Speak Low (Speak Easy 2)

“How much do you need?” His eyes were serious.

“You’re not giving it to me.”

“I didn’t offer anything. I just asked how much.”

Tipping back the last swallow of my whiskey, I set the glass down next to me and leaned back on my hands again. “It’s not just tuition. I feel like there are so many things weighing me down. I want more freedom. I want to move out of my father’s house. Get my own place and start living, you know? I’m tired of feeling as if I’m waiting for my real life to start.”

Joey nodded but said nothing. He finished his second drink and propped his arms on his wide-spaced knees, looking straight ahead. When he finally spoke, the words stunned me. “Come with me.”

“What?” I couldn’t possibly have heard that right.

He looked at me over his shoulder. “Come with me. To Chicago.”

“Why would I go with you to Chicago?”

“You said yourself you wanted to get out of your pop’s house. I’m offering you that chance. You could go to school in Chicago. It would be like going away to college or something.”

“That’s nuts, Joey! I can’t afford that! Where would I live?”

“With me.”

“With you!”

“We could find an apartment.”

“Together?” I picked up my whiskey glass, found it empty, and tipped it to my lips anyway, hoping to suck up any miniscule drop left at the bottom.

“Why not?”

“Why not? I’ll tell you why not. Because we’re not—” Frantically I moved my hand back and forth between us. I didn’t even know how to put it.

“We don’t have to be. I just want you away from here, away from people who…put you in danger. I want you safe, that’s all.”

Suddenly something clicked. “No, you don’t.”

“What?” Now it was Joey’s turn to be surprised.

“You don’t care if I’m safe. You’d be doing the same things down there you’re doing up here. I’d still be around the same kind of people breaking all the same laws. You just don’t want me to be with him.”

Joey shook his head. “That’s not true! I’m offering to take you away from all the crummy things weighing you down. I’m offering you a chance to start living your life for you, like you said!”

“Bullshit!” I jumped up. “You’re just jealous!”

Joey popped to his feet too, fists clenched at his sides. “He doesn’t care about you!” he roared. “You’ll never be anything more to him than a good time!”

“Which is more than you can say, isn’t it? And that’s really what we’re talking about. You’re mad because he got something you want.” I poked him in the chest.

Joey breathed hard, his brown eyes flashing with angry fire. “Maybe he did.”

Those three words stunned me silent. It was the closest he’d ever come to admitting he felt anything for me, and I had no idea how to react. Weren’t you at least supposed to kiss the girl if you were asking her to run away with you?

Before I could speak, Joey went on. “This is the only time I’ll make this offer, Tiny. I want you to come with me, but I won’t ask you again. You have to tell me tonight.”

I narrowed my eyes at him and cocked my head. “An ultimatum. How romantic.”

He pressed his lips together. “Forget I asked.”

The fight left my body. “Come on, Joey, can’t we at least—”