tightened my arms around his neck and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I need you too, Joe.” I need you safe and unharmed, and the only way I can make sure that happens is if you stay right here with me.
“When I say I don’t love you,” he continued, nuzzling his face in my neck, “it’s the furthest thing from the truth.” Love. He was talking about loving me. “It’s okay, Joe,” I whispered, fastening the locket around my neck. “I’m used to your denial by now. I already know how you feel.”
His lips were everywhere: my neck, my breasts, my navel, between my legs, awakening that familiar yearning that I’d only known with him. I gave my body over to him, trusting him with the only thing that still remained mine, because God knew my heart was his.
As he kissed me, I felt his hand come around my thigh and he hitched my leg around his waist and settled in deeper between my legs.
Oh, sweet merciful baby Jesus, the pain was horrendous.
close and pressed a kiss to where a tear was trickling down my cheek. Inhaling a shaky breath, I wrapped my arms around his neck and clutched onto his big body for all I was worth.
again. With my legs spread open, he buried himself inside of me, and the horrendous pain from moments before changed to a dull throb.
“Don’t beg,” he bit out. “You’re so tight, and I can feel you so much better without a condom… I’m trying really fucking hard not to come, Molloy. Please don’t fucking beg me.”
“You mean you love me,” I teased, grinning up at him. “Yeah, Molloy.” His eyes burned with sincerity when he said, “That’s exactly what I mean.” Finally!
“Exactly. I’m not replacing you, Molloy.” I couldn’t. “I’m trying to fix me.” For you.
