“So, Mr. Rutledge, I hear we work at the same hospital,” Daddy said, breaking the silence.
I glanced at Jack and grinned. No matter how this dinner turned out, I’d still have him, and he’d have me.
Jack’s daddy nodded as he took a sip of his water. “That’s right. We’ve never had an occasion to cross paths before.”
Daddy chuckled, which was a little rusty, but he was trying. “Unless you’ve had a need for a trauma surgeon, I don’t suppose we have.”
“Thank goodness I haven’t.”
Alissa smiled, then grinned even wider when she glanced at Jack and me.
The chatter stayed in the realm of small talk until the food arrived, but that was fine. They didn’t need to be besties. When we left, Daddy gave Jack and his family a genuine smile. On the ride home, he said “what a nice young man” Jack was.
Though our families didn’t meet again over the winter break, Jack and I were constantly with each other. Either his house or mine. I got to know his parents well, and Jack unclenched long enough to feel comfortable around Daddy. Momma wasn’t around as much, so he didn’t see her again, but when our next family night came around, I invited Jack to share it with us.
Momma and Daddy weren’t perfect, only human. Sometimes their differences got the better of them, but thankfully, they kept to their word and quickly stopped themselves before any disagreement could escalate. At least, in front of Cara.
“Thoughts?” Jack asked me as we lay on the floor in my room, shoulder to shoulder, and tossed a football in the air, taking turns catching it.
We’d been discussing whether we were ready to come out at school or not. Those closest to us knew, but I’d adopted his mindset. Now that our parents knew, Jack still wanted to keep our relationship on the down-low. Not a secret—we would be friendly at school—but I’d found comfort in not showing off.
Seeing him day after day and forcing my hands to remain off him, sitting in class with him, catching him in the halls, but maintaining distance would be the ultimate foreplay, forced edging.
I groaned. “I’m more than okay with it.”
“Good.” Jack batted the ball away instead of catching it, then rolled on top of me.
I chuckled and grabbed his waist, positioning him perfectly so his dick rubbed mine. “As long as you know I’m yours, that’s all I care about.”
“I do.”
“And when I finally get you alone after you’ve teased me all day, you let me go feral.”
He smiled against my lips, giving it so freely to me now. “You better.” Too quickly, his happiness faded. “Promise me we won’t turn into your parents.”
I furrowed my brows, confused at the concern in his eyes.
“Just, talk to me, okay?” Jack rubbed his nose on mine. “Always talk to me, no matter what it’s about.”
“Promise. And you promise to always make time for me, Princess. Even when you’re busy or tired, just let me know I’m still your priority.”
Jack smiled, one of the big ones. “I promise, Princess.”
School resumed in January as it did every year, but one student wouldn’t be returning.
Rumors and gossip flew like sparks from a wildfire, but I never said a word. I’d already known about it but kept the juicy bit to myself, knowing it would probably come out anyway.
Sasha had been removed from school the day after she’d stabbed me with her pen. Only a suspension until the school board had had time to discuss it.
I’d been shocked, to be honest. I never would’ve imagined they’d hold a female student to the same disciplinary actions as they would the guys, but they had. Sasha was expelled. A few days later, the police had shown up at our door.
At first, I’d been furious, thinking my parents had gone behind my back and pressed charges anyway. But that wasn’t it at all. Sasha’s momma had. Apparently, and fucking sad as all get out, Sasha had been abusing her too.
From what they’d said, when the school explained to Sasha’s parents about her expulsion, Mrs. Dobson had broken down and spilled her guts. She’d said Sasha had been a spoiled child, hers and Mr. Dobson’s own fault, but with puberty, it had become violent. She’d been silently taking the slaps and pinches from Sasha ever since. When Mrs. Dobson found out Sasha had been hurting someone else, she couldn’t stay silent any longer.
The police, out of due diligence, had come calling. I didn’t want to press charges, but I went along with it because, like Mrs. Dobson, I couldn’t stand the thought of Sasha hurting anyone else either.
It never sat right with me, though. I wholeheartedly agreed I never deserved what Sasha had done to me, but I wasn’t completely innocent either. She’d come along in a moment of weakness, and to distract myself from my parents’ divorce, I’d let her into my life. Had I been in a better place, stronger, maybe I’d never have allowed it to get as far as it had. Maybe I’d have said something, gotten her help, and gotten help for myself too.
