Chapter 28 #3
“What are they doing here?” Jensen grumbled, but I walked a little faster, worried something was wrong.
“Just in the neighborhood,” Hunter said as we approached, my heartbeat slowing at knowing there wasn’t a threat. “Good first day back?”
“Claire got sent home for flipping out at me in class, so that was fun,” I smiled.
“You sound better. The bruising healed?” he asked, reaching out to pull my collar from my neck enough to have a look, loosening my tie in the process.
“Almost gone,” I confirmed, sliding my eyes to Marco to find him eyeing me as he smoked. “Have you been a good boy for Hunter while I’ve been gone?”
He smirked, blowing smoke at me as he climbed off his bike.
“Since when have I ever been a good boy?”
“Very valid, forget I asked,” I teased, stealing his cigarette for a drag before handing it back. “What have you guys been up to?”
“I was practically chained up so I couldn’t break into Gilbert’s to see you,” Marco huffed, glancing at the guys. “We’re cool, right?”
“Not cool,” Jensen scoffed, the guys all nodding their agreement, other than Tyler.
“C’mon, Mark’s fine,” he said to back up his buddy, patting him on the shoulder for support.
“We’re heading to mine,” I said to try and change the subject, Marco grinning.
“We’ll follow you. Unless you want to jump on the back like a good little backpack?”
“How about you walk and I’ll ride the bike?” I asked brightly, Hunter giving me the side-eye.
“Wouldn’t recommend you get on a bike with a skirt on. Go on, people are staring. We’ll talk at the house,” he promised, apparently not wanting to start gossip for once in his life.
People really were staring, and I was grateful that Marco didn’t grab my ass or something to get me in trouble. Especially considering I could see reporters by the gate again.
They’d probably be all over this interaction.
Some followed us when we drove out like a mini convoy, but most were gone by the time we reached home, not wanting to risk getting shot in a drive-by. That incident had definitely worked in our favor.
“I’ve tried giving you space, honey, but please stay home for a few days,” Josie stated the second we walked in the door, her arms going around me in a tight hug.
“Sorry,” I replied, not really knowing what else to say.
“Don’t be. I just like you here where I know you’re safe,” she murmured, moving back to look at the others hopefully. “Are you all staying for dinner?”
“They’re not,” Caden said flatly, but Hunter smiled.
“We’d love to. Thank you.”
My phone rang and I glanced down at it, intending on ignoring it, but then I recognized the prison’s number and hit answer, saying I accepted the call and waiting to see who was calling.
Hunter was eyeing me, but I waved at him to let him know everything was fine as I started walking towards the stairs to my room.
“Donovan,” Lexi’s voice practically purred down the line at me, and I honestly could have cried.
“I was wondering when you’d call. I can’t believe you’d fuck me then throw me aside like that,” I joked, making her laugh.
“I highly doubt you’re suffering without me. I figured I’d give you some time to settle back in at home before harassing you. How have you been?”
I headed into my bedroom and closed the door, dropping back onto my bed.
“Interesting. I’ll tell you more about it when I come down to visit. Went back to school today though. My locker was destroyed and Claire freaked out at me and got sent home.”
“Tell me all about the filthy sex you’re having. Let me live through you,” she groaned, telling me she hadn’t found a new bed buddy yet.
“Not much to tell. We had a good welcome home gangbang, but things kind of went to shit after that. How are the girls? What happened to that bitch that tried to shiv me?” I asked, glancing at the door as Marco poked his head in. I was surprised it took him so long.
“Roberts is still in the hole. They must be letting her out soon though. The girls are good. Tilly’s missing you. Maybe come and see her soon too,” Lexi replied, making me sigh.
“Tell her to call me. If she needs me, I’ll punch a cop or something and get put back in for a few months,” I joked, Marco raising an eyebrow as he approached the bed. I shooed him, but he only grinned and crawled towards me until he was braced above me.
“Who are you talking to?” he murmured, and I playfully raised my knee, pretending to knee him in the balls.
“Get off me. I’m talking to Lexi,” I scolded, hearing Lexi chuckle.
“Who’s trying to play slap and tickle with you? Tell them to wait their turn.”
“It’s just Marco. He gets slaps, no tickles,” I muttered, giving him a shove so that he landed on the bed beside me.
“Hey, Bryant,” Marco called out, getting comfortable on his back and making it very obvious our conversation was no longer private.
“Is Rivera there too?” she asked with amusement, and I huffed.
“He’s in the kitchen with the guys. Marco decided to be a creep and follow me to my bedroom. Tell me about what’s been happening. I want to know everything,” I insisted, deciding to pretend like Marco didn’t exist.