JessicaIf Mikey is awake, then I will force myself to be brave. I am so scared, but he was shot in the chest three times and almost died. If he could stand up to these bookies, then I can trust Damon’s guards and follow them to safety to see him.He deserves my bravery. I want to see him so badly….Damon grips my hand tightly as Jesse opens the hotel room door, taking his gun from the holster and checking the hallway, “It’s clear,” he whispers. “You two go ahead.” He says to Camden and the other man. Camden nods, and he walks down the hallway as Jessie leads us in the other direction.I’m pretty sure Jesse was flirting with me, but I can’t be bothered with any of that now. My boyfriend’s life hangs in the balance, and if I weren’t with him …I would be with Damon.I take a deep breath as Damon’s hand grips mine tighter; he turns around, looking into my eyes, “Just follow our lead,” he whispers, and I nod as I follow them both to the stairway. Jesse opens the door and makes sure it’s c

JessicaThe last few days have gone by slowly but so yet, so fast. Everything after the hospital is a blur. I will never forget the way Mrs. Clody screamed when the doctor announced Mike’s time of death- it was the same scream I made when I found out my parents were dead. It brought back so many painful memories, and today will only bring more.Today we say goodbye to Mike with all his other family and friends…I know there will be so many. He was truly loved. I am not ready for his funeral, but I have to go. I want to go…but I also know it will be hard. I still can’t believe Mike Clody is dead; it doesn’t feel real. He has been in my life since I was five years old and never significant until now, but now our moment is lost forever…“Are you okay?” Julie asks me as I run a comb through my hair one more time. I have done this several times already, but memories of him make me forget what I am doing. I just stand here in a daze as my heart aches…. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.“Yes,

JessicaI can’t believe how many people are here. Mike was popular in high school, but I went away to college. I had no idea he was this popular in the entire town. I see some of our old peers from high school standing among the large group, but I also see cashiers from the grocery store and even restaurant owners along with their staff. So many people have shown up today because Mike was that type of person; he was loved. The crowd is so diverse, showing that, and my heart aches…..“Now, Damon Ricci, Mikey’s best friend, would like to make a speech.” The preacher announces, and I hear Damon inhale deeply beside me. My eyes widen as Damon stands- I am unsure if he is in any condition to make a speech, but if anyone should, it should be him. He and Mike have been friends for many years now; BEST FRIENDS.Damon carefully watches his footing as he walks toward the podium where the preacher stood. His eyes stay on the ground till he arrives at the wood stand. He then turns around slowly

TabbyEverything comes down to this moment, this exact one that I am, but it didn’t have to. If only Damon hadn’t tried to play me as a fool. If only he hadn’t treated me so poorly…maybe I wouldn’t be destroying his family…. or her.When I dropped off that envelope to Jessica, I did it because I hated the way they looked at one another. The way he looked at her was the way I wished he would always look at me, but he never noticed me. He never wanted me, not like that.He looks at Jessica like she’s made of some sort of fragile, expensive glass. He acts like he’s afraid to break her, but I see the desire in both their eyes and the way they long for one another.I thought that by asking him to be my fake boyfriend, he would finally see my value. See me more than just a plaything or something he fucked, but that couldn’t happen, not with her around.The pictures were supposed to tell her to back off. I was hoping she would hate that Damon’s dad slept with her mother. I was hoping that sh

DamonHer hands wrap around my neck, and my heart instantly races. Things have been so weird between us since the funeral, but I am not giving up on us- not yet.She pulls back from me, her eyes meeting mine, and I can’t help but see just how beautiful she truly is. My hand goes to her cheek, and I touch her soft skin as she stares at me, my head coming closer to hers as my lips push against hers. I can feel her stiffen momentarily, but she doesn’t pull away. She returns the kiss, and my whole being shudders with pure delight- this has been what I have always wanted, but why did I try to deny it for so long?She pulls back away from me, her eyes showing fear. My fingers trace her soft lips, the essence of what she tastes like still on my tongue. She tries to get up, but I pull her back to me, “Jessica,” I say as I look deeply into her eyes, “This,” I pause, “This what was always meant to be,” I say softly, though I am pleading as I speak the truth.This has been a nonstop dance for b