“Fine.”
Johnny side-eyes me while he puts a burger on each of our plates. He puts the container of fries between them. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted onion rings or not, so I got them, too.”
“Thanks.” I walk over and hop onto the stool. I unwrap the napkin-covered utensils and set them both to the side.
“Do you want ketchup?” he asks me.
“Sure.”
He dumps the rest of the bag out, and a dozen packets flop onto the counter.
I force myself not to look at him in an attempt to not make eye contact. It’s obvious that things have been different since what happened to Jared and Steve, but he’s been secretive lately. With the box in the bedroom, and now the girl in the street. If he wanted me to know, he would tell me, and he clearly doesn’t. I thought we were past the whole keeping secrets thing. Haven’t we already been through enough together? Why does he feel like he can’t be honest with me about whatever is going on?
Does he not trust me?
I eat half of my burger in silence, shoving the occasional fry in my mouth here and there. If I wasn’t hungry, I would have already left, but hey, a girl’s got to eat. I poke the screen on my phone to light it up and see the time.
“I’m gonna head to class.” I point to the rest of my food. “Do you want this?”
“Claire.” Johnny grabs my arm gently and forces me to face him. “What’s wrong?”
I avert my gaze. “Nothing.”
He puts a finger under my chin and tilts it up toward him. “I know when you’re lying.”
The second I look into his eyes, I completely lose the ability to ignore him. That freaking connection we have just tugs at my heartstrings.
“You’re being distant.” It’s not the complete truth as to why I’m acting strange all of a sudden, but it’s a start.
He nods as if he understands. “I have a lot on my mind right now.”
Still doesn’t specifically explain any of the weird behavior.
“So do I,” I say defensively.
Johnny frowns and the fading cut on his lip reminds me of all he’s been through these last few months. Prior to that, he was doing this all alone.
I can’t help but think he’d rather go back to that than have to include me in his life. Maybe the newness has worn off and he’s not interested in our relationship anymore. He did warn me like five billion times that I shouldn’t get involved with him. Is this when he pulls the plug on us?
Tears well in my eyes, and I hate myself for the overwhelming emotions that I can’t control. I’ve been bottling everything up and now, with the idea of losing the one thing I thought was completely solid, I’m not sure how to hold it together. I take a deep breath to steady myself.
“Claire,” Johnny’s voice softens, and he pulls me into his arms.
It’s unexpected, especially with where my mind was taking me. Perhaps a pity hug?
“Hey, shh, what’s going on with you?” Johnny pats my back and kisses the top of my head. “Talk to me.”
“Are you breaking up with me?” I mumble into his shirt. “I mean…it’s not like we’re a couple or anything, but you know.”
Johnny quickly breaks apart from me, holding me at an arm’s length. “What? No, of course not. Why? Who said we weren’t a couple?”
I shrug and sniffle.
He continues to grip onto me and stares into my eyes. “Claire. I am telling you right now, we are more together than together can get, okay? Unlessyouend things, someone is going to have to pry my cold dead hands from you.”
My heart flutters at his declaration. “Really?”
“I swear it.” His serious gaze bores into me, like he’s trying to telepathically get me to understand how sure he is.