1
Kaine Ellery laid in bed with her son, Adam. "Do you want to read a book, peanut?"
"No," he said, bouncing up and down. "I want daddy."
"Daddy's at work. He'll be here when you wake up."
"I don't want daddy to work."
"I know, baby. But if daddy didn't work, you wouldn't have any toys. And we wouldn't be able to live here anymore."
Adam frowned. "I like my toys."
"I know you do. That's why daddy has to work. Let's read Goodnight Moon."
Adam laid down and Kaine cuddled next to him, opening the book. She read it three times before he fell asleep. She quietly crept out of his bedroom and closed the door behind her. She went to her own room and laid in bed, thinking. She didn't like that Shane has been working such long hours lately, but she understood it. Her father was also a lawyer, and she remembered all of the late nights he used to work. After her mother died, her father had made more of an effort get home early, but it didn't last very long. Certain cases just took a lot of time, and there was nothing he could do about it. Her teenage years mostly consisted of laying around the house and eating the pizza that her father always left money for.
Lost in her thoughts, she gasped and sat up when the bedroom door opened. "Hey, beautiful," Shane greeted her. She couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face. Seeing him was the highlight of her day. After almost ten years together, she would never get tired of the butterflies she felt when he walked through the door.
"I missed you," she said, holding out her arms. He climbed on the bed and pulled her on top of him. "Sorry I took so long. Is Adam asleep?"
"Yeah. He was asking for you. I told him he'd see you in the morning."
"Oh," Shane said, disappointed. Kaine knew he felt bad when he wasn't home by the time Adam went to sleep. "I'll try to get home early tomorrow to spend some time with him. Did you have a good day?"
She nodded. "That kid has way too much energy. Even for a four year old."
"I’m sorry," Shane said, rubbing her back. "Mom and Tom are taking him for the weekend. That’ll give you some time to recover."
Kaine laughed. "I have a feeling you won’t give me a chance to recover."
Shane grinned, moving his hands down to her butt. "You got that right. I can’t wait to have you all to myself."
Kaine rolled over and pulled Shane to her. "Me neither," she whispered, crushing her mouth to his. Shane pulled off his shirt and took his time unbuttoning hers. She writhed underneath him in anticipation. "You’re so beautiful," he whispered, unbuttoning his pants. Kaine quickly pulled hers off and wrapped her legs around him. He groaned, sliding inside her. She loved how sex was always exciting with Shane. She never knew if he was going to take her hard and rough or slow and sweetly. She stared into his eyes, biting her lip. "Fuck," he groaned, rolling her on top of him. Kaine sat up and rode him as he massaged her breasts. She picked up speed, leaning back. "I’m gonna come," she gasped. She gyrated against him as he flipped her over and continued pounding into her. He grunted, finishing. "I love you so much, Kainie."
"I love you too," she murmured before falling asleep in his arms.
"Adam, please eat your cereal," Kaine begged, throwing on her shoes. "We have to get to Miss Anna’s house. And I can’t be late to work again."
Adam played with his spoon and ignored her.
"Go. I’ve got this. My first client isn’t until 10," Shane said, kissing her on the cheek.
"Thank God," Kaine said. She kissed Adam and Shane and headed out the door. Getting into her car, she took a deep breath. Working full time with a four year old son was crazy, but she wouldn’t change it for anything. She loved her job as a third grade teacher, and looked forward to seeing Shane and Adam every day after school. She especially couldn't wait for this weekend to have Shane to herself with no distractions. She pulled into her parking spot at the school and got out, stretching.
"Hey Kaine," she was greeted by Layla James, another third grade teacher. "Did you hear what happened to Josh?"
Kaine’s head snapped up in surprise. "Josh Matthews?"
Layla nodded. "Yeah. He got mugged."
Kaine gasped. "Is he ok?"
"He will be," Layla said. "But he broke his clavicle. And he fractured his arm. He’ll be out for at least a month."
"That’s awful," Kaine said softly. Josh was the other third grade teacher. Him, Kaine and Layla were all in their late twenties and were best friends. Josh was also a fantastic teacher. "Do they know who did it?"
Layla shook her head. "They think it was random. Guy just took his wallet and ran off. Unless he tries to use the credit cards, the police aren’t too hopeful."
"I had no idea," Kaine said as they walked down the hall to their adjacent classrooms. "Do they think it was a hate crime?"
"Probably not. Josh is the straightest gay guy I've ever met. You can't tell just by looking at him. Apparently he was alone when the attack happened."
"Maybe I’ll visit him after work," Kaine said as she put her coffee on her desk and looked at the clock. Ten minutes until kids started arriving. "So what’s going on with you? How’s Garrett?"
Layla wrinkled her nose. "I wouldn’t know. He hasn’t called me in over a week. Am I ugly or something?"
Kaine laughed. "You couldn’t be ugly if you shaved your head and grew a beard." Layla, like Kaine, had long blond hair. Where Kaine was tall, Layla was barely 5’3. Her personality made up for her size, and she always seemed to have the presence of ten people.
"Well something must be wrong with me. Why do guys do that? If you don’t want to see me anymore, tell me. Don’t string me along."
Kaine smiled sympathetically. "I’m sorry Layla. It’s his loss."
"Yeah, that’s what everyone says. Doesn’t make me feel much better though. I really thought he could be the one. I'm ready to get married and have kids, and every guy I meet just wants to hook up."
Kaine shrugged. "Sometimes you have to go through a lot of losers to find a good guy."
Layla laughed. "Says the woman who married her rich and sexy high school sweetheart."
"It wasn’t always like that," Kaine protested. "Before our parents got married, he was awful to me. He made my junior year of high school miserable."
"And yet you still married him," Layla mused. Kaine grinned. "That’s what I’m saying. Sometimes you find love in the most unlikely places."
"Yeah, speaking of that..." Layla trailed off, staring open mouthed at the man standing in the doorway. He flashed her a perfect white smile. His dimpled grin faded when he saw Kaine. "Oh," he said, startled. "My God."
Kaine’s vision started to blur.
Breathe, Kaine. Just breathe.
Camden Lawson stood in the doorway awkwardly. "I didn’t know you worked here, Kaine. Jesus, what a small world."
Layla stared between them with raised eyebrows. "You two know each other?"
Kaine nodded, letting out a shaky breath. "What are you doing here, Camden?"
He gave her a nervous smile. "Subbing for Josh Matthews."
Kaine stared at him for a minute.
Calm down. He’s not here to hurt you.
Camden cleared his throat. "I’m Camden Lawson," he said, stepping tentatively forward and shaking Layla’s hand.
"Layla James," Layla said with a flirty smile. "So how do you all know each other?"
Camden gave her a friendly smile. "We went to high school together."
"Oh," Layla said, looking at him through her lashes. "So you know Kaine’s husband, Shane Ellery?"
Camden's face fell slightly and he nodded curtly. "I do. Kaine, can I talk to you for a minute?"
Kaine glanced at Layla, wide eyed
. She didn't want to be alone with him. Misreading her face, Layla smiled. "I’ll let you two catch up." She walked back to her classroom with a swing in her hips. Camden turned back to Kaine. "Listen..."
Kaine shot up. "Did you follow me here? Did you know I worked here?"
Camden’s eyes widened. "Kaine, I had no idea. I swear. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m so, so sorry for what I did. I don’t expect you to forgive me, but I hope you can. I’m not that guy anymore."
She shook her head. "Kaine, please," he pleaded.
"You beat me up," she said quietly. "You stalked me and spied on me. You tried to rape me. You would have, if Shane hadn’t stopped you. You left your fingerprints on my face. If you want my forgiveness, you can go fuck yourself."
Camden winced. "I get that, Kaine. I do. But I really am sorry. I wasn’t myself. And I need this job. Badly."
"Why?" Kaine snapped. "I thought you were going to be a big shot lawyer at your daddy’s firm."
Camden closed his eyes. "My dad is dead."
"Oh," Kaine said in surprise. "I’m sorry."
Camden shrugged. "It’s ok. You didn’t know. Him and my mom were in a bad accident a few years ago. He didn’t make it. My mom..." He swallowed hard. "She lived. But she’s...not well. I had to drop out of law school to take care of her. So now I’m subbing."
Kaine looked down. "I’m sorry, Camden. I had no idea."
He shrugged. "No, I suppose you wouldn’t, with the restraining order and all." He let out a small laugh. "Seriously though, Kaine. I don’t expect you to forgive me. But I do need this job. The bills are piling up..."
"I get it," Kaine interrupted. "It’s fine. Really. I mean, it’s not fine. But...I guess I can live with this."
Camden sighed in relief. "Thanks. So...how’s Shane?"
Kaine smiled awkwardly. "He’s good."
Camden nodded. "That’s good. Well...see you around." He turned and left, and Kaine let out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
Shit.
She believed Camden when he said that he wouldn’t hurt her again. Shane, however, was another story. If he found out that Camden was working next to her, he would flip out. He’d either beat the shit out of Camden, get Camden fired or make her quit her job. None of those were acceptable to Kaine. She sighed. She hated lying to Shane. They told each other everything. "Fuck my life," she muttered, opening her lesson book and trying to figure out a way to break the news to Shane.
Layla sat down next to Kaine in the teacher’s lounge. "I can’t believe you know him," she whispered excitedly. "Is he single?"
Kaine rolled her eyes. "I don’t know. I didn’t ask. Listen, Layla..."
"Mind if I sit here?"
Kaine looked up to Camden grinning down at her. She cleared her throat. "Go ahead."
Layla smiled up at him. "So you and Kaine went to school together? What was she like back then?"
Camden sat down, glancing at Kaine. "She was sweet. Always seeing the best in everybody. And very forgiving."
Kaine looked down. She wasn’t sure if Camden was talking about himself or Shane.
"Oh," Layla said, disappointed. "So, she hasn't changed in ten years."
Kaine stifled a laugh. "Are you disappointed? What were you expecting?"
Layla grinned at her. "That you were a stoner or a slut or something."
Kaine rolled her eyes. "Sorry to burst your bubble."
"So what were you like in high school, Camden?" Layla asked shyly. Camden shrugged. "I guess I was just normal. I was on the wrestling team with Kaine’s husband."
"Really? Were you friends?" Layla asked.
"We were," Camden answered honestly. "At one point."
Layla frowned. "What happened?"
"Layla, please," Kaine interrupted. "You don’t have to get his life story today. He’ll be here for another month."
Camden laughed uncomfortably. "I should be going anyway. I’ll see you both later." He stood up to leave and Layla watched him, almost drooling. "Please, please, please find out if he’s single," she begged. "He’s so gorgeous."
Kaine closed her eyes and shook her head. An image of a seventeen year old Camden popped in her head.
"You’re gonna fuck me like you fucked him."
She gasped, opening her eyes. "Layla, I have to tell you something."
Layla raised her eyebrows, waiting.
"Back in high school, Camden and I were..."
"Oh my god, you slept with him!" Layla cried.
"Shh!" Kaine hissed, looking around. "I didn’t sleep with him. But he was...obsessive."
"Obsessive like how?"
Kaine didn’t want to tell Layla about her past with Camden. She loved Layla, but she had the biggest mouth of anybody she had ever met. She didn’t trust her to keep a secret, and the last thing she wanted was for people to look at her and think of her as a victim, especially if Camden was going to be working here. But she also didn’t want Layla to get involved with him, knowing what he was capable of. "He used to follow me around," she finally said. "He would show up where I was, and I finally told him to leave me alone."
"Did he?" Layla asked, leaning forward. Kaine could already tell that Layla wasn’t going to keep this to herself.
"No. He didn’t. And that’s all I’m saying. I don’t want to talk about it. I just wanted to warn you. You may think he’s good looking, but be careful. Please."
"But that was a long time ago. I’m sure he’s different now."
"Probably," Kaine agreed. "But you never know. That being said, can we talk about something else?"
"Sure," Layla said. "Did you see Project Runway last night?"
"No. The only shows I get to watch anymore are Yo Gabba Gabba and Dora the Explorer."
Layla burst out laughing. "Maybe I am glad I don’t have kids yet."
2
Kaine got into her car and checked her watch. She had 45 minutes until she had to pick up Adam. She pulled into Celia’s Lingerie and glanced around before getting out and hurrying to the door. Not that it was a trashy shop, but she didn’t need any parents to see their kid’s teacher walking into a lingerie shop.
Kaine browsed the lingerie. She was excited to spend time with Shane tomorrow. Their sex life wasn’t lacking by any means, but they didn’t have much time for fun stuff or romance. She finally settled on a black lacy bra and panty set that looked like the one she wore when she lost her virginity to him. As an afterthought, she grabbed some thigh highs. It drove him crazy when she wore them under her work skirts.
Stuffing the bag under her car seat, she drove to the hospital to visit Josh. She still couldn’t believe he had gotten mugged. They lived in such a safe area.
After finding out what room he was in, she walked down the quiet hallway. This was the same hospital where she had given birth to Adam. It was also the same hospital that she had gone to after Camden attacked her. She pushed those thoughts out of her head and quietly opened the door to Josh’s room. He looked up and smiled sleepily at her. She gasped and her eyes filled with tears at the sight of him. His face was bruised and swollen and it looked like half of his body was in a cast. He was almost unrecognizable.
"Hey, Kaine."
"Are you ok?" She asked. She shook her head. Of course he wasn’t ok. What a stupid question. "Sorry," she apologized. "How do you feel?"
"I feel okay," he answered. "But I’m on lots of painkillers."
"What happened?" She asked softly, sitting down in the chair next to the bed.
"I got jumped," he said. "I’m ok, Kaine. Really. Don’t cry."
"I’m not crying," she sniffed.
"Yeah, but you’re about to. I know you."
She couldn’t help it. The sight of her friend looking so broken and helpless was heartbreaking. "Did you see who did it?"
He shook his head. "No, not really. It was dark and he was wearing a mask."
"You didn’t see anything?" She asked.
"I did turn around before he sm
ashed me in the face. I know he was about my height. That’s about it."
Kaine let out a sigh of relief. Camden was a good five inches taller than Josh. Not that she had thought that it was him. Not really. "How long are you going to be out for?" She asked, shaking away her thoughts.
"Hopefully no more than a month," he said, yawning. "I don’t want the kids to see me like this. The school is being really accommodating. I don’t think they want the kids seeing me like this either."
Kaine agreed. It was hard enough for her at twenty seven to see him like this.
"Have they found a long term sub for me yet?"
She pursed her lips and nodded. "Yeah."
"What’s that look for?" He asked.
Kaine had to smile. "You’re almost better at reading me than my husband is."
"I know. It’s a gift. So tell me what’s wrong with the sub. Is she a bitch?"
She shook her head. "No. It’s someone I used to know. Camden Lawson. We have something of a history."
"Go on," he said when she paused.
She looked at her hands, trying to decide how much to tell him. "I went to high school with him. Before I started dating Shane, I had the biggest crush on him. He was so nice. And so handsome. At least I thought he was. Shane was..."
"Was what, Kaine?"
"He was awful," she blurted out. "He used to call me names and treat me horribly."
"Are you kidding? Shane?"
She nodded. "I know. I hate talking about it. I hate even thinking about it. On the last day of junior year, Shane got all hopped up on steroids and ripped off my shirt and groped me. Camden found me and gave me his jacket."
"Are you serious?" He asked.
She nodded.
"Kaine, I’m sorry, but how did you end up with Shane after he did those things to you? That’s crazy. How could you even stand to look at him? Weren’t you scared of him?"
"I was. At first. He tried to tell me it was a prank, but he looked...scary when he was doing it. I was scared. I didn’t know he was messed up at the time."
"So then what?"
"You know how my dad married Shane’s mom. I never thought I’d have feelings for him. I hated him at first. He was an arrogant jackass. But...he wasn’t. Not really. Not deep inside. He was sweet. Like the guy he is now."
Make Me (Bully Me Book 2) Page 1
