Bradford Bastard (Bradford Bastard 1)

“I hope so,” I murmur, letting out a heavy sigh, and while I know I’m lying, wanting Colby to suffer in the worst possible ways, I also need him to be fine because if he’s not, Tanner is fucked.

“Okay, girl,” she says. “If you want to talk …”

She leaves her words hanging in the air and a smile pulls at the corners of my lips, but I don’t feel it. “Thanks. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”

“Same goes,” she says before ending the call.

I drop my phone onto my bed and make my way into my bathroom before settling into a hot shower, letting the water wash over me. I’m filthy from spending a good portion of my night screwing around with Tanner on the dirty ground, and I know for a fact that there are at least three spilled drinks from drunk high schoolers that have left me feeling all kinds of sticky.

Taking my time, I wash my hair and scrub my body while still being able to feel Tanner between my legs. It was dirty work, but someone had to do it. Being with him was so much more than I imagined. Sex is one thing, but to have that connection as well, it meant something. Our messed-up little relationship has shifted, and just the thought of meaning something to him or what we have being something real brings butterflies to my stomach.

Finished with my shower, I turn off the lights and settle into my bed, pulling the sheets right up to my chin and snuggling into the blanket. I hear loud noises from the guys next door and try to zone them out, knowing they’re fixing this with alcohol, which will only end in disaster.

Sleep doesn’t come, and I lay in bed staring at the ceiling.

An hour passes, and then another before a noise has my heart leaping out of my chest. A loud thud sounds in my closet and my head whips around, wide-eyed as I reach for the lamp on my side table and fill my room with its dull light.

I find Tanner stepping out of my closet and his eyes come to mine. He’s so clearly wasted and looks like shit. His hand hasn’t been bandaged properly and I’m pretty sure he’s only moments from breaking down.

Pushing my blankets back, I move out of my bed and walk into his open arms. “You’re going to be fine,” I tell him, letting him wrap me in his warmth and closing my eyes as my face presses against his wide chest. “Remember,” I murmur. “You lean, I lean.”

We stand in silence for just a moment before I take his hand and lead him into my bathroom. I strip him of his stained and bloodied clothes, dumping them in my hamper and peeling off the bandage the boys must have stuck on him, checking the damage below.

His knuckles are split and bruised, and by morning, there will be plenty of swelling, but I’m sure it’s nothing he hasn’t dealt with before. I reach into my shower and as the water warms, I peel off my pajamas and lead him into the warm spray of water.

We stand in silence as I slowly massage his hand, washing away the dried blood before moving onto the rest of his body and hoping the shower can somehow help settle the alcohol sitting in the bottom of his stomach.

I lead him out of the shower and find the small first aid kit hidden in the cupboard beneath the sink. I get him fixed up, neither of us saying a word, and once I’m finally done, I lead him to my bed.

The moment my head hits my pillow, Tanner pulls me into his arms, my head resting against his chest, and once again feeling something shift between us. What we have, while still very new, is so much more than just some bullshit high school relationship. This is real, so damn real.

“You lean, I lean,” he tells me, pressing his lips to the top of my head, and not a moment later, he closes his eyes and falls asleep, settling something deep inside my chest.

Sun streams in through my room and I groan, knowing damn well I drank far too much last night, but it was fun until it all went to shit. The memories from the night come streaming back to me, and I let out a heavy sigh. It was so good until Colby showed up. Why did he have to ruin everything?

Tanner and I …

I don’t know. I think we’re something. He was a broken man last night, fearing for his future. He knew he fucked up by putting his hands on Colby, but I didn’t see a hint of regret in his eyes, only fear for the repercussions, fear of letting his mom and sister down, fear for throwing away everything he’s worked for.