MILES I waited for Dom to get out of practice, spending time in the library. Classes had been hell. I tried my hardest not to bump into anyone or lean back on my chair, but it was all wishful thinking. It did feel much better than it had this morning. Having it wrapped up made it easier to move and to bear. It was also hotter than the devil's ball sack outside, so I kept to the shadows like I was some vampire. Dom had tried to find me during lunch, but I didn't have it in me to face him just yet. Even though I was avoiding him, I couldn't help liking that he texted me. Dom: Where are you? Miles: Why? Dom: I want to check your back again. I flushed at that one. It almost seemed like he cared. But I knew the truth. He felt sorry for me. Miles: I'm fine. Dom: Miles... Miles: See you after practice. I closed my phone and put it in my bag, ignoring the constant buzzing. I had to silence it because it was disturbing my last class. When that ended, it was two forty-five.
DOM Why didn't she want to tell me who did it? I understood not talking about it, but I wanted to hold the person responsible. Personally. Seeing her back this morning did something to me. A dangerous rage I hadn't known since the day my mother died resurfaced, and I wanted fucking blood. I could do it too. I could make whoever was responsible pay dearly and get away with it. I studied law, and I knew full well what I was capable of. But she wouldn't tell me. I couldn't exactly blame her. Did I really even care? Fuck. I did. I did fucking care. I didn't want to care but I guess I just couldn't help my damn self now could I? I found myself thinking about her all day, wondering what her troubles were. Her worries. Her likes and dislikes. If she ate enough, or drank enough water. It was getting ridiculous. I tried to tell myself to get a grip but in the end, she felt like the grip. Seeing her back was just the nail in the coffin and an overwhelming urge to protect her flooded my vein
MILES The week passed by quickly. With my classes, which were on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, I hardly spent any time at home. Wednesday and Friday were my off days, but Dom still had morning and evening practice, his only free day on Sundays, and had insisted I go with him. He was an excellent caretaker. Maybe too excellent. He rebandaged my back every chance he got. His hands were always careful, gentle, and sometimes I could feel his fingers run along the nape of my neck before he'd look away and finish up. We didn't say much to each other during those times, but I could tell he was biting his tongue on the matter. I hadn't asked him to kiss me anymore either. Not that I didn't want to, just that he was quick to leave after he was done. Dominic wasn't avoiding me like he had before, and he wasn't being an ass either. He'd just ruffle my hair and tell me he had to go before I had a chance to say anything. So, I guess, in a way, he was avoiding me. I couldn't blame him
MILES He'd kissed me again. I didn't even have to ask him. Dominic just put his lips against mine, putting out my fury with the softness of his kiss. He kissed me until I leaned into him and then abruptly pulled away, walking all the way out of my room. I stood there shocked. What the hell had just happened? We were talking, and then fighting, and then ended it with kissing. 'No, Miles. You're wrong. You're everything.' What had he meant by that? Everything as a person? Everything to him? I still was standing there, frozen in the bathroom when he came back, and sat me back on the toilet to rebandage my back without saying another word. When he was done, he put my first aid kit up and left. My head started to hurt, so I just went and laid down. I tried sleeping, but his words just kept echoing in my mind over and over again. I'd never been told that before. Not even by Kenzie, who tried every single day to remind me that I was loved. Eventually, I drifted off to sleep with
DOM*WARNING SEXUAL CONTENTIt was unsettling.Marcus and I had just made it to the manor after practice on Friday, dragging ourselves up the stairs to sit on our asses and relax in my room, when he stopped at Miles's door and rapped on it before peeking his head in. I went past him, straight to my room, trying to ignore the fact that he comfortably let himself in her room. I didn't know when Marcus and Miles had gotten so close, but I didn't like it. She didn't go to classes this week at all, and my father had been disappointed she hadn't shown up for her morning bagels.I was disappointed.But then Marcus kept showing up, and not for me either. He was going in and out of Miles's room, never for too long but still going in none the less.I didn't want to ask about it for the simple fact that I wouldn't give Marcus the satisfaction of seeing me irked. Or jealous. He'd give me shit about it. I halfway thought he was doing on purpose just to get a rise out of me.I wouldn't give in. Ev
MILES Slap! The sharp sting of my mother's hand fizzled on my cheek. "What did you say?" Her voice was so low I felt it came from hell itself. I swallowed before turning my head back to face her. I knew she wouldn't take the news well. I had anticipated it. She never liked it when I acted on my own. It made me seem too... independent. "I said, I can't go to dinner. I have to work." I said, my voice monotone. Damn. I probably should have lied, but it just slipped out. This morning, she told me about having dinner with her new fiance tomorrow. Apparently, he wanted to meet the daughter of the love of his life. How he hadn't seen past my mother's vile nature was beyond me. Either way, I didn't care to go. It wasn't as if she actually cared for me. I wasn't good at pretending we were some happy mother daughter family of two. I'd flinch when she touched me, faking affection. She's always hated me and never let me forget it. I'd been working at a diner across the tracks for t
MILES Fuck me. I couldn't tell if it was my shock or a plea. I couldn't even focus on the warning in Kenzie's tone as the tall man with dark hair and golden eyes approached me. He had broad shoulders and a slim waist underneath a black t-shirt, and I couldn't tell if his thighs matched his arms under his dark jeans. Definitely an athlete. Maybe football? The nicely toned muscles of his chest and arms had me guessing that it was probably football. As he stood a foot away from me, being a whole head taller, I hoped I wasn't drooling. I stared up at him and held out my hand. "Miles," I said, redoing my introduction, but he just stared at my hand, crossing his bulging arms. Broody, eh? I liked that. I closed my hand, pulling it back. Kenzie pulled on my arm. "Are you sure you want to do this?" I didn't miss the worry laced in her voice. I nodded my head, patting her hand with mine. "Absolutely." She stepped back, giving me room. Dominic, I think, stepped forward, leaning towa
MILES* WARNING EXPLICIT SEXUAL CONTENT and SHOW OF ANXIETY* I stood hunched over, laughing my ass off in the silent game room. I probably looked like a mad woman. I laughed even harder at the confused face Dominic was making. Marcus looked like he was enjoying the show, and Kenzie just looked straight up concerned. For a moment, I was worried I couldn't stop, but I finally caught my breath. "Ah shit." I said breathlessly. "Thanks for that. I haven't had a good laugh in years." I took my flannel off and used what wasn't wet to dry my face when I heard more gasps and whispers. I looked around. What now? "Miles..." I heard Kenzie say as she grabbed me by the shoulders and turned me around. "That fucking monster." Shit. I'd forgotten about those. I closed my eyes for a moment before taking my forty dollars and putting the bills in my pocket. I shoved the two hundred at Dominic's hard chest. He looked wary, like he wasn't quite sure what to do now. "Here, I don't want your 'chump ch