“I should walk you out.”
Memphis had been following me around all afternoon. It was getting kind of creepy.
“I’ll be fine,” I closed my locker door and slung my backpack over my shoulder. “Why don’t you go stalk your boyfriend, he’s probably all nice and sweaty.”
I assumed that was why Memphis went to all of Chuck’s practices. He claimed to like the game, but I knew more about sports than he did. And I actively went out of my way to avoid them.
Memphis crossed his arms. “My sweaty boyfriend can wait.”
“I said that once. Then Cindy found Simon.”
“Don’t change the subject,” Memphis sneered. “This is a serious problem, Nova.”
“I agree. But Cindy has stuck worse things in her mouth.” I couldn’t think of any examples right now.
“Need I remind you that you were attacked this afternoon?”
I was well aware of that. The bruises on my neck reminded me every time I turned my head. How I was going to explain them to Maw Maw, I hadn’t figured out yet.
“I’ll be fine.” I repeated when Memphis started following me down the hall.
Gio was more bothered by our shared school status than I was, which gave me a new appreciation for St. Agatha’s. Besides, what could he possibly do to me that I hadn’t already done to myself? Hit me? Big deal. I wrestled a gator in my underwear– or so I was told. Still couldn’t remember everything that happened at that party.
Memphis paused and glanced past me at the exit. “I can’t…”
Knowing where this was going, I decided to cut him off. “Listen, bodyguard of the century. I know the trek through the parking lot is a dangerous one, but I’ve got my safari gear. No lions are going to sneak up on my ass.”
“I’m more worried about the wolf.”
Wolf? I don’t know if I’d compare Gio Mancini to a wolf. Sure he was tall and intimidating with arms that could snap my neck with a flick of his wrists. And he did have this dark, menacing ‘I want to eat your face off’ glint in his deep jade eyes. But he was nowhere near furry enough to be compared to a wolf.
“You need to come up with a better animal than that.” I could cuddle with a wolf and not worry about being smothered by their hulking mass of muscle.
Memphis crossed his arms and cocked a brow. “Haven’t you ever heard of the wolf in sheep’s clothing?”
“I’m pretty sure Gio ate the sheep… and the wolf… and both their clothing.” He probably ate their families too after burning down their house.
“Nope,” he shook his head. “I’m walking you to your truck.”
My head fell back with a groan. “I told you I have my safari gear.”
“A three year old condom and pack of gum don’t count as safari gear.”
He said that now but when he was trapped in the forest with no food and nothing to collect fresh water, my gum and condom would start looking really good.
Ugh. “Will you just go and support your boyfriend already.” I threw my finger up in his direction. “Don’t make me get back together with Simon.”
Technically I hadn’t officially broken up with him yet. I’d been ignoring his messages for two days, so one would think he’d gotten the hint. Then again Simon wasn’t the brightest bulb. I once saw him try to eat a wax piece of fruit.
“You wouldn’t do that. The guy cheated on you.”
Did he have to point that out?
“You underestimate my stubbornness.”
It was a common mistake and one that he’d made a few times over the years. My championship title of worm eater proved that. That dare came from a book we read in second grade.How To Eat Fried Wormswhich by the way had no recipes in it for said dare.
“And you underestimate Gio Mancini.”
