Devotion: For Love or Honor, page 15
“Oh, wow. You know that is ridiculous, don’t you? Do not let her in your head. Your relationship with Ryan is all innocent. Well, except the kiss you have kept it separate from everything else all year. How did you end the conversation?”
“Do you see me drinking, hiding under a blanket on a spring Sunday afternoon?”
“Enough said. I will change clothes, break out my secret chocolate stash and two more bottles of wine.”
“Thanks for being my best friend.”
“Always. Okay now, let’s talk about your shoulder you have hidden under the blanket.” I return her scrutinizing glare with a scowl, lifting the cozy material to reveal the heating pad.
“Okay, okay. I did too much, and I am paying the price, one of the many reasons I insisted not to see Ryan today. I didn’t want him to worry.” My best friend changed her clothes, bringing wine, chocolate, and chose the movie.
#
Jenny
“Ugh. Mer why did you let me drink so much wine last night?” I groan, stumbling from bed to the shower. Never again on a school night.
“What, stop yelling.” She yells from her room. Shit, I wasn’t screaming but, she is. I think about Ryan the entire time I am in the shower soaping down my body willing the next fifty-four days to go by faster. Wait or is fifty-three. I make a note in my alcohol infused brain to count them today.
I step in front of my closet, staring at my wardrobe when Merrilee finds me trying to decide what to wear. Without a word she grabs a dusty rose short-sleeved cotton shirt with a scoop neck, I have never worn to school because I worried about it being too low cut. She pairs the shirt with a gray pencil skirt and a matching cardigan, laying them on my bed. Then while she shifts her toothbrush around in her mouth, she grabs my peek-a-boo gray suede booty-heels well that is what Merrilee called them when she made me buy them. She insisted they make my butt look very good but why she is checking out my backside is very dis-concerning.
“Are you sure that isn’t too much for school?” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I take in her sheer purple blouse with a black camisole underneath all tucked into a black pencil skirt and black kitten heels. “Okay, I will wear it.” I laugh dressing, styling my hair down in loose waves. I add simple sterling hoops to my ears, my watch, and a silver bracelet. My fingers are bare from rings, and it feels fucking amazing.
I pull into the parking place next to Merrilee, seems silly taking both cars to work and back but on Mondays she has meetings, and I have prom committee after school. She winks as we walk in side-by-side.
“Wait for it. Get ready.” Whispering to me.
“Stop.” I hiss without altering my line of vision, the end of the hall and not the sexy senior standing in his usual morning location.
“Oh shit. You-know-who looks extra hot today.” Her words are coming out a bit above a whisper.
“Stop.”
“Why is that chick leaning on him?” I jerk my head up. “Caught you.”
“You are mean.” I can tell we are close to where Ryan stands before I can see or smell him. Yes, I know his scent now; it is horrible. I am an awful person, and then I hear.
“Good Morning Miss Ryan.” I maintain control over my giddy smile until I respond.
“Good Morning Mr. Raines.” His wink is my undoing, and I shiver the remainder of the way to class. Merrilee is not helping when she turns while I unlock my classroom.
“He is so checking out your ass right now.”
“Go to your room now,” I growl out, unlocking the door. I can only hope for the hot pink of my cheeks to calm down before my students walk into class.
“I told you he would like that skirt and those heels. Honey, that boy is having a hard time breathing right now.”
“So not funny. Not funny. Go. Now.”
“What?” Feigning innocence, which my best friend is anything but, inexperienced. “You are the only of one of us getting any attention right now.” Shrugging her shoulders. “So, what if I have to live vicariously through you.”
She waggles her fingers, leaving me to face a classroom of seniors and one special man all by myself. The class is excited and loud with most students talking about their spring break adventures, which helped to keep my focus from one hot senior in a turquoise cotton short-sleeved shirt pulling tight over his muscles. I lean against my desk, sipping from my coffee tumbler, our eyes meet over the plastic lid. Shit. Diverting my attention away from Mr. Raines, I ask Shane, another student about his holiday.
I was not too worried about Ryan and my activities, due to their locations until one of his many followers asked him where he went over the break. His eyes met mine for a glimpse of time, unnoticed by all but me when he announced.
“No, I took advantage of the time off and worked.”
“Oh, how sad. You need to come out with us this weekend to Mary Fischer's party. It will be fun. And we still haven’t heard who your prom date is.” I see his look of surprise while I turn my back, focusing on some artwork with Jeremy, another student.
“Nah. I haven’t given prom much thought.” I sigh hating him missing out on normal senior activities, hoping it isn’t because of me. I hear his voice above the crowd, not that he is talking, loud, it is simple; I know his voice, anticipating his answer. “I will give it some thought.”
#
Ryan
I stare at the clock, silently begging for the time to fly by so that I might have a few minutes with Jenny before I need to leave for work. I haven’t seen her since Saturday after I convinced her to take a jog with me on the wilderness trail, surrounded by trees circumventing one of the larger parks of the area. I felt safe there with her, and we both were relieved when we went unnoticed. Later, I told her goodbye at her house, both of us covered in sweat, fighting the urge when all I wanted to do was spend her last night alone in the condo together, but I knew I would never be able to control myself. With a light kiss across her forehead, I left. If there were ever a couple that could self-combust from unfulfilled desire, it would be the two of us.
The class is winding down, slipping my zip drive into the computer, excited to show her the image I have chosen for the contest the one I edited at her place on Friday night. That was a rough night, Jenny, with her emotions running high after the meeting with the lawyer, we tried to ignore the elephant in the room, but it is difficult. She admitted her husband was due back in town on Sunday and is expected to get served on Tuesday.
What I wouldn’t do to be the one who protects her, our situation would be different if I was out of school and able to provide a place where we could live together. Who the fuck am I kidding? The six years, age difference, separate us much more than years. What, do I have to offer her?
I fight those feelings, frustrating while searching for a cure. All my anger flying out the window the minute the classroom empties and my girl walks straight to me, looking beautiful in her pink shirt and skirt.
“Hey. Did you bring the photo you picked?”
“I did. But first I want to tell you. You look beautiful today.” Her cheeks turn a rosy pink shooting straight down her neck then dropping beneath my view by the shiny material. I reach out fingering the cloth between my fingers then skating my hand around the soft swell of her hip before I graze her toned ass. She doesn’t object, instead takes my hand in hers then placing it on the desk, settling next to me excited to see what I brought.
“Oh, Ryan. It’s perfect. And your editing is wonderful.” Her eyes drift over the image of the rusted metal of the building, with broken equipment scattered around the yard. Above the building is the perfect sunrise, bright with a hope of a new day and then growing through a crack in the concrete is a group of brilliant wildflowers. “You nailed it. So next, we need to verify the size of the image in the requirements, and you need a title.”
Jenny reads over the requirements while I fill out the application. The title is a mixture of us, our words, together, New Beginnings. Using the software, we change the size of the file, and it is submitted.
“Wow. I can’t believe I did it.”
“You did well.”
“Babe, how does the school afford this editing software?” Her cheeks blush.
“They don’t I use it for my business, and I downloaded it here. My license allows another device, do you have a laptop?”
I nod.
“Good if you want next time you come over, bring your computer, and I will load the program on yours.”
Jenny went to her cabinet, pulling one of her camera bags I loaded when we moved her from the house to Merrilee’s condo.
“This is for you.”
“No. Jen this is too much.” I take in the camera, along with three lenses, flash, and extra batteries. The same I used when I assisted her at the wedding. “I can’t.”
“Yes, you can. Ryan, you have a great deal of talent. No matter where you end up or what you are doing it would be a shame for you not to pursue your passion. And besides, I have a wedding on Saturday. I need you to work with me.”
I laugh. With one hand, I graze the back of Jenny’s waist before I add a gentle swipe of the pad of my finger to her lips before standing at the door asking.
“Can I call you tonight?”
“I can’t wait.”
#
Ryan
Since the holidays I have been helping the junior varsity football coach with running spring practice two days a week before I leave for work, accepting with a bit of excitement when he asked, see I had an ulterior motive. Those are the exact days Jenny takes her underclassmen outside for photo time, giving me more of a chance to see her. I am a desperate man, willing to take whatever I can get.
I thought I had imagined her camera directed my way more than once since the beginning of the school year until I found the evidence confirming my suspicions when I was editing my images on Friday night at her place.
There it was easy to see. ‘Ryan’ the file name. I clicked, and I can’t lie; it gave me a thrill knowing this girl has been secretly watching me for as long as I have her. Many images of me on and off the field, in practice, games, uniforms, and walking across campus. My favorite one is of me wearing her dad’s jacket not that long ago.
I still have the jacket it hangs in my closet almost as if I am afraid to return it to her symbolizing the end. I push those thoughts away, knowing that nothing will end us. That is why I am excited as I stand on the practice field today, a prime spot to see Jenny traipsing around outside with her class. I made sure to see her first thing this morning on my way to my Calculus class to tell her good morning, sexy as ever in her hip-hugging khakis and a blue t-shirt. I sigh watching the team, running drills with one eye on the field behind us. Then I see her.
I feel her frustration as she rounds up that class only to return with another one a short while later bringing this group away from the woods. Jenny stops and talks to the coach then giving her kids instructions they skirt around both practice fields of football and some towards the soccer team. Finally, we get close when I run across the field, taking the ball and throwing to the running back. I then have the quarterback throw me the ball which just so happens to get me close to my girl.
“Nice catch.” Her tongue meets her lips, leaving me to release a low growl, she giggles. I shake my head returning to the team running with them, and I admit to showing off. By the time practice is over, she has taken her class back inside. I grab my gear, intending to catch her in the parking lot and talk her into having dinner with me tonight.
I hear the commotion right before I realize it is coming from the direction of Jenny’s car; I take off at a run hearing screams, fear consumes me, I run towards the source.
“Martin you need to leave.”
“You are coming with me now.”
“No, I am not.” Jenny steps back away from him.
I near the conflict as I see a man, forcibly grabbing her arm dragging her towards a truck, door open with the engine running. I panic when she screams again.
“Let go of me. I am not leaving with you.”
“Hey, stop,” I yell out as I reach them swinging a punch towards his shoulder, causing him to drop his hold on my girl, as he stumbles to regain his footing. I reach out swooping Jenny up by her waist, tucking her against my body as I turn ready to face her attacker as his return punch coming straight towards my jaw.
“Ryan.”
“Stay back.” I release on a growl as I stab a right jab into the soft gut of a man who chooses overindulgence. “She said for you to leave.” Her attacker doubles over before lunging towards me in a full body attack.
I keep Jenny safely tucked behind me as the sounds of someone yelling to call the police, her fingers clutching in the waistband of my athletic shorts. “You need to back off,” I growl out.
“What are you going to do about it? That is my wife.” I know better than to take his bait with the number of people watching right now, not to mention if someone happens to be recording a video with their cell phone. Jenny speaks up from behind me as I keep turning my stance each time, he moves from one side or the other to get his hands on her.
“Martin you need to leave right now,”
“I am not going anywhere without you. You are my wife.”
The words she is mine, on the tip of my tongue begging to be let loose, shouting to the world. Jenny’s voice is louder from behind me, the tighter her body clings to mine.
“Not for much longer. I filed for divorce; it is over Martin. Go away.”
I easily dodge his next punch, reining in control preventing me from dropping this jerk to the ground, for daring to lay his hands-on Jenny. I manage to keep my cool until I hear sounds of help. The loud shrill of sirens approaching has him jerking his head to look, a distraction as I shove him off when his arm reaches over my shoulder for her hair. Jenny screams, his wrist held tightly in my grip as his fingers clutch for her flesh. “Let her go now.” With a slight shift of my weight allowing me just enough room to avoid hitting my girl in the process as I deliver a final blow knocking his jaw straight up and back as Martin Stephenson stumbles to the ground.
The sounds of sirens drowning out all other noise of distress as the attacker doubled over in pain manages to climb into his truck, throwing it in gear. The sounds of screeching tires against the screams as students and teachers, jump out of the way, some who indeed happen to be recording.
Chapter 13
Jenny
Ryan’s arms clutch me to his chest, shielding me from the mayhem. The screech, of tires, drowned out by screams of people and the emergency sirens, as I hear Merrilee’s voice right before I feel her body slam against Ryan and me. I can’t let go if I do my legs will never support my crumbling weight. His lips are in my hair now, all I can hear are the vibrations rumbling from his chest, telling me he loves me, or that is what I long to hear the most. His arms and hands are twitching against my back, but they don’t release me. It is Merrilee’s voice of reason that breaks through our trance.
“Hey, you two come and sit down.” Ryan must see where she is pointing because we are walking and the next thing, I know he has lifted me onto the bed of a pick-up truck tailgate, my feet dangling. I clutch at his hands, unable to beg or speak or even cry. My face is wet with tears, my breaths are much too fast, but I am out of control, unable to change them.
“Jenny. Breathe baby. I’m not leaving you. Are you hurt? I need you to breathe. In and out.” Merrilee yells for someone and the next thing I know Coach Edwards is standing beside Ryan.
“Jenny. Listen to Ryan. You are hyperventilating. Listen to his voice; you need to breathe slower.” He yells for a paper bag, and then Merrilee is shoving it over my face as I feel as if I am ready to pass out. Ryan sits down beside me with his arm around my shoulder, supporting the weight of my body, telling me to breathe. I see officers, and then another car leaves sirens blaring. People must be telling them what happened, but it’s not me. I still can't talk. I want to go. I want Ryan to take me home.
“Hey. Look at me. Did he hurt you?” I shake my head. Our eyes meet. “Keep breathing.”
My words spew out in a cluster of breaths.
“I don’t know what would have happened if you weren’t here to save me.” The second the last word was out, tears streamed down my cheeks as I dissolve into a torrent of sobs against his chest while his arm clutches me against his body.
“All these people saw what happened. Hell, they were even recording it. Look at that. Go after the son-of-a-bitch but leave her alone. Please give her a minute. She is scared to death. He almost had her in his truck if not for the quick thinking of our student. You do not need her statement yet.” Merrilee’s harsh words seep past the roar inside of my head; panic sets in again as she scolds a police officer somewhere behind us Ryan loosens his hold, our eyes meet, as I mouth a thank-you. He whispers back.
“As soon as we are alone, I plan on holding you all night long and never let you go. You hear me?” I nod. “But right now, we can’t make this worse.”
“I know.”
“Jen. They need to talk to you. And I will have to give them a statement as a student.”
“I understand.” The voice which escapes past my lips sounds foreign to my ears.
“You will not leave my sight. Okay?”
I nod again. I give Ryan a quick hug as he helps me off the tailgate. Coach, and Principal Stockton rush over. It is the coach that asks the questions.
“Are you better? Do you think you need to go to the hospital?”
“No. Thanks for the quick thinking with the bag.” I bite my lip. “He would have taken me if Ryan hadn’t stopped him.” Thankfully, Merrilee answers most of the questions as I nod in agreement.
#
Ryan
The hardest thing I have ever had to do since losing my mom is standing off to the side and watch while Jenny gives her statement and not being able to lend my support by standing next to her any more than I already have. Merrilee was smart to pull us out of our moment together; I doubt I could have found the will if not for her words. I have just finished giving my statement to the police, and now the principle is headed my way, worried that this does not look good fortunately for me the coach is with him.
