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“I dunno.” He gave a shrug. “Colder toward me. Is there something I’ve done?”
“You worry about that a lot, don’t you?” I grabbed his arm and dragged him with me toward the door.
“Fucking traitor,” came the call the moment I stepped into the hall.
Eyes darted toward me. They all stared. My cheeks burned under the outburst, but this time I didn’t run and hide. This time, I met each gaze. “Who said that?”
No one answered. Instead, they shuffled past, pretending it hadn’t happened.
But I couldn’t pretend, not anymore. I may as well stand there and let them hurt me.
“I’m not a fuckingtraitor!”I screamed.“I’M NOT MY DAD!”
Hard breaths tore from me as I seethed.
“Hey, you okay?” Gio touched my arm, making me flinch and pull away. But he didn’t mean it as anything other than comfort.
“Sorry,” I muttered, watching as everyone walked past.
“It’s fine.” He smiled. “Why don’t we get something to eat and sit outside, my treat this time.”
I nodded, followed him to the vending machines, and took the sandwich and cola when it was offered, then accompanied him outside. The sun was warm, caressing my body as I sat on top of the table next to Gio and closed my eyes.
“Hanna’s party is going to be awesome.”
I vaguely caught the tail end of his chatter and opened my eyes, instantly remembering something about the wedding. “Not sure I can make it.”
“What?”
“The party.” I glanced his way. “Mom has dress fittings this weekend and something about a party. I guess I’ll be expected to attend.”
Panic crossed his eyes and for a second, I was confused, why would he panic about that? Then he moved, leaned across the table and kissed me.
“Gio!” I shoved him away, my face burning. “What the hell was that?”
He looked shocked, confused. His brow furrowed as he looked around to see if anyone had seen me rebuke him. “I thought…I mean, I like you, Ryth.”
“You like me? You barely know me.” I fought the need to wipe the feel of his lips from my mouth.
At least Tobias and Nick never tried to kiss me…
The unwanted thought surfaced before I shoved it away. Gross…I didn’t know why I thought that, why that would even come into my mind, yet it had…and it brought with it the image of Nick as he'd gripped my wrist and guided my slick fingers into his mouth.
I knew what he'd wanted, knew what that meant, and I knew what came after. I closed my legs, trying to will that sick desire away.
“I’m sorry,” Gio muttered, and looked away, embarrassed, making me feel like a real bitch.
“No, I’m sorry. I just got scared, okay? I wasn’t expecting it.”
He looked at me, a spark of hope igniting in his eyes. “I get it. I came on too strong.”
“Yeah, kinda.” I gave him a smile.
“But that’s not a no…”
God save me. “No, that’s not a no.”
He grinned, cracked open his cola, and drank hard and long before giving me a nod. “Next time, I’ll give you fair warning.”
