Reckless, p.13
Reckless, page 13
His face tightens with the anguish my words inflict. "You... you gave yourself to him?" he hisses.
I shrug. "Yes and no. I doubt you want the details, but remember when you accused me of screwing him outside of Trig class? Finn was there for me. He knew he was out of line saying the things he did, and he came to my house to apologize. One thing led to another.” I swivel my head around to make sure we aren’t being overheard. “But, I didn't have sex with him. I've never had sex with anyone. I like Finn and he cares about me. He’s not the bad person everyone claims him to be.”
Duncan tilts his head toward me as a parent would when talking to a child. "How can you be so sure?" he asks.
"Because I've known him longer than you," I admit.
His eyes widen in surprise as I rub the sore mark on my arm.
"We met when I was eight. He protected me against a bunch of kids that wanted to hurt me. He defended me then, just like he defended me today. He scared those kids away, and they never bothered me again. He's a good man who does good things, but he doesn't let people see them. When we were kids, he said When people see good, they expect good, and they end up disappointed."
The shrill of the constant ringing office phones is diluted as Duncan studies me for an exaggerated moment as I continue to rub the stinging spot on my arm. The ache has gone down, but it's still bothersome.
He meets my eyes then quietly says, "I'm sorry." His honesty is laid bare in his sincere offer of regret.
This isn’t the time or place for this, and I’m not sure if I can accept his apology or forgive him. Not now, at least.
The creak of Principal Jordan opening his door breaks our visual standoff as he and Finn step out. Irritation coats Finn’s face, but I don’t think he’s pissed.
"You can go to class, Miss Gray," Principal Jordan says loudly.
"What? Why?"
"Because I've gotten a pretty good idea of what happened from Mr. O'Reilly. He's being suspended, you're to go to class, and Mr. Malloy should visit the nurse before returning to class."
Rage has me standing, hands clenching at my sides. What the ever-loving fuck? "That's fucking bullshit!"
"Language, Miss Gray!" Principal Jordan yells right back at me, but it's too late to damper my outburst.
"No! This is so damn stupid! Duncan started the fight. Why isn't he being suspended, too? He grabbed me. Do you want to see the bruise?" I stomp toward him, lifting my arm to punctuate my point.
Finn gently touches my shoulder. "Leave it alone, babe."
"Fuck that. This is horse shit!"
"She's right," Duncan suddenly interrupts. "I should be suspended, too. It's only fair." I’m confused as to why he would offer this confession but grateful nonetheless.
"Silence, Mr. Malloy! You're walking a fine line, Miss Gray. Watch your tone," Principal Jordan warns with a pointed finger. I want to bite the fucker off.
I scowl at him. "Why? Because he's your star quarterback? I'm sure football matters to the rest of the school when half the school is pissed at Duncan and talking about it all over social media. A lot of people will be mad if this goes unpunished, me included."
The older man doesn’t seem the least bothered by my words. "Oh, trust me, Miss Gray. It's not going unpunished. Mr. O'Reilly is being suspended because he threw the first punch when he could've alerted a staff member. It's done. Go to class or you'll join him," Principal Jordan threatens.
I glare daggers at him. I've never been so mad at someone before.
"Listen to him, Francine. Just go to class," Finn says as he gives me a pleading look.
I want to listen to him, but I just can't. "But he—"
"Let it go, okay?" Finn presses.
I take a deep breath to gather myself. I’m angry, but I should probably concede.
This is bullshit. Finn is being thrown under the bus and there's nothing I can do to stop it. Why the hell is Principal Jordan protecting Duncan? It makes no sense. It's not like we're a football town and benching the star quarterback will bring the townsfolk screaming to our school with pitchforks and blazing torches. Our town is composed of about twelve thousand people and is situated a fifteen-minute drive from Houston. Grove Hill thrives from the shopping people do when leaving the big city of Houston.
It’s probably best I leave before I do or say something I regret. I bend to gather my backpack when Principal Jordan says something that sends me over the edge. My skin is alight with fire but at the same time, ice flowing my veins.
"Be a good girl and get to class."
Be a good girl?
No one—and I mean no one—calls me a good girl, except for Finn.
How dare he say such a thing to me!
I pull myself fully upright and turn to Principal Jordan, who’s eyes flash with victory and yet he manages to keep a straight face. He’s purposely pushing my buttons in a way that no one would know. He wants me to react. He's looking for an excuse to punish me. Fuck him and his trap, if I’m walking into anything, I’m coming in like a wrecking ball.
I stand proud and tall, readying myself for what may come. Looking him in the eye, I sneer loudly, "Fuck you!" Everyone’s head snaps in our direction at my outburst.
Finn is doing a slow, irritated head shake beside me, but I can see the glint of pride in his smirk. When Principal Jordan fully recovered, his open, shocked mouth morphs in a sarcastic smile.
"Congratulations, Miss Gray. You're now suspended as well. Both of you, leave the school premises at once."
I don't give a damn. I don't want to be here, anyway.
"But, sir—" Duncan starts to object, but with one look from Principal Dickhead, he ducks his head like a coward.
Suspended.
I've never been suspended before, but I don't give a damn.
I give the asshole one last glare before I say, "Come on, Finn. Let's get out of this hell hole." Wordlessly, Finn puts his arm around my waist.
"Keep it up, Miss Gray, and it will be a two-week suspension instead of three days." I'm tempted to give him the finger, but Finn grabs me tight.
"Don't say anything or I'll make your ass bleed," he whispers his threat.
His words make me both weak at the knees and tense with fear.
I can almost feel his anger vibrating off him, but I think it’s directed toward me, not the principal. I've made him mad. Why is he so mad? All I did was stand up for him like he did for me. The only difference is I didn't punch our principal while doing it.
His arm is strong as he guides me past the curious onlookers and out the front doors. Directing me around the corner, he roughly pins me to the red brick wall. I think for a moment he's going to punish me, but then his warm lips slam onto mine, hard and full of desire and adoration.
He isn't mad after all.
"When I tell you to go to class, go to fucking class, babygirl. Don't make me punish you when I want to reward you," he growls before assaulting my mouth again.
"Really? And how were you going to reward me, Daddy?"
I really love our banter. It's fun and sexy. Carefree. Just what I need in my life.
He rests his forehead on mine and glides his hand down the front of my jeans, rubbing my pussy. "By spreading these lips apart with my tongue and biting your clit. You would going to come in my mouth until you pass out from ecstasy."
Oh yes, please.
My clit tingles from his words and I whimper. "The asshole had it coming," I say in defense of myself.
"Because he called you a good girl? I call you that all the time."
"Exactly. Only you get to do it," I admit.
A massive grin flashes across his face before he grabs my ass, earning a soft squeal from me. "You better fucking believe you are only a good girl for me,” he whispers, and I practically swoon.
How does this make sense? It makes me feel murderous when anyone else calls me that, but when Finn does it, I fall for him even deeper.
There is still so much about him that I don't know, and I want to learn everything—the good and the bad.
I need to know him, and I want him to know me, but that also means opening up about things that scare me.
"Get that pretty ass on my bike. Ride it like you would my cock.” A shiver runs through my body as his hand slips down to my ass. “Your place, I guess?" he asks.
I nod. "It's not like there's anyone there," I say, honestly.
There's never anyone there but me.
CHAPTER 14
HER
Finn pulls the motorcycle right up in front of my door so there’s only a few steps to get inside. The double front doors seem very imposing, standing sentry in their quiet protection of my house. My home has always seemed mute, but it doesn't seem as lifeless with Finn here with me. It doesn't represent isolation anymore. He's been inside and given me a lot of my firsts here, if these walls could talk they’d have a lot to say.
The memories of those naughty things cause a flush to crawl up my neck.
"You seemed more relaxed on my bike today," he says.
I grin. "It's not so bad. It's still a death machine though."
He rolls his eyes. "Sure, sure."
"It is! You’re thirty times more likely to die in an accident if you are on a motorcycle versus a car,” I inform him.
Finn keeps rolling his eyes as we walk up to the front door. "So, what's the deal with your parents?" he inquires out of nowhere.
I'm caught off guard and stare at him blankly for a moment before I speak, "What about them?"
"They're never here. Every time I've been here, they're not around. I stayed here last night and no parents. Did you think I wouldn't notice?"
Nervousness riddles me as my fingers twitch.
This is the moment of truth, the perfect time to tell him.
Don't chicken out now!
"Well, that's a funny story, actually." I laugh anxiously.
His eyes narrow as if to say, don't try to cover this up with humor. My dark prince isn't amused.
If I want to have any kind of a future, I’m going to need to be transparent. I wouldn’t want anything less from him. "See, my parents...don't live here." His eyes widen a bit as I gulp nervously. "I mean, obviously they live here because it's their house, but they're not—"
I stop short when the front doors are thrown wide open, revealing a fiery, older brunette woman. She slams her hands on her hips with fairy green eyes glaring at me.
"Mom?"
My mother, who I haven't been face to face with since I was twelve, stands in the doorway, looking mighty pissed.
"Francine Lynn, why the hell did I just get a call from your school saying you've been suspended?"
My eyes flash between my mother's displeased expression and Finn staring at me with disbelief, his jaw twitching. My mother suddenly showing up leaves Finn thinking I just lied to him.
I have no idea what to say to either of them.
Finn and I sit at the kitchen island as my mother stands before us.
I expect more yelling and for Finn to storm out, but what I'm greeted with is understanding from both of them. Well, my mother is understanding. Finn is just silent as he watches us with a stoic expression.
"I'm sorry, honey. I shouldn't have yelled. You were probably shocked to see me here after so long. I just need to calm down." She takes a few anxious breaths while doing a weird woosah thing which I snicker at.
"I'm sorry you were here to witness this…" she trails off as she studies Finn, a hint of recognition in her eyes. "You're Nigel O'Reilly's son, aren't you?" she asks.
I expect a look of pride on his face, but he's still so emotionless. "Yeah, he's my dad," he admits and she just stares blankly. "You can just call meFinn," he corrects her.
"Well, sorry about dragging you into this, Finn," she apologizes again, shaking away whatever that was, but I don't miss how sadness darkens her eyes from her recognition of Finn.
Her gaze then turns to me. "I just don't understand this. You’re not that kind of person. You don't get suspended. Hell, I never got suspended, and I hung out with a way more dangerous crowd than you." I can't tell if she's joking or if she's serious.
This is not the person my mother used to be.
"How do you know what kind of person I am? Besides, it wasn't my fault," I say.
"Yes, it was," Finn retorts, and I scowl at him.
She turns her attention to Finn, "Were you involved with this?"
"Yeah," he admits quickly.
"Principal Jordan was being an asshole!" I defend myself.
My mom's eyebrow quirks with intrigue, her green eyes flashing between me and Finn.
She demands, "Explain it to me.” She hasn’t seen me in years and all of the sudden she’s worried about a stupid fight at school? No, How are you? I’ve missed you? But I follow her order anyway and explain everything that happened—leaving out Duncan cheating on me and the conversation between me and Duncan. I'm not ready to address that yet. "He defended you and he was the only one suspended, so you cussed out the principal. Is that the gist of it?"
"Yeah, that was it," Finn mutters before reaching under the island to give my leg a gentle squeeze.
It's a silent signal. Enough to say he's not mad at me and we're okay.
I grip his hand and squeeze it back. Some of the tension releases from my shoulders at this small gesture.
"Everything makes sense now," my mom laughs.
"What?" We both turn to her in confusion.
"This has nothing to do with either of you. Principal Jordan, or Devon Jordan as I know him, has had a massive grudge against Nigel O'Reilly. Devon got his ass kicked in high school by Nigel. It’s obvious that the prick let this Duncan kid get away with it to stick it to Nigel because, as principal, his word is law," my mom snickers at the realization.
"How do you know this?" Finn asks, holding back a laugh.
"Because I dated your father, and I witnessed the fight. Devin hated that I was with Nigel and not him, so I was stuck in the middle of their rivalry."
I'm stunned into silence for a moment as my mother steps to a drawer and pulls out our first aid kit. Somehow she still remembers where it is.
Incredulous, I ask, "You dated his dad?"
Her fingers fumbled at the kit’s lock. "Six months in high school, before your father," she mutters, but I catch how talking about Finn's dad upsets her.
I don't push her. I've always hated seeing her sad and now is no different. I prefer her smiling and laughing.
She’s frazzled as she says, "Oh, shoot. The bandages are missing. I'll check the bathroom." Even after all these years, I know she needs a minute to herself, so I take the first aid kit from her. She quickly leaves as I look down at the kit.
I always make sure it's fully stocked with everything. She just lied to get away.
"That was weird," Finn says.
I pull the antiseptic wipes out of the kit. "She's upset," I say.
"How can you tell?"
"I know my mom," I admit before meeting his stare. I want him to see the honesty in my eyes when I tell him the truth. "Even though we haven’t been in contact for six years."
Finn cocks his head and wrinkles his brow. "Six years?"
I nod. "Or my dad. They went away six years ago and left me here on my own. My dad pays the bills, has groceries delivered, and he texts me once a week to see if I need anything but other than that… I'm alone."
The truth in my words has my voice trembling at the end. He stands and moves his arms around my waist to offer me some comfort. It's enough.
"Why? Why would they leave you alone like that?" he presses for more.
I bury my nose into his chest. "I think they couldn't handle what my uncle tried to do to me and needed to leave me behind," I murmur, the sadness in my voice undeniable. Our hug lasts for a few more moments and with a kiss to the top of my head and another squeeze, we both sit and I return my attention to the kit.
I take the antiseptic wipe and gently dab it on the marks on his face. The blood is dried in some spots so I’m careful not to rub too hard. I’m lost in concentration when I realize Finn is tucking my hair behind my ear in an affectionate fashion. His eyes catch mine. He’s not trying to hide the deep hatred in their depths. His anger isn't directed at me, but at my uncle's actions.
"He should be punished for what he did to you," he says matter-of-factly.
"I can't say I haven't imagined what I would do if I ever saw him again. I'm stuck between running from my PTSD and going into a blind rage and, I don't know, kicking him in the balls or something. I'm not very imaginative when it comes to torture methods," I joke.
I don't expect Finn to think it's funny, but he does and he gently kisses my wrist.
"That's because you’re pure and I'm not just talking about sex. Your soul is pure, even though my darkness has tried it’s hardest to make it gray. It’s rare and should be cherished."
That's so sweet of him to say. The thudding of my heart is so loud that it’s all I can hear for a few moments. "Having a dark soul isn't such a bad thing, either. When all people see is bad, they never know what to expect," I whisper softly.
Surprise immediately consumes his features as his arm tightens around my waist.
His voice is low and demanding when he asks, "Where did you hear that?"
I roll my eyes. "Come on, Finn."
"What?" he presses as his arms hold my waist. "Where did you hear that?" he repeats.
I tilt my head back a bit in confusion. How could he not remember? Is it possible that only I did? "From the mouth of a dark prince who rescued a princess from her tower and never returned, exactly like he said he would," I slowly say my response, expecting him to interrupt me at any moment saying: of course, I remember or something of the sort.
I become self conscious as he concentrates on my face. His eyes travel back and forth like my autobiography is written there. Suddenly, he blinks like he’s been shocked back to reality and he's seeing me for the first time. He really had no idea I’m the girl he rescued so long ago. "That was... you?" he says, stunned by my revelation.
