Johnny & I : The Island by Daria Paus (hardest books to read txt) 📕

being watched. I turned my head and saw Rick and Casey, staring at us with a mix of confusion and amusement on their faces.

I turned back to Johnny, kissing the top of his head while doing my best to keep the tears from falling.

“They're ready,” I said. "Johnny?" He didn't answer. How long had I been lost in thought? Long enough for him to fall back asleep, it seemed.

"Marc is already on the boat,” Rick said.

It was pointless to ask for more time. It wouldn't make any difference. In fact, it would only prolong the misery.

I let my hand run over Johnny's hair one more time, then I moved away enough to wake him up.

“It's time to go," I said.

26

Harsh Reality

Their eyes were on me, and tried to keep my gaze locked on my hands. If I looked up, my face would give me away. Johnny had left for the bathroom, but he could just as well have left forever.

His absence reminded me of the inevitable, and I felt lonelier than ever—even under the scrutiny of Rick and Casey.

“So, tell me.” Rick’s voice snapped me back to reality. “What did you do to win his heart in such a short time?”

I looked up, staring at him. Rick laughed at my puzzled expression.

“He seems so close to you, like—” He shook his head as if he didn't know how to put it. “Like he’s known you forever.”

Despite the sadness that tore at my insides, I couldn’t help but smile. Rick was right. Johnny trusted me. I’d torn down his walls and broken through his defense in a way I was sure others had found little success. I didn't understand why he’d opened up to me. I suddenly didn’t know if getting to know him had been a good idea or a bad one. I knew too much; so many things I’d have to keep buried inside of myself, like it had been buried within him for so long.

It hurt. The things I knew—the things I wished I’d never known.

But it was too late for regrets. I loved him. I’d let myself fall for him and that alone was the biggest mistake I’d ever made.

“Brianna?”

“Hmm?”

Rick grinned.

“You didn't hear a word of what I just said, did you?”

I shook my head, and my cheeks flushed with heat.

“If you hadn’t been here, things could’ve gone down real bad. I think there’s a big chance you just saved Johnny’s life.”

Tears sprung to my eyes and a few slipped down my cheek before I could blink them away.

“We owe you,” Casey shot in. “Big time.”

Rick nodded. “Anything you want, it’s yours.”

I had a pretty good idea what they had in mind, but I didn't want any reward. I didn't want Johnny’s money. I didn't care about the spotlight or the fame that could be mine if the story spread about the mysterious farm girl who’d saved the actor’s life. I didn't want any of that.

I shook my head, wiping my eyes. “I don’t want anythin’.”

Johnny, the little voice added. You want Johnny.

I wanted to yell at it to shut up.

“If you ever change your mind.” Rick held out a business card and I hesitated, then took it. I’d never look at it, but at least I’d have one tangible memory of my chapter in Johnny’s life. Proof, if I ever started to doubt.

“Where is he by the way?” Casey asked. “Marc will come looking for us soon.”

A frown crept onto my face. Casey was right. Johnny had been gone too long. My mind immediately jumped to the worst-case scenario, and my pulse started to speed up.

“I’ll go.” I didn’t wait for their reply, and sprung to my feet and ran toward the bathroom.

My hand hesitated a few seconds before it knocked. “Johnny?”

Silence greeted me, and my fingers trembled as I turned the handle. The door didn't budge. I tried again, but it was locked.

“Johnny?” I called out. “It’s me, open the door!”

Chills ran down my spine and I tried to take a few deep breaths. “Can you hear me?”

The silence made me want to cry, and the next time I called his name my voice rose into a shout.

Rick and Casey came running.

“What’s going on?” Rick asked, eyeing the closed door. “Is he in there?”

I nodded.

Rick gave the door a few sharp raps. “Open up, man,” he called out.

Casey called his name. Rick tugged at the door, and I was trying not to fall apart from worry.

“What the fuck’s going on?”

We all turned to see Marc as he strode up to us. “Where’s Johnny?”

“In there.” Rick gestured to the door.

Marc sighed, and I could’ve sworn I saw a hint of worry flash across his face. He turned to the door, hitting his fist against it a few times. The sound made me want to press my hands to my ears.

“Open the fucking door.” He waited. “Open now or I’ll break it.”

I didn't take his warning seriously until the crash as his body slammed into the door made me scream out loud. The door flicked open, hitting the wall with a loud bang before bouncing back from the impact.

Marc was first to enter. I squeezed in before the guys had time to move. Scanning the room, my eyes landed on him as he sat on the floor, head buried into drawn up knees, and arms wrapped around them. He didn’t move, but his body trembled slightly.

“For God’s sake!” Marc snapped. “Get up from the floor. We're going home. Now.”

He reached out a hand, putting it on Johnny’s arm. “Come on.”

When Johnny still didn't move, he flung his arms out in frustration. “I thought we were over this.” He scoffed. “I should’ve realized.”

There was obviously a lot of history between those two that I knew nothing about, but the way Marc yelled at him broke my heart. How could he be so cold?

“It’s not the first time you’ve behaved like this,” Marc said. “You better not think what I think you’re thinking,” he