Chapter 16

The following morning, I was in bed, naked and alone. For a moment, I thought I’d dreamed everything, but then I felt the stiff, dried cum on my skin, and flushed at the memory of last night.

I gathered my discarded clothes and headed to the bathroom to take a shower before heading to the community center. While I took my shower, I realized I had no second thoughts about what happened the previous night or the night before. I wanted what had happened with Graham.

I couldn’t deny it. I wanted so much more.

Graham made me feel desired, beautiful, and interesting. He made me feel good. He made me feel unique. He made me feel like he had eyes only for me, like he couldn’t get enough, like he had thought about us together and was yearning for more.

I couldn’t reconcile that there was a sweet Graham, and then there was a bully, heartless Graham. I was conflicted and decided to set it aside before it gave me a headache. I wished to think of bully Graham as his past and chose to believe he was showing me his new, better Graham.

When I was done, I headed to the kitchen and found Mom cooking. I hid my red cheeks, hoping she didn’t arrive late last night when Graham was here, making me scream his name. However, as I looked at her clothes, I realized she had just gotten home from her shift. She was still wearing her scrubs.

“Hey, honey,” she said, glancing up from the stove.

“Hi, Mom.” I slid into a stool. “How was your shift?”

For some reason, Mom liked to cook after her shifts, rationalizing about not sleeping with an empty stomach. It was weird, seeing how Melissa told me she couldn’t sleep with a full stomach because it gave her nightmares.

“Good,” she answered. “It was a quiet night at least. Want some eggs?”

“Yes, please.”

Mom returned to her cooking, and I distracted myself by picking up my phone. I had a message from Graham. I fought back the large beam of a smile.

~Good morning, baby. Hope you had a good night ;) ~

I couldn’t hold back the grin and shook my head. I had just begun to type when Mom spoke. She had her eyes narrowed at me. “Something’s up?”

I locked my phone, looking up and feeling my cheeks flushing.

“Nothing,” I lied. I was an awful liar.

“Right…” she said, suspicious. “Is that Jacob?” There was a hopeful tone in her voice.

I frowned. “No.”

She hummed. “I thought you two were back together, from the way you were smiling,” she added. “Or, is there someone new?”

I didn’t know how to answer. I wanted to tell my mom about Graham, but at the same time, I didn’t want to. I wanted clarity about what we were doing and where it was heading, but I was afraid to ask him. I needed to talk to someone, but Mom didn’t seem like the best candidate. Melissa either.

I was screwed.

“It was Melissa,” I lied again and felt bad. I never lied to my mom. Though I was awful at lying, she didn’t suspect it because I never did it.

Mom nodded. I also liked to believe she didn’t distrust me because she had endured a twelve-hour shift at the hospital and her brain was fried. She didn’t have the energy to deal with deception.

“Tell Melissa hello from me.” She smiled.

“Sure,” I said. “I’d better go, or I’ll be late.”

“Your eggs!” Mom protested.

“I’ll eat something there,” I said again, needing to flee the house. “I think you need the extra protein more than I do.”

“Okay,” she answered. Then she gave me one of her warm smiles, the kind that softened my insides and reassured me everything was okay. “Have a good day, honey.”

***

At the community center, Jacob ignored me. When I noticed his presence, I stopped and blinked. And then I noticed how he refused to glance up, avoiding any contact.

He ~was~ probably avoiding contact with me. I believed he was doing it to prevent making the situation awkward; however, he didn’t understand it already was. And from what I could decipher from his behavior, one would think I was the one who’d done the wrong thing in our relationship.

I couldn’t know, though, since he never gave me a real reason for breaking things off.

“Would you give this to Jacob?” I asked Melissa. I passed her the large bags of good shirts so Jacob could take them to the orphanage later. Melissa raised her brows and glared at Jacob.

“Sure.” She sounded distasteful.

“And don’t tell him anything else,” I warned her.

“Where’s the fun in keeping my mouth shut?” she asked. I threw her a beseeching look.

I hated bullying after witnessing how Jacob had suffered for a long time. Melissa wasn’t mean—she was protective—and she wasn’t a fan of Jacob after he broke my heart. But despite our breakup, I still didn’t want to torment him. Even if I could. He didn’t deserve it and I had a soft spot for him. I believed I would always have it, even though each day I realized we weren’t getting back together. Ever again. And I accepted it.

A few days ago, I would have been praying for him to apologize and ask me to get back together, but now I didn’t have those desires…

“Please, Mel.” I tilted my head to the side. “Don’t make this more dramatic than it has to be. If he wants to ignore me, good for him.”

“Fine.” She rolled her eyes in annoyance. “I swear.”

But she didn’t protest as she picked up the boxes and headed toward Jacob. He jumped when he saw her, but then his shoulders drooped, and I frowned. He was relieved it wasn’t me.

I didn’t understand his sudden need to avoid me, and knew he wasn’t about to tell me.

For the rest of the day, Jacob ignored me, sending people over to give me messages or picking boxes up. Everyone eyed the tension between us. I only shrugged.

At two, I was released from my duties and checked my phone for messages. Graham had sent a few, and my heart pounded hard at the realization. My reaction should be alarming. I read:

~How was your day, baby? Did you miss me?~

~Not much, went to the community center to help, and now I’m heading home…~

I sent the message and was about to lock the phone when it rang.

I slid my finger across the screen and smiled.

“Hey.” Graham’s husky voice filled my ear. My knees bobbled with every step I took.

I bit my lip. “Hey.”

“It sounds like you missed me a lot.” I could feel his smirk.

I rolled my eyes playfully. “Of course I didn’t.”

“I did,” he admitted, and my insides twisted. “You are the only thing I can think about. I can’t wait to see you again.”

I blushed, pressing my lips hard. I felt the same. I wanted to see him again, be intoxicated in his presence. I was a bit shy to admit it, though.

Very softly, like an afterthought, I confessed, “Me too.”

Graham didn’t say anything, but I could sense him grinning at my confession. I thought he was going to push, but instead, he asked something else. “How was community service?”

“It was okay,” I said. I didn’t want to mention Jacob and his avoidance.

“Yeah?” He sounded interested. It was endearing. He seriously was curious, and it warmed my heart.

“Yes. We are collecting clothes for an orphanage and kids in the system. But we are also collecting Christmas presents. You don’t happen to have old toys or clothes you wish to donate, do you?”

“I do,” he answered. “Want me to ask the guys on the football team if they have any?”

I was surprised by his generous offer. “You would?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you, Graham.” I smiled hard.

“You can thank me later,” he said, low, and my insides throbbed.

“I will,” I said, feeling the adrenaline of being daring for once. Speaking truthfully was exhilarating and frightening.

As my heart pounded at the adrenaline in my bloodstream, Graham answered in a low grumble. “Can’t wait.”