Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
FALLON
I lie on my stomach on a mat in the gym. I’ve got my head propped up with my hands, lazily kicking my feet back and forth as I watch Rich work out. His body is like a machine. With each stride he takes, the way his muscles flex has my eyes glued to him.
There is a light sheen of sweat on his skin that for some reason I can’t explain makes him look extra hot. I’d be lying if I said that I’m not completely turned on by this. How does a man his size run so fast for so long? I lasted about two minutes on the treadmill running before I had to take it down to a quick walk and then quit altogether.
I tell myself to stop staring at him, but I can’t help it. All I’ve been doing for the week I’ve been here is watching him. I should’ve grown bored of that, but I haven’t. Every second I’m with Rich is intriguing. I have never in my whole life met a man that is so kind. He has literally given me the shirt off his back.
It really sucks I have nothing to give him in return. I hate the reminder of how I have nothing. That’s not true; I have freedom. At least more than I ever had before.
Rich hops off the treadmill, going over to grab his water and take a drink. “Are you good, dollface?” I nod my head. Why does he have to be so damn handsome? “We can go?—”
“No, finish,” I tell him. He’s been cutting his workouts short for me. I learned that a few days ago. I think he’s worried to leave me alone because I might freak out. I kept telling him to go, but he wouldn’t. This was what we’d settled on. I would come with him.
“You sure?”
“Yes.” I nod my head. It’s no misfortune to watch him work out.
Rich walks over to one of the punching bags hanging from the ceiling and starts to lay into it. His phone, which he left with me to play games on if I wanted, lights up with a text.
Casey: You better show up tonight! I got money on you.
Show up where? I wonder.
"Do you have plans tonight?" I ask Rich, his punches pausing. Could he teach me to do that? It wouldn't be terrible to learn how to protect myself.
"You're my only plan, dollface." He winks at me, making a flutter come to light in my chest. I don't know how or where the sensation comes from, but he's the only one to have ever given it to me.
“Who is Casey?” I ask, sitting up. I can’t help but feel a little bit of jealousy bubble up inside of me.
“The text?”
I nod.
Why didn’t he answer the question? How had I never thought about Rich possibly having a girl of his own? My father had multiple girlfriends. They would shuffle in and out of the house. None of the phases lasted more than a few months. It was normal. Men being with lots of women.
It isn’t normal here. I haven’t been staying here long, but I don’t see King or West having other women, nor do I see Teddy or Willa being okay with it. They both are so much stronger than I am. There is never fear in their eyes. They don’t flinch away from anything or jump at loud sounds. Seeing the way they are makes me wish for a life like that. It gives me hope that I can have that one day.
Rich might be different. Emotion grips my throat. I want him to be different.
“He,” Rich says, coming over toward me. He pulls his shirt off over his head to wipe his face to reveal all those perfectly sculpted abs. I counted them once. There are eight. “He’s an annoying asshole,” he says, breaking me from ogling him. Then he drops down to his haunches to snag the phone.
“Do you have a girl?” I ask, glancing down, unable to meet his eyes. It feels like an eternity before he speaks, but I know it’s only been a few seconds.
“Yeah, I got a girl.” I suck in a breath. His finger goes under my chin to tilt my head up. “She’s in my bed every night, clinging to me like a koala bear.” Rich says this with a smile on his lips. I immediately relax when I realize he means me.
“Am I your girl?”
“To me you are.”
“Oh.” What does that mean, then? To him I am? Who else would there be? Oftentimes I’m not sure what some of the things people say here mean, but I don’t ask. It’s a mix of not being bold enough and not wanting everyone to think I’m stupid. There may also be a little bit of fear that I won’t necessarily like the answer I get.
“You think I’d let a girl sleep in my bed if I had another?”
“That’s normal.” I shrug my shoulders.
“No, the fuck it’s not.” Rich drops down onto his butt to sit in front of me. “It’s not for me.” He cups my cheek. I lean into his touch. I always do, wanting more but never brave enough to say so. He already gives far too much. “Let me make this real clear to you. You’re my girl. My only one.” I can’t help but smile. “Are you good with that?”
“Yes.” A week ago all I wanted was freedom; now all I want is to belong to Rich. It’s crazy how quickly things can change.
“That’s my girl.” His thumb swipes across my bottom lip gently, stroking back and forth. My eyes drop to his mouth. So many times I've seen the couples here kissing, and I've wondered so badly what it would be like if Rich were to kiss me.
Our eyes stay locked, and Rich starts to slowly lean toward me, his eyes dropping to my lips. I tell myself to move, to meet him halfway, but my heart is racing. I so badly want to kiss him.
“Hey,” Willa chirps, her and Teddy entering the gym. Rich leans back, his eyes falling away from my mouth and flicking over to his sister. “What did I do?” She scrunches her nose.
“Nothing; he’s always grumpy.” Teddy shakes her head. “We came to see if Fallon wanted to hang with us.”
“Oh.” Part of me wants to, but another part wants to stay right here.
“She’s staying with me.” Rich reaches out his hands, coming to my hips. They pause there, and I give a small nod. He pulls me into his lap, my back pressing to his chest, his arms wrapped around my waist.
“Maybe she wants girl time.” Teddy lifts a brow.
“Want me to make them leave?” Rich whispers into my ear; I turn my head to peek back at him. He’s smirking at me. I don’t think he’s always a grump.
“Aren’t you fighting tonight?” Willa asks. “You’ve been missing school, but I thought you’d go to your fight.”
“And Fallon can hang with us,” Teddy adds.
Crap, he’s been missing so much for me. “It’s okay. I can stay here while you go do what you need to.”
“I think my sister and Teddy should butt out. They certainly don’t like it when I comment on their relationships.” There is no missing Rich’s annoyance.
“Relationship?” Willa smirks, her eyes bouncing to mine and then back to her brother's.
“All right, we’re out.” Rich stands, keeping me in his hold and putting me on my feet. He snags my hand.
“Rich, really. You should go and do what you need to.”
“She’ll be fine with us,” Teddy pushes.
“We’ll let you know,” Rich says before leading me out of the gym and back up to our room.