The Secrets of Lake Road - Karen Katchur Page 0,95

a little affection. She stepped toward him and put her hand on his cheek, whispering, “It’s okay.”

Kevin grabbed her and kissed her hard. She didn’t expect it, and for a second she didn’t try to fight him off. His mouth smashed into hers. He was hurting her. She put her hands on his chest to push him away, but he wouldn’t let her go.

Billy hesitated. Confusion crossed his face. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” He pulled Kevin off her. “What’s gotten into you, man?” He shoved Kevin in the chest, not too hard, but hard enough to let him know he wasn’t joking around.

Jo wiped her wet mouth and neck from both boys’ kisses. The two of them fighting over her wasn’t the thrill she thought it would be. In fact, it wasn’t even close. She was overcome by an awful, horrible feeling, not wanting either one of them to be hurt. “Leave him alone,” she said to Billy, and touched his shoulder to get his attention. “It’s not his fault.”

“You’re defending him?” Billy turned on her. “What the hell is going on?”

“She’s with me now,” Kevin said.

“What do you mean, she’s with you now?” Billy asked.

“She’s with me. Tell him, Jo.” Kevin straightened up, and by the look on his face he was enjoying sticking it to Billy.

It pissed Jo off. “Shut up, Kevin,” she said.

“What is he talking about?” Billy asked her.

She couldn’t look at him, and she turned away.

“What’s going on? Wh-what are you saying?” He stuttered. “My best friend and my girl?” He shook his head. “No way.”

“It’s true,” Kevin said. “I’m sorry, but it’s true. I love her.”

Billy got up in his face. Kevin tried to step away from him, but Billy moved right back in his space. His chest was puffed out and his shoulders squared.

“Are you screwing my girl? Is that what you’re telling me?” he asked, bumping him with his chest, pushing him back toward the edge of the pier.

“Stop it, Billy.” Jo had never seen this side of Billy before, and it frightened her.

“You are, aren’t you? You son of a bitch.” He cocked his arm and swung, but Kevin was quick and moved away. Billy’s fist only grazed Kevin’s jaw. Billy went to throw another punch, but Jo rushed in and grabbed his arm.

“Stop it!” she shouted. “Just stop it.”

Billy turned and shoved her. She flew backward and landed hard on her right hip.

“Oh, shit, Jo, I’m sorry,” he said, and immediately went to help her up.

Kevin lowered his shoulder and rushed Billy, hitting him in the stomach like a linebacker. Billy’s right forearm took the brunt of the fall, hitting the pier with a crack. The two of them started wrestling, their arms tangled around each other’s waists. Billy landed blow after blow to Kevin’s kidneys. Kevin tried to roll away, holding his side. Billy jumped up and kicked him. Kevin curled into a ball. Billy went to kick him again, but before his foot made contact, Jo pushed him square in the chest, sending him over the edge of the pier, his body striking the water with a splash.

“Are you hurt?” She knelt by Kevin’s side and placed her hand on his shoulder. His skin was slick and warm under her fingertips.

After a few long seconds he caught his breath. He lifted his head. “I’m okay.”

“I’m sorry,” she said. Her nose was running. “I didn’t think he’d hit you. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah.” He sat up, cradling his stomach where he had been punched and kicked.

She put both hands on his cheeks and kissed his forehead. “I’m so, so sorry.” She sat back on her heels and looked around for Billy, wanting to tell him off, and yet needing to explain she hadn’t meant for any of this to happen. She loved them both.

But Billy hadn’t surfaced.

He wasn’t climbing the ladder. He wasn’t on the pier. She looked toward the beach to see if he was swimming toward the shore. The lake was still and silent.

“Where’s Billy?” she asked, and looked over the edge where he had fallen into the water. Panic gripped her chest. “Billy!” she called, and frantically looked around, spinning in circles, searching.

He wasn’t anywhere.

Please, please, please, she silently begged. Please let this be a game.

“Billy!” she shrieked, her voice echoing across the lake.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

After Patricia’s shocking news, Dee Dee paced the kitchen, pulling at her lip, deep in thought for the rest of the afternoon. The sun was setting. Long