Free Embracing Life by Nicky Jayne Page A

done it. I knew Mike would go mental if he found out, and I deserved everything I got yesterday. I am just sorry that you had to witness it. Can we just drop it and move on? We only have a few days left here, and I don’t want to make them difficult for you.”
    Now, I’m pissed. I am not a child for Christ’s sake. I can make my own decisions. Neither Mike nor Josh will make them for me. Snapping my body away from his grip, I glare at him, silently praying he cannot see them emotion welling up behind my eyes.
    “No, Josh. We can’t just forget. Are you serious?! How I am supposed to move on from that? You and Mike went all caveman over me yesterday, and I want to know why!” I demand, stomping my foot to make my point. This does nothing to him. He doesn’t react. He is unmoved from my little temper tantrum, and it pisses me off even more. Instead, he smiles and cracks out a fully belly laugh. Apparently, I said something funny. What it was is beyond me at this point. I don’t even remember half the things I said to him.
    “Caveman?” he says, his face going soft. I can see he wants to burst into laughter; his smug face gives him away.
    “Really, Mel? Did you really just call me a caveman? That is the funniest thing I have heard in a long time. Nice metaphor.”
    “Yes, I did, and now you are acting like a complete idiot,” I snap.  A smile creeps across my face as I watch him laugh. I love to see him smile. Every muscle is alive in his face, bringing out the real person locked away within the façade known as “Josh.”
    Realizing my smile is noticeable to him, I turn sharply with the intention of moving around the car to get in it. Time to end this conversation. I don’t think I will get what I am looking for today or any other day for that matter. Taking a step, I am halted in place by the strong but gentle grip of his hand. I cannot bare to look at him. I hang my head low, trying to rein in my emotions.
    “Hold up, Mel. Don’t get your panties in a knot. Let’s talk. You wanted this, and I am open. I am sorry I laughed, but babe, you are just so funny with the way your eyes light up when you get angry. The sound of your laugh holds me hostage. Talk to me, Melanie. I want to hear what you have to say.” Babe? Did he just call me babe? He wants me to talk, but all I want to do is yell. I want to scream at him for allowing Mike to influence him. I want to scream to high heavens and thump my fists into his chest for his ignorance.  Pulling myself from his grasp, I turn and snarl.
    “Why Josh? Why now?” I can feel the anger bubbling in my chest. I don’t know how much longer I can keep this amount of frustration bottled up. There is something about Josh that infuriates the hell out of me, and from the look he is giving me right now, I am pretty sure he feels the same way.
    With each passing second, the anger boils and boils, threatening to spill over at any moment. Still no answer. He is just staring at me. He must think I am telepathic or something.
    “Why Josh?” I yell, slamming my bag onto the hood of my car. I am done being patient. What was supposed to be a chat has pushed me over the edge in record time. Why will no one give me the truth? Why won’t they be honest with me?
    Looking up from me, he glances at the students lingering around. They are not paying much attention to us. So why they are bothering him, I don’t know. I will not allow them to be a distraction. I want answers.
    “Mel,” he whispers, keeping his eyes fixed on the bodies behind us. “Let’s talk somewhere else.”
    I don’t know where it came from, but I lose it. Grabbing my bag from the hood of my car, I, ranting and raving, make my way over to his truck.
    “Melanie, slow down.” is all I hear before I turn around, swinging my bag with me. I don’t know if I intended on hitting him, but at this point, I really don’t give a rat’s ass.
    “Calm down, Mel. You are making a scene. You really want to be part of the