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When I didn’t answer, Jordan said, “Fine. But don’t getpissywhen he takes her out. I have biology with him third period and I heard him say he planned to bring someone to the party, and I bet her name rhymes with Rosie.”
I balled my fist into a tight clutch. Why couldn’t I justlet it go? I wanted to. I did, but I just couldn’t.
I finished my lunch, leaving Jordan without another word. I needed to go for a run before I exploded.
The evening slowly drew to a head as I parked in front of the apartment. Jordan’s pickup was absent but Josie’s Honda sat in the far corner. I groaned, knowing she’d be a few feet away from me, sleeping with only a flimsy wall between us.
You did this. You offered her to stay.
The apartment felt quiet and empty, but I knew by the light spewing from underneath her door that it wasn’t.
I flung my backpack into my room, kicked off my tennis shoes, and debated on speaking to her.What would I say?I didn’t know.
Instead, I shot my brother a text. Frankie was in tenth grade, obviously still living at home with our mother, and it worried me most days.
The instability of my mother gave me whiplash as a kid. I wanted better for Frankie.
Frankie:What up?
Me:Where is Mom?
I drug my t-shirt over my head, tossing it into the laundry basket in the corner of the room. I needed a hot shower to wash away my day and get my muscles ready for another practice in the morning.
Frankie:Don’t know. She hasn’t been home since last night.
My blood boiled. I felt my temper rise, my fingers twitching at my side.
Me:Have you eaten?
Frankie:Yeah. I made a pizza. Don’t worry. She’ll come back.
Made a pizza.A tenth-grade boy shouldn’t have to eat Totinos every night of the week. I was surprised there was food in the house. I hadn’t been home in two weeks to bring groceries and when I had, the cabinets were empty.
Me:Everything else good?
Frankie.Yeah. It’s okay. Are you coming home soon?
I swallowed the dry lump in my throat, grabbed some boxers, and calmed myself.
Me:As soon as I can. Let me know when Mom gets home.
I swung open my door, the bathroom calling my name when I ran into Josie. A softoomphcame out as I tumbled against her, catching myself against the hallway wall, her small body caught in between.
Josie’s soft soap scent filled my nose, her back against the wall and her tits pressed against my chest. I was tall enough to put my chin on the top of her head; her small frame almost cowered away from me. I didn’t blame her.
My body urged me to get closer, drag her chin up, and demolish her heart-shaped lips, but I didn’t. I pushed against the wall with my palm and took two safe steps away from her.
She already showered, the tips of her hair still damp, and she’d changed into pajama shorts. Her gaze lifted to mine slowly, and her teeth gnawed at her bottom lip. “I’m sorry … I didn’t realize you were coming out.”
I accept your apology. Is it so hard to say?“Fine.”
Josie’s gaze lowered to her bare feet, and she sidestepped me, walking to the kitchen. My traitor eyes betrayed me—yet again—and I watched her small curves as she walked away from me.
The image of her sitting with King flashed across my mind. I heard the refrigerator open, my anger from my mom already had my body humming with annoyance, but now, the thought of King taking her anywhere turned me irate.
Josie stood in the kitchen nursing a cup of milk, her eyes somewhere far off when I rounded the corner. She looked up with shock on her face.
Don’t do it, Maverick. Leave her alone.
