Page 9 of Paradox
Jintae raises his chin just enough to look up at me through his eyelashes. “It’d be easier for you to just kick me in the head.”
“Don’t give me any ideas.”
“It looked like half the shop was dumped on the sidewalk when I drove past.” I force the sole of my boot against his shoulder, but his body is far more rigid than it was earlier. “Do it,” he taunts.“Teach me whatever lesson you think I deserve. God knows you’ve been wanting to do it for years.”
“Your mouth’s too smart.”
“Your head’s too big.” This time I make sure he lands on his back, but now he’s the one laughing at me. “Is that all you’ve got?”
“How much do you want?”
“Let me stay and you’ll find out.”
“Goddamn, Jintae. What the fuck are you talking about?”
With a deep breath, he stands. “You know I’ll do anything.”
“Except fucking leave.”
“That’s not an option.”
“I’m getting my keys.”
I’m only one step inside the cabin before Jintae is clenching my arm with both hands. “Whatever you want, I’ll do it.”
“Don’t touch me.” I try to shake him off but he doesn’t budge, so I throw my phone onto the sofa and pry him off with my free hand. Then, it’s only quick, but I see his eyes dart towards my phone, and without thinking I grab onto him with both hands.
“Why doyouget to keep touchingme?” he strains, trying to get away.
“Because this is my fucking house, and I want to be left the fuck alone!”
“Tell me why?”
“This isn’t storytime. It’s you getting the fuck out of my face, time.”
“Do you think you’re clever for that one?”
“My god, do you hear yourself? Your mouth has always been ten times too big for this runt body of yours. Is it any wonder Tek and I couldn’t stand to be around you?”
“At least I’m not a bully. The only reason you and he were friends to begin with is because all the other kids were scared of him, too.”
“You weren’t even born, smart ass.”
“Gossip never dies in a small town.”
Moving Jintae like a rag doll, I swing my left hand and whip the back of it across his face. His neck cracks, and I shake him until he looks at me again. “Would a bully do that?”
“You just hit me!”
“But a fist would have knocked you out.”
“You’re insane.”
“You have no idea.”
“Is that why she fucked him?”
Time stands still as each of his words slices at a different part of me. Then he’s flying across the dim, freezing cabin. His head whips back, but as he tries to roll onto his side, I’m already kneeling over him—one hand gripping his shoulder, prying him back around with my fist raised in the air.
