Page 119 of The Bad Boy Rule

We’re not in a rush, just taking every day as it comes and enjoying getting to be together in fucking peace without looking over our shoulders and waiting for the other shoe to drop.

And I’m not ready to leave Mom just yet. It’s been a huge adjustment for her since my father’s been sentenced. He’s only doing a year in the state prison for battery, which is far too fucking short for the hell that he’s put her through. Put us both through.

But my mom filed for a protective order against him for when he is out, and I swear I have never been so proud. I’ve wished for this for most of my life, that one day she could be free. Could have peace. Could be happy. Every day is a step toward that for her.

She started therapy a couple of months ago, and after she told me how much she felt like it was helping her and healing her, I finally started going to a few sessions with her and now on my own.

I was one of those people who would’ve scoffed at the idea of sitting on a leather couch and talking to a fucking therapist who could never understand the shit that I’ve been through.

But now I know that’s not true. It’s not been an easy process, but it’s… helped.

All of our trauma isn’t just going to heal itself overnight, and I know that, but at least we’re taking steps in the right direction.

Toward a future that we both deserve.

“You know how bad we are at following the rules, Golden Girl. Or have you forgotten?” My voice is low and rough as I watch her eyes go wide. “Do you need me to remind you?”

“Saint…” she warns.

Cat and mouse.

Our favorite game to play. At the rink… at home… wherever I can chase her down and fuck her until she screams.

Lennon has come into herself right before my eyes, and it’s been the best fucking thing I’ve ever experienced.

She’s happy and finally discovering the things that she’s never allowed herself to experience because of her piece-of-shit, controlling father.

Who is now serving the next ten years at Dixon Correctional for the laundry list of charges he was convicted of just last month. The court process took a while, but finally, the asshole got what he deserved. And now, all of those families, including mine, have justice.

Knowing he’s going to spend at least the next five years in prison for what he’s done is good enough for me.

Lennon doesn’t mention him much, if at all, and I think she tries her best to push it out of her head, to not give him any more space than he already has stolen from her.

The only thing that truly bothers her, I think, is her mom.

She hasn’t reached out to her at all, and I know that hurts her. My girl is soft when it comes to her mother. But hopefully, one day, she can have at least some closure. She deserves that.

She deserves the entire fucking world, and I’m never going to stop trying to give it to her.

“I don’t even know why we bother coming here together,” she mumbles, rolling her eyes with a soft laugh.

Actually, I do.

Because we love this. My favorite thing about our relationship is the fact that we still give each other the same shit we did when we first met… only now, it’s out of love and not spite.

I still love to provoke her and rile her up. Now, just so I can fuck the shit out of her.

She’s still as mouthy as ever, and I hope like hell it never changes.

She’s the other half of me, matching me toe to toe, never letting me be anything other than the best version of myself.

When the ground feels unsteady, she just holds on tighter.

“We come together because you love when I break the rules, baby. You always have.”

The smile she flashes me hits me directly in the chest. “I guess you’ll always be the bad boy. Just…mybad boy.”

“And you’ll always bemyGolden Girl.”