The Love of My Bully

“You’ve got to be quiet,” she said as he climbed through her window. “My parents could walk in at any moment.”

“I’ll be quiet.”

She closed the window and glanced at her door. “Did Sean leave my house?”

“I don’t know. He’s probably talking with your parents and saying how you’ll get over the betrayal and he’ll marry you. You’ll have lots of Sean babies.”

“Don’t. I don’t even want to talk about this right now.”

“I was only joking around. You really think I’d let that fucker have what’s mine?” He cupped her face, stroking her cheeks with his thumb. “I don’t share.”

“This isn’t a joke. Sean found out about us.”

“Because he’s a perv. I recall telling you he wasn’t a good guy.”

“Yeah, and now he’s even more of an asshole. Ugh, I hate this. How can you stand this?” she asked, pulling out of his arms and walking back to her bed. She sat on the edge and looked at him. “They could be watching you.”

“And if they are, we’ll give them a show.”

“I’m being serious.”

“So am I. My parents aren’t watching me. If they were, I wouldn’t have even been able to come here now. They’ve assumed I’ve followed their orders but they need to realize no one tells me what to do.”

“No one?”

“No one.” He pulled her in close. His face pressed against her neck and she closed her eyes, enjoying their closeness. “I’ve missed this with you. Missed it so freaking much.”

“We’ve only been apart a couple of hours.”

“Those hours have felt way too long.” He kissed her neck and pulled back. “How are you?”

“I’m fine.”

“No, I mean really, not just because of the sex but everything else.”

“Everything else?”

“My parents.”

She nibbled her lip and sighed. “I don’t know what to say about them. It was intense.”

“It was more than intense. Don’t listen or even for a second doubt what is going on. You’re amazing. I want you to always remember that.”

“You’re worried?”

“Of course, I am. Why wouldn’t I be? The last thing I want is for you to run off and be with someone else,” he said. He stepped away from her, cursing.

“I hate to break this to you, Drake, but I’m not going anywhere. If I can still be friends with you, and us have this fun, then you’ve got me for a lot longer. A parent calling me a slut or whore, or whatever it was they called me—it’s gone a little fuzzy—I can handle it. After all, I did handle your bullying for a long time. Don’t forget that.” She stepped up close to him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

“You’re a lot stronger than I give you credit for,” he said.

“Don’t underestimate me. I’ll surprise you.”

“You always fucking surprise me.” He stroked her cheek.

“You’re going to have to go again, aren’t you? You can’t stay here.”

“I bet your parents would allow Sean.”

“I know. I’m sorry he ruined everything. You were right about him the whole time.”

“I did warn you.”

“And I didn’t listen because I’d never seen that side to him. I messed up. I’m sorry. I hope you can forgive me.” She rested her head against his chest again, listening to his heartbeat. She smiled, loving the erratic sound.

He stroked her hair and for a few short seconds, she truly felt happy. Pushing all of their problems to the back of her mind, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of him surrounding her.

“I loved every single second of our weekend together.”

“You have no regrets?”

“None. I wish your parents hadn’t come, obviously, but there’s nothing I can do to change that.” She tilted her head back and offered him another smile. He cupped her cheek and she pressed her face against his hand. “You’re going to have to go soon.”

“I will. I just needed to see you, to know you’re still okay, and you’re alive, and well, that you’re safe.”

“It kind of scares me how worried you are about your parents.”

“You have no idea what they’re capable of.”

“I’m starting to get an idea. You think they can kill me?” she asked, joking around. One look at his face, and she knew this wasn’t a joking matter. “I was kidding.”

“I wish I was. You know, I didn’t care about them for a long time, or worry. I lived my life and I knew they already had a plan, then you came along, and now, I can’t stand them. I want nothing to do with them, and there’s nothing I can do to stop them.”

“We can.”

“I doubt it.” He pressed a kiss to her lips.

“Don’t be so negative.” She couldn’t deny how afraid she was that he was right, but there was no way she was going to believe they couldn’t be together because of his parents’ say-so. There had to be a way for them.

She heard movement downstairs and she groaned. “You’re going to have to go.”