50. Mallory
CHAPTER 50
Mallory
S tryker introduced me to Corey so I wouldn’t be alarmed when he followed me.
After Stryker left, I returned to my apartment and sat on the couch, hugging one of the Halloween pillows he bought me. I surveyed my festively decorated living room, my heart squeezing in my chest that he did something so thoughtful.
A few minutes later, my doorbell rang.
I get up and peek out, my heart galloping as soon as I see who it is. I open the door, shocked to see Stryker holding the sketchbook.
“I couldn’t wait. I needed to see what you drew.”
“And?”
He steps forward, grabbing me in his arms as he kisses the hell out of me. I melt against him, forgetting what we were discussing by the time he finishes. “I love it. You captured us perfectly.”
I drew a picture of us standing on the dock at the lake. Instead of admiring the trees' reflections in the water, we look at one another, our love evident on our faces .
“I will look at this every chance I get while I’m gone.” He crushes me against his chest. “God, I wish I were back already, and I haven’t even left yet.”
I squeeze my eyes closed, inhaling his scent deep in my lungs. “I miss you already.”
He slowly pulls back and wipes the tears from my cheeks. “I’ll talk to you every chance I get.”
“I look forward to it.”
“And I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“I know you will.” I fist his sweatshirt and, standing on my tiptoes, plant my lips against his. “Be safe, okay?”
“I promise. Promise you’ll be careful?”
I wrap my pinkie around his. “Pinkie swear.”
He chuckles before covering my face in kisses. “I better go.”
“I’ll walk you to your truck.”
Stryker grins. “Maybe I’ll shove you in my truck and take you with me.”
Holding his hand, we exit my apartment. “My parents would kill me. My mom was very specific. ‘This is your one chance. Don’t screw it up.’ I know you haven’t met her, but that was a perfect impression of my mom nagging me.”
“Fuck them, baby. You don’t need them.”
“I wish I didn’t. Unfortunately, I need their money to pay for my schooling.” I put my finger over his lips. “Let’s not dwell on them right now. I wanna enjoy our last few minutes together.”
He nods, squeezing me against his side. “You’re right. Let’s focus on us.”
“I can’t believe fall break is next week.” Mandy grins at me. “An entire week of no classes or studying. I just wanna sleep for a week.”
“I’d forgotten about fall break.” My brows furrow. Maybe Stryker and I can find a way to be together. Even if I can stay with him while he works.
Pulling my thoughts away from him, I focus on Mandy. “Are you gonna spend time with Jeremy? You two seem pretty chummy lately.”
Her blush makes me grin. She’s teased me about Stryker enough. It’s time the shoe is on the other foot.
She avoids my eyes, hitching her backpack higher. “I hope so. We haven’t discussed it. Or anything else.”
I bite my lip, studying her. She’s still avoiding eye contact. “I think you need to talk with him about where you stand.”
“I don’t want to make demands.”
“Yeah, but you also don’t want to fall for someone who isn’t serious about you.”
“True.” Her lip quivers, and my heart goes out to her.
I throw my arm around her. “It’ll be okay, Mandy. He may be wondering where you stand with him. Maybe he’s trying to work up the nerve to talk to you about it.”
She gives me a grateful smile. “You’re right.” She lifts her chin in the air. “I need to have a conversation with him.”
“I’m here if you need me. Always.”
She stops walking and throws her arms around me. “I’m glad we’re friends. I’m so grateful for you.”
I open my mouth but am interrupted by a feminine voice.
“Hey, now. Why aren’t I a part of this love fest?” Megan throws her arms around Mandy and me.
“You don’t even know why we’re hugging,” I tease.
“Does it matter? Any excuse is a good excuse for a hug.” Megan pulls back, her eyes wide. “No one died, right?”
“Gosh, no.” Mandy’s eyes are wide like the thought is too horrific to comprehend.
“Too bad it wasn’t my parents. Can’t say I’d miss them much.”
“Mallory.” Mandy swats me. “I know they ignored you most of your life. Left you with nannies and tutors. Didn’t parent you, from all I’ve heard…” Her brows furrow, and she frowns.
“Your point?” I stare at her, folding my arms over my chest.
“I was trying to find a reason you shouldn’t wish that on them.” She shrugs. “I’ve got nothing.”
Megan laughs. “I’ve never met your parents, but they don’t sound nice. Even though my dad has cancer and can’t do much, he’s been a helluva father. I’m pretty lucky.”
I pat her arm as we resume walking to our respective classes. “Stryker thinks highly of him. He talked about him when he told me about his past.”
Megan raises her brows, surprise on her face. “Stryker’s deeply in love with you if he told you about his past. He’s never told anyone outside of the immediate family. Until you.”
A huge smile spreads over my face. “I’m honored.”
She throws an arm around me. “Stryker is a helluva guy. He’s been through a lot of shit.” Megan squeezes me against her. “You make him so damn happy. I mean, look at this.” She pulls up a picture on her phone and shows it to me.
Mandy peers over my shoulder. “Holy shit. I think I just got pregnant.”
I giggle at her words, but my attention is still on the picture. I had no idea Megan took it because I was too lost in Stryker to notice.
It’s a beautiful picture of us staring into each other’s eyes, our lips a breath away from kissing. The love we feel is captured perfectly.
“This is amazing, Megan.”
“I like taking photos, which is why I’m a Communications/ Journalism major with an Art minor.” She gestures at her phone. “I’ll text it to you. Want me to send it to Stryker, too?”
“Yes, please.”
“I’ll do a group text. Hold on a second.” Her fingers fly over the phone before a message comes through. I grin when I see her caption. “The happiest lovebirds I’ve ever seen.” Then she sends the photo.
“I could stare at it all day.”
Mandy snorts. “You better not stare at it in Biology unless you wanna fail the course.”
“Ugh. Don’t remind me. My new tutor is helping, though. I like her.”
“My math tutor is helping me.” Mandy’s eyes sparkle with wickedness.
I snort. “I’m sure Jeremy is helping.”
She giggles. “It can be hard to stay on task.”
“Glad Stryker isn’t tutoring me in Bio. I wouldn’t learn a thing.”
Megan laughs and nudges me with her elbow. “Oh, you’d learn all about male biology. But since your professor isn’t asking questions about Stryker’s dick, you’d be in trouble.”
I blush, swatting her.
“Mallory.”
I turn toward the sound of the voice, my smile wide, and see Devyn and Ryker. “Hey,” I wave at them before turning to Mandy and Megan. Excuse me a minute.”
I hurry over to them, hugging Devyn and waving at Ryker over her shoulder.
“We wanted to say hi. Saw you standing there talking.”
“I’m glad you did.” I point to Megan and Mandy. “Do you know Megan?”
“I met her briefly when I first met Stryker.”
Devyn shrugs. “I’ve never met her.”
“Come on. I’ll introduce you.”
We join Megan and Mandy, and I make the introductions. We chat for a few minutes before I look at my phone. “Mandy and I need to get to class.”
“I’m the next building beside you.” Megan gestures to the gray stone building.
“Oh, I’m heading there. I’ll walk with you.” Devyn says. “Good to see you, Mallory.”
“You, too. Give me your number, and I’ll text you about coffee or lunch.”
Devyn rattles it off while I add her to my contacts and then text her. “Okay, you should have it.”
“Got it.” She links her fingers with Ryker.
“Good to see you again, Mallory.” Ryker waves before the three of them walk off.
Mandy raises her brows as we walk inside the building. “You start dating Stryker and end up with a whole family.”
I grin. “I love his family and friends.”