Page 241 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

so fiercely, it might snap.

Andrew’s head tilts back,

gaze trailing up Gia.

The moment stretches to torture me,

though my blood’s thrashing

at double speed.

My heartbeat thud-thud-thuds

to the beat of the song,

Michael Jackson’s throat-grit,

electric staccato gasps.

“Dirr-dee-die-AN-uh-oH”

Movements blur.

My breath cuts as it leaves like glass.

“Fuckin’ gorgeous,” Andrew murmurs, standing to his feet, towering over Gia. “So what’s it gonna be, sweetheart? Knees or tease—your call.”

Ben’s brows pop up,

eyes darting to mine. “Damn.”

My heart’s pacing from wall to wall in my ribcage, looking for a way out.

“Knees or tease?” Gia says, smirking.

Andrew steps closer, crowding her.

My throat tightens,

strains,

clawing to scream.

I’m mannequin-still,

posed by fear, rage, disgust,

unable to un-pose myself.

“C’mon, you gettin’ on your fuckin’ knees for me, or keep playin’?”

A surprised laugh buckles out of Gia.

“Here?”

“Right the fuck now,” he says, dropping a couch pillow to their feet for her, like some gentleman.

He’s asking her for head?