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“I’m confused. Your parents do pay for you?”
“No. They don’t pay. What I mean is, if I was flunking and giving them a bad name, they’d pay to move me up and have someone do all my homework.”
“You were never tempted to make them do that so you could have fun partying or whatnot?”
“Yeah, I was tempted but why make it easy for them, you know?”
“I wish there was something I could do to make your life easier.”
He laughed. “My life is easy.”
“Is it? You try hard at school to spite your parents. I…”
“Neither of us have great parents, Pru.”
She winced. “You’re wrong about that.”
“I am?”
“My parents. They’re not the best, but I know they love me and want what is best for me.” She felt a little guilty because she knew deep down her parents loved her more than anything. Yes, they were working, but that was because they needed the money for rent and to live. They didn’t have it easy like Drake’s family.
Drake once again took her hand. “Look, I’m not denying that your parents care. I bet they do. Think about the last thirteen years.”
“Why?”
“Think about them. They’ve been called to the school because of what I’ve done to you, and not once did they stand up for you. Not once did they fight me or my parents.”
“We know why.”
“Yeah, well, some people would still fight. My parents have a lot to protect and their reputation is one of them. Believe me, if your parents had any kind of backbone, they would have seen that.”
She didn’t pull away from him.
There were times over the years she had been so angry with the way they treated her. How afraid they seemed to go against his family. She, to a point, understood it, but they should have loved her, trusted her. They hadn’t fought for her. They had simply wanted her to forget and to pretend it didn’t happen.
The waitress brought their breakfast. The mood was broken.
“Thank you,” she said, speaking to the waitress.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not. I should have kept my stupid mouth shut. I wanted today to be perfect for you.”
She picked up her knife and fork and took a bite of delicious, syrup-soaked waffle. Closing her eyes, she let out a moan. “It is perfect,” she said after finishing.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“Don’t be. You’re right. I don’t have to like it, do I?”
“I don’t want you to be upset.”
She chuckled. “Drake, we’re both free and clear to be upset about something.” She shrugged. “There’s nothing we can do about the past or the future. Let’s enjoy today. Take it one day at a time. It’s all we can do.” She took another bite of her food. “Now, please, just take a bite and enjoy. Share this day with me. All horrible and shitty truths aside.”
He stared at her and she smiled.
There wasn’t going to be anything to spoil their day. Too much time had already been taken from them. No more.
At least not today.
****
After nearly fucking up breakfast, Drake vowed not to bring up their rocky past or what little hope they had of a future. It wasn’t going to help either of them anyway, so he wasn’t going to do anything to hurt her.
He knew he was right, though. Her parents could have forced his parents’ hands. They were too afraid.
When he had kids, no one was going to hurt them. If he had a little girl and there was a punk-ass kid like him hurting her, he would destroy him.
Taking Pru’s hand, they walked through the town, looking through the market stalls. He offered to buy her anything, but in true Pru style, there was nothing she wanted. She simply liked to look and move on.
He wanted to give her a day to remember but it would seem he couldn’t even do that. They walked around the town together and had another meal, one she didn’t have to cook, before returning to the beach house.
Pru pulled away from him and went to have a shower while he found her gift. He sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for her to return.
Twirling the box between his fingers, he couldn’t help but smile. This was the first time he’d ever given some real thought to a gift for a girl. He hadn’t cared about anyone else in his life to ever put in this much effort.
Most of the time, gifts were items they got PAs or secretaries, or even nannies to buy. With this, he wanted to give Pru something with meaning, something he’d taken the time to think about.
It wasn’t long before she finished in the shower and entered the bedroom, wrapped in a towel, looking sexy and innocent all at the same time.
“Drake,” she said. “You look … serious.”
“I didn’t mean to mess up your day.”
