Chapter Seven- Blake

BLAKE

I start heading downtown to a burger joint that has the best double cheeseburgers in town. Laken is quiet and seems to be watching everything go by outside her window without actually seeing any of it. I give her the space and quiet she needs to get her thoughts and feelings together. I need the same thing right now.

I can’t get our kiss out of my head. I’ve kissed plenty of girls before, and not one of those kisses ever made me feel what this girl made me feel with just the touch of her lips. It blows my mind.

Laken is definitely a woman in her own league. She has pulled me in completely, and that makes her a dangerous woman.

I give her a side glance to see that she’s still in her own head. Is she thinking about our kiss too? Did it affect her as much as it affected me? Or is she thinking of that piece-of-shit dad of hers? That prick makes my blood boil. My hand squeezes the steering wheel till the knuckles turn white.

I feel soft fingers grab my right hand that is making a fist in my lap. I look down shocked to see her hand on top of mine. Of course, it’s her hand, but I’m just surprised. I look over to see her still staring out of the window. It’s as if she knew I needed to calm down.

I turn my hand over and link my fingers through hers. My heart speeds up from just the touch of her hand in mine. How crazy is that? I’ve never had this reaction to a girl before, and I have to say that I’m not against it. It’s kind of nice, but it’s also kind of scary because this girl could do some major damage to my heart and soul.

But I think she’s worth it. No, I know she’s worth it. There’s just something about her that draws me in. She seems so full of darkness, yet I see her being my light. The one to pull me out of the darkness I’ve been living in for the last year. Can I do the same for her? Can I bring her out of that darkness she lives in?

I want to be the one who can do that. I want to be the one she runs to when she needs someone to pull her out. The one she runs to when she feels like she’s drowning. And I hate to say it, but I feel like she’s close to drowning.

If that dickhead wasn’t around then things would probably be better for her. So what can I do to make that happen without having to get rid of him illegally?

I’m not above doing it the illegal way if it comes down to it. If he hurts her again I can’t say that I won’t beat him to death like I almost did to my own dad. A father should never put his hands on someone he’s supposed to love and protect.

A father is supposed to chase the monsters away, not be the monster. A father should be the one who helps to keep the darkness at bay. A guiding hand into the light when you’ve seemed to lose your way, and not the one to lead you into the darkness of despair and hopelessness.

He’s failed her in every way possible, and she’s done nothing to deserve that. No child deserves that.

“Hey,” Laken says softly as she squeezes my hand. I hadn’t even realized that I was gripping hers.

“Sorry, I was just thinking,” I say, my voice rough.

“About my dad?” she asks in a soft voice.

“Yeah, sorry. I can’t help it. He makes me want to turn around so I can go back and beat him to death,” I say fiercely.

I look over and see that she’s giving me a soft smile, which takes some of the tension out of my body. Talk about having power over someone.

“Can we not take him on this date? Please?”

“Oh, so it’s a date now?” I ask. “Yes! Out of the friend zone!” I yell with a smile.

She laughs and says, “I never said you were out of the friend zone, buddy. You can keep that dick in your pants, thank you very much.”

I give her the best pout I can, but it turns into laughter before I can stop it.

“I wasn’t planning on taking my dick out tonight, thank you very much,” I mock. “At least not until I get home anyway. After that kiss can you blame me?” I say as I give her a wink.

She laughs and looks away, but I catch the blush on her cheeks. Laken blushing is the cutest thing ever. I am turning into a love-drunk schmuck. If the boys in Juvie could see me now...

As I pull into the parking lot I look over to find her smirking and ask, “What’s that smirk for?”

“This is my favorite place to eat. Some of the only good memories I have were made here. Back when the world didn’t suck and my dad actually loved me.”

I don’t like that smirk falling off of her face to be replaced with a frown. I don’t say anything and get out of the car to walk around to open her door, but when I get over to her side of the car she is already stepping out herself.

I clench my jaw, and I must have some type of face because she stops and her eyes get wide.

“What?” she asks warily.

“Can you not wait till I get around to open your door?”

She just looks at me a moment before a smile takes over her face and she chuckles. She starts walking toward the diner door while shaking her head.

“May I ask why you’re laughing?” I ask.

She shrugs her shoulders and says, “I’m just surprised is all. I didn’t picture you the type to open doors for a lady.”

Two can play this game so I reply, “I wasn’t aware you were a lady.”

She looks at me with narrowed eyes and I can’t hold back my laugh of amusement.

“You’re a jerk!” she says as she shoves me, but she starts laughing with me.

I make sure to get to the door before her so I can open it and say with a bow, “My lady.”

We both walk in with big smiles on our faces, and I can’t help but think that this night might end up being a good date after all.