Chapter 29
“ A word of advice, Bo.” War stops on the path back to the house. “From one former juvenile delinquent to an up-and-coming one.”
“I’m listening,” I mutter testily. I just want this bullshit done. Peace grabs my hand. I thread my fingers between hers. I can feel her trembling. We both know what’s waiting back at the house for me isn’t good.
“When you talk to them”—War narrows his eyes—“stow the attitude.”
“Noted.” I set my jaw. Whatever happens, I’ll protect Peace. Her dad might think he understands me on some level, but he doesn’t have a clue how I feel about his daughter.
“I hope so.” War starts walking again, and Peace and I follow.
“Bo,” Peace whispers when we’ve nearly reached her house. “Don’t admit to anything. Stall them if you can. I’ll find a way to talk to Mark privately.”
“No way,” I hiss. “I got this.”
“Please.” She blinks at me through lenses that magnify her beautiful eyes and the concern brimming within them. “I can’t have you getting into trouble for protecting me. I should have stood up for myself. This is my fault.”
“It wasn’t your fault.” I shake my head. “This is on Mark. He’s a bully and a coward. He’s responsible for the choices he made and the harm he caused.”
“But—” she begins, and I shush her, covering her mouth with my finger. I’m so into her, but I don’t think she knows. Touching her plush and satiny warm lips, my cock predictably swells. It shouldn’t; I shouldn’t have almost kissed her. She’s only fourteen. I shouldn’t react to her at all. The fact that I have lends more evidence to what everyone knows, but that I’ve refused to acknowledge up to this point. I’m no good for her.
“Robert.” My old man appears the moment I step inside the house. The way he looks at me as he stomps toward me makes me feel like a pile of rotting garbage.
“Bryan,” I acknowledge. Cold washes away every trace of the joy I experience in Peace’s presence.
“Bo.” My mom sets down her glass of water on the kitchen island and comes to stand beside her husband. “How could you do this to us?” She wrings her hands.
“Peace.” War slides his gaze to her. “Go to your room.”
“Okay.” She slips her hand from mine and walks toward the stairs. Stopping in front of them, she turns. “Bo didn’t do anything wrong.”
“He cracked one of Mark’s ribs, honey.” War shakes his head at her. “Gave the boy a concussion.”
“But he wouldn’t have if?—”
“PJ,” I cut her off, and her gaze instantly comes to me. I try to convey telepathically everything I feel about her without speaking. I want her to know how incredible she is and how I feel right instead of wrong whenever we’re together. How I heard music the first time her eyes touched mine. But her dad is right. I’m bad for her. Somehow, someway, I need to figure out a way to end things between us before she gets hurt.
Peace
“Can I talk to you?” I ask, entering Harmony’s room. I’m reeling from everything, especially that look Bo gave me before I came upstairs. It seemed like a goodbye, but I’m not going to accept it.
“Sure.” Harmony spins around in her desk chair to face me. “What’s going on?” Her brow creases as I come closer, and she notes my expression.
“Mark is here and his dad.”
“I know that.” She frowns. “He’s mad that Bo jumped him.”
I shake my head. “Bo didn’t start it. Mark was calling me names.” I twist my hands together. “And?—”
“Were you walking around reading on your phone?” Her eyes narrow.
“Maybe, but?—”
“I warned you about that. Being a nerd makes you a target.”
“It wasn’t about that.” My cheeks burning, I tell her the truth. “Mark touched me.”
“Touched you how?” She stands and eliminates the space between us.
“He touched me, Harm.” I frown bigger than her. “After I told him not to. That’s all you need to know. It doesn’t matter how. No is no. End of story.”
“You’re right. I didn’t know.” Looking remorseful, she reaches for me and pulls me into her arms. She smells like beer and the juicy fruit gum she chews to cover up for the fact that she’s been drinking.
“I’ll end it with him,” she declares as I cling to her. “Tonight.”
I glance up at her. “You’d do that for me?”
“Of course I would.” She squeezes me tighter. “I’m not going to keep dating an asshole who assaulted my sister. I didn’t really like him anyway. It’s just that it’s difficult to get accepted by the others at school without an endorsement from him. You know?”
“Yeah.” I nod against her chest. “I know.”
“Anything for you.” She tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “I love you.”
“Would you stop drinking too?” I ask, pleading with my eyes.
“Hell no.”
“Harm,” I press. “Please. You’ll get caught. You shouldn’t?—”
“My business not yours,” she cuts me off and steps backward.
“I’m not so sure.” I shake my head.
“It’s not an issue.” She purses her lips. “I just like a drink now and then to unwind.”
“You should go swimming. Do other things to relax. You could hang out with me,” I offer hopefully.
“I just might take you up on that.”
“Good.” I give her a relieved smile. “Summer’s almost here. We can hang out every day.” Getting rid of Mark and getting my sister back is a silver lining around this dark day.
“But only until June.” She taps her lips.
“Why?” I ask. “What happens in June?”
“I’m going on location with Mom.” She smiles. “I got the part in that movie I wanted portraying Mom’s daughter.”
“The Cohen piece?” My eyes grow large. “You told me there’s Oscar buzz around that script.”
“Yeah.” Her gaze reflects her excitement. “It’s a huge supporting actress role. After being abused, the character falls into using drugs and alcohol.” She shrugs. “I’ve already memorized most of my lines.”
“You’ll be amazing,” I declare, and she ducks her chin, appearing sheepish in response to my praise. Hearing raised voices downstairs, I remember why I came to her room and refocus. “Listen, I need a favor, Harm. A big one.”
“You want me to get Mark to drop the accusations about Bo, right?” she asks, guessing correctly.
“Yes. Please,” I beg. “I could try, but I don’t think he’d do it for me.”
“Okay,” she agrees. “I’ll do it.”
“Thanks.” I throw my arms around her and squeeze.
“Don’t thank me until after.” Her voice drops. “If I succeed.”