Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 68066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
But in the end, it didn’t matter.
I was here for him, nonetheless.
Takin’ off my heels, I stepped onto the threshold like he showed me before. Reachin’ for the branch to grab to pull myself up. Makin’ sure I held on really tight. The last thing I wanted was to plummet to my death, or even worse, rip my new dress.
As if readin’ my mind, Jackson hissed, “The fuck, Gremlin?”
“Well, why don’t you help me, so I don’t fall?”
“What other choice did you leave me, you brat?” He reached for my arm and I gripped onto his hand. In less than a second, I was standin’ in front of him, unprepared with what to say or do.
I didn’t really think about this part. I went with what felt right, hopin’ he would think it was too.
“What are you doing here?” he snapped in the same vicious attitude. Nothin’ new.
“I’m here for you.”
He narrowed his eyes at me, just as confused as I was with what I said.
“I didn’t ask you to come up here.”
“You didn’t have to.”
Jerking back at my response, he followed it up with, “I don’t want you here, Harley.”
I didn’t hesitate in replyin’, “Yes you do, Jackson.”
“The only thing I have to say to you, Gremlin, is you need to learn how to mind your own fuckin’ business. How many times do I have to tell you? I’m sick of this bullshit.”
“Why do you do that?” I muttered under my breath. “Why do you always push me away when you’re hurtin’?”
“Fuck you, Harley.”
“I ain’t leavin’. You can use me as your punchin’ bag, be mean to me, scream at me. I’ll take it all, but after you’re done takin’ your anger out on me, I’ll still be here, cuz I care about you.”
His eyes glazed over. It was quick, but I saw it.
“Are you okay, Jackson? Did your father hit you? Your cheek is all red.”
“How do you know he’s here?”
“He called Skyler, sayin’ he fucked up. Is that what he did? Is that why you’re up here hidin’?”
“I’m not hiding.”
“Alone then.”
“I’m not alone anymore. You’re here, being a pain in my ass.” He abruptly turned, sittin’ back down on the middle of the roof.
Followin’ his lead, I quickly sat down next to him.
“I’m sorry your dad hit you, but you know he didn’t mean it. He loves you. He’s just hurtin’ cuz of your mom.”
“I don’t want to talk about it, Harley.”
“Okay,” I nodded. “We can just sit here and look at the sky.”
To say I was shocked when he stated, “I’d like that,” and leaned into my embrace would be an understatement.
We stayed there for I don’t know how long.
Waitin’ for I don’t know what.
<>Jackson<>
Fuckin’ Gremlin.
This day, this night... it went from one thing to another. I couldn’t keep up with it anymore. I never expected him to be here, let alone her.
Why was she here?
Why did it feel right?
Why was she dancing with Cash?
My head was pounding, a splitting headache wreaking so much havoc on my mind I could barely see straight. The sting on my cheek didn’t help the throbbing in my brain.
I could smell Harley’s strawberry hair, her vanilla-scented skin, and cherry lip shit.
She was a beacon of smells, only fuckin’ with my other head.
“Did you like dancing with Cash, baby girl?”
It was her turn to jerk back, stunned I went there. “What does he gotta do with anythin’?”
“Everything. He clearly wants to fuck you.”
She gasped, glaring at me. “Take that back!”
“Fuck no.”
“Why do you do this?”
“Do what exactly? Tell you the truth. Like how ugly your dress is. I don’t know what surprises me more—the fact you think your body can actually fill it out, or your daddy letting you leave the house wearing it.”
“You’re just bein’ an asshole to get me to leave.”
“Is it working?”
“I saw you starin’ at me. I saw where your eyes went. You like my dress, you dick!”
“Staring at what? There’s nothing to look at. Try again once you grow some tits.”
Her mouth dropped open.
“What, baby girl? Want me to stick my tongue in there again?”
“Jackson... don’t do this.” She tried to hug me, but I couldn’t take the emotional turmoil anymore. I lost my shit on her. “I told you I didn’t want you here.”
“It’s too late for that! I’m here, and I wanna be.”
“Then what do I have to say to make you go away?”
“I left Cash to come here, didn’t I? For you.”
“That’s not good enough.”
“Will anythin’ ever be good enough for you?”
“Not when it comes to you.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“Harley, if you want me to kiss you, touch you, all you gotta do is ask. Putting on a slutty dress won’t make me want you.”
“It’s not a slutty dress! Trust me, I would know. You must have me confused with one of your cheerleadin’ brainless groupies.”