AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He takes me by surprise when he grabs the back of my head, forcing me onto his mouth. His lips on mine make me want to lift up my dress and take more of him.
“Alexandra!” My mom's voice comes from much closer than it did the last time I heard it, and I force myself to push Squealer away, quickly stepping out from behind the summer house and back onto the path.
“Alexandra?” Mom looks shocked at the sight of me, and for a moment, I worry Squealer has stepped out behind me. “You look as though you’ve been dragged through a hedge,” she looks horrified. “I suppose you’ll have to do. Your father’s about to make his speech. He wants you to hear it.” I wait until she’s turned her back and marched back into the marquee before I turn and face Squealer again.
“Fuck this shit, Alex,” he shakes his head at me in frustration.
“I get it, and I'm sorry. I ain't ever gonna be one of those men out there on that perfect lawn your daddy owns. I'm me, babe, and sure you changed a lot about me, but I think you’ve about reached your limit.”
“Squealer… I can’t…” I hate hearing him put himself down, he really has no idea how special he is. Or that he’s changed me too, for the better.
“You can, Alex. You could come with me right now, you just have to ask yourself if you're prepared to give all this up for the little I can offer you.” For a second, I wonder if he might know about the file my father has on the club, but no one knows except for me, and I have to do everything in my power to keep it that way.
“Do you know what? I ain't gonna apologize for who I am,” he raises his voice. “Those men out there, they don't know you. They wouldn’t have the first clue how to handle you or keep you happy. You’ll spend your life walking all over them, and that’ll get boring real quick. And deep down, you know it too. You just don't want to admit it. I’d make you happy, but if you'd rather strut out there pretending all that shit is what you want…Well good luck, princess. Have at it.” He looks back at me, hurt, and when he starts walking away, I feel myself start to panic.
“Cody Harrison, where do you think you're going?” I call after him, suddenly not caring who hears me anymore. I need to make him understand about my father.
“You think you can just turn up and tell a girl you're in love with her and then leave, you think this is about who you are? You don’t understand.”
“Just answer me one question.” He turns back around and charges at me. “Do you love me?”
“Squealer,” I don’t want to do this, he doesn’t understand. I don’t want him to feel like he has to choose between me and his club. Those people are his family. What my father has is enough to send every member to prison for a long time.
“It’s a simple question, darlin’, give me a simple answer to it,” he says, getting impatient.
“Yes, I love you.” The words blurt from my mouth, and I know I’m gonna regret them because Squealer doesn’t seem like the kind of guy to give up on something or let another man take it from him.
He goes to argue but holds on to his words when he realizes what I’ve just said.
“Did you just say—”
“I love you. You’re absolutely right.” I close the space between us.
“Well, that's a first,” he sniggers, taking both my hands in his.
“We’ll figure everything else out,” he assures me.
“Squealer, I really have to tell you something.”
“I know all about the shit your daddy got on the club, and it isn’t gonna be a problem.”
“How the hell can it not be a problem? He’s got evidence that will stick. You’ll all do time,” I argue back. Squealer has no idea how serious this is.
“I’m telling you not to worry about it. The club got it covered. I’m here to talk with him.” His response almost makes me choke.
“You can’t. That's a very bad idea.” That uneasy feeling starts to build again, and when I hear a throat clear behind my back, I turn around to see my mother and father.
“What are you doing on my property?” Dad's eyes seer at Squealer.
“Dad, this is my um… It's Cody… Squealer.” Dad looks like he’s gonna have a heart attack, and my mom stares at Squealer like he just strangled one of her cats.
I guess this is the moment of truth. I’m trusting that Squealer is right about the club having it covered and throwing all my trust right at him.
“He’s my boyfriend,” I add, watching my mother shriek.
“Wow, now slow down, darlin’…” I slap Squealer hard on the chest because now is really not the time for joking.
“I won't be taking your job. I appreciate it, but I don't want it. I'm going home with Squealer.” I straighten my back and remain strong.
