Elijah jogs over holding the ice pack from his dad’s car. “That was the most awesome fucking thing I have ever seen. You are such a badass, Liz.”
Jayson responds to that in exasperation. “If I wasn’t so mad at you right now for taking thirty years off my life by scaring the shit out of me, I would agree.”
I lift my head up and kiss Jayson’s gorgeous mouth. “I don’t regret it one bit. He tried to hurt Ryder.”
“Elizabeth, I’d rather he hurt me than you. If Fallon hadn’t been there, Marshall would have hit you.”
I turn around in Jayson’s arms and step away from him. As I near Ryder, I jump up and hug his neck. “No one will ever hurt you or take you from me. Ever,” I tell him vehemently before releasing him and grabbing hold of Jayson’s outstretched hand.
Chapter 23
Present Day
Jayson
You ever think to yourself after you’ve experienced one of the most godawful shittiest days of your life, “I wish I could go back in time and have a redo?” How can your morning start out so normal but the day end as your worst fucking nightmare? If I knew today would bethatday, the one that forever alters your reality and scars you in a way that will damn your soul to hell, the one that shreds every part of you into jagged, fragmented pieces and then burns them to ashes, I would never have left Liz’s bed this morning. I would have held her tight, kissed her long, fucked her completely while shouting I love you, and then I would have repeated it all again, over and over.
So that’s how my morning starts – a slice of normal. I reluctantly leave Liz's bed so she can get ready for choir practice before school. I know she’s excited about her upcoming music competition, but fuck if I won’t be ecstatic when it’s over with. I hate her early morning practice days because it means I have to give up an hour of being snuggled up to her warm, luscious body. I will never get tired of waking up to her gorgeous smiling face, her soft kissable lips, her light green eyes I willingly fall deeply into. My hands never know which part of her to touch first. They are absolutely obsessed with every inch of her tall, slender figure.
I’ve been looking at cheap apartments near campus at CU. I plan to move her in with me as soon as we get there, which benefits me because I’ll get to wake up to her every morning and fall asleep with her every night. I love Liz so damn much. I meant what I said. I’ll be asking her to marry me and I will definitely be getting her pregnant with my children, but that wish will have to wait until after we graduate college. The former, however, I plan on rectifying this summer. I already have the ring. She’s it for me. My forever. My soulmate. Always has been. I do not exist in this life without her.
I help clean and bandage Liz’s injured hand before I go home to shower. My girl is a fucking boss. The way she sucker-punched Marshall last night was a sight to behold. Pride swells in me at my fierce princess. Then it turns to fear and rage and shame. Marshall went after her in retaliation and I wasn’t close enough to stop it. Thank God for Fallon – words I never thought would ever leave my mouth.
On the way to school, Julien, Ryder, and I stop at Ruby’s for breakfast and I make sure to get Liz’s favorite coffee and scone to bring with me. I have a smile on my face knowing I’m going to see my girl soon. Even a minute away from her is too long. When we get to first period, my smile falls when Liz sees a text from Jacinda on Julien's phone meant for me. Jacinda is a manipulative bitch. Why in the hell is she sending me porno pics of herself? I mean, what the fuck?
Next, Liz hears about the video of Jacinda on top of me at the bonfire. Ryder warned me to tell Liz what happened, but I’m a cocky asshole who thought I could protect her by keeping it from her.
Then, for some unknown reason, Hailey skips out of school and Liz wants to find her. I drive Liz back home to look for Hailey. Go back to the place I didn’t want to fucking leave this morning to begin with. We get there and no sign of Hailey, so I drive Liz back to school and we finish the day out before I drive her to work at the library.
That’s where I am now. I decided to stick around and use one of the library’s study rooms to finish up my homework while I wait for Liz to get off at six. I text Julien to let him know I wouldn’t be home until seven since I plan to take Liz to dinner when she clocks out. Ryder’s at the garage working on getting out the dents and scratches Marshall put on his Challenger during last night’s race. Fucking douchebag Marshall. Great, now I’m angry again.
“I hope I’m not the reason for that scowl.” Liz is propped against the door of the study room, purse hanging from her hand, looking like the most beautiful creature ever to exist on this planet. She slays my heart just looking at her. Every. Single. Time.
My scowl turns to one of perplexity. I look at my watch. “It’s only five. Are you on break?”
She pulls away from the door and walks to where I’m sitting at the large circular table. “Nope. They’re letting me off early today.”
When she gets close enough, I pull her in between my bent legs because, once again, my hands can’t stop fucking touching her. I take my time rubbing up and down her back and then curve around to cup her ass.
“You know we need to talk about the video and the text, right?” she says.
“There are better things we can talk about. Or not talk at all.” I tug her closer and she places her hands on my shoulders looking down at me in the chair.
“Jayson,” her voice is soft but commanding.
I sigh and lean into her hand that’s now running through the side of my hair. “I know. Yes, we can talk.” I stand up and spin us so she’s sitting on top of the table. Grasping the back of her head, I angle her to kiss up her neck and across her smooth cheek.
“No necking in the library,” a voice calls from outside the room. We turn to see Mrs. Peters walking by the window.
“Yes, ma’am,” Liz giggles. I grab Liz’s bag and take her hand. “How about we head on home and I cook you dinner while we talk.”
Liz’s eyes brighten along with her face. “You had me at cook dinner. Let’s go.”
Fifteen minutes later, we’re back at my house and parked on the driveway. My parent’s cars are not here,but I see Elijah’s. Once we step up onto the porch, I tell Liz I’m going upstairs to change and will meet her in the kitchen. I don’t see Jules or Elijah in the living room so they’re either upstairs or out back. I’ve already stripped my shirt off by the time I get to the bedroom door which is closed. I hear Julien’s voice as I open the door and freeze.
“What. The. Fuck!”
Elizabeth
