in love, it’s a different game,” Abel said. “He doesn’t even have to make up a name for her now.”
“Abel’s right, Murph,” Nash said. “Love changes everything.”
“Bullshit,” Murph said. “You love her?”
“Christ, man, I love her, okay? I’m trying to protect her. Her old man beats up her mother, and he goes after her. That’s why she runs to me. She doesn’t need this bullshit.”
“Then tell me her name,” Murph said.
“Delilah,” I said without hesitation.
That was going to be Amelia’s fake name when she was around us. That’s how we did it. Any girl would need to have a fake name. It was kind of a stupid rule that Murph made up because he didn’t have any ties to anyone. It wasn’t the worst idea because it kept us from falling for anyone and the girls who wanted to be near us usually liked to pick a name and pretend to be someone else.
But Amelia was different.
She wasn’t going to fall into this life.
She wasn’t going to get hurt.
“Delilah,” Nash said. “That’s a good name. What would her fake name have been?”
“Jess,” I said, another lie flying from my lips.
“Jess?” Murph said.
“What?” I asked. “Something simple. Easy to remember.”
“So, if you’re in love with Delilah,” Abel said, “that means you don’t go near anyone else.”
“No shit, man,” I said.
I shook my head.
I had no desire to go near anyone else.
Even when they were all hanging around girls, I had no desire to do anything. Not since I had been getting close to Amelia.
But I had no plan for her and I.
I was three years older than her.
My entire world was a fucking mess.
She ran to me for comfort and I felt like I was the fake one.
And I was supposed to bring her into the world of Murph, Nash, and Abel with a fake name.
“She’s cute as anything,” Murph said. “You’re lucky you got her.”
“I’m keeping her from you three.”
“I’ll just sweet talk her,” Nash said. “Oh, my Delilah, won’t you break my heart… oh, my Delilah, I’ll tear you apart…”
Nash started to kiss the air.
I lunged at him and threw a punch, hitting him in the jaw.
He turned and went down to his hands and knees.
Murph jumped at me, driving his shoulder into my arm. My neck snapped to the side really hard as I went down to the ground, Murph on top of me.
“Christ,” Abel called out.
He pulled Murph off me as Nash got back to his feet.
I sat there on my ass, filled with enough rage to take them all on.
Nash rubbed his jaw. “Fuck, man, you really have it bad for her.”
“He does,” Murph said and laughed. “You’re really in love.”
“Stay the fuck away from her,” I warned. “You see her coming, you walk away.”
“Come on,” Abel said. “Give him space.”
“Tell Delilah we said hey,” Nash called out.
Murph eyed me in a way that worried me.
But it would be okay.
All would be forgotten by tomorrow.
I climbed to my feet and rubbed my neck.
Murph, Nash, and Abel were already way out of sight.
I turned and looked down the long hill.
I had nobody I cared about anymore in my life.
Except her.
Except Amelia.
Except… Delilah…
We stopped outside her house.
“Hey,” I whispered. “You need to stay away from the people I hang out with.”
“What? I never go near them.”
“I know you don’t, Amelia. But just… never go near them.”
“Josh, what’s wrong? You seem different tonight.”
“I just have a lot on my mind. I got into a fight with them.”
“A fight?”
“I punched Nash in the face. Then Murph took me down. It was a mess. Abel broke it up and they took off.”
“Are you okay?”
Amelia’s eyes shined in the night.
I nodded. “I’ll be fine. Those guys are trouble.”
“And you hang out with them.”
“Don’t worry about that part.”
“Are you trouble?”
“I don’t know what I am anymore,” I said.
I don’t know what you are either, Amelia. I told the guys your name was Delilah. And it’s really fucked up because they wanted to know your fake name, but they think your fake name is your real name.
“I’m sorry to bother you.”
I squeezed her hand tighter. “You never bother me. Ever.”
“There are other girls, Josh. Girls your age. I know that. I know you’re not… I mean, we’re not together.”
I swallowed hard. “What are you worried about?”
“What I am to you. Or why I keep running to you. I’m a burden.”
“You’re not a burden, Amelia. Ever.” I touched her hair with my other hand. “I promise. And someday all of this will make sense. I’ll