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Two words.
That’s all I need.
The breath he released was so deep that it caused his shoulders to visibly rise and fall before he shook his head in what seemed like reluctant surrender. “Nice legs.”
Thank you, Jesus.
“I was hoping you’d be here today.”
“Where else would I be?”
“You weren’t at school last week.”
“I had a lot on.”
Yeah, with his mother. “How is your mam?”
He shrugged noncommittally and reached into the pocket of his school trousers, withdrawing my phone and setting it down on my side of the desk. “You left this.”
“Yeah, I, uh, I know.” Swallowing, I quickly snatched up the phone and pocketed it. “Thanks for bringing it back.”
He offered me a clipped nod in response. “No problem.”
“I left my necklace there, too,” I whispered. “In your room. The one you got me for my birthday last year.”
“I’ll get that back to you.”
“Thanks,” I breathed, hating the ridge between us. “So, are you okay?”
Nodding stiffly, he kept his eyes trained on the door in front of us. “Are you?”
“Yeah.” I shrugged weakly. “I mean, I think so.”
“That’s good.” His jaw twitched and I watched his Adam’s apple bob “I’m glad. I was worried about you.”
“I was worried about you.” Shivering, I reached under our desk and placed my hand on his hard, muscular thigh. “God, Joe, I’ve missed you so much.”
A deep shudder rolled through him, but he made no move to respond or return any physical affection. Instead, he leaned forward, rested his elbows on our desk, dropped his head in his hands, and muttered something unintelligible under his breath.
“You never came back,” I heard myself say, eyes trained on his back.
“You wanted space,” came his flat response.
“I wanted you to come back.”
“How was I supposed to know that?”
“You weren’t.” I sighed. “I just… Never mind.”
A horrible silence settled between us then, one I was desperate to get rid of.
“Joe?”
“Hmm?”
“Can we talk?”
“We are talking.” His response was automatic, almost robotic, as he slumped over our desk, head in hands.
