Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
“It figures your fruity ass would eat at a place like this,” a familiar but unwelcome voice said from behind me. I rolled my eyes and turned around to find Brant approaching, with Riley on his heels.
“Nah,” Riley chimed in with a chuckle. “He doesn't eat food; he just swallows cum all day. He's here searching for a dick to suck.”
“How charming,” I replied sarcastically. Their words didn't bother me; I'd lived through so much worse, so insults just rolled off my back.
“Are you trying to hit on me?” Riley asked with a disgusted look. “I'm not a cock gobbling fag like you.”
“How fucking stupid are you?” I snapped back. Okay, most of the time words rolled off my back. But these guys were too much. I was just minding my own business, and here they showed up trying to start trouble, disrespecting me and also insinuating I would ever try to make a pass at one of these shit goblins.
“What the fuck did you just say?” Brant spat, his face screwed up in anger. “I guess we need to teach you to watch your mouth.” They both stomped towards me, and I instinctively dropped into the defensive stance Troy taught me while Riley laughed.
“Are you serious? We’re gonna snap you like a twig.”
He and his crony flinched when from beside us boomed, “Get away from him.” This voice soothed my nerves and let me know everything was going to be okay. Troy wedged his body between me and my aggressors, who both did a double take at the sight of him. “I said step away.”
Riley puffed out his chest and drew himself to full height, which was still several inches shorter than Troy. “This has nothing to do with you, so you can step away.”
“This has everything to do with me,” Troy argued. “You’re harassing my boyfriend. So, you can either get the fuck out of here, or you can deal with me; your choice.”
I didn’t miss the way both of them grimaced at the word boyfriend; I’d seen that very look on my stepdad’s face. But luckily, probably due to Troy’s size and presence, they stood down. Brant nudged Riley and said, “Come on; these two ass lickers aren’t worth it.”
When they walked towards the sporting goods store next to the cafe, Troy took a step after them, but stopped when I put my hand on his back. “Don’t worry about them,” I implored. “They’re not worth it.” I was positive Troy could rip them apart, and I didn’t want him getting in trouble. The duo had left, so I just wanted to get back to our day.
“Those are the two from school,” he gathered, and I nodded. “Will you do something for me?”
“Anything.”
“Have campus security walk you to your classes.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” I tried to argue, but Troy remained stone faced.
“I do. I don’t trust those assholes. They stepped up on you in broad daylight where anyone could see. I’ll put a call into the college tomorrow and give them a heads up to watch out for these guys. I wish I could walk you to class myself, but I don’t want you to be in a position where they could catch you alone.”
His expression softened and he cupped my cheek in his palm. “I know you can kick ass if you need to, but it’s better to stay out of that situation entirely. I know I’m overprotective, but I love you, and I want to make sure you’re safe. Can you do this for me?”
I would feel silly making the request to security, but when he put it that way, it was impossible to deny him. “For you,” I replied with a nod, and he thanked me with a gentle kiss.
“Come on, sweetheart; you need to eat.”
Chapter Five
Avery
We had a great lunch of delicious chicken salad at Blissful Bites. Troy did a great job of taking my mind off of the situation with Riley and Brant; he talked about our visit to Air Time and re-enacted what my face looked like as I flew through the air to keep me laughing. My tensions melted away until this moment, when Troy parked his truck in the lot of my apartment building.
My heart raced with nervous anticipation. I knew what awaited us inside, and my thoughts tumbled through every recess in my mind. As if he heard the words I wasn’t speaking aloud, Troy reached over and took my hand.
“I can feel you thinking,” he smiled. “Remember; we don’t have to do anything. I’m happy to hold you and watch a movie.”
“I know, and thank you so much. But I want this with you.”
He squeezed my hand and nodded. “I want you to take the lead. We’ll go as slow as you like, and we can stop if you need to. I will never be upset or disappointed. Anything with you is amazing.”