“He’s not really in any position to complain, seeing as we know exactly what he’s been up to.”
“Maybe not, but this is still his house.”
He groans. “You know, I prefer it when you’re a rule breaker.”
“Even bad girls need to toe the line every now and then. Now,” I say with a kiss to his nose, “we need to get moving.”
“But—”
“No buts, Savage.”
I jump from the bed and pull the sheets with me, leaving him totally bare behind me. Glancing over my shoulder, I run my eyes over every solid inch of him. My muscles clench to jump on top of him but I know I can’t, so instead, I continue walking toward the bathroom.
He’s still in exactly the same place when I emerge and does everything he can to tempt me back into bed.
“You know delayed gratification is a thing, right?”
“I’m too impatient for that. Especially when it comes to you.”
“It’ll be so worth it later. Now get dressed before your dad drags you out of the house buck naked.” I throw his clothes at him in the hope it gets him moving.
Thankfully he does, but when we get downstairs both our parents are waiting not so patiently for us.
“Finally,” Eric mutters. “We don’t want to know what took you both so long.”
“Don’t look at me. I’ve been ready for ages. It was your son who refused to get out of bed.”
The four of us head for Eric’s car so he can take us out for breakfast before we separate. Mom and I go home to help Rachel with the Thanksgiving preparations. Mom tried to tell her that we didn’t need her, but she insisted. I have no idea what her story is, but I can’t help but think that the Savages are her family of sorts.
Once everything’s sorted and in the oven, we make ourselves a pitcher of margaritas, which is something of a tradition for our Thanksgiving celebrations, and Mom drags me up to her and Eric’s bedroom.
“This really isn’t necessary.”
“Oh, come on. Don’t you want to look the part for Ethan?”
“Ethan’s more than happy with how I look now. Bald patch and all,” I say, pointing to the side of my head.
“I’m sure he is, honey. But how about we surprise him? Show him what you’ve really got.”
“He’s aware,” I say and then instantly regret it. Heat hits my cheeks as what I’ve just admitted to her hits me full force.
“Rae, you’re an adult, so I’m not going to give you that speech, but I will say this…” I groan, wondering what the hell is going to follow. “I am way too young to be a grandmother, so please, I beg you, be safe.”
“I’m not intending on being a parent anytime soon, don’t worry.” I don’t tell her that I’ve already made an appointment to get myself on birth control as Ethan suggested. A girl’s got to have some secrets. It’s bad enough that Mom and Eric are going to be a front row seat to our relationship. Well, when they’re here that is. What happens after high school is still up for discussion. I might be crazy even considering a future together. College is still a long way off, but we need to at least get our ducks in a row, and I need to take a serious look at where I want to go and what I want to study.
By the time Mom has finished with me, my makeup is light and perfect, my hair is hanging around my shoulders, the ends styled in loose curls. I stare at myself in the mirror, wondering who the hell the girl is looking back. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen myself looking like this. At least I’ve got my usual clothes on to remind me of who I really am.
“I’ve got a present for you.” The second the words pass her lips my stomach drops. It only gets worse when she pulls out a Macy’s bag from her closet.
“Mom, you really didn’t need—”
“Oh shush. I wanted to treat you. I hope you like it.”
Knowing that Mom has spent most of my teenage years trying to make me a girly girl, hence the Thanksgiving makeover, I dread to think what I’m about to pull out. Probably some frilly, flowery cocktail dress. Something I wouldn’t be seen in in a million years, yet something I already know I’m going to wear just to make her happy. There’s only ever been one person I’d put my own feelings aside for, and that’s her. She might have made my life harder than it’s needed to be over the years, but I know deep down she’s only ever done it in an attempt to better our lives. She’s not always gone the right way about it, but she’s tried, I’ll give her that.
Sucking in a large breath, I open the bag and pull out the fabric, praying I’m not going to hate it.
Much to my surprise, the material that emerges is a deep purple, exactly the color I’d choose for myself, and as of yet, no frills.
When I finally hold the dress up, I can’t believe my eyes. It’s a tight-fitting, body con style with a huge feature zipper running down the length of the back. It’s got thin spaghetti straps and a really quite low V at the front which I’m sure Ethan is going to love.
“It’s stunning. I love it,” I say, honestly, totally relieved that she’s not about to dress me up like a doll.
“I knew you would the moment I saw it.”
“Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome, honey. Now go and slip it on. The boys will be back soon.”
With a kiss to her cheek, I leave her to get dressed and head to my room with my new dress in hand.
Already knowing there’s no chance of wearing a bra under it, I ignore that drawer and instead open the one full of the fancy Victoria’s Secret panties I bought with Ethan’s credit card. I search through until I find the tiniest pair I bought and then make quick work of changing.
I stand in front of my full-length mirror, wondering who’s staring back at me. The shadows I’m so used to seeing in my eyes are gone, my glossy dark hair shines around my shoulders, and my skin looks fresh, not only with Mom’s makeover but with the hint of a tan I’ve managed in my time here, despite it practically being winter. I’ve never spent so much time outside and it shows.
The new dress shows off my curves to perfection until I get down to my boots. I laugh at myself. They’re probably not what Mom had in mind to complete this look, but I still need to have a bit of myself in this outfit.
With a nod of my head, I turn and walk out of my room, butterflies beginning to dance in my stomach as I think about Ethan’s reaction to this new and, dare I say it, improved version of myself.
“Honey, that looks incredible.” Her nose wrinkles when she sees my feet. “Really?” she asks with a laugh but thankfully doesn’t bother arguing.
I shrug, walking over to help her finish setting up the table with Rachel.
“You’re staying to eat with us, right?” Mom asks her.
“Oh no, I couldn’t.”
“Do you have anywhere else to eat?” Mom persists.
“Well, no. But—”
“No buts. You’re as much a part of his family, if not more so, than we are. Set yourself a seat.”
Rachel nods, her cheeks a little rosy and her eyes glassy.
The front door slams, and my heart jumps into my throat.
Clenching my fists at my side, I listen as their footsteps get louder before they both appear in the doorway. Eric immediately walks over to Mom, but whatever happens past that, I’ve no idea, because all my attention is solely on Ethan.
With his eyes wide, he slowly runs them over every inch of me. I squirm under his attention. Not knowing what he’s thinking unnerves me, but it only lasts so long because his eyes find mine once again and I can read every single thought in his head, and every single one is filthy and should not be thought about with our parents only feet away.
I swallow nervously when he takes a step forward. Time stands still as I watch him, but then he’s right there in front of me, my face framed by his hands. I have no choice but to step back until I gently hit the wall behind me.
“Rae,” he breathes, his eyes dancing all over my face, down my hair and to my chest for a beat. “Fuck.” His eyes find mine
once again, and they bounce between them as he fights with the words he wants to say. “Fuck it. Rae… I think I’m falling in love with you.” I gasp at the raw honesty in his words. “You turned my world upside down, but it turns out it was in the best way fucking possible. I was nothing before you, and I already know that I never want to go back to being him. You’ve made me, Rae. You’ve made me the man I am, and I’ll forever be grateful you saw through all the bullshit and gave me a chance.” He doesn’t give me the opportunity to respond, because his lips find mine and he kisses me much too deeply and passionately for our parents to witness.
“All right, son, put her down. You’re even embarrassing the turkey,” Eric says lightly.
Both of us pull back with wide smiles on our faces, hunger shining in our eyes.
“I mean it,” he whispers.
“I know. I feel the same.” The wide smile that stretches across his face is everything. It’s so beautiful and honest that it totally makes all of the bullshit we’ve both endured worth it. “Now, let’s go and celebrate our first of many Thanksgivings.”
Epilogue
Ethan
The rest of Thanksgiving was beyond perfect. We enjoyed our dinner together like the dysfunctional family that we were. We watched the game, Rae and Ash pretending to understand what Dad and I were shouting about as things got tense toward the end, before Dad and Ash disappeared from the family room to enjoy the rest of their evening together and leaving Rae and me alone at last.
I wasn’t really up for spending the morning with Dad. We’d only seen each other in passing since the day he dropped the bombshell that was Ash and Rae on me. It’s safe to say that life had changed a bit since then, and I had a bit of a different view on life and relationships.
Dad was hesitant to say anything about our current living situation, but he soon realized that things between Rae and I were serious and he relaxed. After breakfast at a diner, we walked down the beach to get a few things off our chests.
It was exactly what we needed. We cleared the air. Dad told me, much like Mom did, that things weren’t as black and white as I first thought when it came to the end of their relationship and the beginning of his with Ash. He was more than relieved that I’d let go of my anger and he was very intrigued to discover how much Rae had to do with that. He gave us his blessing, and although I didn’t really feel like I needed it, I did feel better about everything for having heard it from his lips.
“This is the start of a new chapter for both of us, son,” he said. “The end of your football season. The beginning of a new relationship. The future is yours for the taking.”
Those are the words that run around my head as I sit in the locker room of the stadium that’s hosting tonight’s playoff final while Jake paces back and forth in front of me, a ball of nerves, fire and anticipation.
“Pack it in,” I bark at him. The atmosphere in the room is heavy as we all try to get our heads in the game before we walk out onto that field together for the final time.
My fists clench in my lap as I try to get myself together. I don’t get nervous. I blow out a breath, willing my stomach to settle and for my hands to stop trembling. This is the biggest night of all our lives. Some of our futures depend on this—college scouts are going to be watching this game. The entire fucking town is watching this game. The. Pressure. Is. On.
Fuck. I need Rae.
Her method of distraction earlier worked at the time, but right now the feeling of her lips sliding down my cock is long forgotten as I watch Jake continue to pace.
“Seriously, bro. You’re not helping.”
“I don’t give a fuck if I’m helping you. It’s helping me. Fuck.” He shakes his arms out at his sides and jumps up and down a few times as Coach walks over.
“All right, ladies. Get in here,” he calls and everyone comes running. Every single face shows the enormity of tonight. Most look nervous, some look downright terrified. “This is it, boys. This is what you’ve worked all your life for. You will forever remember this night. Now, let’s make sure it’s for the right fucking reasons, shall we?”
There are a few mutters of agreement, everyone too lost in their own heads, going through plays and focusing.
“I didn’t fucking hear you, ladies. Are we going to fucking do this?”
“Yes, Coach.”
“Come on, we can do better than that. We’re the fucking Rosewood Bears,” Jake bellows, coming to a stop beside Coach. “Now, are we going to do this?”
The eruption of noise from the team makes me wince as our nerves begin to give way to our excitement. This win is so close. Jake’s dream. The only thing he wanted for so many years is almost in touching distance.
“Let’s fucking do this.” The floor vibrates beneath us as the team falls into line behind Jake, Mason, and me. I look to my left and find a wide smile splitting Mason’s face. I couldn’t be happier that he’s experiencing this with us.
Jake, who’s just in front of us, is totally focused. I doubt he even hears the Billie Eilish song that’s booming through the sound system of the stadium or the roar of the crowd that only gets louder as we emerge onto the field.
I look to the stands where I know my girl is. I find her almost immediately, and everything inside me that was unsettled inside that locker room immediately relaxes. Her hair is much like it was the night of Thanksgiving. It’s been that way since I expressed how much I liked it. I didn’t tell her that to make her change—she could shave it all and I wouldn’t give a fuck because it’s her I want, the incredible person who’s on the inside. The outside is just an added bonus. Her makeup is back to her usual style, dark and edgy. She looks hot as fuck up there, standing like a human barrier between both my mom and dad. I wasn’t expecting Mom to turn up to this, despite how much I wanted her here, but she surprised me last night by calling and telling me she was in a car outside the house. I’m pretty sure she was more excited to meet Rae at last than she was to attend this game, not that she’d ever admit that. It means the world to me that she was able to put aside her issues with Dad and be here for this.
Rae’s eyes find mine and an encouraging smile spreads across her face before she blows me a kiss that I catch in my hand like the whipped motherfucker that I am. I would be worried that the guys witness it, but when I look their way, I find them locked in their girls’ stares as well as they soak up every bit of their optimism that we’re going to smash the Rebels and claim our rightful place as state champions.
The cheerleaders do their thing ahead of us, dragging up as much excitement as possible from our Rosewood crowd. We’ve had a big game or two in the past, but we’ve never had this many people travel to watch us play. It’s a sobering feeling, knowing that they all came here for us.
The roars of excitement continue to ring out around us when Jake suddenly stops his progress out to the middle of the field.
“Motherfucker.” I barely hear his voice over the crowd, but when I follow his gaze, I soon find what he’s talking about, or I should say who.
A smile twitches at my lips. It’s such a great sight to see her back where she belongs.
As if she can feel our attention, she turns. Her light blue eyes find Jake’s before she drags them away toward Mason. She smiles weakly, an apology of sorts before she finds me. A more genuine smile pulls at her lips, a thank you for my support before she looks over my shoulder. Someone holds her attention, and I can’t help but turn to see who it is, but almost all the guys are staring in her direction, looking shocked to see her leading her squad once more.
“What the fuck is she doing back? Tonight is not the night for her bullshit,” Jake snaps when he turns to us.
“Just ignore her, bro. Tonight isn’t about her, don’t give her the satisfaction. She’s clearly making a statement by showing her face,” Mason says, anger filling his eyes as he glances back at her.
“That’s enough. Let’s just focus on this win, yeah?”
“Everyone in,” Jake barks, m
aking the guys huddle around. All hands reach into the center of our circle. The stadium might be a hive of activity around us, but in this huddle, only we exist. “Champions on three. One. Two. Three.”
“CHAMPIONS.”
Rae
I watch as the guys huddle on our side of the field. Excitement knots my stomach. I still know fuck all about football, and I’m not sure I’ll leave this place with any more knowledge other than if our Bears have managed to pull it off or not.
I tell myself to keep my eyes on them, but I can’t help them from wandering back over to the cheer squad and the girl I’ve never seen before. There’s no doubt she belongs, but I can’t miss the angry looks that are constantly being flicked her way.
Leaning forward, I tap Amalie on the shoulder. It takes a few seconds, but she eventually pulls her eyes from Jake to look back at me.
“Who’s that?” I nod toward the girl, but Amalie doesn’t need to look.
“That? That’s Chelsea. Bitch extraordinaire.”
My lips form an O, but I don’t say any more and Amalie turns back as the guys get ready to start the game.
“Oh my god, I’m so nervous,” Ethan’s mom, Kelly, whispers in my ear. “I love watching him play almost as much as I hate it.”
“This is my first game,” I admit.
“Watching them do what they love, watching them win, it’s the best feeling in the world, but when one of them goes down, it’s like time stops. It doesn’t matter if it’s Ethan or one of the others, my heart stops every damn time.”
I look back to the field as her world settles in my mind. I hadn’t even thought about the possibility of him being hurt. That certainly doesn’t help settle my nerves any.
The whistle blows, and everyone jumps into action. Kelly reaches out and grabs my hand, hers trembling violently, making me resist from pulling away like I’m desperate to. The crowd around us starts shouting and screaming even louder, and I can’t help but wince as I try to figure out when I should be cheering and when I should be worried.
SAVAGE: A Dark High School Bully Romance (Rosewood High Book 3) Page 36
