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I didn’t stick around to see what went down after I punched Luke in the face after practice yesterday. I’m sure Coach knows by now and it’s only a matter of time before he calls me into his office and tells me I’m off the team.
For someone who’s trying to fix the mistakes they’ve made, I’m sure as hell doing a terrible job. Each day it feels like something else goes wrong and I dig the hole I’ve fallen into deeper.
Walking toward the door, so I can head to school, I hear Celia call my name. “Rome. Is that you?”
I drop my head back, sigh, and holler, “Yeah.”
The sound of her feet smacking against the hardwood comes closer and closer until she’s standing in front of me, briefcase in hand.
“I’ve got great news.” Her eyes light up and I pinch my eyebrows together in response. “I looked into your case after Elodie came to me?—”
“Elodie came to you about my case already?” That’s news to me. I know I told her she needed to fix the mess she made, and she mentioned her mom helping, but I didn’t realize she actually followed through with it until this point.
“She did. She really wants to help, and I think you should let her.” She fumbles with the strap on her briefcase before tightening her hand around it. “I know you and Elodie haven’t had the easiest time adjusting to the changes in this house, but I can see you’ve both got big hearts and I hope one day you’ll open them up to one another as family.”
If she only knew I’ve buried my fingers, cock, and tongue inside her daughter, she’d be singing a different tune.
Not to mention, Elodie’s already ripped my heart open, crawled inside it, and made herself a home there. As hard as I’ve tried to get her out and stitch up what’s left of myself, she won’t leave.
That’s when I realize I’ve fallen for her. I’ve fallen hard. I can’t believe I’m even admitting that to myself. I’m not sure how I’ll ever admit it out loud, but I feel like if I don’t tell her, or someone, I’m going to lose my damn mind.
“Rome,” Celia says. “Did you hear me?”
“Sorry, what?” I shake my head and try to ignore the revelation I just had about my damn stepsister.
“Yesterday after school, Elodie gave an official statement of what happened that night. I need to know if you’d like to move forward.”
She gave a statement already? Damn. That was fast. “Um. Yeah.” I graze my chin, nodding. “Of course.”
I still can’t believe this is even happening. Elodie might actually pull this off and fix what she broke like she said she would.
“I think that’s very smart, and brave of you. With the new evidence brought to light, I think we’ve got a really good chance here. I’ve got a meeting this morning with the defense attorney, and with any luck, we’ll be filing a motion for a new trial.” Celia shuffles around in her purse until she’s pulling out her keys. “I’ll keep you updated.”
“Thanks, Celia,” I say, my tone full of gratitude. “I really appreciate what you’re doing.”
“It’s my pleasure, Rome.” She smiles at me, placing a hand on my shoulder the same way my mother once did. “Everyone deserves a second chance.”
She’s wrong. Not everyone deserves one, and maybe I’m one of those people who don’t. But I know someone who does.
I follow Celia out, and she leaves for her meeting while I get in my car to try and make it to class on time, for once.
As soon as I walk through the front doors of the school, I see Elodie. It’s like my eyes know exactly where to find her. And as easily as they do, she finds me, too.
Her gaze pierces me. Heat floods through my body as I walk toward her, ready to hear her say something smart-assed so I can poke back. It’s what we do. I piss her off, and she pisses me off in return.
I keep moving in her direction, and when I see Gage approach her, I move faster.
What the hell is he up to now?
I watch intently as Gage puts his hand on Elodie’s shoulder and I make a mental note to break his fucking fingers. Elodie spins around to face him as he says something that makes her laugh.
Coming up behind Elodie, I put a hand on her waist, but she quickly moves away from my touch. I glower at her, wondering why she suddenly doesn’t want me to touch her. She didn’t seem to mind a week ago when we were in my bed. Or when I picked her up at the library.
Playing it cool, I look at Gage who’s quiet now. “Pretty sure I told you to stay away from Elodie.”
He chuckles airily. “Pretty sure I told you to mind your own damn business.”
I stroke my chin, looking past him. “Nope. Don’t recall that.”
