When I pull up to the school, her father is already driving away and my girl is waiting for me by the entrance like such a good girl. “Hey baby.” Gripping her chin, I bring her mouth to mine. I push her against the door, the hours of not having her in my arms ticking away inside of me.
When I pull back her face is flushed and lips swollen. Perfect. As with the routine, I walk her to her first class and she knows to wait for me. I make it halfway to my class when it seems my day is going to take a left.
“You think you can come in here and poach on my territory?” I hear coming from behind me. Turning I see bitchboy trying to step up.
“What the fuck are you driveling about?” I mock him and drop my bag.
“Imogen is mine. She is promised to me.” His words are like an injection of poison into my veins. The idea that any part of her belongs to someone other than me, is enough to turn me into the hulk.
“Newsflash! She is not cattle asshole and considering how quickly she fell in line with my demands, I think it is safe to assume you wouldn’t know how to handle her if you had her.”
I watch him work himself up, his chest moving up and down like a little boy whose cone just dropped on the ground. I know what is coming, but instead of trying to avoid it, I wait for it. I wait for the reason to put him on his ass.
As expected he rams into me like a baby bull learning to charge. The force is weak and has no impact, but I don't give a shit. My fist swings and hits his nose. I hear the crunch as he falls squealing like a bitch once again not able to back up all his bullshit.
“Get the fuck up and handle it like a man.” I taunt him, wanting him to come at me again so I can continue to take my rage out on him. “Your bitch ass thinks you deserve her and can’t even fight for her like a real man?”
I am zeroed in on him as he gets up, blood gushing from his nose and he holds his shirt to it, walking backwards. “You fuck. I am going to have you expelled. You are through.” He says to me between cries of pain. For a brief moment I think of her being here without my protection and my stomach revolts. I feel it turn, warning of an impending eruption. Then I remember my father can buy this whole rotting, dilapidated town and suddenly I just want to get out of here. I want to grab my woman and go somewhere where no one knows us.
I run down the hall to her class, one minute before the bell rings. I walk in, eyes solely on her. She looks up and sees me, her eyes getting big the closer I get to her. “Come with me.” I try to phrase it as a question but I know how it comes out.
“What? Where?” She asks, biting her lip trying to fight the voice in her head.
“Let’s just ditch for the day, baby.”
“I can't Alex. My father..” I cut off her protest, not willing to let her deny me.
“I will have you back before it is time for him to pick you up.” She fidgets a bit still straddling the line and I am out of time and patience. I say the one thing in the tone of voice I know will get me the answer I want. “Let’s go Pequeña.” Her eyes turn glassy and dazed like I flipped a switch inside of her that turns her from church girl to my girl. Biting her lip she places her hand in mine and we walk out together.
Realistically, I know everyone is going to talk and that the principal will hear of this, but then I remember that I know something he wants to keep quiet. I will talk with him.
I place my helmet on her, making a note to get a pink glittery one for her. “Are you scared, baby?” I ask her as I snap it in place.
“No. You won’t let anything happen to me.” Oh God. I close my eyes and put my head to the sky. Her words chip away at more pieces of me. Her trust is beautiful and heavy. It is a gift that will weigh on my shoulders for eternity as I fight to make her happy and safe every day.
“Baby. You slay me.” I tell her, taking her mouth in a kiss before I hop on the front. “Hold on tight baby.” I start the engine and kick the stand up. The bike revs and she squeals in delight behind me.