“I don’t want them to make me feel better. I want you to make me feel better.” A little anger leaks into my voice.
Dante’s shoulders slumpeven more andhis head goes down, looking at his feet. After a few short seconds his chest expands, and he stands to his full height his eyes meeting mine. “I’m sorry I pushed you.” He lets out another deep breath. “Me leaving you isn’t something you have to worry about. Ever.”
I run my toe through the thick carpet. My insecuritythatthey might forget about me, leave me alone to deal with everything the way I always have, is still there. I know deep downit won’t happen, but it’s easy to fall back into those thoughts. Especially when I’m feeling vulnerable.
Dante takes a hesitant step in my direction, and when I don’t move, he takes another. I let him come to me. When he’s a hairsbreadth away, he reaches for me and folds me into his arms. I lay my head on his chest and wrap my arms around his waist. I don’t want tobe upset, I’m too tired tobe upset.
Chapter 16
Ollie taps my shoulder in math class. A grin widens my lips, but I ignore him. “Muenster,” he mock whispers. Half the class turns to look at him to see what he’s talking about. Glancing up at the teacher first to make sure she’s not watching, I turn to give him my attention.
Ollie bites the corner of his lip and I swear his eyes gleam. “Hi.”
A small snort leaves me. “Hi? That’s all?” Ollie hates tobe ignored.
He leans forward so the desk tips. “Oh, I can do much better than just a hello, Muenster.” His voice holds a promise of more. A few whispers from the surrounding students kick up.
I don’t bother fighting my grin when I answer, “Oh, I know you can.”
Ollie lets his desk legs fall back to the floor, but he doesn’t look away from me. The teacher calls the class to attention. Even though I hate to, I turn to face the front of the room. “Listen, we still have today to get through. You have the rest of the week to fluff off, but not in my classroom.” She looks around, not focusing on anyone in particular as she delivers the threat.
I sigh and open my book, only a few more hours to go. Instead of poking me with his pen, I feel Ollie’s warmth seep into my back. I let out a low groan at how good it feels, relaxing my muscles.
I’m not looking forward to training tonight. Even though I slept like a rock last night, I can still feel the exhaustion from yesterday weighing on me. Not to mention I’m still a little sore in intimate areas too. Ollie’s heat fades away too soon, and I focus on the open textbook in front of me, might as well get this stuff done.
When the bell rings signaling the end of class, Ollie rumples my hair. I’ve been leaving it down more, instead of always having it in loose ponytails. I narrow my eyes up at him, blowing the strands of hair he mussed out of my face. Unrepentant, he grabs my book bag before I can rise.
As we make our way over to the door I seesome kids veering off to one side, Milo is waiting for us. Idon’t get much of a chance to see him throughout the day, other than lunch, so when he walks me to class it’s always a nice surprise.
“You made it here quick,” Ollie greets him.
Milo shrugs and looks around the busy halls, watching for something. “Want me to walk you?” he offers, once he’s satisfied after looking around.
“Sure, I’ll see you at lunch Ollie, be good.”
He places his hand over his chest and gives me an endearing pout. “I’m always good.” He can’t even keep a straight face when he speaks. His lips tip up, but he covers it, trying to look stern. “Idon’t want any trouble from you two, no more PDA,” he blurts loudly, catching everyone’s attention. I roll my eyes and snag Milo’s hand to pull him with me in the opposite direction.
Milo lets out a short, low chuckle. The mood between them has been so much better over the last day or two. Milo leaves me near the door to my next class, his fingers reaching up to brush my hair over my shoulder. “I’ll see you soon,” he promises, stepping in close to me. The small step feels bigger because it’s Milo, he’s always so careful to keep his distance. I now know it’s his fear of unintentionally hurting someone that keeps him from getting too close.
Ignoring Ollie’s warning I lean up, intending to kiss the corner of Milo’s lips. But he turns into the kiss, surprising me again. “I’ll be here after class,” he tells me, then turns and disappears up the hallway.
“They pass her around like the whore she is.” Delaney doesn’t hide her scorn from me as she pushes past me into the classroom. Her words are true, but couldn’t be further from reality. I walk into class with my shoulders back and head held high, knowing it’s just her jealousy speaking. She would walk through fire to be in my position with any one of them, but I have all four.
The whispers die down when class starts. The teacher assigns two chapters to read over the break and tells us to get started, taking a seat behind the desk.
The hour goes by quickly, and anytime anyone tried to talk, the teacher shut it down quickly with a look. I don’t think she wanted to be here today any more than the students did.
As promised, Milo is waiting in the hall for me when the bell rings. “How do you always get out of class early?”
He maneuvers around a group of boys standing near a locker. “I usually just tell the teacher I need to talk to coach, or that I need to use the bathroom a few minutes before class gets over.”
“They buy it, every time?” I watch him navigate the halls, his eyes completely focused on the task.
“What are they going to do, tell me no, I can’t take a piss?” He glances over at me quickly then returns to watching the halls vigilantly.
Milo reaches the open double doors of the cafeteria—the noise is always near deafening—and we make our way over to our usual table. Ollieis already seated near the end. He looks up at our approach. “Did you pack anything?” he asks, sounding hopeful.
He knows I didn’t, I never do, I’ve gotten used to them always bringing my lunch. Milo urges me to the table with a hand on my lower back. “No, I’ll hit the line, get us all something. I don’t remember Dante grabbing anything either.”
