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“The next day when I came to school everyone was talking about how I was dating Mr. Simon. Someone had seen us through the window in his office door and instead of checking to make sure I – a fourteen-year-old girl being mauled by an adult – was okay, they spread rumors.
I tried to complain but I was too late. Mr. Simon had already spoken to the principal about how I went to him begging him to let me pass the class and when he wouldn’t let me do extra credit, I attacked him. No one would listen to my side of the story.”
“What a son of a bitch!” Damon explodes.
I know it shouldn’t. But his anger on my behalf warms my heart. No one’s been angry on my behalf in a long time.
“And now you know all about the ninth grade ‘incident’ your sisters-in-law were discussing.”
“I’ll call my brothers. They need to know the truth.”
“No!”
He freezes with his phone in his hand. “Why not? They unfairly judged you. The truth needs to come out.”
“I don’t want everyone to suddenly like me or pity me because they found out I was molested in ninth grade. I want people to like me for who I am. Or for who the person I’m going to be.”
Because I’m starting to realize his sisters-in-law might be right. I might have been wrong to flirt with those married men. I know I’d lose my mind if anyone flirted with Damon if we were together.
Which we’re not. But my statement stands.IfDamon and I were together, I’d lose my mind if some woman flirted with him.
Damon squeezes my hands. “You’re already a good person, Love.”
“No, I’m not.” Especially since I’m currently eviscerating any woman who would dare to flirt with him in my mind. “But I’m going to be.”
“You’re great with Skye.”
“Because she’s the best child in the world.” And because I love children but will never have one of my own. Skye’s not mine but I can treat her as if she is.
He grins. “I can’t argue with you there.”
“Anyway.” I yank my hands from his hold. “Now you know. You promised not to judge and I could keep my job.”
“I’m not judging you but I sure as hell am judging Mr. Simon. Does he still work at the school?”
“No.”
“Do you know where he lives? Never mind. I’ll ask Brody. He can locate anyone.”
“Stop. You’re not going after Mr. Simon. You can’t go to jail. You have a little girl sleeping upstairs who needs you. You can’t abandon her. I won’t let you.”
“Relax, Love. My brother’s a cop.” He winks.
Not good enough. His brother, Peace, is a straight and narrow cop. He doesn’t play favors with anyone.
“Promise me,” I insist. “Promise me you won’t do anything to jeopardize you and Skye being together.”
He sobers. “I promise.”
“Good.” I stand. “I’m going home. It’s been a day.”
“I’ll be over tomorrow to help you move your stuff back in here.” I don’t know what he means. “Since you’re my live-in nanny again.”
I forgot all about moving back into Damon’s house. It’s easy to forget when you get dragged back to memories you never want to think about again.
But Damon believes me. He really, truly believes me.
Warmth flows through my body. Damon Bragg is the best man I’ve ever met.
