Page 72 of Learning to Love

"If you keep introducing me to all these girls, I might get my eyes clawed out eventually. I ain't going out like that!"

He laughs. "They just wanted to be the one to reform the player, baby. You've got something they don't have."

I bat my eyes at him. "And what is that, my love?"

He waggles his eyebrows, which would look creepy on anyone else, but it's sexy on him. "Them dimples and that ass!"

I push him. I'm sure my face is lit up like the 4th of July. "Shut up!"

He laughs and puts his arm over my shoulders.

"You better not tease me so much."

"Why?" He asks innocently.

"One, Jaxon taught me how to punch! And two, I still have his football shirt and I could wear it to y'all's first game!"

He stops mid-stride. "Oh hell no. Punch me all you want, but I will go up in the stands if I catch his shirt on your body! I don't even think so."

I laugh as a crowd has started to gather. "Alright! Calm down, Cave Man."

He kisses me fiercely, earning a cheer from the crowd. I am so embarrassed, and just a little turned on. He whispers in my ear. "Please."

I look at him curiously. "What are you talking about, baby?"

"Please, don't wear anyone else's shirt."

He’s so damn sweet. “I won’t, baby. Never.”

He smiles and kisses me softly. "Let's go, Sweet Cheeks!"

"I'll follow you wherever you go, my love.”

He comes off as super confident, and for the most part, that's true but he still has a wound that his ex-girlfriend created. I’ll be more careful when teasing him but he has to know Jaxon and I would never do that to him. His reaction makes me feel not so alone. We've all got trauma, one way or another.

The classroom is massive—it seats about 250. I want to sit near the front and Jake near the back because he's a horn dog. I blush profusely when he tells me what kinds of debauchery he can do to me back there. In the end, my Sex King is victorious. It's a win-win if you ask me. I laugh every time Jake scares someone from sitting in the back row. What have I gotten myself into?

Chapter 47

A Very Karen Friday

Everything Fearless 24/7

Dani has a hot cousin. Have you met Toby yet? Don't be jealous but I have like 4 classes with him! He may be with Karen now, but that doesn't mean we can't still stare at him. #Tobyfordays

I woke up in Jake's arms, which is the best way to wake up! He left about thirty minutes ago. He needed to bond with his boys and get ready for tomorrow night's season opener. They've dominated every scrimmage game they've participated in, this might be the year they clinch the championship. It's gonna be a whole game day. We're even tailgating with Toby and Karen at the stadium before the game. I've never tailgated in my entire life, so this will be awesome!

A light knock sounds at my bedroom door. I thought Sasha was visiting her parents, and Toby was with Karen. My heartbeat goes from ordinary to I may have a heart attack any minute. I breathe in and out just like Dr. Sonia told me to. I used to think PTSD wasn’t real, but it will be forever a part of me. "Just a minute."

Jeffery and Benji are behind bars. They can’t hurt me anymore. I’m fine. I’m good. Only four other people have a key to our apartment, and I’m safe here. I put on some loungewear and I open my door. I’m surprised to see Karen. "Hey, Karen."

"Hi. Sorry to bother you. Toby decided to try out for the baseball team. They found out what his high school stats were and someone approached him and talked him into giving it a try. I was letting you know I was here waiting on him to get done."

I am beyond shocked. Toby gave up baseball during our junior year. He had a full ride to Georgia, but his shoulder blew out at one of the playoff games that year. "Wow. Yeah. I can't believe it. Does he think his shoulder is good?"

Karen smiled. "He says it's been good for about a year now. He hasn't said anything to anyone. Didn't want to get his hopes up, I guess."

"You wanna go sit in the living room?"