Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“We’re here to protect you,” Principal Renner says. “They won’t get away with this.”
By the time Dad was able to leave work and come up to the school, I was much calmer. Principal Renner let me use his shredder to get rid of the pictures. It was satisfying to watch them all get destroyed.
Dad was pissed on my behalf, in which I was grateful. It was nice to be seen as someone who needs protecting rather than someone to be ashamed of.
I ended up leaving for the rest of the day, but not with Dad. Instead of going home, I went for a long drive to clear my head and then to Moonlit Gables to see Savvy.
“I really wanted baby snuggles,” I whisper. “Is nap time over yet?”
Savvy groans and shakes her head. “Not yet. Be quiet or I’m kicking you out.”
We both grin. I sip from the can of Dr. Pepper she gave me, relieved to see my friend after so long. She looks happy and in a really good place. What’s weird, though, is she’s in a relationship with both of her deceased dad’s best friends. Two men. I’ve wondered a lot about the sex stuff, and how it all works out for them, but I don’t think we’re there yet. One day, we’ll be back to basically being sisters and I’ll put my nose right where it doesn’t belong because I’m dying to know the schematics of their relationship.
My watch buzzes and I flinch. When I see who the text is from, I relax.
Theo: I’ll call you as soon as the bell rings in just a few. Need to see you.
“That’s a cheesy grin,” Savvy murmurs. “Who’s the lucky guy?”
At first, I worry she might judge me but then remember she’s sleeping with two men. Two. I wonder if the men touch each other too or just her. It’s fascinating.
“Take it to your grave?” I ask, eyebrow arched.
Her eyes flash with interest. “Duh.”
“His name is Theo,” I say, another smile tugging at my lips. “He’s so hot and sweet and protective.”
“But…” She sips on her Dr. Pepper as she waits for me to answer.
“He’s my teacher.”
She nearly chokes on her soda. “What? The one you got in trouble over?”
My face burns hot. “No, a different one at my new school.”
“At Brown? What’s his last name? Tell me he’s not married. If it’s Coach Long—”
“It’s not Coach Long. Mr. Langford and he’s divorced. He’s new this year.”
She relaxes. “You’re eighteen now. What’s the problem?”
“There is no problem aside from the drama that continues to haunt me. Like today.”
When she opens her mouth to say more, a baby starts to cry. My phone rings and Theo’s name flashes across the screen.
“We’ll catch up more soon,” she vows as we both stand. “You’re tough and you’re not alone. You’ll get through this.”
I give her a tight hug and then answer on my way out the door. “Hey.”
“How are you?” Theo asks, voice rough like he’s been yelling.
“Saw Savvy. Feeling better. What about you?”
“Gave detention to anyone who looked at me wrong. Very therapeutic.”
I giggle at his words as I slide into my car. “So, you want to see me?”
“Need. Well, hell. I want to, too.”
“Where?”
“My place.”
A thrill shoots down my spine. “I don’t know where you live.”
“I’m going to tell you.” He sighs heavily. “I’m not trying to get you into my bed, baby. I just want to hold you and make sure you’re okay.”
Tears well in my eyes. As much as I want to sleep with him, I don’t think that’s what I need. I need to be held and cared for.
“On my way.”
The apartment complex Theo lives in is fancy. There’s a pool I wouldn’t mind taking a dip in considering how hot it is lately. I follow his directions to the second floor and the eighth door on the left where there’s definitely no flowerbeds or gardens. This amuses me for some reason since he teased before that I could come do his apparently nonexistent ones. Before I can knock, the door opens. Theo is no longer wearing his professional teacher clothes. He’s comfortable in basketball shorts and a plain white T-shirt that hugs his muscular frame.
I step inside and he closes the door behind me. Then, he yanks me into his arms. Clinging to him, I chew on my bottom lip, trying desperately to keep my tears at bay. My body trembles, giving me away. A little squeak comes out of me when he grabs my ass and picks me up. I wrap my legs around his waist, hugging him tight.
He takes me over to his sofa and then sits down. I relax against his chest, tears falling freely as he strokes his fingers up and down my back.
“I wanted to do just this all day, baby. You didn’t deserve that. I’m so sorry.”