Page 47 of Driftwood Daffodil 3

Why couldn’t he drop this?

“My choice in men is none of your business, Chuck.”

That should’ve been it. But unfortunately, Chuck had a modicum of intellect in that jock brain of his. Who knew?

“I don’t think he wasyourchoice at all.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” I rolled my eyes and stuffed my books in my locker. “It was my choice.”

It was also my suggestion. I could’ve said no. Gio even warned me against it, which I kind of wished I’d paid more attention to now, but it was done. I could live with my fate as long as Kato lived. I might not be able to say the same for Chuck if he didn’t let this go.

“I’m not as easily fooled as you think.”

I begged to differ. There were plenty of times I’d fooled him.

Chuck grabbed my arm, and spun me around to face him. “He forced you into this, didn’t he?”

“Why would he do that?” It was a fair argument. Gio was a good looking guy, he could have whoever he wanted.

“So he could fuck with your brother.”

Okay, that was also a fair argument. “Look Chuck, I don’t need your approval.”

He would never back my decision, because he couldn’t understand it. Chuck’s parents were loving people, who came to every game to show their support. They even cheered on Memphis in his ridiculous mascot costume. When had he ever had to sacrifice anything in his perfect little life?

Chuck’s eyes dipped down. “How’d you get the bruises on your neck, Nova?”

Well, if he was going to point out the obvious…

“Maybe, I like it rough.”

“You barely let Simon kiss you, and you expect me to believe that you willingly slept with Gio?”

That was hardly the same thing. Simon tried to eat my face when he kissed me, and Gio… well, he might actually want to eat me. He looked at me like he did. But that was beside the point.

“I like it when Gio touches me.”

Son of a bitch, I did. Fuck.

Chuck slapped his hands down on the lockers beside me, caging me in and hissed, “I don’t believe you.”

Before I could say a single thing in response, an all too familiar voice boomed down the hall.

“I’d step away from her if I were you.”

Chuck, Memphis, and I all twisted our heads to see Gio and his two cronies marching down the hall. Any chance I had of de-escalating the situation went out the window when Chuck opened his mouth.

“Or what?”

Damnit Chuck, don’t poke the bear.

“Or I’ll break your fucking arm.” Gio stopped and crossed his arms as if daring Chuck to test him.

And Chuck was more than happy to rise to the challenge. “Go ahead and try.”

A crowd gathered in the hall, while Memphis and I exchanged worried glances.

The situation was tense, to say the least. Gio was big, but so was Chuck, and they were both athletic. I honestly couldn’t say which one would win in a fair fight. The operative word being fair, which judging by the sparkle in Atlee’s eye, was not how things would go down. Not to mention, there were other factors like guns and Gio’s bloodlust to take into account. I had to do something.

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