I nod.
He pats my back twice, then lets go.
Sandy follows my dad out of the room and Tera cleans up that goopy shit and gets dressed.
She huffs as she puts the pad Sandy left for her on her underwear. "Leave it to you to screw me so good I start my period."
"Better to start it than not get it, right?" I joke.
"Not funny."
I hold her against me. "No, it's not funny. I'm glad you're okay. I thought I hurt you."
"I could tell. You were talkingsofast."
I nod and swallow hard. "I love you, Tera."
"I love you, too."
"I'll always take care of you. No matter what."
She grins. "Even if it means going to your dad and confessing you had sex with your girlfriend last night?"
I laugh. "Yeah. Even then."
"We better go eat. I'm sure Mrs. M is wondering what's going on," Tera worries.
"Nah. My dad has us covered."
"I'm hungry."
"Me too." We walk out of the room and head toward the kitchen. I lean close to her ear and whisper, "I’m sorry that you had to worry like that."
"Not your fault, babe. It happens. It might happen again someday. If it does, I'm going to laugh at you while you freak out instead of letting you freak me out along with you," Tera teases.
I kiss her softly. Best girlfriend ever.
* * *
If I thoughtthings at school would be smooth, I was sadly mistaken. Tera and I have three classes together and we both missed the first one. After getting our pass we head to our next class. It's good. We walk in holding hands. This isn't the first time. It's not as if we haven't been together for a few days already.
It's silent. Everyone stares. Then the whispers start. I can hear some of the prissy chicks talking shit about my girl. That's not going to work for me.
I shoot a glare over at them and they blush and look down.
After turning in our passes, we sit in our desks. Tera's a little pale and quiet. Too quiet. I'm not going to let anyone bring her down. I'm not going to let anyone talk shit about her or us.
The morning flies by and before I know it, it's lunch. The guys and I walk into the cafeteria together. Tera always comes in with Shea and I see them already sitting down at a table—a table that isn'tourtable. A table where Carter Winters is sitting. What the fuck?
"Dude," Jesse says, shaking his head.
"What the fuck?"
"They were together for a long time. They're friends and I'm sure she doesn't want to flaunt your relationship in front of him," Kennedy reasons.
"Maybe," I reluctantly agree. I want her with me, next to me, atourtable, because looking at things right now, it seems as if nothing has changed, buteverything'schanged.
We walk past Tera and Shea. I run my hand across her back as I pass by. She turns and smiles up at me, her eyes pleading for understanding. I sigh and nod. I don’t like it, but I get it.
