Johnny stands a few feet away, fists clenched, breathing hard.
“I said ‘yeah,’ not ‘come in,’” I snap through my tears.
“How the hell was I supposed to know you two were—” He breaks off, then glares. “You’re lucky it was me who walked in and not Ben. Or Mom.”
I glance at the glowing clock on my nightstand. 3:07 p.m.
“Why are you even home? Aren’t you supposed to be in class?”
“My last one got cancelled.” He rubs a hand over his face. “I came up to check on you. Clearly a mistake.”
His voice turns cold.
“Take a shower and air out your room. It smells like sex and bad decisions.”
My face crumples at his cruel words.
“Don’t youdaretalk to her like that!” Axel growls, stepping forward.
I throw an arm across his middle, holding him back. “Don’t.”
“Fuck you! I can’t believe you touched her,” Johnny snarls.
Axel’s expression hardens. “Don’t be mad because yourissues pushed her away, and she chose to move forward with me. She’s not your possession!”
“She is mine!” Johnny roars, unhinged.
And that’s the last straw.
“Both of you, out.”
“What?” they say in unison.
“You heard me.” My voice shakes but stays firm. “I’m not some prize you get to fight over. You don’t get to stand in my bedroom and argue about who I belong to. I belong tomyself.”
Silence.
“As someone kindly pointed out, I need a shower,” I add coldly. “So, get out.”
Both men stare at me dumbfounded.
“Now!” I bark.
That gets them moving. Johnny storms out the door without another word. Axel holds my gaze a moment longer, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. Then he nods and slips through the bathroom into his room.
Once again, I’m alone.
∞∞∞
To say dinner is awkward would be an understatement.
Axel and Johnny won’t look at each other. Johnny won’t look at me. Axel blamed his black eye and split lip on some vague story about gym equipment, which neither Ben nor Maryanne seemed to believe. Especially with Johnny’s split knuckles resting in plain sight while we eat.
Maryanne brings out a cake. She sings “Happy Birthday” while everyone else mumbles along, their voices strained underthe weight of everything unsaid. I force a smile and push my cake around with my fork, trying to make it look like I’ve eaten more than a single bite.
Nik sent me a sweet birthday text. He apologized for missing dinner and promised to make it up to me soon. He had plans with his parents tonight. Honestly, it’s probably for the best. I don’t need to add a third guy into this mess.
After dinner, everyone calls it an early night. Ben and Maryanne retreat to their room, and Johnny stomps up the stairs. Axel and I follow a few minutes later, trying to give him space.
