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“Okay,” I agreed, tone breathy. “I understand.”

Feeling like my world had once again shifted beneath me, I watched as Johnny walked stiffly back to his locker, slung his schoolbag over his shoulder and then grabbed his crutch before returning to me.

“Shouldn’t you be leaning on that?” I asked when he slung an arm around my shoulder and led me back toward the third-year wing, aimlessly twisting the metal stick around in his hand like a baton twirler.

“It slows me down,” he admitted, drawing me closer to his side.

“For good reason,” I replied quietly, stopping outside my designated classroom. “Because you’resupposedto slow down, Johnny.”

“So this is what having a girlfriend’s going to be like?” he teased, but thankfully set his crutch down. “You bossing me around the place and telling me what to do?”

“No.” I blushed. “I’m just saying that you were given a crutch for a good reason.”

“Yeah, I know.” Sighing, he released his hold on me and turned to face me. “So, listen, I wanted to ask you about how things were going at home, but I got all caught up in the moment.”

At the mention of home, I felt the tension build back up inside of me. “My dad’s still gone,” I said quietly. “If that’s what you meant.”

“No sight of him?”

I shrugged. “Not by the Gardaí.”

“Shite.” Johnny expelled a frustrated growl. “It’s been more than two weeks. How the hell have they not found him by now?”

“It’s okay.” I shrugged, feeling myself grow more rigid at the thought of my father. “I’m not expecting any miracles.”

“No,it’snot okay,” he shot back in a passionate tone. “Butyouwill be.”

“Yeah.” Shivering, I stepped into his embrace, pressing my forehead to his chest. “Maybe I will.”

“Can we do something after school today?” he asked then, nuzzling my hair with his cheek. “Can you come home with me?”

God, I wish.“No.”

“No?” He stared down at me. “If this is because you think my folks don’t want you at the house, then you’re wrong, Shan.”

“Darren’s picking me up,” I reluctantly told him. “Apparently, he’ll be driving me to and from school from here on out.”

Growling, he dropped a hand on my lower back and pulled me closer. “I fucking hate this.”

Closing my eyes, I just sagged against him, body coiled tight with tension. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t say ‘sorry,’” he said, smoothing a hand down my back. “It’ll be okay. I’m getting stronger. I’ve been doing all my physio and shite. Once I get my car back next week and I’m back on the road, it’ll be easier.” He growled when he said, “I’ll be breathing down their necks like their worst fucking nightmare.”

“I’m sorry about how they spoke to you,” I blurted out. “It was so wrong.”

“Shan.” He sighed. “Don’t even worry about it.”

“But Iamworried about it.”

“I know you’re scared, but I’m not, and I’m not worried, either,” he replied gruffly. “I don’t care if your entire family doesn’t like me.Letthem. I’m only interested inyouliking me because I only care aboutyou.”

“Joey likes you,” I croaked out.

Johnny smirked. “Yeah?”

I nodded. “And he doesn’t likeanyone.”

“Good to know I have big brother’s approval.” Johnny chuckled. “Oh yeah, I almost forgot—” Shoving a hand into his pocket, he dragged out a pricey-looking mobile phone. Aside from being pink in color, it was identical to his black one. “Do you have my phone?” he asked, tapping on the screen of the pink one in his hands.

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