Kiara After Lucinda is checked into the hospital, I settle in the waiting room while they work on her. I told them I was visiting my boyfriend's aunt and found her passed out in the bed with blood everywhere. Lucinda told her that she doesn't live with anyone else, so she must've gotten high, hit her head, and managed to crawl into bed. I'm not sure how much the nurses believed our story, but so far everything seems okay. I still can't believe I'm covering for an abuser. Every part of me is screaming to tell them the truth, but I'd be betraying both Trey and Lucinda. What can I do when the woman being abused doesn't want to turn in her abuser because as fucked up as the situation is, she loves him? It has to be codependence or something that tethers her to him. There has to be a way to get her away from him, at least for a while, to show her that she can survive without him. I refuse to turn a blind eye. Everything okay, Cupcake? I smile at the text mess
Kiara After a quiet moment, I finally speak, jealousy gnawing at me. "Is it normal for women to flirt with you so aggressively?" I ask, bitterness seeping into my voice. He casually shrugs and responds, "They're not you, so it doesn't bother me. Did it make you jealous?" I quickly stand up, my hands raised in a defensive gesture. "Wait, no! I didn't mean it like that. I just thought it was unprofessional and disrespectful if I were actually your...you know, girlfriend," I stumble over the last word. He angles his head, studying me. "It's alright to say you were jealous. I'd feel the same if some guy was hitting on you." I let out a frustrated sigh. "I already said I wasn't jealous-" He urgently kisses me, trapping me against the wall. His kiss is fervent, as if assuring me that I'm his and there's no need to worry. The way he's kissing me, if I wanted to run around this hospital screaming my claim on him, he would only welcome it. Someone clears t
Trey "Bring something to cover your arms. It's going to be cold." "Fall just started. We've got a few weeks before it gets cold," Kiara calls out from the bathroom. I walk into the bathroom and find her putting on mascara. She catches my gaze in the mirror. I chuckle, "Suite yourself, but if you start freezing your ass off, don't ask me for mine." The thought of her wearing my hoodie has my cock pitching a huge tent in my sweatpants. "Fine, but I thought you were a gentleman," she says jokingly, sticking her tongue out. If anything, I want to be the opposite of a gentleman. I want to fuck her so hard...so dirty, she screams my name until she loses her voice. I fight a smile, "Not when you're being hard-headed, Cupcake." She walks past me to put her makeup back in her bag. "Enjoyed the show?" she teases. I thought she noticed my boner, but it's hidden underneath my hoodie. She must be talking about me watching her put on makeup. "You know, you don't need make
Trey The bleaches aren't crowded, but there are enough people in the stands for the team to not feel like they're complete trash this year. I notice William sitting at the top of the bleachers by himself, his eyes set on the field. We sit a little farther down. "You think she went to rehab?" Kiara whispers. I kind of expected she'd ask that. Her and Lucinda seemed to bond that day, even though Lucinda clearly pushed her away. I get it, she wants to believe Lucinda got help. But unless she really wanted it, she probably went back to the trailer after leaving the hospital. She already turned down our help, so I'm sure she did the same with the doctor. "Or he just didn't want anyone to see what he did to her," I reply honestly. She frowns, but stays silent. It's time for kickoff! The teams rush onto the field, with the cheerleaders attempting to pump up the crowd. The kicker sends the ball soaring into the opponent's territory, and the players scatter in every direction.
TreyWilliam keeps glancing back like he expects me to hit him or something. After he gets in his truck, I say, "drive safely and tell Lucinda I said hi." His entire face deflates. "S-She hasn't come back. She decided to go to rehab," he mutters. Kiara will be happy to hear that! I shove my hands into the pockets of my sweatpants, feeling awkward. I've never seen him look like a sad, lost puppy before. It's...unsettling. "Maybe you should consider...similar options for yourself." I don't want to set him off with the word "help". Surprisingly, he just nods, slams his door, and zooms out of the parking lot. I walk back to the bleachers and see that the game is over. Kiara and Mom are waiting for Jeremiah to change. I resist the temptation to hug her and just stand nearby, stealing glances at her. J finally comes over to us, disappointment clear in his eyes. He really wanted to see William, but he puts on a fake smile for us...well, mostly for Mom. "Great game, Jerry,"
Kiara After completing the final step of the revision process, I send my manuscript to three different publishing houses. The thought of being rejected again lingers in the back of my mind, whispering doubts about my future as a writer. I mean, if it happens, I'll still have some time before I run out of money, but what happens if I don't get a book contract before I'm broke? I'll end up on the street, begging my parents to move back in while I hear Lavender and Jordan fucking every night in the next room. The thought curdles my stomach, the ramen I just ate threatening to come back up. No! I've been through enough with that whole situation, I will not allow them to ruin my life any more than they have. I just have to believe my writing is good enough this time. I glance up from the couch as Trey strolls in with the biggest grin on his face, like he hasn't just worked six long hours at his restaurant. Business seems to be booming since he followed my advice and redid his me
KiaraThe air pulsates with vibrant energy, a large group of people on the dancefloor spinning, dipping, flipping, and shit. I watch in amazement, swaying along to the music. There's not one person there that doesn't look like they're having the time of their lives. "Do you wanna dance?" He reaches his hand out to me and I take it, feeling a jolt of energy. My heart is racing as he pulls me to the dance floor and envelopes me in his arms. "I don't know how to dance," I admit, nervously biting my lip. "No problem. I'll teach you," he whispers close to my ear. How does he even know how to do this? Oh yeah, they probably do this shit every day in Texas. His eyes hold a mix of confidence and excitement as he places one hand on my waist and the other holds mine. "Relax and follow my lead," he instructs with a warm smile. He takes a step and I mirror it, deciding to trust him completely. If I fall and bust my ass, I know he'll catch me. As the dance unfolds, the music en
Kiara I stop thinking about the moves and let the music guide me. The energy in the room is infectious as I start moving in sync with everyone else. When I dip and raise myself off the floor, I catch Trey watching me from across the room, a smirk playing on his perfect lips. Damn, I almost forgot about him. I think about just stopping, but I might as well finish the song. With him watching me, I feel bolder, sexier even. I continue performing the moves with assurance, my eyes locked on him the entire time. His amusement gradually morphs into lust as he watches me twirl and sway my hips. My body hums with need under his heated gaze, but I manage to keep my focus. The people dancing around me hype my head up with whoops and cheers. "Attagirl!" "Okay, we see you!" It's been a long time since I've had this much fun. I'm actually grateful that Trey brought me here! Candy and I never did things like this, but we'll definitely have to start...if she ever comes back from New Yo