Chapter 24 #2
He took my hand and entwined our fingers. I felt cold against his warm skin.
I took in his large hand and where it held mine securely. I ran my thumb over his knuckles and frowned. “What did you say to your dad to get him to help?”
Dreux was quiet as he watched me caress his hand in mine. His brows furrowed and his features fell in defeat. “That we’d spend more time together. That I’d really consider law school.”
I gasped. “Dreux.”
He shrugged, looking up at me. “It was worth it. I couldn’t let you rot in there and take the fall for this.”
I slid down until I was lying on his chest. He was so unlike me. Firm. Strong. Calm against any current. A part of me wanted to push him away and run, but another, was tired of running. I needed someone like Dreux. Someone good. Someone kind. Someone who saw those traits in me.
“Thank you,” I breathed out, feeling overwhelmed by the gesture. “I know it took a lot to go to him. I won’t ever forget it.”
Taking my chin in his hand, Dreux tipped my head up, making me look at him. “Just promise me you won’t give up on yourself. I know it looks bad for you, but promise me you’re going to fight this. That you won’t lay down and let this asshole win.”
With so many people in my corner, how could I give up?
“I promise,” I swore.
Dreux leaned down and kissed me. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close, keeping me safe. The only way he knew how.
“Are you feeling better?”
Cameron was on the phone with me Friday night. After lying in bed with Dreux, I finally started responding to text messages on Thursday. My fault or not, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to face anyone else in person any time soon.
Scott was doing a closing shift at Marty’s and Dreux was working late at the barbershop. That left me lounging on the sofa listening to music in the living room that night, grateful for Cameron’s call.
“As well as I can feel,” I said. “All things considered.”
“No word yet from Dreux’s dad?”
René had been granted access to Horton High that morning and had said something about reviewing camera footage and checking computer records.
Hope was a dangerous thing for a girl like me, but I was eager to see if his digging could produce anything helpful.
“We’re meeting tomorrow for breakfast,” I said. “I guess I’ll wait and see.”
“I hate that this is happening to you, Saylor,” Cameron sympathized. “It’s so unfair.”
It wasn’t, but I had people on my side at least.
“Enough about me,” I decided to say as I settled in my seat and got comfortable. “Tell me what’s been going on with you.”
There was a pause, and right away I knew something was up. I could feel Cameron’s unease.
“Cameron?” I asked, curious.
The silence lingered, making me sit up.
“I kissed Bonham!” Cameron suddenly blurted out.
Shock took over as I was left near speechless. “Um…what?” There was no way I’d heard her right.
“I know,” Cameron went on, sounding hysterical. “I couldn’t help it. He’s not like I thought he was. He’s super sweet, kind, and patient. He makes me laugh without even trying. And as tough as he is, I intimidate him. I make big bad Bonham Church nervous, Saylor. Can you believe it?”
I could. Bonham may have been all devil may care about everything else, but when it came to Cameron, I couldn’t miss how he paused and considered her feelings. He had a huge crush on her for who knew how long, and yet because he respected her, he didn’t push.
“This is huge,” I said.
Cameron squealed, and for a moment she faded out, holding the phone away from her ear. When she came back, she spoke in a hushed manner. “I’ll say. I don’t know what came over me.”
“Hey,” I assured her. “It’s okay. There’s nothing wrong moving on and liking Bonham. If you think he’s a good fit for you, that’s okay.”
“Yeah?” I could tell she was unsure of herself by how quiet her voice got.
“Yes. He’s a great guy, and it’s okay to like him.”
“He is great,” Cameron agreed. “It’s just that—”
The doorbell rang in the background.
“Hey, someone’s at the door. Call you back,” I said as I stood up and put aside the quilt I’d been lying under.
“Better yet, I’ll grab some bad food and come over to decompress,” Cameron suggested.
Part of me wasn’t ready for more visitors, but then another part of me wanted to feel something other than dread. Hanging out with Cameron and rehashing her sudden spark of feelings for Bonham sounded like the perfect escape from the hell my life had turned into. “Deal.”
I hung up and padded over to the foyer. Behind the frosted glass I saw a figure I didn’t recognize.
“Who could that be?” I mumbled to myself as I unlocked the door and pulled it open.
To my surprise, it was Aidan. He was standing there carrying a drink tray with what looked like shakes or smoothies. One look at him and I found him offering a kind smile and a shrug, as if to say, Yeah, I’m surprised I’m here too.
“Uh, hey?” I let out, still confused.
“I know it’s out of nowhere, but I thought you could use a pick-me-up.” He gestured with his drink tray. “Can I come in? I brought smoothies.”
Up until now, I wasn’t even sure if Aidan liked me. Deciding not to be rude, I stepped back and let him into the house.
Aidan took one look at me and quirked a brow as he angled his head. “Isn’t that Dreux’s shirt?”
I looked down at the navy Horton High Baseball tee I was wearing with my sleep shorts. One thing led to another last week and I’d lost my shirt at Dreux’s house and had taken one of his to walk back home in.
“Yeah,” I said with a shrug.
Aidan snorted softly. “St. Julien’s had the hots for you since day one.” He grabbed one of the large cups from the drink tray and held it out. “Tropical mango. Can’t go wrong.”
I accepted the smoothie and led him over to the living room. “Thanks.”
We sat on the sofa and I took a sip of the smoothie. It was bitter. Not like the ones from back home. I wondered briefly if it was one of those healthy protein smoothies people got before or after a workout.
I set it down on the coffee table and grabbed the quilt to fold. “So, what brings you by?”
Aidan hung his head, fiddling with his smoothie. “I was thinking about what a bad time you’re probably having. Everyone can’t stop talking about Monday.”
With as small and as quiet as Meadow Grove was, I didn’t doubt this was the most exciting incident that had happened in a while for these people. It was just too bad it was at my expense.
“Thank God I’m expelled. I don’t have to face the aftermath.” I sank back into the cushion behind me and blew out a breath. “Thanks, though, for stopping by.”
Aidan took a sip of his smoothie and bobbed his head. “No problem. You’re not the only one having a hard time.”
Right, because he’d been dumped. It wasn’t as extreme as my arrest, but I could try to sympathize on his end.
I grabbed my smoothie and took another sip. It was awful. “How have things been for you?”
Aidan sat back and sighed. “It sucks. She’s my whole world and now…nothing.”
It wasn’t my place to point a finger or cast blame. I was sure everything was hard enough.
“Hopefully in time it’ll get easier,” I responded.
With Kevin, it felt like I’d never get over the betrayal and loss.
I carried the rejection with me for months and felt sick every day.
Thinking about Dreux, I was glad it never worked out with Kevin.
There was someone out there better for me.
Who cared about me. Who fought for me. Who stayed for me.
“I’ve been there, and at the time, it was the end of the world, but now that I’ve met Dreux, I wouldn’t go back for anything. ”
Aidan stared my way, studying me and soaking in my words. It was still fresh for him, his breakup, so I was sure he didn’t exactly see anyone who could take Cameron’s place. Not after they had been childhood sweethearts.
“Maybe you’re right,” he agreed in the end. “Guess it’ll take time.” He lifted his smoothie and stared at the logo on the side. “To a better tomorrow?”
Aidan held his smoothie out and I grabbed mine and clinked it against his in a toast.
Considering in the morning I’d be having breakfast with René, I was definitely hoping for a better tomorrow.
I swallowed down more of the smoothie and set it aside, planning to put it in the freezer and save it for Dreux. He worked out and ate protein bars, he’d probably love the smoothie.