Page 78 of Be My First

“No.” He starts walking away from the restaurant.

“Put me down, you evil jailor.”

“No.”

He walks two blocks. I squirm the whole time, but it’s pointless to fight him, he’s much stronger than I am. When he finally sets me down, I push him.

“You’re a bully,” I say.

He shrugs. “I told Eli I’d watch out for you.”

I step closer to him and say, “And I told Eli that I’m an adult and don’t need a babysitter.”

I turn to head back to the bar, and he grabs my wrist again. “Seems like you do.”

“Bode.” I glare back at him.

“Let’s go home.”

I close my eyes. It’s not happening now, damn him. Justin is long gone thanks to Bode.

No need to drag this out. My body sags a little, and I nod. We start to walk back to the villa. He keeps his hand around my wrist like I’m a toddler who’s going to dart out in front of traffic. A tear rolls down my cheek. I shouldn’t cry in front of him. I really don’t want to cry in front of him, but once I start, I can’t stop.

He glances over at me. When he sees I’m crying, he stops walking and falls completely still.

“Why are you crying?” he asks, looking worried.

I wipe my eyes with my free hand. “Like you care.”

He blinks and then says, “I do.”

I let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t want to be a prisoner. I know my brothers love me, but...”

I start crying harder. His face falls – a look of guilt crosses over him.

“Is it really that bad not to be able to hook up with the slimiest slimeball you could find? Justin, really? I can tell you one thing – that guy is not good in bed.”

My jaw drops a little.

“He’s too selfish,” Bode responds. “You’re welcome. I saved you from a miserable hook up.”

I don’t know how to respond.

Bode continues. “This whole trip though? You’ve just been flirting with every sketchy guy you can find. I would have thought you’d have higher standards than that.”

I scoff. “Fuck you, Bode.”

His eye twitches just slightly, and I’m resolved not to back down. I stand up straighter. “What’s Keene doing right now?”

“I don’t know.”

“Exactly. No one knows. No one cares, but I can’t leave the house. I can’t make my own decisions. I can’t make my own mistakes.”

He points back toward the bar. “You’ve got to see that’s dangerous.”

“There’s nothing wrong with Justin. We’ve spent all week with him. I know you feel threatened for some dumb reason, but he’s fine.”

He holds my gaze for a minute and then sighs, “He’s not a good guy. I should have told you this sooner.”

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