“This wasn’t my fault,” I promise her.
She steps back. “Don’t make me regret this.” Her eyes glint with warning, and I have the feeling she’s the kind of girl who would know how to get rid of my body and not leave a trace behind.
I don’t give her a response, instead heading right back to Vanessa’s room and opening the door. It’s dim inside except for those twinkle Christmas lights hung behind her bed. Her record player is going in the corner of the room, playing a Taylor Swift album.
“Van?” I tiptoe into her room, closing the door behind me. “Why didn’t you call me?”
“Because,” she sniffles, only the top of her dark head visible beneath the mountain of blankets, “it’s not your problem, and I’m stupid for being upset about it.”
I crouch down at the head of her bed, gently peeling back the layers of covers until her pretty blue eyes and pert nose become visible. “If something upsets you, your feelings are valid. Don’t negate them by using words like stupid.”
She gives a soft sniffle. “I don’t like letting other people’s opinions affect how I feel about myself, but … I got embarrassed. I … assume Jude told you everything?”
“Most of it.”
“It was in front of the entire coffee shop.” Her lower lip trembles, and I’m torn between wanting to kiss her and my desire to hunt down the girl that hurt her. “In the moment, I didn’t even think about what had happened. I was so shocked. But after, when Jude took me away and gave me his sweatshirt, that’s when it set in, and I just … I’m not used to this attention.” She wipes away a tear, her face still mostly covered by the blankets. “People staring, muttering, making up stories about me—hating me on the grounds that I’m with you, and it’s not fair, and I’m just … tired.” She finishes her speech with a sigh.
My cheeks hollow when I suck them in, realizing I have no words to make this better. I can’t wave a magic wand and have it all go away. The people on campus are still going to do and say what they want.
“Scoot over.” I kick my boots off, lifting my shirt over my head.
“What?”
“I’m comforting my girl.” My fingers go to my belt buckle and she shrieks.
“By getting naked?”
I chuckle. “Do you want me naked? Because I’m more than happy to accommodate you by also removing my boxers.”
“No, no!” she cries, the covers stirring. “Leave them on.”
“Ah, yes, wouldn’t want to scare you with my monster truck of a penis.”
“I said Volkswagen Beetle,” she harrumphs.
I tug off my jeans, leaving them in a pile on the floor. “That’s what your mouth said, but your eyes said something else.” She opens her mouth argue, but I don’t give her a chance to voice it. “I’m not here to talk about my penis, as nice looking as he is. I’m here for you.”
I climb over her body and tug some of the covers away so I can join her beneath them.
“What. Are. You. Doing.” She tries to hold onto the blankets.
“Getting cozy. I want blankets too. You can’t have them all.”
“You are so annoying—”
“Annoyingly awesome? I know, right?”
“Ugh!”
I finally manage to make it beneath the blankets and tentatively reach for her body. If she doesn’t want me to hold her, I won’t push it, but man I’ll feel better if she’ll let me. When she’s in my arms I know she’s safe and cared for.
Thankfully, she wiggles her body against mine and allows me to fold myself around her. I sigh in relief when I’m fully spooning her, my breath pulses against her neck, and she gives a small giggle. It’s good to hear.
“You didn’t have to come here.” She curls her neck against my bicep so she can look behind her at me.
“I know I didn’t. I wanted to.”
She exhales a shaky breath, rolling over fully to face me. Her fingers tentatively rub my jaw, tracing over the stubble there.
“You’re nothing like I thought you were.” Her voice is a soft murmur, and her words … they mean more than she’ll ever comprehend.
“I’m nothing like I thought I was either.”
She reaches out, and I hold my breath, afraid any movement might spook her. With her index finger she touches my lips, tracing over the shape of them.
“You being here shouldn’t make me feel better, but it does.”
She looks impossibly vulnerable with the admission and my heart tugs.
“I’m glad I’m here, baby.” I kiss the top of her head.
“Can we put on Beverly Hills, 90210?”
I chuckle, rubbing my fingers over the soft skin of her shoulder. Everything about her is soft to my hard. If she was anyone else, I’d put the moves on her right now, shoot my best shot, but she’s not just anyone; she’s the one. She’s special, and that means I have to be patient. Even if my dick is aching to be inside her.
“Anything you want.” I’d agree to just about anything to cheer her up. “Want me to order food?”
“No, that’s okay.” She sits up and grabs her remote, turning the TV on. Looking back at me, her blue eyes shine brightly with something I can’t decipher. She doesn’t speak right away, but when she does her words pierce my heart.
“I’m sorry your father doesn’t see what a wonderful, smart, kind human being you are. But I do.”
I don’t say it out loud, but her opinion of me is all that matters.
22
Vanessa
The door to Teddy’s dorm slams open and Jude stomps in carrying with him the scent of stale beer, cigarettes, and sex. Collectively, Teddy and I look over at the football player as he shuts the door, kicks off his boots, and promptly takes his shirt off, revealing a scratched up back and hickeys covering various spots on his torso.
He looks over, wide-eyed, as if only seeming to realize the room isn’t empty.
“Busy night?” Teddy quips, arching his brow in a look that looks all too much like a father scolding his unruly child.
“Something like that.” He reaches for his belt. “Hey, Vanessa.”
“Dude, don’t start stripping here.” Teddy slams a hand over my eyes.
I giggle, trying to pry his hand away. “Wait, I want to see the show!”
Both guys laugh and Teddy drops his hand.
Unfortunately, Jude is still wearing pants. He walks over to us, placing his hands on the back of the couch, glaring at the TV. “You guys have been watching it without me.” The accusation rings in his voice.
“Sorry, dude.” Teddy doesn’t sound sorry at all.
“I’m going to shower, and then I’m watching too.”
“Maybe we don’t want you to,” I quip.
Jude chuckles. “Of course, you want me to. I’m way more fun than this pathetic ass.” He claps Teddy on the shoulder, heading to the bathroom.
“You better shower. You smell like a fucking brothel.” Teddy plugs his nose.
Jude flips him the bird, shutting the door behind him.