My Sweet Bully

“Oh,” I say, not sure how to process the news.

Pinching my chin between his fingers, he tips my head up. “Look, it’s because I love you that I don’t want to see anything happen to you. You need to trust me.”

Did I hear him right? Did he just say he loves me?

“You love me?” I ask, leery if my ears are wrong.

“I love you. And I won’t let anyone hurt you, not even Harlow. But, I really need you to just stay away for a bit, let me fix things.”

My eyes hold his and I can’t stop the smile on my face from spreading. “I love you too.” Tracing a single finger up and down his chest, I nod. “And I’ll give you space if you need it. Just promise me one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Promise me you’ll still go to prom with me.”

“I can do that. I promise, I’ll be there.”

The sound of rocks popping and an engine float through the open window.

Max’s eyes fly open wide as he jumps from the bed to peek outside. “Fuck, Harlow’s home. You need to go, come on, you got to get out of here.” He throws me my shoes, and tugs on a pair of basketball shorts.

I can see the panic and fear on his face. He isn’t fucking around.

It’s the first time I see true emotion on his face. The strain, the hurt, the anger, Max is tired.

He’s watching his door and listening. “Come on, come on, hurry up.” Rolling his hand, he’s urging me to get the hell out.

Quickly moving to the window, I sit on the ledge and dangle my feet outside. “See you tomorrow, Ramon.” I say, leaning in, and kissing his cheek.

Max smiles as he watches me drop down to the grass outside his window and disappear into the night. I stop at the tree line, turning to take one last look over my shoulder.

Harlow is in the doorway, his gaze searching behind Max, curious and unsure.

I don’t know what Max is telling him, but I know we’ll never make it if we have to spend our lives tiptoeing around his brother.

I’m not going to worry about that right now, because it really doesn’t matter. Max loves me. He said the last three words I thought I would ever hear come out of his mouth.

And I love him.

There’s nothing else we need.

We’ll make it.

13

Prairie

Closing my locker, I jump in surprise. “Shit, Amy! You scared me.”

Amy giggles as she leans against the locker next to mine. “Sorry, my bad. So. . .” she says, her lips perched into a tight smirk as she draws out the word.

“So. . . what?”

“Aren’t you going to ask me?”

Pressing my books against my chest, I start to walk toward class, and she follows me. “Ask you what?”

Amy closes her eyes and tips her head back. “Who I’m going to prom with.”

“Is it—”

“Is it Bentley? You bet your ass it is.” She spins halfway around, so she’s facing me as we walk. “I told you, I told he would ask me. It’s all about planting the seed, and letting it grow.” Amy winks, taking a quick glance back over her shoulder to see where she’s walking.

“Congratulations.” Giving her a smile, I nod. “And not too late either, just in time.”

“What time am I picking you up?”

Frowning, I stop in the middle of the hall. “I think I’m going to drive in with Max. You don’t mind, do you? I’m sorry, I should have said something before.”

“No, no, it’s fine, really.” She pouts her lips as she bats her lashes. “I’m just your best friend, took you under my wing, made you who you are. It only took four months, but hey, it’s fine.”

“Amy. . .” My voice is soft, full of apology. “I just—”

She laughs, giving me a playful shove. “I’m kidding you, Prairie, it’s fine. Seriously, I don’t mind at all.”

“Thanks.”

“So, how is bad boy Ramon? I heard his brother got out of the can.”

“Yeah, he’s home I guess. And Max is good, I think.” Rocking my head back and forth, I shrug lightly.

I honestly don’t know how he is. He’s barely speaking to me. I get generic answers, and our conversations seem to only superficial. Max told me he loves me, but the way he’s been behaving makes me wonder if he even knows what that word means.

He rushes me off the phone, gives me one word answers, and simple text messages. I’m giving him space, just like I told him I would. I just didn’t expect a damn ocean to open between us.

“You think?” Cocking a brow, she pulls me over into the nook with the bubbler. “What’s going on? I thought you guys were good. I thought he said the L word?”

“We are, and he did, it’s just. . .” Pausing, I exhale a long breath. “He’s been different since Harlow got out. He’s not himself, at least not the guy I know.” Laying my head back against the concrete wall, I close my eyes. “He’s distant. It’s like I’m talking to him, but he isn’t actually there. You know what I mean?”