Joshua’s lip twitches. It’s the darkest smile I’ve ever seen. “Yeah, he’ll be able to walk just fine.”
My brows knit, and I scan the hall until I spot Cory again. What the hell? Instead of going to class, he’s making a break for the school’s exit.
“Go.” Joshua tips his chin, and Tiffany ducks around him, scurrying away.
Still facing the locker, he shuts his eyes and swipes a hand down his face.
“Hey.” I move a little closer, and he jerks as I place my palm on his back. When his eyes find mine, my stomach dips at the look on his face. It’s somehow both tender and dark, and it sends goose bumps down my body. “Thank you. I didn’t know what to—I’ve never had this happen, and—”
He brushes his mouth against mine so gently my breath catches. His tongue parts my lips, and his hands cradle my face, warm and heavy.
“Joshua,” I breathe into his mouth, my fingers curling around the bottom of his T-shirt. “You’re ... late ... for ... class.”
He tears his lips from mine to trail small kisses along my jaw, down my neck, and my eyes fall closed as he groans against my skin. Everything that happened just moments ago is suddenly gone, and I’m floating on the softest clouds. I’ve never known someone like Joshua; someone who can dive so deep into my core it makes us feel like we’re one.
“You did good, hippie,” he murmurs against my neck. “Really damn good.”
“Thanks,” I say quietly. A slow tremor rolls through me as his words warm my stomach and my heart. “I’ve never seen you get like that.”
“Like what?”
“You know, all ...rawr.”
“Rawr?” He chuckles, deep and low, before tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. But his voice is pained when he says, “See what you’re doing to me?” Breathing heavily, both hands slip into my hair and tug. “I’m trying here, really fucking trying, but it’s already started. And hell if I can stop it.”
I don’t know whatitis.
But I know I’m not letting it go.
Hunt
After leaving the store, I get in my truck with a bag in hand and a weird feeling swirling in my gut.
I’ve only ever gotten gifts for one other person. I have no clue what I’m doing or if Blue’s gonna like what I got her. Not to mention, I feel pretty shitty for not having much money to spend. Beating Slick last week is barely keeping my head above water, and I can’t touch my savings. So I did a little research instead, and, hell ... I just hope she likes it.
Especially after the fucked-up afternoon she had.
Just thinking about it makes my fists clench around the steering wheel, and a burn shoots through my raw knuckles.
Cory thought if he ditched school it’d buy him some time. He should’ve known better than to run; he’s snuck into more than a few of my matches, even tossed in some bets. I clipped the shithead once before he pissed his pants and swore he’d never go near Blue again.
I park in front of the Everest house, noticing the darkening sky. Grabbing the bag, I exit my truck and stop by the shed to prep Blue’s flowers. The packet of condoms I intended to throw out today—and yesterday, and the day before—burns through my back pocket, taunting me as I move around the shed. I should’ve just done it, tossed them like I planned. But every time I get close to a dumpster, I find my footsteps traveling in the opposite direction.
Fucking Conway.
When I finish up, I move the ladder to Blue’s window and blow out a breath, staring up at her room.
Just like I’ve done every single night this week.
Itching—no, fuckingburning—to be alone with her, then convincing myself to walk away. After last weekend ... my head’s all fucked-up. It’s been so long since I got off with anything but my own damn hand, I didn’t trust myself to be alone with her after that night. I still don’t. When it comes to Blue, it’s never gonna be enough. I’m always gonna need more.
I thought I needed to limit my time with her, focus on school, but instead, I couldn’t hear a word Mr. Lancer said during our study sessions. I turned in the wrong assignment for chem, got my first B in AP Calc, and shit, if I wasn’t hunting Blue down between periods, stealing tastes of her to hold me over, then I wasthinkingabout hunting her down.
More than that? I fucking miss her when she’s not with me. It’s a new feeling, and I don’t know what to make of it.
Gritting my teeth, I step forward, grip the ladder with my free hand, and haul myself up. There’s no use talking myself out of it tonight.
I climb through her open window, and the light’s on, but I don’t see her. A sinking feeling weighs on my shoulders as I maneuver my way inside and set her gifts on her desk, looking around the empty room.
