Page 20 of Always Love You More

“I didn’t say anything.”

“We need the money.” He glances over at me. “You think this is what I want to do?”

“I’ll get a job,” I interject.

“Your job is school.”

I throw out a hand. “It shouldn’t all be on you.”

“But it is, and you’re going to let me handle it, okay?”

“I don’t—”

“Bug,” he interrupts, and the childhood nickname softens me. “I’ve got this, really. I don’t want you to worry about it.”

“I just don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“It won’t,” he answers firmly.

I really want to believe him.

“So, Jameson treat you okay?” he asks, changing the subject.

I want to keep asking him about the job, about what he’ll be doing, but I know he’ll only brush me off. So, I give him the out he’s looking for.

“He was fine,” I answer.

“Then why do you sound pissed?”

I cross my arms over my chest. “I’m not.”

Well, maybe I am.And not just about my brother starting this job, but maybe a little bit about Jameson, too.

Johnny scoffs. “Yeah, all right.” When I don’t say anything, his voice hardens. “Seriously, do I need to have a talk with him?”

“No.” I fidget. “He just …”

Johnny goes still. “He just what?”

“He didn’t hurt me, okay?” I drop my hands. “I’m fine. You don’t have to go all overprotective.” I shake my head. “It’s stupid.”

“Tell me.”

I turn to look out the window, embarrassed that this even bothers me at all.

“Sam?” he prompts.

“I don’t know …” I hesitate. “I thought maybe he liked me … or liked talking to me. He was nice, actually. I mean, after the stuff I’ve heard about him, I didn’t think he would be. But then his dad came in, and he changed. He acted like I was barely there, and then he just left. I thought he would come back, but he never did.”

Johnny visibly relaxes. His words come out tentative, like he’s not quite sure how to deal with the side of me that has emotions. “Jameson’s dad—”

“I know.”

“No, let me finish,” he says. “You need to be careful around him. I saw how he treated Jameson, and if what I saw is how he treats him in front of a stranger, I don’t want to know what he does behind closed doors.”

I tense.

“The guy uses mind games. Always has to be the one in power.” He looks over at me. “Don’t think how Jameson acted in front of him has anything to do with you.”