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“Thank you,” I tell him, hoping he can hear the sincerity in my voice. I wish I could describe to him how safe he makes me feel.
“Go to sleep, Jade,” he whispers. In the dark, I can still make out the slight curve of his lips to know he’s smiling. My eyes flutter and before I know it, his breathing and his heartbeat are pulling me into sleep. Free of demons. Completely safe.
* * *
I don’t wantto go to school today. After last night and falling asleep next to Onyx, I want to be with him all day. It sounds unhealthy and clingy, so I don’t voice it out loud, no matter how much my heart is screaming the words. I studied him like a stalker while he slept, before my alarm clock went off. I watched the way his lips parted every so often, his forehead would crease in a frown then there were moments he was just peaceful. He is beautiful. I wanted to stay in his bubble of protection.
“You sure you’ll be okay today?” he asks as he pulls into the parking lot and my door unlocks.
“I’ll be fine,” I give him my best cheerful smile, “you need to finish up in the studio today. I’ll find you after school.”
“Okay.” He looks away then back to me. “Text me if you need me. I’ll pick you up or help you skip, whatever you need.”
A laugh bubbles in my throat. “I’ll be fine. I need to do well in school if dancing at college is on the map for me.” The reminder is a reality check for myself and him. He nods and gives me the smile I love.
“I’ll see you later, Little Star.”
My head bobs and I have to open the door and escape the car before I change my mind. I watch as he drives away, taking his blanket of security with him. I feel it the minute his taillights disappear. Eyes are on me everywhere. The whispering and the judgments start and they follow me all the way into the building, swarming the air, while I shove books into my locker.
“Girl—” As Harper moves in front of me, my own body jumps in surprise.
“Hey,” I start, but she holds up her hand and leans in. Her eyes flash with panic.
“Onyx dropped you off at school, right?” she whispers, her eyes glancing around. “Did he stay at your place?”
My heart rate increases and I feel the anxiety building in my stomach. “My mom worked an overnight.”
“You didn’t call me or Corey.” She shifts even closer. “Someone saw you leave the complex with him and he dropped you off. Corey is freaking out.”
“Why?” I frown at her words.
“Because Onxy Kiddrick spent the night at your house.”
I shake my head, starting to feel mad at him for making me feel guilty. “He needs to get over his big-brother protection bullshit. I watch him make-out with girls every weekend and I don’t jump all over him about it.”
Harper leans back. “You know it’s more than that, right?”
“But it’s not though! Every person in this building assumes we’re more than friends and I’m just a pushover who lets him do whatever he wants. Never in the years I’ve known Corey has he wanted more or have we talked about it. He’s my best friend. And that’s all it is for both of us,” I remind her.
Harper opens her mouth to say more, but something over my shoulder catches her eyes. “Tell him that,” she mutters, before turning and heading to class. Before I can ask what she means, a touch I’m familiar with grabs my arm. I turn and, sure enough, Corey is towering over me. The look in his eyes is haunted and flashing with an iciness I’ve never seen.
“Where were you last night?” are the first words out of his mouth.
“Harper already warned me. I need you to dial down the protective meter. Yes, Onyx spent the night at my house, but it was my mom’s overnight and I forgot.” I roll my shoulders back, meeting his gaze with my defiant one. I have nothing to apologize for or explain.
“You could have called me.” His voice is low, but I hear the edge to it. Corey never uses that with me, and for the first time, I start to question myself and how he sees our relationship.
“It’s not a big deal. You and Harper stay with me all the time. We just slept.” I fight to prove my point.
“Did you fuck him?” He leans down, so we’re eye level and I recoil at the harshness of his words. Heat blooms in my cheeks.
“That is none of your business.” I manage to squeeze out the words behind clenched teeth. Corey’s eyes bounce around my face. I jump when his fist pounds into the locker next to me.
“It makes you look stupid and pathetic.” He seethes, while my eyes start to water. “You really think some hot-shot rapper is going to drop into this small-ass town and fall for you? That when he has to leave, he’ll take you with him or wait for you? He’s a fucking millionaire performer, Jade. Don’t tell me you believe the lies he tells you? Don’t tell me you are so delusional to think he means the things he says that you let him between your legs?”
“Shut up.” I use my hands to push some space between Corey’s chest and mine. He’s breathing heavily, while I choke back the sobs threatening to spill over. Onyx and I haven’t done more than kiss, but I want to, and the cheap way that Corey is making me feel about it, burns through every insecurity I have.
“You’re mad at me?” His brow quirks up and his lips thin. “I’m your best friend. Sometimes that means you have to hear the truth. I’m protecting you so you don’t look like a complete dumbass when he leaves. Because he will leave, J. And then you’ll have no one when I’m not here for you anymore either.”
