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He nods.
“Thanks,” I tell him.
He turns away, avoiding my gaze. “Don’t mention it.”
I hesitate for only another moment before I head to my room, closing the door behind me, and flicking the lock in place. If someone else is coming over and it’s not Brawler, I don’t want them to have access to me.
15
Sometime later, someone knocks on my door. Not my apartment door, but my bedroom door. I’d been staring at the ceiling after taking a nap, going through different scenarios based on what happened today, but never really finding myself a way out except for the way I’d already planned. I know I just have to sit back and play the game.
“Yeah?” I call out, taking the now warm ice pack off my forehead. My voice comes out all raspy like I haven’t used it in a while.
“Babe?”
My heart stills. I throw the covers off me and stand from the bed only to stare at the closed door. Johnny’s on the other side of that door. Immediately, I will myself to move forward to let him in. I flip the lock back over and peek out.
He smiles when he sees me. His gaze drops, scanning the length of me, making me acutely aware of the thin tank top and booty shorts I threw on right before I laid down a few hours go. “Oscar said he hadn’t seen you in a while.”
“Oscar?”
Johnny pushes through the open door. “He’s been outside.”
I run my hands through my hair, trying to make myself a little presentable. “I hadn’t realized.”
Johnny looks on this side of the door, inspecting my lock. Then, he just lets the door stay open without comment. Out in the apartment, the footrest is being raised on the lone recliner I have in there. Probably Oscar.
“Where are your guardians?” Johnny asks.
“Not around,” I tell him. “They never are.”
He cocks his head to the side, his gaze still sweeping over me like he can’t possibly just look me in the eyes when I’m dressed like this. “They just let you live alone?”
“Is it weird that they don’t care?” I ask defensively. “I thought that was normal, especially when you’re used to being a ward of the state.” Really, I just don’t want him snooping around in my background. It’s as airtight as I could get it, but I’m sure the Heights Crew has far greater resources than me. That’s why I have to get them to trust me.
“I just feel bad for my girl,” Johnny says, stepping closer to me. He cups my cheek with one hand and moves the other around my back, hand slipping under my tank top.
I shrug. “I like being alone.”
He pulls me toward him possessively. “I hope you don’t include me in that.”
I raise a smile toward him. “Of course not,” I say, heart beating. Confusion grips me. There’s only one reality, but I get so lost in the other sometimes.
A groan pours from him. His hand moves lower, squeezing my ass. “I can’t believe you were hiding this body away. Fuck me, Kyla.” His hand kneads my ass, and I stand completely still. “Your hair has this just-fucked look,” he growls.
“It’s called just waking up,” I tell him, smiling, so he knows I’m teasing. Or, at least, I hope he does. This is my attempt not to poke the beast. I can’t fight back when it comes to Johnny, so I don’t need to be on the other end of his anger either.
“Whatever it is, it looks amazing on you.” He edges his chin down, staring at my cleavage. My skin heats at his attention. “I wonder if I should take just one look…”
I swallow, my tongue sticking to the roof of my mouth. If he looks, I’m afraid he won’t be able to come back from it. He’s already threading a dangerous line. “Do you want to torture yourself?” I ask, pulling his hands away from me and stepping back. “I bet your father has eyes and ears everywhere,” I say, nodding toward the apartment. Yep, I’m throwing Oscar under the bus, but I don’t care. “What happens if you have me before your father says you can?”
This gives Johnny pause. Thankfully.
“Plus, I’ll be worth the wait.”
He takes a deep breath, resigning himself—I hope—that right now is not the time for where his mind was headed. After a few moments, he shakes his head. “I forgot the reason I came over here. Turn around. Let me see how you’re doing.”
“Oh,” I say, a little surprised that he would come over to check on me. I mean, he’s the one who put it there. “I put a Band-Aid on it,” I say, the lie feeling right on my lips. If Johnny knew Brawler was the one to do it, he wouldn’t be happy.