Page 83 of Breathless

It takes me a second to realize I’m feeling shame. Shame that I took her that hard. She was practically a virgin ten minutes ago, and I mounted her like a damn animal. I lost all restraint. Like when I came on her tits at the coast. Not my proudestmoment.

Well, that’s a lie. I liked marking her and seeing the evidence. Liked it quite a bit. But it feels wrong to do this to my sweet Jojo. Even if she tells me it’s okay and she likesit.

Scrubbing my face, I let out a curse. Truthfully, I could really use a brother-to-brother chat with Ethan. Though I’m not sure how to bring this up. Just add that to the whole host of things I need to talk to himabout.

The worst part is he would know exactly who I’m talking about, and I’d rather have my nails pulled out with a rusty plier than share details about what Jo and I do inbed.

I’m filling the tank at the gas station when a familiar car pullsin.

“Hey, man.” I lift my chin to Patrick, who gives me a weirdlook.

He comes over and shakes his head, but doesn’t sayanything.

“What’s your deal? You pissed about something?” I haven’t seen him since we got back from the coast Sundaynight.

“Why’re you messing with Joey when you got some chick on theside?”

I frown. “What are you talking about? I don’t have anybody on theside.”

He rolls his eyes at me. “Samantha? Ring a damnbell?”

I still, my heart thudding in my chest. “How do you knowSamantha?”

“So youdoknow her? Red head. Legs for days. Tits likemelons.”

Christ. This guy. “What about her? We’re friends.” Sorta. “And what does this have to do withJoey?”

“Just had a really interesting conversation with Samantha on Monday, and she was surprised to hear you’ve been boning Joey when you’re supposed to be withher.”

What the hell? I grab him by his T-shirt. “You have no clue what’s going on here, and before you go spreading some nasty rumor about the people involved here, I need you to think long and hard first. Because if you tangle up Joey in some bullshit that hurts her, I swear to God, I will kick your ass until there’s nothing left. You hearme?”

I push him off, and he stumbles away and mumbles, “I hear you, but I’m not sure I believeyou.”

“I’m not fuckingSamantha.”

Still shooting daggers my way, he sniffs. “I’d just hate to see Joey get her heart broken because you can’t keep your dick in yourpants.”

“And I’d hate to see your mouth get broken because you can’t keep it closed. This is the last time I’m gonna say it, I’m not stepping out on Jo. I made you a promise I wasn’t gonna hurt her, and I meant it. That girl is my entireworld.”

Sliding in the truck, I slam the door shut while talking myself out of running over Patrick. I get that he has feelings for Joey and has a wild hair up his butt as a result, but there’s no excuse for the shit he’ssaying.

My fingers fly over my phone as I send a text to Samantha. I can’t figure out if she’s really telling people we’re together, or if Patrick was talking out hisass.

With one more errand to run for the day, I try to focus on my job and head for the lumber yard to pick up a delivery for my brother. As soon as I’m done with this, I can finally get back to Jo so we cantalk.

All of a sudden, my phone starts blowing up. I don’t recognize the number, but the person calls back three times in arow.

When I answer, I listen to the frantic voice on the other end for only seconds before my blood runscold.

35

Joey

Despite how angryand hurt I am with my brother, I manage to get my act together enough to pick up the wedding supplies for Tori. With a truck full of votive candles and hair accessories for the wedding, I head back to Logan’s house and crawl into bed. Rambo must sense how upset I am because he curls up on my neck andwhimpers.

Silent tears fall when I think of my messed-up family. In some ways, I know Silas never stood a chance. Our father was a grade-A asshole who roughed us up, cited scripture when he was good and high, and only thought of himself. My mother was a saint for putting up with his bull. Or afool.

In some ways, I understand why Silas hates the Carters. They were everything our family wasn’t. Loving. Financially stable. Respected. And they always loved up on us like we were theirs. But Silas doesn’t know how to acceptlove.

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