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“Do you think my uniform’s ready yet?” I changed the subject by asking. “I should probably get home.”
Yeah, I needed to get out of here.
And fast.
“No. No! Don’t do that,” Johnny called me right out on my diversion. “Don’t try and brush me off,” he growled. “I want to know what happened to you, Shannon.”
“I want to go home.” Sniffling, I quickly wiped my face with the back of my hand. “Now, please.”
He ran a hand through his damp hair and sighed. “Christ, Shannon, don’t cry!”
He unfolded his arms and moved toward me but I shook my head and held a hand up to warn him off. Johnny stopped short and ran a hand through his hair.
“I can help you,” he pleaded. “Let me help you.”
“Then help me by getting my clothes,” I sniffled. “That’s the only help I need from you.”
Exhaling a pained groan, Johnny closed the space between us and crouched in front of me.
“I want to help you.” He placed his hands on my outer thighs and looked up at me, blue eyes wide and sincere. He squeezed my thighs gently. “All you have to do is tell me what’s happening, okay?” Reaching up, he tucked a wet strand of hair behind my ear. “Just tell me who’s hurting you and I’ll make it go away.”
You can’t help me.
No one can.
I took that beating for talking to you. For taking a fucking picture with you.
You are the last person who can help me.
“I’m okay, Johnny,” I croaked out, feeling the tears pooling my eyes. “You don’t need to help me.”
“You’re lying to me,” he growled, looking furious. “You’re fucking lying to me, and I can’t stand it.”
“Please take me home,” I strangled out, jerking away from him. “Just take me home and you won’t have to stand me.”
Johnny groaned. “Shannon, come on. Don’t twist my words. You know that’s not what I meant—”
“I want to go home, Johnny,” I choked out. “If you don’t want to take me, then I’ll call Joey to come pick me up.”
“Okay.” Johnny sighed in resignation. “Fine.” Releasing me, he stood up and held his hands up. “I’ll get your clothes and take you home.”
Exhaling a shaky breath, I nodded. “Thank you.”
He watched me for a long moment before shaking his head in resignation. “I’ll be right back, okay?”
Nodding, I watched him walk out of room, waiting until he was gone before slumping down on his bed.
“God,” I cried, furiously batting the traitorous tears away. “Get it together, Shannon.”
Don’t even think about telling him anything.
His father’s a barrister. You know what those guys are like. They’ll get involved and you’ll all be split up and put into care.
Like Darren…
Johnny’s dog shifted closer to me, distracting me from my meltdown, and plopped her head on my thigh.
“Hi,” I sobbed, dropping my hand on her head.
