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“Stop it.”
“Stop what? Okay, okay.” She lifts her hands in a placating gesture. “What exactly does he do when he’s being an ass?”
“He gets all upset sometimes for no clear reason.”
And he makes me go down on him. Although I want it. Want it too much.
But I can’t tell her that. God, no.
“Okay… and when he’s not being an ass?”
“What do you mean?” I frown, lost in thought.
“Give me an example of how nice he is, so nice he makes you forget all the other times when he’s being a jerk.”
“He, um… He protects Sydney when she gets into trouble.” At Octavia’s widening eyes I backtrack. “Protected her. Once. When she got caught in a fight. Wrong time, wrong place, okay? And… he gave me his number in case I ever need help.”
“Come on, Gigi, that’s not much to go on.”
“His brother,” I blurt out. “He told his brother off when he tried to force himself on me in a club.”
“Force himself on you? Jesus, Gigi. Why didn’t you say something?” Octavia presses a hand to her belly, her mouth a hard line, and I rub at my mouth, angry at myself for worrying her, even if it wasn’t my intention.
“Oh God,” I whisper. Clear my throat. “Look, nothing happened. His brother probably just wanted a kiss and a grope, okay? And before you tell me I’m grounded or something—because by the way I’m not five anymore, Tati, just FYI—I don’t go to seedy clubs, and I don’t go alone, so drop the lecture. Nothing has ever happened to me.”
Liar.
“Anyway,” I rush on, “the thing is… Jarett’s so, so very nice sometimes. Protective. Sweet. And…” I swallow hard, my face burning hotter. “And sexy.”
Octavia frowns. “Gigi…”
“Not every gang member is a criminal. I bet it’s bad influences, right? His brother, he’s a bad influence. Worst of the worse, you can’t get worse than—”
“Gigi. Stop talking.”
I stop.
Ringing silence fills my ears.
Octavia is watching me intently, her forehead creased. She sighs. “Look, I don’t know what to say. Sorry. I’m not the right person to ask about this.”
“Of course you are. You’re my sister.” I twist my hands together. “Come on, Tati… I could really use your advice.”
“Then stay away from him.”
I huff in frustration. “I can’t.”
“So here’s the thing. You don’t want my advice. Not really. No, Gigi, listen.” She lifts her hand to silence me. “You want me to tell you you’re right. That he can be saved. That he’s worth it.”
“Isn’t he?”
“I don’t know that.”
“Please, sis. Throw me a bone here.”
Her mouth tightens. “Okay. Let me tell you one thing I’ve learned: if you really believe he’s worth it, then don’t listen to me, or anyone else.”
I fold my arms under my boobs and glare at her harder. “Oh, come on.”
