I fought against his hold, but he was too strong. “No, of course not. And I’m not really dating anyone else yet. I have a date Friday night, that’s all.”
He pushed his body harder against mine. “With who?”
“None of your business!” I tried pushing back against him, alarm flashing through me, but couldn’t move.
He squeezed my jaw roughly with one hand and planted his lips onto mine. His tight grip was hurting my face and I couldn’t help crying. “Shh, don’t cry, baby. I’m sorry. It’s just that I love you so much and the thought of you with someone else drives me fucking insane. Tell me you won’t be with anyone else, baby.”
Not wanting to antagonize him, but refusing to get back together, I told him, “We’re not getting back together, Josh.”
His face turning red, he grabbed me by the shoulders and slammed me against the wall. I cried out from the pain of hitting my back and head against the brick. “Don’t say that!” he screamed at me.
I started crying harder because he was still hurting me. “Please let go of me, Josh!”
He swooped in for another kiss, but I turned my face to the side and his lips met my cheek. Enraged, he slammed me against the wall again, but the doors suddenly opened and a P.E. class filed out. He released me at once and I took the opportunity to run away from him and around the building. I didn’t stop until I reached Caleb’s car in the parking lot. Checking the doors, they were locked, so I circled around to the other side of the car and crouched down against the side of it. I was worried Josh would come looking for me and I didn’t want him to find me if he did.
I pulled out my cell from the front of my backpack and sent Caleb a text.
Me: Can you give me a ride home?
I was relieved when he answered immediately.
Caleb: Right now?
Me: Yes PLEASE!
Caleb: Ok meet me at my car
No problem, I thought to myself. I still sat against the side of his car when he showed up. “What are you doing down there?”
I quickly wiped my face with my hand and said nonchalantly, “Just waiting for you.”
“Why were you crying?”
“I wasn’t crying,” I denied, then changed the subject, “Hey, if you don’t want to miss class, I can just take your car and pick you up after school.”
“When did you get the impression I gave a fuck whether or not I missed class?” His hazel eyes still roved over my face, taking in what I was sure were red eyes and blotchy cheeks. “Come on, get in the car.”
I had to circle the car again to the passenger side. Once we were out of the parking lot and on the street, he demanded, “Tell me why you were hiding on the side of my car, crying.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Beauty in distress is much the most affecting beauty.”
-Edmund Burke
CALEB
When Gianna ignored me, I repeated, “Tell me why you were crying.”
“It was nothing,” she stalled.
“If it was nothing, then why do you need to go home?” I continued to interrogate her ruthlessly.
“I just had a fight with Josh,” she finally admitted, leaning her head against the window dejectedly.
I’d met plenty of guys like Josh before. I knew the type and I wanted a full explanation. “Tell me, Gianna, or I’m just going to turn this car right around, pull him out of whatever class he has right now and beat the shit out of him.”
She looked alarmed by my threat. “You can’t do that!”
“I can and I will, if you don’t tell me.” I made sure to look her straight in the eyes so she could tell how serious I was.
She sighed in resignation. “Fine, I was walking to third period when he pulled me outside and demanded to know if I was seeing someone new.”
Her eyes avoiding mine gave her away. “Gianna, what are you leaving out?”
She glanced down at her hands and said softly, “Um, he yelled at me and kissed me a couple times and slammed me against the wall a of couple times.” She lifted her head with new tears in her eyes and her bottom lip trembling.
I screeched over to the side of the road and she jumped in her seat in alarm. Unbuckling her seatbelt, I pulled her in for a hug. She rested her head against my shoulder and I reached up to feel a bump on the back of her head. He was going to pay for this.
“It’s okay now. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
She drew back to look into my face. “What are you going to do?”
“Beat his ass next time I see him.”
“What if he wins? I don’t want you to get beat up.” She was so cute.
“Don’t worry, I won’t. What did you tell him when he asked if you were seeing someone new?” Brushing the hair back from her forehead, I kissed her red nose.