AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I have every book I need for all nine classes today,” I offered weakly, shoulders slumped.
“If it runs late, we might have to stay over,” he stated with a frown.
“What?” I croaked out. “Please don’t say that.”
Johnny shrugged apologetically. “It happens.”
“God,” I breathed.
“Do you want to run home and grab a bag?” he asked. “I can have a word with Coach and ask him to stop off at your house—”
“No,” I strangled out. “God, no, it’s okay.”
“You sure?”
I nodded.
“Listen, I’ll take you home after the match tonight,” Johnny said with a deep frown. “If that’s what you’re worried about.”
“Worried?” I shook my head. “I’m not worried.”
“You look worried,” he said quietly, eyes trained on mine.
“Uh, I’m just…” Fighting down a wave of anxiety, I asked, “Can I borrow your phone, please?” Squirming uncomfortably, I added, “I need to let my brother know that I’ll be home late.”
And then I need to ask Joey to get my funeral arrangements underway because I am a dead girl walking…
“Yeah, no bother,” Johnny replied. He slid his hand into his pocket and pulled out his fancy-looking phone before handing me the shiny black device.
“Um.” I stared down at the screen, clueless. “Can you unlock it for me?”
“Shite, yeah, sorry,” he muttered as he reached over and unlocked the screen.
When I continued to fumble with his phone, he swiped it out of my hand and instructed me to call out the number.
“Thanks,” I whispered, taking the phone back from him.
Pressing the green CALL button, I held it to my ear and prayed Joey would pick up. Several rings later, I was connected to his answering machine.
“Hey, this is Joey. You know what to do—”
“Joe,” I strangled out, ducking my face. “It’s me—Shannon. I’m on the way to Dublin with the school. I won’t be back until late tonight. Can you tell Mam? He has my phone so don’t call it, okay? You won’t be able to get ahold of me, but I’m okay, Joe. Don’t worry about—”
The phone beeped, letting me know that I was out of time.
Ending the call, I handed Johnny back his phone and exhaled shakily. “Thank you.”
“Who has your phone?” Johnny asked, pocketing his phone.
“Oh, uh, my father,” I mumbled.
“Why?”
I shrugged but didn’t respond.
“That’s different,” he said then.
I stared blankly at him. “Huh?”
