Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 61082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
“That’s not a good idea,” she says, pulling her arm free.
“It is.”
“It’s not. I will only end up fucking you. And right now, that’s the last thing I want to do.”
Well, wasn’t that a slap in the face?
“Why don’t you want to fuck me?” I growl, leaning in.
“Don’t you have blood on you too?” she questions as she steps away. “Just leave it tonight, Joey. I want to sleep.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
“Thank you.” She wraps her arms around her body as we leave, which is unlike her. I know something is wrong, and I’m pissed she won’t share whatever it is with me.
But, then again, I guess I’ve lost that right.
“Have you heard from Scott?” I ask as we stand out front. The streets are quiet with only a few cars driving by here and there.
“Yes.”
I knew it.
“Is he the reason you’re upset?” I push.
She turns, faces me, and steps closer. “Stop it,” she bites out, determination in her voice. “Stop it, Joey. Just stop it. You hurt me more than anyone. You know that. So stop it.”
“I wasn’t trying—”
“No, that’s the thing. You weren’t, were you?” She shakes her head. “Not Joey, who doesn’t know what he wants, except that he wants to fuck me. Not Joey, who uses a sex club as an escape.” I can feel her distancing herself from me, and she rolls her eyes. “You always aren’t trying, are you? You’re just being you.”
“Does me being around you affect you?”
Her hands go up in the air. “Yes, because it hurts my fucking heart, Joey. All this back and forth.”
“It can stop, then,” I tell her, feeling urgent. The last thing I want is to stop being with her in the only way I can, but I'll say just about anything to get her to stay. “We can stop.” The cab pulls up, and she takes a step closer to it.
“It has to stop. We both need to move on. This isn’t helping. I’ll pay you for the bookstore. I’ll send Merci over with the money. Do not come in again.” She opens the cab door and slides in. Not once does she glance back at me.
I stand there like a fool, watching her go.
Wondering if I am doing the right thing.
The last time we tried, it ended terribly.
This time, I was hoping for the opposite.
I guess we can’t all get what we want.
And I want her—there is no denying that. I’m just not sure I’m ready for everything she brings. When it was just her, it was different.
Now, it’s not just her I have to think about.
And I would never want to give false hope to a child.
TWENTY-FIVE
ADORA
The good news, I’ve found a place close to the bookstore, and Bianca has been awesome helping me move. She got me a couch, even though I told her I could get one myself. Her words were, “It’s a housewarming present.” The couch was super expensive, and now I’m not sure I want to eat on it. Jerome is in love with his school and also in love with Bianca, who helps out more than she should.
But I can’t say no to the help because she is one of the only people I trust with him.
I haven’t heard from my sister in weeks. For all I know, she’s gone back to Italy.
Joey has made no contact as I asked of him. I sent Merci over with some money, and she came back empty-handed. So I assumed he took it. I didn’t ask, to be honest.
And life, well, life is good.
Apart from Scott.
Who won’t stop calling and sending me messages.
I glance back at my phone at the video he sent.
It’s of Joey and me that night in the street. How he got it, I don’t know, but it has put an uneasy feeling in my stomach ever since.
What if he’s watching me?
Why hasn’t he tried anything?
It’s only a matter of time.
He’s fucking with my head, and it’s working.
I’m always looking over my shoulder, wondering when he will show up or what is going to happen.
“Holy shit.” I see Merci’s eyes widen as she holds out her phone. “Um, why are you sending me a sex tape?” she asks, her jaw slack.
My brows draw together as I have no idea what she’s talking about.
My phone starts ringing, Sailor’s name popping up on the screen, and I answer it.
“Is there a reason you’re sending me a video of you and Joey doing it on the street?”
“What?” My nerves run wild as I walk over and grab Merci’s phone to see that it’s the same video Scott sent me. When I look at the number, it’s one I don’t recognize. I press call, and Sailor waits on my phone as it rings, and rings, and rings.
“So…”
“Shit! Keir got it too,” I hear Sailor say. “I gotta go.”