Page 170 of Driftwood Daffodil 2

His conviction was admirable, but he didn’t have a choice.

“Chuck,” Memphis reached out and placed his hand over his boyfriends. “Let it go. They’re just dating, that’s all.”

“Bullshit Memphis. Last week he was making her life hell, and now they’re a couple. Uh uh. I’m not buying it.”

“You should listen to you boyfriend, Chuckles.” Atlee piped in.

He had that look in his eye. The vacant stare that sent a chill up my spine when I asked about his mother.

“No one asked for your opinion manwhore.” Chuck spat back at Atlee before asking me, “Did he threaten you?”

“No.” I mean he did, but Gio threatened me all the time. It didn’t prove anything.

But I did have to say something to steer him in another direction. This road was dangerous, and as much as we disagreed, I didn’t want him to get hurt.

“I like him.” Was it wrong that for some reason that didn’t feel like a lie?

“Bullshit.” Chuck snarled.

“I’d be quiet if I were you.” Gio’s voice was eerily calm. I didn’t like it. “What we do is none of your business.”

Chuck raised his hand and pointed at me. “She, is my business. You can fuck off.”

The muscle in Gio’s jaw ticked, that’s when I started getting nervous.

“Chuck,” Memphis tried again. “Can we talk about this later?”

He tipped his head and shifted his eyes. “You knew about this, didn’t you?”

“I said we’ll talk about it later.” Memphis whispered.

“Really Memphis?”

It was my turn to try. “It’s not what you think.”

“No Nova, it’s exactly what I think.” Chuck shook his head at Memphis. “I can’t believe you. She’s your friend.”

After that Chuck pushed his chair back and left.

I could see Memphis crack, but I wasn’t in time to stop him. He jumped up and chased after Chuck, saying, “I couldn’t stop her. You know how she is.”

When Gio tensed beside me, I placed my hand on his thigh and plead with him. “Don’t. Please leave him alone.”

“He’s gonna be a problem.”

Fucking Darry.

“No he won’t.” I snarled at him. “I’ll talk to him. It’ll be fine.” I looked back at Gio and added, “I promise.”

Seconds felt like hours as time ticked quietly by. When he finally did speak, dread seeped into my bones.

“Fine, I’ll leave your friend alone, but we’re officially announcing our engagement this weekend.”

He could mean… “When you say official?”

“I mean we tell everyone.”

Fuck.

---