Saint Nicholas by Jamie Deschain Page B

and snatch her away from you, but trust me. I see the way she looks at you, and when she says she’s not going anywhere, you better believe it.”
    I had to hand it to Mrs. Rossi, she was a hell of a mother. How anyone could turn their anger so quickly into a lesson about life blew me away. I wrapped my arm around Nicholas’s waist and looked up into his eyes, letting him know with just a glance that she was right. From the way he looked back at me, with one of his trademark doofus grins, I could tell he felt a little stupid for overreacting in school earlier, but I loved him for it.
    I loved him. God, it felt so good just to think that, even though we’d had yet to say it to one another. I could tell though. From the way he looked at me to the extra lengths he went to just to make sure I was okay after something bad would happen at home; like the way he’d go gentle on me, rubbing my back or kissing me softly, it was obvious his feeling were just as strong for me as mine were for him. Despite everything that’d been happening, it only served to bring us closer together.
    “I got it, Ma,” he said.
    “Good.”
    “So can I still go to the movies tonight?”
    “Absolutely not.”
    “But Ma, I thought—”
    “You thought just cause I gave you a reason for your anger that everything was cool? Uh-uh, you do the crime, you do the time, pal. Sorry, Sarah.”
    “It’s okay, Mrs. Rossi. I get it.”
    “Smart girl. You could learn a thing or two from her, Nicky.”
    He walked me to the door with his arm still wrapped tight around me, apologizing for what happened and for not being able to make it to the movies.
    “I don’t wanna go if you’re not there,” I said.
    “Are you kidding me? Go, be a third wheel to Shakes and Angie. They’re downstairs waiting, anyway. Besides, it’ll get you out of the house.”
    He had a point. As much as I hated missing the film with him, anything would be better than sitting at home for the night with the threat of another beating looming over my head.
    I nodded, letting him know I’d go and that he wouldn’t have to worry about me. He kissed me, lingering against my lips for a while as we breathed each other in. The hairs on my arm stood up, and I felt the familiar tingling between my legs that happened whenever he was close. We’d yet to go all the way out of fear, but if this kept up, my fear would quickly turn to animalistic desire and I’d have no choice but to jump his bones.
    “I do love the way you kiss me,” I smiled.
    “I love the way you do everything,” he winked.
    “Yeah?”
    “Oh yeah.” His eyes lingered over my body, hungering for every inch of me. I could see it on his face and my nipples hardened from just the thought of him undressing me. I shuddered with delight and gave Nicholas one last hug before walking downstairs to meet up with Angie and Shakes.
    If I had of known that the next time we’d see each other I’d be lying in a hospital bed, I would’ve kissed him one last time.

    * * *

    “You know he’s totally nuts about you, right?”
    Angie and I stood in front of the bathroom mirror before the movie. Shakes was getting us snacks at the concession stand, and though I felt kind of bad for him having to pay for everything, I enjoyed my time alone with the girl who’d quickly become my new best friend next to Nicholas.
    She was tall and thin, with two-toned hair the color of fire and ice that contrasted blazingly against her mocha skin. Long, thick lashes brought out her auburn eyes, and when she smiled it was with lips that were always a different shade of red every time I saw her.
    “How do you know?” I asked, leaning against the bathroom counter, trying to pucker my lips like she was doing.
    “You kidding me? I’ve never known Nicholas to have a violent bone in his body, but the way he pounded on that guy today? Why do you think we call him Saint Nicholas? Man, he’s got it bad for you.”
    “His mom said it’s just his own