Chapter 54: Unveiling Family Connections

I let Kate talk to Johnny for the rest of lunch, adding in the occasional question or answer when I needed to. He was actually a nice guy. It would have been easier if he was an jerk, then that way I would be able to brush him off and not feel like a piece of crap about it after. I showed him to his classes and he sat next to me when he could. When the bell rang for the end of the day I breathed a sigh of relief.

"So are you headed straight home?" Johnny asked, smiling, as we walked to my locker.

I shook my head. "No. I need to wait for Jake and Liam to be finished with their practice."

"Yeah, what does Jake play?" he asked curiously.

"Ice hockey."

"Cool. You know, I could give you a ride if you want," he offered. "My mom and Stephen bought me a wicked car for my birthday," he added, smiling broadly. I felt my heart sink at the sound of his name again, the way he used it in casual conversation scared the crap out of me.