Bad Kind of Love

by Remi Rose

  “Let them go.” A stern voice shouts from the doorway and all our heads turn to look.

  Jack.

  This time he didn’t look like the monster in my nightmares, he had been my savior this whole time.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Becca

  His eyes only held mine as he stood by the door with clenched fists. They dropped down the length of me to assess me for any harm, but I shook my head to relieve some of his worry.

  “Son.”

  Jack focuses on his dad who’s staring at him in utter fascination.

  “Dad.” He returns and begins walking into the room. The air seems to shift and all curious eyes land on Jack.

  “I was hoping you’d come.” He grins.

  Jack makes his way for me but is quickly cut off by scar face.

  “Come, sit down. It’s been a while.”

  Jack grunts but follows his father’s orders and sits down in the chair across from the desk.

  “Let them go, and I’ll stay as long as you like.” Jack tries to persuade him but his dad just shakes his head.

  “How’s my grandson?” He changes the subject causing me to flinch at the mention of Wes.

  “None of your concern.” He spits.

  My dad’s arms tighten around me, but I’m compelled to dart out of here.

  “He was every bit of my concern when the whore you knocked up came crawling to my door with my grandson.” He spat. “You should be thanking me that you don’t have to deal with that bitch anymore.”

  Jack's eyes darkened as well as my own. I didn’t know much about Wes’s mother, only that she was a stripper and had abandoned her son.

  But the way he spoke of her, made it seem like there was no chance she would ever come back into Wes’s or Jack’s life.

  Immediate chills trickled down my spine, and I kept my heavy gaze focused between the both of them, bouncing back and forth until Jack spoke up.

  “Hannah left on her own fucking terms, don’t pretend like you had anything to do with her leaving.” Jack snarled, ready to pounce.

  “You’re right.” He nods with a chuckle. “The cocaine I gave her to leave and never come back wasn’t my doing.” He continues to laugh menacingly. “She left all on her fucking own.”

  “I don’t give a shit about Hannah.” Jack swore. “What I do give a shit about is how you think you are entitled to see Wes. You were never a father to me, and you will never be a grandfather to him.”

  The words flew out of Jack’s mouth like venom, causing his dad’s face to grimace in anger.

  “Your disloyalty wounds me.” He grabs his chest as if he’s in pain but Jack seems to know better.

  “I was loyal to you my whole fucking life.” He snaps, ready to lunge across the desk. “The deal was Wes and I live in peace while you forget we even existed.”

  He made a deal with his dad?

  “Yes the deal, how could I forget?” He mocks with laughter. “Let you live a boring life that you desperately wanted for your son so he’d grow up and now nothing of his bloodline.”

  “A tainted bloodline.” Jack growls.

  “His veins flow with our blood no matter how much you try to deny it son.” His eyes match Jack’s. “Despite how far you may stray from us, a part of who you once were still lingers inside you.”

  “The man I once was is dead now.” Jack rises from the chair just as his dad reaches for the knife on his desk.

  “And was reborn as a teacher?” He mocks, causing everyone in the room to join in laughter. “Really Jack? I think we both can agree that isn’t your true calling.”

  Jack watches the knife closely, keeping his stance motionless and cautious.

  “But now I can see why you choose such a… gratifying career.” His eyes slice over to mine and an animalistic growl escapes Jack.

  “Keep your fucking eyes on me.”

  “I can appreciate a beautiful woman when I see one.” He defends with a sly grin. “But is she worth it? Worth the risk of going to prison?”

  “She’s worth whatever madness she brings to my life.”

  I watch Jack’s eyes as they fill with utmost passion while he speaks of me. His words run through the deepest part of me, sparking my soul and heart back to life.

  “I know you to be many things…” He shakes his head while chuckling. “But I never thought you to be foolish.”

  He once again observes me with a scrutinizing look as if he’s picking me apart.

  “She’s an O’Connor, the daughter of a liar and thief.” He spits. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

  Pushing out of my dad’s arm, I glare at Jack’s father.

  “You don’t know anything about me or what I’ve been through.” I shout. “But a liar and a thief is something I will never be.”

  Jack observes me closely with a tight stare. His body treks over to me, but his father cuts him off with a hand to his shoulder.

  “You have fire like us Fitzgerald’s.” He eyes me with a strange look across his face.

  I hear my dad scoff from behind us as all eyes land on him. His nose stopped bleeding but his shirt was covered in red as was mine.

  “She’ll never be a Fitzgerald as long as I’m still fucking alive.” He roars and I feel like smacking him silly.

  Apparently he was asking for a death wish.

  The room remains silent, but you can feel the temperature rise to an uncomfortable degree.

  “I think that's up to her.” Scar face announces from beside us. I observe him with a raised brow when suddenly he flicks his eyes to Jack. “Good to see you too, brother.”

  Brother?

  “Just let them go.” Jack begs, this time his voice sounds desperate. “I’ll fucking stay as long as you want if you let them go.”

  His dad seems to ponder the question but the thought of Jack trying to save us again hits me. He’d risk his whole fucking life for me. Everything and anything, to keep me safe.

  “No.” I whisper causing their heads to whip towards me. “I won’t let you stay here to save us. If you stay, I stay.”

  Jack’s eyes fill with a mix of adoration and annoyance all at the same time. As much as I wanted to hate him for what he did, I couldn’t. Our love was like the ocean, violent storms may shake us up and wreak havoc on our lives but there was always a rainbow on the other side. No matter what obstacles were put in our way, love always prevailed.

  “Becca…” My dad mumbles behind me.

  Twisting around, I shake my head.

  “Nothing you do or say will change my mind about him.” I feel a tear fall from my face.

  The minute my eyes connected with Jack I felt the earth rumble beneath my feet. We were a match made in hell. Our love shook us both to our cores until one day we could no longer deny our connection.

  I wanted this forever. Him and I, till the day we die.

  “You love him?” Jack’s dad dropped his hold on his son and I flew fast into the arms of the man I loved.

  Wrapping my arms around his neck, I felt his circle around my waist before dropping his head into the curve of my neck.

  “I’m sorry.” He whispers against my skin.

  My eyes shut as I soak in his touch, smell and the warmth that exudes off his body.

  “It’s okay.” I mumble back.

  Once we pulled away from each other, all eyes seemed to have landed on our embrace. Where my father appeared defeated, Jack’s dad wore a small smile.

  “If you want to leave, leave.” He motions toward the door shocking us both. “Just think of this as a favor…”

  Jack tenses beside me.

  “What’s the catch?” He asks.

  “No catch, just a father trying to do the right thing.” He nods before dropping back down into his seat at his desk. Peering down at a pile of papers, he goes on working like we aren't even there.

  Jack pulls me by the hand and walks us toward the door. My dad follows closely behind.

  “The nam
e’s Kent by the way.” He announces causing my eyes to catch his one last time.

  Instead of responding, I nod and exit the room. We rush out of the building fast, but once we reach outside, my dad's hand wraps around my arm and I’m pulled towards him.

  “Just because you saved us doesn’t mean I’m gonna let you be with my daughter.” He scoffs as I try to tug out of his grip.

  Jack snarls in return, but understanding flashes across his face.

  “I don’t expect you to like me.” He rakes a hand through his hair. “Hate me, I don’t care but Becca and I will always be together, no matter what the fuck you say.”

  “I more than hate you, Fitzgerald…”

  Tearing my arms out of his hand, I smack him hard across his face.

  “You have no room to judge anyone.” I snarl. “My whole life has been a giant shit show because of you and mom. If you think for one second you are going to dictate my life, you are sorely fucking mistaken.”

  Grabbing his battered face, he frowns.

  “Becca, I…”

  “No.” I point. “You either accept us or get the hell out of my life. You’ve been gone for most of it anyway.”

  The ultimatum was uncalled for, but I was tired of him acting like super dad.

  Because he wasn’t.

  He stares hard at me, and I can sense the sadness and regret he feels toward me. I know he realizes he was a shitty dad, but right now wasn’t the time to be strict with me. I wasn’t the same little girl anymore. I grew up and the choices I’d make would be my own despite his objections.

  “I’m sorry.” He apologizes. “I just want to be the dad you always wanted and seeing you with him, your fucking teacher, aggravates the hell out of me.”

  “I’m graduating next week, from now until then nothing’s going to change.” I press. “I’m eighteen, I know what I want and what I want is him.” I glance over to Jack who watches our interaction closely.

  “Fuck.” My dad’s head drops. “Till graduation, I don’t want to see your face around my house.” He points a finger at Jack. “And you, you better not end up getting pregnant.”

  “I don’t plan on it anytime soon.” I reassure.

  He glances between the both of us, lingering on Jack with a firm stare.

  “Don’t hold her back, she deserves the world.” His tone is filled with a tenderness for me that I’ve never seen before.

  “Never.” Jack reaches for my hand entwining them together.

  My dad releases a deep sigh and peers at me one last time.

  “Stay safe.”

  And with that, he left.

  “Are you okay?” Jack’s voice startles me as my eyes were locked onto my dad leaving.

  “Yes.” I nod, throwing myself into his arms.

  I’ll always be okay if I had him.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Becca

  One week later

  Graduation Day

  “Have you seen Wes?” I ask Josie who stands beside me messing with her cap that lies perfectly on her head.

  “No.” She shakes her head. “Chances are he won’t show up.”

  I had a small ounce of hope that he’d come, but the reality of it was he wasn’t. It was wishful thinking anyway.

  “You think so?” I searched around the crowd of students for a glimpse of him but I had no luck.

  “Becca, the man is in love with you and you picked his dad over you. No way is he showing up.”

  Rolling my eyes, I go back to feeling like a shitty person all over again. After telling Josie everything that happened with Jack and Wes, she’s been nothing but supportive.

  Even if she did almost pass out from the news.

  For the past week, I’ve tried sending Wes texts but they always went unanswered. It hurt more than it should have but how can someone go from being your best friend to a stranger in a matter of a day?

  It was impossible.

  “I’m sure he’s okay though.” She reassured me.

  “I hope so.” I mumble.

  After waiting for what felt like hours, we were finally at the part in the ceremony where we got our diplomas.

  It was a long dreadful process, waiting for hundreds of students to get their piece of paper but luckily I had some eye candy to look at.

  A certain someone who looked good enough to eat as they stood beside the podium on the stage. Every now and then our eyes would meet, and I couldn’t help but smile.

  “Becca O’Connor.”

  Rising onto my feet, I walk up the small set of stairs and stride toward the principal and other teachers that wait to shake my hand. The process is quick, I grab the diploma then put my hand in theirs. But once my hand lands in Jack’s, I feel a rush course through my body and it takes everything inside me not to jump him.

  “Thank you.” I whisper sweetly before marching off the stage.

  About an hour later, the graduation was finished and students littered the arena. Aunt Claire and my dad came over to congratulate me but the feeling of being watched from behind caused me to excuse myself.

  A flash of Jack's dark hair caught my eye as he strode outside of the crowd and wandered down the empty halls until he stopped in front of a small room.

  “Congratulations.” He grins taking in the blue gown that rests just above my ankles.

  “Thank you.” I close the door behind me before dragging the zipper of the gown slowly down my body. “Looks like we don’t have to hide anymore.”

  His hot stare follows my movement, licking at his bottom lip the second the gown pools at my feet.

  “Seems so.” He mumbles taking in my purple dress, focusing on my exposed legs.

  “But I kind of like being secretive.” I step towards him. “Knowing that any minute someone could catch us.”

  He quickly reaches for me, pressing us chest to chest before noticing the redness in my eyes.

  “Have you been crying?” His face turns serious as he brushes his finger just under my eye.

  “A little.” I admit. “I’m worried about Wes.”

  He lets out a deep breath, but it wasn’t from annoyance.

  He was worried too.

  “He’s staying with a friend.”

  My eyes widen. “You spoke to him?”

  “Yes.”

  What?

  “What did he say?” I press.

  “Just what I told you, nothing more.”

  I feel almost relieved. At least I knew he was safe and okay.

  “I hate when you’re upset.” He drops a chaste kiss to my forehead and my eyes flutter closed.

  “I’m okay now.” I smile.

  We stand there for a moment just relishing in each other’s presence when I peer back up at him.

  “So what happens now?” I ask.

  His brows knit together in confusion. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean with us? College?”

  “Where you go, I go.” He promises.

  “So if I want to go to Georgia, you’ll come with me?”

  As crazy as that sounded, it made my heart flip.

  “I’d follow you to the fucking ends of the earth if I had to.” He swipes a finger across my lower lip. “If Georgia is what you want, then Georgia is what you’ll get.”

  My feet rise up on their toes and I crash my lips against his. We move wildly, passionately, a force that sends us into a frenzy of need. Teeth clashing, nails clawing, it was a hunger we couldn’t deny for one another. His hands ravage my body, leaving a trail of fire that sparks the deepest part of my soul.

  He was never the monster, never the terrible man I made him out to be. In the end he became a different kind of villain, one that danced in the same darkness as I did and one that fed my soul till we became one.

  I was always meant to be his as he was always meant to be mine.

  EPILOGUE

  Becca

  6 Months Later

  Morning sex. A cup of coffee. And a grueling day of college.

 
; That was my mantra for the year, and thanks to Jack, I’ve been the happiest I’ve ever been. After weeks of scouring newspaper ads and zillow, we found an apartment close to the University.

  About fifteen minutes away to be exact.

  While I was diving right into my studies, Jack found another teaching position. He swapped out dealing with a bunch of hormonal teenagers, to a group of savage ten year olds. He comes home everyday complaining about his day, but deep down I can tell those kids mean the world to him.

  Even if he doesn’t express it.

  “Honey, I’m home!” I shout as I burst through the front door with a bright smile across my face. Kicking off my chucks, I strut through the living room waiting for Jack to pop out and greet me.

  But it never comes.

  Reaching into my back pocket for my phone, I notice a missed text from Jack and immediately open it.

  Jack: Running late, be home soon.

  Sighing, I shove my phone back into my pocket and head for the kitchen. Our apartment was small, a one bedroom and one bath, but it was cozy. Perfect for just the two of us and had plenty of space.

  Pulling out a lemon-lime gatorade, I saunter down our narrow hallway and enter our bedroom. Our black painted walls instantly calm me the minute I set foot inside. There was something about the darkness that relaxed my senses, it reminded me of peace.

  No chaos, no nothing.

  It was quiet.

  Our quiet place.

  As I walk past our bed, I pull out the swivel chair that sits in front of our computer and plop down into it. Hiking my foot under my ass, I get comfortable and scoot up close to the screen. Grabbing the mouse, I shake it and immediately the screen lights up.

  Noticing a bunch of tabs open, I realize Jack forgot to log out. As I move the mouse key to exit out of the pages, something staggering catches my eye.

  An unfinished email with the subject line reading, I’m sorry.

  Glancing up to the recipient, I about faint when I see Wes’s email.

  Both Jack and I haven’t spoken or seen Wes since that night. We never brought him up, even though he crossed my mind almost daily. It felt wrong to worry about him or to even wonder how he was doing. I felt as though I didn’t have the right after what I did to him. So, I did what I do best and that's pretend like Wes never existed.