Page 106 of Howl for Me
“Too fucking late.” Hector’s voice hits like a whip. He steps around the corner. His glare is straight fire as he walks up, jaw clenched so hard I swear I hear teeth grinding.
“What the fuck was that, Johnny?” he barks.
He’s in my face before I can answer. “I told you not to fuck up, and you fucked up in a big way. You want to ruin everything we’ve been working for? Huh?” I open my mouth, ready to defend myself, but Cassidy steps forward.
“It wasn’t his fault.”
Hector turns, mid-rage, as she continues. “That guy, Hugo, followed me into the bathroom. He tried to force himself on me. Johnny stopped him. He saved me.”
Silence.
Hector blinks, his jaw loosening. Then he exhales and turns to Cass. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” His voice drops, suddenly respectful. “I’ll make sure Hugo’s dealt with. Immediately.”
I don’t miss the flash of feral behind his eyes when he says it. He turns back to me, sighs, and shakes his head. “One moreshot, Johnny. That’s it. You better show up on time for the shoot tomorrow. And you better be fucking perfection. You hear me? If it weren’t for Cassidy sticking up for your sorry ass, I’d have tossed you tonight.”
Cass puts her hand on his arm. “He’ll be there. You can count on it.”
I swallow hard, still staring at her. I don’t deserve her. Hector narrows his eyes at me one last time, then jerks his chin toward the street. “Fine. Get the fuck out of here.” He walks away and I reach for her.
“Come with me.”
She blinks, caught off guard. “It’s okay. I can get a ride.”
“Cass,” I cut her off, softer this time. “Please.”
She hesitates, eyes flicking to Naomi like she needs permission. Naomi’s already a step ahead.
“I’ll catch a ride,” she says, like its nothing. “Go.”
Cass still looks confused, but after a long pause, she walks toward me and we get in the car.
The ride is silent, unbearably silent. I grip the wheel tighter than I should. I keep glancing over at her, but she’s looking out the window. “I’m sorry,” I finally say.
She doesn’t say anything back. And I hate it. Not her silence, just not knowing what she’s thinking. Not knowing if I ruined everything by being who I am. We get to my place, and as soon as I unlock the door; she walks in like a ghost.
“I just need to lie down,” she mumbles, already moving down the hall.
But I can’t let her go. Not yet. I catch her wrist and pull her gently toward me.
“Cass…” I say, and when she turns, I cup her face in my hands. Her skin’s warm, soft beneath my fingers, and it only makes the tightness in my chest worse when I look at her lip. It’s not as badas I feared, but it doesn’t matter. I saw him touch her all night. I heard her cry out. I should’ve killed him.
“I’m sorry I didn’t ask you to come with me,” I say, my voice low. “I just assumed you would. I assumed you’d be there…with me. That wasn’t fair.”
She nods, but still won’t look at me.
I tilt her face slightly, eyes searching hers. “Cass… look at me.”
Her gaze finally lifts and I feel it; that static pull between us. The invisible current, too strong to ignore.
“I’m sorry,” I say again. “For all of it.”
“It’s okay. Really.”
It’s not. But she says it like she means it. I’m still holding her face, and her lips are right there, parted just enough for me to notice how wrecked she looks, how exhausted and beautiful and untouchable she feels in this moment. I don’t want it to end. I don’t want to pull myself from the way she’s looking at me right now. This is going to change everything, but…fuck it.
“Can I kiss you?” I ask, because I won’t make another mistake with her. Not this time. She looks at me, then at my mouth. Then back at me.
“Yes,” she whispers.
