27. Jonah
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
jonah
“We don’t have to do this,” I say for what feels like the hundredth time this morning, but Calvin doesn’t hesitate as we walk into our high school, hand in hand.
People stare.
A lot.
But no one says a word as we walk to our lockers.
We went to the store yesterday and grabbed him some clothes for him to get by.
He was adamant about not going back to that house, and I was relieved to hear it.
He didn’t want to spend the money he earned working for his family, but when I offered to spend my own, he made the decision to do just that.
I would have gladly used my savings to buy him new clothes, just to keep him away from that house and all the ugliness that comes with it.
“Calvin . . .” I start, but he just sighs and turns to me, sliding his hand out of mine but not stepping away from me.
“I’m okay. Are you okay?”
I nod my head because of course I am. Micah assured us both that he wants us to do whatever the hell we want to the last few months before we graduate. He’s 100 percent supportive of us both. “I’m more than okay,” I say with a grin.
He smiles right back—he’s doing that more and more.
His face is beat all to hell. His lip still swollen and his cheek puffy and red.
Jenna insisted on cleaning it up and putting a butterfly bandage on the wound where it was slightly cut open.
He refused to go to urgent care but did let her help, so I guess that’s a win.
I don’t think he’s worried about a scar, but honestly, it can only make him look hotter to me.
He survived. I hate his stupid brother and his stupid family, but he made it through. He shocks the hell out of me when he leans forward, pressing the sweetest, chaste kiss on my lips before pulling back and looking into my eyes, making sure I see him. “I love you.”
My heart nearly bursts in my chest, but of fucking course, Adler has to interrupt the moment. “Well, isn’t this sweet,” he says with pure disgust.
I don’t care. Nothing can ruin how happy I am right now. I turn around, standing right by Calvin’s side and looking at the ugly fucker with cuts and bruises all over his face. “Nice face,” I sneer.
“Looks like you two took the brunt of it,” he says, looking over at Calvin. “He’s not so pretty anymore, huh?”
I’m ready to tease him for saying I’m pretty, but Calvin is the one to speak up first. “Get your own boyfriend, asshole.” He hugs me closer and stares down his bully, clearly not afraid in the slightest.
Adler looks around, as if he’s searching for backup or someone to laugh at his stupid jokes. But no one is paying attention.
Maybe Big Bend isn’t as out of touch as I’d thought. Or maybe they’re just sick of his shit too. But no one is paying attention, and in true bully fashion, that takes away his power. He stalks off all mad, and Calvin and I just laugh at dumb ass.
The rest of the day is totally uneventful, and since we don’t have practice anymore, we go home right after school and play with the girls before Jenna makes dinner.
Calvin helps her.
It’s all very domestic and happy.
Later, when we go to bed—Calvin has pretty much just moved into my room. And while it may be unconventional, Jenna and Micah don’t seem to worry about it in the slightest. We’re both adults after all, and they’re all too happy to help.
We lie in my bed, both trying to drift off to sleep because morning will come way too soon. But I can’t help but pushing just a little bit to see what he has planned for the future. “So, if college were an option . . .” I start.
And I hear his laughter as he rolls to his side to face me. “I’m thinking about it. Coach said he’ll talk to the school counselor. Try to see if it’s a possibility.”
“Really?” I ask, surprised that this is so easy.
“I don’t think it is. But maybe.”
I smile because I have no doubt it is. I won’t push too much—and I’ll resist calling up the coach at Manhattan City University who recruited me and putting the ultimatum on the table—at least for a bit. If it comes to that, I have no shame.
“What do you want to do after college?” I ask, and he rolls back onto his back, tucking an arm under his head.
“You’ll laugh.”
“Try me,” I say because maybe—but not in a mean way.
“I don’t know. I always kind of liked science in school. The one class I actually have a B in.”
“You want to be a scientist?” I manage not to laugh, but I can’t say that doesn’t surprise me. I’m on board for anything but didn’t see that coming.
His shoulders actually shake with laughter, and I can make out his head shaking no in the dark room. “Hell no. I just . . . well, maybe I’d want . . .”
“Spit it out,” I tease. “I have to know now.”
He huffs. “Fine. I was thinking maybe a science teacher. Maybe a football coach on the side. Like elementary.”
I’m not laughing at all now. “Ohhh, I can see that,” I say honestly. “I can really see that.”
“Yeah?” I love how innocent and sweet he sounds, totally in awe of me being serious about seeing him as an elementary schoolteacher, teaching science to little kids and then coaching them after school.
“Yeah,” I say. “Yeah, I can see all.”
“And what about you? What’s in your future?” he asks, moving closer to me and kissing me softly.
“You. One hundred percent—you.”
He chuckles and kisses me hard but then pulls back just a little. “Seriously, though. What after college?”
“Whatever we want. I’d love to play professionally, but I’d be just as fine coaching.”
“Wanna take over for your brother?” he asks, his voice sounding like a smile.
“Or coach alongside him,” I say.
“Yeah, I can see that,” he repeats my words, and we both lay there silently for a minute before I turn on my side to look at him, propping my head up on my hand.
“You know what I’ve been thinking about doing a lot lately?”
“Is there anything left we haven’t done?” he asks with a playful, sly grin, leaning in to kiss my lips again.
I laugh and then put a hand on his chest, pushing him back. “Oh, I’m sure we can come up with lots more to do, but I meant something else. Probably not nearly as satisfying, but maybe.”
“What’s that?” he asks, all ears now.
“I want to drive that stupid truck down to Texas. Park it in the yard and throw the keys at the front door. And never go back,” I say more intensely than I mean to because I realize how badly I want this.
Calvin got his closure. That truck is like a weight pulling me down, reminding me of my father’s hatred. I don’t want it anymore. I don’t need it.
“I’ll go with you,” he says instantly.
“You will?”
He nods, his nose brushing mine, neither of us caring about our still-healing faces as we move into a heavy kiss. He slides my body under his as we kiss and rut together, pushing our underwear down so we don’t make too much of a mess.
I’ll never get tired of this. I’ll never want anything different or wish I’d have done something else.
I was meant to come to this small Kansas town and fall for Mr. Left Tackle, who changed my whole life for the better.
No looking back. No second-guessing.
Just knowing this is it. This is right.