Page 110 of Always Love You More

“You want a cup?”

“I’m good,” he answers then lowers his voice. “Just wanted to check in; see how last night went.”

“Oh.” I bring the mug to my lips. “It was really fun.”

“Good.” He smiles. “You should be going out, having fun like that.”

“So should you,” I tell him. “You work too much.”

He ignores my statement altogether and asks, “How’s school going? How was that test you were studying for? What was it? Science?”

“History,” I correct. “And it was good.”

“Come on,” he says. “I can tell you aced it by your face.”

I roll my lips to hide a smile.

“Don’t be modest; what’d you get?”

I take another sip of my coffee before telling him, “A ninety-eight.”

“Couldn’t get a hundred?” he teases.

I shake my head, the smile I tried to hide breaking through.

“Promise me you’ll stick with it.”

“With what?”

“School,” he says. “You’re too smart not to graduate.”

Both him and my sister dropped out before they finished, and Johnny’s always made it clear he didn’t want that for me.

“You could even get a scholarship,” he adds.

I snort. “College?”

“Why not?” He shrugs. “If anyone could get out of here, it’s you.”

He says the words like he really means them. He’s always had more faith in me than I’ve had in myself.

I wonder what my life would be like if I didn’t have at least one person rooting for me.

“I promise,” I tell him. “I’ll graduate.”

“I’m gonna hold you to that.”

I nod before turning in search of something to eat. “I’m making your favorite for dinner tonight,” I say. “I thought we could—”

“Shit, Bug.” He rubs at his jaw. “I’ve got work tonight. Probably gonna be a pretty late one.”

“But it’s Saturday, the shop closes …” I catch the look on his face and realize how naïve I’m being. “Is Jameson going, too?”

He shakes his head.

“Do I need to be worried?”

“What have I told you, hmm?” He takes a step forward, “I’m always careful.”