Otters

Chapter 13

I guess you could I say I was ticked.

For a few weeks, Jo and I have been "secretly dating," but she has yet to actually break up with Darien.

"Jo, c'mon. I feel like a side bitch," I swung around the corner as she walked towards the kitchen to make dinner for the two of us. Her mom had taken Charlie, her baby sister, to see Frieda's father. "Besides, you've admitted that you hate him." I leaned against the doorway.

Jo spun around on the balls of her feet and glanced up at me. "I know. I know. I'm sorry. He just scares me." She mumbled the last part.

"Well, I'll gladly tell him, after I beat the crap out of him first."

Jo rolled her eyes at me and stomped over to the pantry. "It's not that easy, Shane. You know that." She flicked her hair over her shoulder. She took a bowl out of the cupboard and placed it on the counter.

I stalked over and moved her blonde locks, leaned down, and planted a trail of kisses down her neck. "Please, Jo," I begged, my lips still pressed against her skin.

Jo huffed out a breath and turned around to face me. I stepped back to look at her. "I'll break up with him as soon as you quit smoking," she challenged, raising her eyebrows.

I pursed my lips. My hands were already antsy from withdrawal. "For how long?" I asked.

Jo seemed taken aback. "What do you mean for how long? You have to quit."

"But how long does it count if I quit?" I asked.

She pushed her glasses back up on the bridge of her nose. "Let's say you don't smoke a cigarette for a week and promise you won't ever have another ever and then I'll break up with Darien." Jo smiled.

I took a deep breath as I thought about it. "Fine. Deal."

Jo held her hand out to shake.

I laughed at the gesture. "Oh, honey, that's not how I seal a deal." I grinned as I cupped her face and leaned down to kiss her.

Jo pulled away. "That was nice," she cooed, her lips curling upward.

I chuckled and pressed my lips to hers again. "Was it now?"

Jo laughed as she jumped up on her tippy toes to reach me, wrapping her arms around my neck.

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"How's your end of the deal going?" Jo asked as she skipped up to my locker, her beautiful golden hair cascading down her back.

I repeatedly tapped the side of my leg. "It's hard, but I'm doing it. I mean I only have two hours left until you have to do your end of the deal." I leaned over to kiss her, but she jerked away.

"Shane, there's people around." She bit her lip.

I let out a breathy laugh. "Jo, c'mon. Nobody's watching."

Jo took another step backwards. "Not right now, Shane." She became shy and stared down at her feet. "Not right now."

I pursed my lips and took a step back, distancing myself from her. "Fine," I replied flatly. "I guess I'll see you tonight." I turned to leave.

Jo sighed. "No, Shane, wait. Shane, c'mon. I'm sorry."

I ran my hand through my hair and rubbed the back of my neck as I walked away. "Save it, Jo. I'll see you later." I clenched my jaw angrily.

After school ended, Jo and I had agreed to meet up at her place after school so that she could see if I had truly not smoked in a week. I reluctantly approached the door to her house. I turned around for a moment and noticed Darien's ugly red truck parked on the street. I felt the anger consuming me. I felt it swarm from my cheeks to my chest to my fists. I glared as I glimpsed through the window and noticed my Jo and Darien.