I shake my head. “It’s okay.”
“Lately, it just feels like all you want to do is be with Casper because of the dreams or Vincent. I mean, we hardly hang out.”
“I’m sorry. Vincent’s just going through a lot and needs me.”
“I get that, but what about Casper? You can’t date two people.”
“I know that. I’m not dating him, and we’re not hanging out anymore.”
“Good.”
I’m glad we’re not fighting anymore. Especially since it was over Casper. Vincent texts me after lunch telling me that my car is in its parking space, fixed. I’m in awe by his kindness.
My stomach is in knots when I walk into English class. But Casper doesn’t show. I work on our assignment alone, wondering where he is. Not that I should care. I kinda miss him, though.
My phone buzzes with a text message from Cherry and I discreetly read it.
Vincent and Casper got into a fight and they’re both suspended.
I freeze. This doesn’t settle well in my stomach. I don’t like knowing they fought. Was it because of yesterday or that I stayed at Casper’s house?
What happened?
I dunno.
This has to stop. They have to stop fighting over me. What is their problem? Why do they hate each other so much?
After class, I call Vincent. He tells me to come over and he’ll explain. We’ve been together four months, and it’s the first time he’s ever asked me to come to his house. When I reach my car, I stop. It looks amazing, like it was repainted completely.
Vincent’s house isn’t a drug lord mansion like Casper’s, but it’s still a lot bigger than mine. It’s a two-story red brick modern house. The porch is enclosed by white columns and shrubs line each side of the porch.
I ring the doorbell and wait only seconds. When Vincent answers, I gasp and cover my mouth. His eye, black and red, is swollen shut and he has a small cut on his cheek.
“Am I that hideous? Don’t hold back.” He gives a crooked smile.
“What happened?”
“Come in,” he says and pulls me inside the warm house. There are a couple of lamps on, but it’s mostly dark. Family pictures grace the walls and I feel sad when I see his mom. She looks like Vincent, except her hair is longer. He takes me to the kitchen and offers me a glass of water and I accept. He takes my coat and hangs it on the back of a round backed chair at the table in front of the bay windows.
“Thanks for my car. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know. You’re welcome.
“What happened?”
“I asked about the guy who attacked you and he said I shouldn’t worry since he took care of it. He said I wasn’t right for you and that I need to forget about you. That you two were together now that you slept with him.”
Blood drains from my face. “What?”
“I told him he needed to leave you alone and not hurt you anymore. He swung at me, and well, we started fighting.”
“Why would he say that?”
“Probably because I have you.”
That sounds possessive. “Um, what?”
“He’s making up all this crap about you because he’s jealous that we’re together. He’s jealous of me. He’s a piece of work.”
“Why is he lying about me? Why is he so set on hurting me?”
“Because Casper is a jackass and a selfish prick.”
I let out a sigh. “Why did you fight him? You’re better than that. It’s not worth it.”
He closes the space between us and takes my hands in his. “Well, I’m not going to just let some asshole beat me up. You take a swing at me I’m going to fight back. I can’t stand him. After everything he did to you, you shouldn’t be friends with him. He’s dangerous, Megan. I mean he wailed on me. I love you and I don’t always say the right things but I’m falling deeper in love with you.”
My heart thrums against my ribcage. I can’t decide if it’s because of the intense look or the words he said. “But you don’t need to fight anyone.”
“Are you mad because I fought him?”
I silently curse. It’s like I can’t say the right thing with him. “No, I just don’t like fighting. I don’t like that you got hurt.”
“It’s nothing. You should see the other guy.” He smirks.
“I can’t believe he said those things.”
“Stop worrying about him. I took care of it.”
I give him a pointed look.
“What happened Saturday? Are you okay? Were you hurt physically?”
I shift uncomfortably.
“It’s okay.” He kisses my forehead. “Tell me when you’re ready.”
I exhale. “He came in the bathroom,” I say in such a soft voice it doesn’t sound like my own. “He kept saying he knew me, but I’ve never seen him before. He slammed me against the mirror and it broke. I have some cuts on my back and head. I tried to run but he caught me, forcing me to the ground and held a gun to me.”
Anger flashes in his good eye and his face turns red. A vein in his neck protrudes and I can see it pulsing. “Why did you go to the party?”
“Cherry wanted me to.”
He pulls me to him, a little roughly, and I wince as he touches my back. “Baby, you have to be more careful. You weren’t wearing anything revealing, were you?”
I was, and I know I shouldn’t have. “No.”
“You said he knew you?”
“He knew my name. He said his name was Adam, but I don’t know who he is.” I
feel his arms tighten around me. “What if he finds me again?”
“He won’t. I promise you’re safe
