I dated to be upset about not getting some, so upset they’d take it into their own hands.
“I want you to leave me alone.”
“I helped you out. How many people get jealous whenever I touch you?” He reaches up and brushes my hair from my face. I’m tempted to bite his finger off. “How many clubs have you gotten into because I know someone?” His lips are inches away from mine, his hand now locked around my jaw so I can’t move. “I think since I’ve done my part, it’s only fair you do yours.”
My lips form obscenities around his as he mashes them against me. I’m wiggling like crazy, trying with every bit of strength I have to get away from him. I think I got in a good hit somewhere, but he’s not letting go.
He bites down on my bottom lip, causing a yelp of pain to escape my throat. I keep quiet after that and he moves his kisses to my cheeks, my neck, my chest, while I still try to get out of his grasp.
Oh my gosh! Is this really happening? What is he going to do to me? How far will this go? I try to detach myself—again metaphorically—but it’s impossible. No one has ever attacked me like this before, and tears start to leak from my eyes.
One of his hands clasps my butt cheek as he moves me upstairs. My stomach plummets as I hope against all hope Sierra stays in her room. She cannot see this. I don’t want her to see this.
We get to the top of the landing and I hear a doorknob turn, but it’s not from Sierra’s room. It’s the front door, which is in plain view from where Cody has me pinned. Cody hears it, too, and he shoots upright, letting go of me long enough to fix my top before someone walks in.
“Hello?”
I’m too relieved to be confused about Zak standing in the doorway. I jog down the stairs, coming within inches of his body, but stop myself from hugging him. My arms drop and I pretend I was going to scratch my head, looking like an idiot. His puzzled face would be comical if it weren’t for the tense atmosphere. I take a small step away as Cody descends the staircase. I search deep down for a cheery tone and blink the tears from my eyes. “Hey, uh… my dad’ll be home in a minute and he can get you that book you wanted. I’m not sure where he put it. You can sit over there if you wanna wait.”
I’m so glad Zak knows when to act stupid and when to play along. “Thanks, Zoe.” He goes into the living room and sits down, not taking his eyes off me and my now very ex-boyfriend. No way will that guy ever get near me again. Cody looks like he just got attacked by fire ants, he’s so red. He clears his throat and looks at me.
“I better get back to the party. You comin’?”
“No.” Hell no. I don’t look him in the eyes, because now they scare the crap out of me. “I’m sick, remember.”
“Your loss.” He shrugs out the front door and I almost break into tears right there in the entryway. But Zak’s presence shuts me off from losing it.
“Are you all right?” he asks, getting off the couch and stepping closer to me. I quickly try to erase the pain and horror from my face, putting my calm mask on.
“Yeah. I’m just not feeling well, like I told Cody. So I’m going to go upstairs and sleep it off.”
“Zoe, don’t pretend like I don’t know what just happened.”
I feel all the color drain from my body. So much for looking calm. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Zak’s gaze bore into me. I fold my arms again, and stare back. He’s not going to get me to admit to anything. I’m not even sure what happened. It’s like my mind can’t catch up with the reality of it all.
“Well, next time I see him attack you like that, I’m calling the cops.”
Agh! What the crap? How did he…? I gaze out the window behind him and I see he has a perfect view of the living room if he’s in his kitchen.
“It’s nothing to worry about,” I lie. “Really, it’s always like that.”
“If that’s the case, I’m calling the cops right now.”
“Wait,” I say, coming up short on excuses. I don’t know why I care so much, or why I’m giving Zak the attitude, especially since he just saved me, but I find myself trying to keep up my fake persona. “Don’t call the cops. I just…uh…we got in a fight, and he wanted to make up. And…uh, I wasn’t exactly done being mad at him, you know?” Great, now I sound like a rambling fool.
Zak studies my face. His eyes search mine for any deception, but since what I said isn’t completely untrue, he lets it go.
“Okay. Sorry I barged in. I thought it was a problem.”
“No, there’s no problem.”
He studies my face once again before going out the door. I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath until the hot air escapes my nose. I jog upstairs, slam my bedroom door, and put on my baggy pajamas again before curling up under my sheets and crying myself to sleep.
END OF SAMPLE
Table of Contents
Hypocrites and a Hit and Run
The Secret Perversions of Harry Potter
Is That a D-Bag I See Before Me?
Belle of the Ball
Monkey Wrenching Around
Table of Contents
Hypocrites and a Hit and Run
The Secret Perversions of Harry Potter
Is That a D-Bag I See Before Me?
Belle of the Ball
Monkey Wrenching Around
Table of Contents
Hypocrites and a Hit and Run
The Secret Perversions of Harry Potter
Is That a D-Bag I See Before Me?
Belle of the Ball
Monkey Wrenching Around