She didn’t come back to school on Thursday.
I knew this because I watched out for her in the hallways between all my classes.
She never showed.
It didn’t sit well with me, knowing there was a very big possibility Shannon was ditching school because of what happened in the lunch hall.
It didn’t sit well with me because I knew it was my fault.
I couldn’t concentrate for shit all day.
Every single l
Was she okay?
Was she mad at me?
Should I go over there?
Should I leave her alone?
I didn’t know.
And I didn’t even have her bleeding phone number to call and check.
We were breaking from school tomorrow for two weeks.
I had a match in Dublin tomorrow.
What if I didn’t see her before then?
What if she didn’t come back to school?
What the fuck was I going to do then?
Jesus Christ, I was losing my mind.
Using every ounce of self-control I had inside of me, I forced myself to push her out of my mind, as I headed out for training after school.
Because I didn’t need this – I didn’t need these feelings– fucking with my game.
“Are you with her?” Bella demanded when I reached the entrance of the P.E. hall after school, dragging me from my thoughts.
Shaking my head, I continued walking with every intention of ignoring her, but she grabbed my arm and hissed, “Answer me.”
“Mind your own fucking business,” I snapped, repressing the urge to shudder from her touch. “And stay out my life.”
I needed her to not come near me today.
I was peppering with rage and my tongue wasn’t something I thought I could control if she pushed me.
“Answer the fucking question, Johnny,” Bella hissed in a warning tone.
“And if I am?” I shot back, glaring down at her. “What’s it to you?”
“Then you’re a fucking idiot,” she hissed, eyes flashing with a mixture of hurt and anger. “Because that girl has virgin written all over her.”
“It’s not all about sex, Bella,” I countered, wrenching my arm free. “And don’t put your hands on me again,” I added, my tone laced with distain. “Your touch is not welcome.”
“Not all about sex?” she sneered. “Ha. I’ll give you a month with the frigit before you get bored and stray.”
“I was bored of you after one night,” I sneered.
“Then why did you keep coming back for more?” she demanded.
“Because I was lazy and you were as easy as they come.” I lost my temper and hissed, “You were a phone call away, Bella – one quick text to wet my dick. That’s all you ever were to me.”
I was expecting the hand that wacked against my cheek.
I deserved a slap.
No girl deserved to be called easy, regardless of how true it was.
It was a low blow and one I found myself apologizing for.
“I didn’t mean that,” I bit out. “That was a shitty thing to say.”
“Yeah, Johnny, it was,” she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
“I know,” I snapped, finding not an ounce of patience inside of me to deal with this girl. “That’s why I said it was.”
“Why are you being like this?” Bella asked, her tone taking on a softer hint. “Why are you being cruel to me?”
“I’m not being anything to you,” I bit out. “I just want to get to training, and you’re blocking my way.”
“Because I want to talk to you,” she countered hotly.
“We have nothing to say to each other, Bella,” I told her with a shake of my head. “Not anymore.”
“Did you see me?” she asked then, clearly baiting me. “With your teammate?”
“I don’t give two shites what you do with my teammates,” I replied calmly.
“I don’t want him.”
“That’s your own business.”
“I want you back.”
“You can’t have me back.”
“Johnny.”
“Bella.”
“Come on!
“No fucking thank you.”
Bella stared up at me for the longest moment before screaming and stamping her foot.
I shit you not, she actually stamped her foot.
“Why are you being so unreasonable?” she hissed. “I’m sorry I went behind your back, okay? I am sorry!”
“Fine, you’re more than forgiven,” I snapped, running a hand through my hair in sheer frustration. “Now move the fuck on with Cormac or whoever the hell you want. I really don’t care. Just leave me alone!”
“Are you honestly saying that you’re okay with me being with Cormac?” she demanded, blocking the doorway when I tried to slip past her. “He asked me out, you know? I’m his girlfriend now. You don’t feel jealous at all?”
“I. Don’t. Give. A. Shit,” I bit out. “I don’t know what else I can do or say to make that any clearer to you.”
“You really think that bitch is better than me?” she demanded. “Seriously, Johnny? Talk about downgrading. Does she even possess a pair of tits?”
“Don’t talk shit about her,” I warned. “Say whatever the fuck you want about me but keep her name off your tongue.”
“It’s the truth,” she spat. “She’s a glorified needle.” Shrugging, she added, “She looks anorexic.”
“And you look and sound like a cold-hearted bitch.” Repressing the urge to lose my shit right here outside the hall, I mustered every ounce of calm I could and hissed, “If you fuck with her one more time, I will ruin you.”
She glared at me. “I’d like to see you try.”
“I will ruin you,” I repeated, voice deathly cold. “Your reputation. Your status. Your friends. Your future relationships. Everything. If you fuck with Shannon Lynch again, I will take everything from you.”
Her eyes widened. “Johnny–”
“You know I can,” I added, keeping my voice low. “Contrary to your beliefs, I have more going for me than a thirteen jersey and a dick.”
“What if I told you I was pregnant?” she choked out. “What would you say then?”
I threw my head back and laughed. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Stop laughing,” she fake sobbed. “It’s not funny.”
“I would tell you go talk to Cormac because I haven’t touched you in four and a half months.” Sneering in disgust, I added, “Besides, I’m pretty sure you’d have used it against me by now. Pretty fucking sure you’d be showing, too.”
“Not necessarily,” she bit out.
“Are you saying that I got you pregnant, Bella?” I deadpanned. “Be very fucking careful how you answer next.”
She knew who my father was.
She knew where her lies would land her if she pushed this bullshit on me.
Bella stared me down for the longest moment before grumbling, “No, I’m not pregnant.”
“I know,” I sneered.
“It was a hypothetical question,” she shot back defensively.
“No,” I corrected. “It was failed manipulation.”
“I love you,” she sobbed. “I’m sorry for wanting to make it work.”
“Well, don’t love me,” I barked, agitated. “Because I don’t and won’t ever love you back!” Twisting sideways, I slipped past her and stalked into the hall. “From now on, stay the fuck away from me.”
