GAGE

33| f u c k y o u

I have no choice but this one. I can't let that boy go to jail. I won't.

I take the packet from my car and log into Rich's credit card account on the cash machine my the front desk.

Deducting exactly thirteen thousand dollars, it seems like forever until all of the money is out.

Sweat begins to form on my forehead and I quickly swipe my sleeve across my face.

I can hear the bass of my heart that's about to explode.

"Here, thirteen thousand dollars." I slam the cash on the surface. She counts it before taking the keys out of a drawer and walking us back to the cell.

"He would be on probation if we knew his name." I don't know if she's trying to joke, but I squint at her.

She looks away and when we get to the cell, Gage is in a different position on the ground. There is a bench for a reason.

He looks up when he hears me. The lady jingles the keys in the hole and opens the bars. I look at the ground as Gage stands and walks out. He ignores everything that I say to him as we go to my car.

"Thanks, I guess." He mumbles.

"So what happened?" I tap my fingers in my lap. I refuse to start the car until he tells me.

"I-" he starts.

"And don't say you got into a fight." I interrupt.

"Why do you even care anyway?" He dodges my question.

"Why is it so hard for you to see that someone actually cares about you?" My voice seems louder due to the small space in the car.

"No one does." He scowls.

"I do. I care!" My chest begins to heave.

"This is why I didn't want you to get so close to me! Because I didn't want to have to go through losing someone else and putting you at risk. You can't be around me anymore." His voice booms through the car.

He breathes for a few seconds, "You're gonna get hurt."

"I just spent thirteen fucking thousand dollars getting you out of there and this is what you say to me? You want me to just go, huh? Stop... this?" I gesture to both of us.

"Whatever this is, it's done." He looks away from me.

"So because you're scared of me getting hurt, you're just going to end it all," I chuckle slightly and shake my head before running a hand through my hair, "wow."

"It's not that, it's just-" he begins.

I don't even want to hear what he is about to say to me.

"No! I get it, but I have one question before it's over. I don't know what this is exactly, but did you ever actually care about me, or was it just all for fun?" I try to look into his eyes but he looks above him.

He stays silent.

I'm such an idiot.

"Fine. Get out." I say calmly.

He doesn't move.

"Get the fuck out of my car!" I yell gripping the steering wheel.

He gets out rather slowly and stands in the street as I turn the car on.

Rich is going to kill me. One for steeling his money and two for skipping my job.

I can't believe any if this is happening. Before I know what I'm doing I'm out of the car and walking towards Gage leaning on the side of a building with his head in his hand.

He hears my heels clicking on the sidewalk and looks between his fingers. I take his hand away from his face, "No matter how pissed I am, I can't leave you here." I cross my arms.

"What did I just tell you?" He growls.

"What did I just tell you?" I tilt my head and squint my eyes.

Ever since I met Gage I've been such a pushover.

"I'm doing this because I care about you, Jo." He explains.

I chuckle, "Don't lie, now."

"Why can't you just tell me things?" I continue, shaking my head.

"I just can't." His jaw clenches as he speaks.

"That's just it though! You never can and you never do! I don't get it. I won't be your toy anymore, I won't let you just leave me and then come back for a fuck whenever you're bored!" I yell, clenching my fists at my sides.

"I-"

"No! You call me yours all the goddamn time, but how can that be when you only have me around to show on your arm?" I stop him, "You've got some fucking nerve using me like you are."

"I'm not using you!" He begins.

"Ah," I raise my finger to silence him, "What did I say about lying?"

"Why is it so hard for you to realize that someone actually cared about you?" He yells using my words.

I blink at him for a few seconds.

"You can't use my own words against me." I say blankly.

"If it applies, I can." He tilts his head mockingly.

"You know what, fuck you." I spit, "Fuck you and your fucked up life that I don't want to be in anymore. Fuck! Fuck your feelings -if you even have any. Fuck your bad attitude. Just–fuck. Fuck. You." I turn around sharply and stomp to my car. I don't give a shit anymore.

God help me.

I don't need a drink, I need ten.