Chapter 21 #2
“What you should be worried about is not just your position on the team, but your position at the school. I want to be so fucking pissed at you man, because you’re in some hot water and it’s not just with Mickey and his family.
But...” He sighs, running a hand through his hair.
“I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same thing if someone put their hands on Ellie or Jax.
I’d be in the same position. Hell, even if it was Rain, Chase or Theo.
So, I know how you feel. But maybe think about anger management classes. ”
I glare at him. “I don’t have an anger issue for fucksakes. The only times I’ve ever laid a hand on someone was that asshole.”
“You’ve hit him before?” Brody’s brows pull together.
“Both times were because of me,” Blake says with so much guilt. He has nothing to feel guilty for.
“What do you mean?” Brody asks.
“At a party earlier last year, Mickey cornered me and threatened to kick my ass if I didn’t tutor him.
And by tutoring, he meant doing the work for him.
When I said no, that I was done with him treating me like shit, and this wasn’t high school anymore, he was about to follow through when Cooper found us.
He defended me, but it was only a punch to the face. ”
“And when I found out all the details of what that scum has done to Blake in the past, seeing him put his hands on my fucking man again sent me into a rage.” I snarl.
Brody looks around. “Not here.” He shakes his head. “Come on. You're free to go. You just have to make sure to go to your court hearing, whenever that is.”
Nodding, we head out of the station. Brody stops us at the car.
“I understand why you did what you did, and I’m going to do what I can to make sure you at the very least don’t get kicked out of school,” Brody says to me then looks at Blake.
“Have you thought about pressing charges for all the things Mickey has done to you in the past? If he’s going to push what happened with Cooper, it might be something to look into. ”
“I’ll think about it,” Blake murmurs.
Brody nods, then turns to me. “You have a meeting with Theo tomorrow morning. I’ll have a talk with him tonight and see what I can do.”
“Okay, thanks man.” We do our bro hug and he gets into his car.
When he pulls out and leaves, Blake looks up at me. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
I pull him into my arms again, burying my face into the top of his head. “As long as you're okay, I’ll be okay.”
We stand there for a moment, just holding one another. I don’t think the gravity of this moment has really sunk in yet.
I could lose everything I worked so fucking hard for. Football isn’t the end of the world, we only have a few games left and while I’d love to be with my team when they get the win, I’d much rather be able to walk across the stage with Blake.
I still don’t regret it. I’d choose the same choice over and over again. Nothing means more to me than Blake and his safety.
We’re quiet as we get into Blake’s car and drive to my house. Quiet as we walk in and head up to my room. Quiet as we undress down to our boxers and get under the sheets.
Wrapping my arms around him, his back to my front, I breathe in his comforting scent, murmuring I love you so fucking much before I drift off to sleep.
My night is restless, nightmares haunt me of what could have happened to Blake if I didn’t get there in time.
But I did get there, and I vow to the fucking world that it was the last time Mickey ever lays his hands on Blake. I’ll make sure of it.
***
“Ouch,” I hiss.
“Shit, sorry.” Blake apologizes as he cleans and bandages my cut up knuckles. “All done.” He lifts my hands and presses a kiss on each one.
“Awe, my angry kitten has a soft spot for me. I feel so special.”
He rolls his eyes, but I see the corner of his lips kick up. “We better get going.”
The car ride to the school is tense. My mind races, coming up with all the worst case scenarios. Still, I don’t have any regrets.
Blake on the other hand, I can tell this is eating at him.
“Hey.” I take his hand in mine once we park. “You need to stop blaming yourself.”
“But it’s my fault.” He looks up at me with frustrated, sad eyes. “If I wasn’t such a weak, pathetic person, he wouldn’t keep coming for me.”
“He would because he’s a bully. And bullies don’t care who they hurt, as long as they feel good about it. He’s bigger, richer and I have no doubt he’d use that power if his size and strength wasn’t intimidating enough.”
“Still. This is all because of me.”
“Hey.” I grip his chin. “Look at me, Blake. Stop blaming yourself. I’m a big boy, I made my own choices. Choices I’d make again and again.” Leaning in, I place a soft kiss on his lips. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“Remember that, okay? I choose you. I’ll always choose you.”
When I pull back, his eyes are shiny with tears. “I’ll always choose you, too.”
We walk hand in hand to the dean's office. “I want to talk to him for a second, okay?” Blake asks me once we get there.
“Okay.” I nod. Not sure what he’s going to tell him, but I’m not going to try and stop him.
Theo appears in his office doorway, a pitying look on his face that has a wave of dread drop in the pit of my stomach. That’s not a good look at all. This isn’t going to end well for me, is it? Fuck.
“Mr. Munro. Could I speak to you for a moment please?”
Theo looks over at Blake and nods his head. “Of course, come in.”
Blake gives me a nervous smile before following Theo into his office. When the door shuts, I sit in one of the chairs. I’m a nervous wreck, leg bouncing as I wait.
What feels like hours pass, when really it was maybe five minutes before the door opens and Blake walks out, Theo behind him.
“You okay?” I jump to my feet.
“I’m okay.” He smiles softly at me. “I’ll wait for you here, okay?”
“Okay.” I lean in for a kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you more.”
“Never.” I smile against his lips, give him another quick peck and walk towards Theo, following him inside.
“I’m sure you know why you’re here,” Theo says, sitting down.
“Unfortunately, yes.” I sigh, sitting back.
“Mickey’s parents have already called the school demanding you to not only be kicked off the team, but expelled from school as well.”
My stomach drops, bile rising up. I knew this was a big possibility, but now that I hear it, I’m trying to smother my inner freak out.
“However, I can assure you, they won’t be getting exactly what they want.”
“They won’t?” My brows pull together.
“Blake told me everything about what happened between Mickey and himself, not only throughout high school, but here at the school. I do not tolerate cheating, or bullying at my school. As well as harassment of any kind; sexual, physical, none of it. While I can’t do anything about what Mickey has done to Blake in high school, I can while he’s been enrolled at this school.
Whether I was Dean while it happened or not.
Thankfully, during two of the incidents, I was. ”
“What are you going to do?”
“I can’t discuss private details about another student with you. All I can say is he won’t be getting away with it.”
“Good. He shouldn't. He’s been getting away with too much in his life. Someone needs to hold him accountable for it,” I mutter.
“Agreed. Now. You.”
“I’m getting expelled aren't I?” I ask, anxiety shooting through me.
“No.” He shakes his head. “You will be put on probation, but not expelled.”
“Really?” My eyes widen in surprise, a wave of relief settling over me. “Oh, thank fuck.”
“However,” he says slowly and my stomach sinks again.
“I’m off the team.” I don’t ask it as a question, but say it as a statement.
“Unfortunately, I’m going to have to remove you from the team. We have a strict no violence policy and I can’t give you special treatment. It would be different if you were defending yourself, but you started the fight.”
“He was hurting Blake!”
“I know. I know.” Theo holds up his hands. “That’s why he will also be removed from the team.”
Somehow, that makes me feel a hell of a lot better. Mickey was looking to go pro. With him getting removed from the football team, no one is going to want him, not when they find out who he is and the things he’s done.
“I’m sorry. I hate to do this but...”
“It’s okay,” I tell him. “I made my choices and now I have to deal with the consequences.”
“I wish there was another way.”
“Me too. But I’m grateful for the second chance. You won’t have to worry about my probation. I’m going to be a good boy.”
He snorts out a laugh. “You better be, Cooper. If you get kicked out of school, I’m going to get kicked out of my bed.” He glares at me. “You just had to be my girl’s best friend.”
“Sorry, not sorry.” I wink.
“Get out of here.” He waves me off, a hint of a smile on his face. “I’ll let you know what I can, when I can, regarding Mickey.”
“Thank you.”
“Cooper.” Theo stops me as I’m about to leave.
“Yeah?” I look at him over my shoulder.
“If what Blake says is true, and Mickey does have a tape like he says he does. If Mickey tries to press charges, I’d do the same to him.”
“I plan on it.” I nod firmly.
He nods and waves me off.
“How did it go?” Blake asks me, jumping to my feet.
“Lets get out of here first.” I grab his hand and lead him from of the building.
“Cooper, tell me, I’m going out of my mind,” he begs me. “Are you expelled?”
“No.” We stop and I turn to face him, wrapping my arms around his waist. He lifts his arms and wraps them around my neck. “I’m on probation, but not expelled.”
“Thank fuck,” Blake groans, his head dropping to my chest.
“But...”
His head snaps back. “But? I don’t like buts.”
“Are you sure about that?” I grin. “You seem to like mine. And I sure as hell love yours.
“Cooper,” he warns me, but I see the way his cheeks turn pink.
“I’m kicked off the team.”
His face drops. “No,” he whispers. “No. No.” He shakes head hard. “I’m so fucking sorry. This is all my fault,” he starts to spiral, but I stop him.
“Baby, baby, breathe.” I cup his face. “It’s okay.”
“No it’s not!” he says through angry tears. “You worked so hard to stay on the team, to be able to finish out your last season. It’s why you had me tutor you. You came so far and all for nothing."
“Oh, baby.” I smile down at him. “It wasn’t all for nothing.
If anything, it was the complete opposite.
I got better in school, passed all my classes.
I cared more about my degree than football.
Sure, I love the game, I always will, but the degree I need for the future I want is what I'm here for. And that’s not even the best thing to come out of having you tutor me. ”
“It’s not?”
“No.” I shake my head.
“What is?”
“You silly.” I chuckle, kissing him. “I got you out of it. First, one of the best friends I could ask for, then the love of my life. You’re my forever, Blake.
You are what matters, not football. I don’t care if I lose everything I have in life.
As long as you’re safe, you’re happy, that's all that I care about.”
“I’m only happy when I’m with you,” he tells me. “I can’t lose you.”
“You’re not going to lose me, baby.”
“What if he presses charges, if he tries to get you put in jail?”
“Then we fight fire with fire,” I tell him. “He has that tape of us. He’s the one who’s been harassing you for years.”
“I don’t have the money to fight him.” Blake looks defeated.
“But Brody does. He messaged me last night and told me he will help us in any way he can. I’m not one to take help from others, but if it means I’m able to get you the justice you deserve and can still stay by your side, I’ll do it.”
“I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” Blake whispers.
“You were just you. Your grumpy, kind, sweet, loving soul. The man who would do anything for his friends, for his lover. I know you believed for a long time that you weren’t worth the effort, even though you didn’t say the words, I heard it in the way you talked, the look in your eyes.
But I want you to listen to me, Blake Clark.
You are worth it. You are loved. You are wanted.
Not only by me, but by our friends. And while we’re alive, you will never be alone. ”
Blake buries his face into my chest, clinging to me for dear life. He cries softly as I hold him, rubbing his back and murmuring sweet things to him, reminding him how much I love him.
He’s not used to people fighting for him, but he’s going to need to get used to it, because I will always be by his side. I will always fight for him. Defend him. Take care of him.
I don’t know what will happen regarding Mickey, but as long as I have him and the people who love me by my side, that's all that matters.
I started this school year thinking being kicked off the team was the worst thing that could happen.
It led me to Blake, and led me to growing into a better person. It brought my person.
The worst thing to me isn’t being kicked off the team anymore, or even getting kicked out of school; it’s losing this man in my arms.
And as long as I’m able to live and breathe, I’m going to keep that from happening.
He’s what is important, the only thing that matters to me.
My Latte Boy, the grumpy face who changed my life forever.