“Talk to me.”
“Everything is falling apart. I got into a fight with my best friend. You. Casper. I trusted him. But you and Cherry were right. He told everyone that we had sex Saturday.”
“I told you he isn’t a good person.”
His comment angers me for a second, but I let it go. “Why can’t you hang out when I want to? Why does it always have to be when you want?”
He sighs. “Megan, I’m sorry you feel that way. You know things are difficult with me right now.” He reaches over and pulls me into a hug. He kisses the top of my head and when he exhales, I feel the air travel over me.
I was attacked and I feel like I’m being punished for something. For liking two guys at the same time? “Please stay with me.”
He holds me tighter. “I can’t tonight. I will see you tomorrow, I promise.”
“What am I going to tell my parents about my car?”
“Tell them the truth.”
“I can’t.”
“Lying won’t help anything. I have a history of constantly lying and it’s never good. Go inside, tell your parents the truth, and relax tonight. I’ll call you later.”
“I love you, Vincent.”
“I love you, mon trésor.”
Inside, my dogs almost trample me. They’re always happy to see me and I admire that. At least someone still likes me. I’m on edge and I want to punch something. I know Ron is going to freak out when he sees that my car isn’t in the driveway. Vincent suggested I tell them the truth, but he doesn’t get it. I don’t need Mom making a huge deal out of it and calling Amber’s parents or whatever.
Instead, I tell my parents the car stopped working and I had it towed. Ron reminds me that whatever it costs, I’ll have to pay for it. Not sure how since he gets all of my paychecks. Asshole. I hate him. He and Mom go out to dinner, leaving Jonathan and me alone, with hardly anything to eat.
I stay in my room the rest of the night without dinner. I can’t stomach food and I can’t concentrate on my homework. I don’t feel like working on it. It’s strange not calling Cherry and venting to her. I hate feeling alone. Casper texts me a few times during the night but I don’t reply. I want to sleep and not dream of him. Or someone trying to kill me.
Of course, I dream of Casper and it’s all sickly sweet, but I’m annoyed by them now. Because I don’t understand how I can be in love with someone like Casper.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The cold hurts the cuts on my back. I’m not sure why I endured riding the bus and came to school. I tried normal yesterday and that didn’t work. I guess it’s better than staying at home and getting yelled at for skipping. I have to work tonight, but I’m still sore. And the bumpy bus ride doesn’t help.
Vincent is waiting by my locker. I want to cry, because I’m overcome with emotion. Rushing up to him, I wrap my arms around him. When he hugs me, I wince, but I ignore it. Being in his arms relaxes me and I don’t care if anyone sees our intimate scene.
“I promise I’ll take care of you. I won’t let anything happen to you again.” He holds me at arm’s length and gazes into my eyes. He leans down and kisses me, slow at first, but his lips soon move urgently with mine. I see a vision of us again. I’m running into his arms and he catches me. It’s filled with so much emotion as if we haven’t seen each other in a long time. When we pull apart, my heart is still beating, and the noisy hall comes back to me.
“That was intense,” Vincent whispers, pressing his forehead to mine.
“It always is.”
“How are you feeling?”
I shrug. “I missed you last night. What did you do?”
I see a flash of annoyance in his eyes. “I told you I had something I had to do. Don’t worry. Please. Tonight, we’ll do something.”
“I have to work.”
I feel his hands on my hips and he draws me closer. But I hesitate.
“Call in. It’s been too long since I’ve spent time with you.” He brushes my hair aside and his dark blue eyes hold mine. His gravelly voice puts me in a trance-like stance.
I don’t feel like working. Spending time with Vincent is exactly what I need. “Okay.”
“Come on. We should get to class.”
I don’t want to be here again, but I force myself to stay.
When I get to chemistry, I slide in my chair next to Cherry. I’m tired of the nonsense. “You were right,” I tell her. “About Casper. I don’t want something stupid like that to come between us.”
Cherry frowns and her eyes water. “I’m stupid. I should’ve been there for you Saturday. And yesterday. I heard the rumors and about your car. I’m so sorry, Megan.”
“Why did you tell Vincent that I stayed with Casper? Why not the rest? He thought we slept together.”
“Because I’m an idiot. I was upset that you chose Casper over me to help you.”
“I didn’t choose him. He was there. He saved me and I tried calling you.”
“I know. I’m stupid and childish. It felt like you wanted to be with him more than anything.” A tear slides down her cheek.
“That’s how I felt about you with Luke. Why did you even want me at the party?”
She shrugs. “I just did. I didn’t know it was going to be that big and I didn’t think Luke was going to hang out with me because it was his party. I should’ve been there for you no matter what. I’m sorry
