Page 2 of Just Enough

“Please, let’s just go. I want to leave.” She grabbed my arm, and I realized her hands were trembling against me as she tried to pull me. She was terrified, and she wanted nothing more than to leave.

Turning back to him, I hissed. “What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything,” he bellowed. He tossed his hand up at Emily. “She’s the one that had another guy all over her.” He snorted. “Fuck this shit. She ain’t worth it.” Instead of leaving though, he stood and watched her like he expected her to come to him after his little outburst.

“Benjamin, please.” I met green orbs; they pleaded up at me, and I was lost to them.

And that was all it took, and I listened to her. I took her hand and walked her back to the car. It was when I opened the car door for her and helped her inside that I took notice of the purple bruising all over her neck. Before she could hide it, I lifted her burgundy colored hair and saw that she was covered in hickeys. She flinched and pulled away from me. “Why so many?” I understood some couples were into that, but the way Emily tried to hide hers from me told a different story.

I debated for a bit before I finally asked, “Did he do this to you forcefully?” I peeled her hand away and studied her neck. She was literally covered. I tried to shake the rage I was feeling, but I just couldn’t. The fact that it seemed to trail on down her chest… and when her eyes met mine, she started crying.

I stood up and turned around. “I’m gonna fucking kill him.”

The asshole was still standing in the yard like he was waiting for her to come back. I heard Emily behind me right before she pulled at my arm. “Please, don’t. I just want to leave and never see him again.” She tried to tell me, maybe I should have listened, but no one should be forcefully touched any given way. Let it go once, and it would happen again and again.

“One question, Josh, and then we’re gone.” I managed to speak through my seething temper.

“Get outta here, I ain’t got time to play with some high school kid.” Considering I towered over him, his words were funny. I might not have all that muscle in my arms and chest like he did, but I wasn’t afraid of guys like him either.

“Did you force yourself on her?” I asked through gritted teeth.

“Benjamin,” she wailed behind me like she hated this.

He had the nerve to look at her and smirk. “You can’t force yourself on your girlfriend, man. It’s my right.”

I went at him. I punched him in the face, once, twice, almost a third time before he tackled me on the ground and we fought for who stayed on top. The front door opened, and a few more guys came out. They must have been Josh’s friends because Emily said, “Come on, he’s not worth it. Besides, I don’t think he wants to keep fighting with a minor.”

I climbed off him after landing one more punch. He got up slowly. “She’s not worth this shit,” he said again.

Emily’s focus was on me as she studied my face and pulled me away from the yard, and away from all his buddies that could gang up on me if they chose to. I realized that was the reason why she mentioned us being minors to them.

“Your eye’s gonna be swollen shut tomorrow,” she mumbled close to my face. Her mascara ran down her cheeks, but she was beautiful. A chaotic mess, maybe, but still beautiful.

“He looks worse though, right?” I asked with a lazy grin to lighten the mood.

She smiled. “Yeah, he looks horrible.” Then there she was starting to sniffle again. I sighed and pulled her close. I made her sit down in the passenger side seat and bent down in front of her. “It’s over. I’m taking you home.”

“Why do guys want to own me?” she asked. “Why do they think no means yes?”

“Maybe you should stop looking for love in all the wrong places,” I gave her the harsh reality. “You’re only seventeen.”

“Don’t. I already know you’re better than me.”

“Emily.” I grabbed her hand. “Stop.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “Your mom’s gonna kill you when she sees your face.”

I winced at her words because I hadn’t thought about that. Now that the adrenaline was gone, I felt slightly foolish for what I did, but not enough. The anger was still bitter in my mouth. I wanted to do it all over again every time I caught the colors lined all around her neck.

“It’ll be okay.”

“You’re right,” she told me. “I need to stop running to every guy that gives me attention. I don’t need sex or love—guys suck at those things, anyway.” I grinned at her. “I have you. I’ll always have you, right?”

“Right,” I never wasted a breath.

“Safe.” She smiled.

“Safe?” I frowned.

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