Page 56 of Fighting the Odds

“She’s going to be back with you soon. But it looks like she’s being taken care of and she’s happy. And most of all, she’s with someone that she can sneak messages to you.” Cyrus’ deep timber voice soothes something inside me.

“Yeah, I just miss her. I get to see and talk to her, but it’s not the same.”

“I know, babe. You just need to stay positive. This is temporary. Also, I think you should cut those guys some slack. They’re risking a lot sending you those messages.”

He knows I have feelings for them. How can he be so accepting? I should be happy with just him. He’s wonderful. But Zander and Braxton, well, they’ve wormed their way into my heart.

As for Colton…

Fuck, I don’t know.

There’s just so much there. He apologized, but should I forgive him?

It’s just so hard to give my trust to someone.

Maybe baby steps?

I squeeze Cyrus’ hand tightly. He’s the blessing I never knew I needed.

Chapter 28

Sierra

The rest of the weekend went by smoothly between work, sleeping in Cyrus’s arms, among other things, and seeing the videos from Sam. The guys kept messaging me as well and I almost broke down and replied to them. But I didn’t.

Words are merely that: words. I need actions and I’ll get my chance to see them since I’m going back to school today.

“You sure about going back? What about homeschool or even a GED?” Cyrus moves a stray piece of hair from my face as we lie in bed facing each other.

“I’m going. I can do this. Plus, you have school, and then I’ll see you after. Unless you need to go back to your place.” A piece of me hopes he doesn’t and he wants to stay here with me. He’s like my very own security blanket. And there’s a little bit of guilt in me because I don’t want to keep him from doing things. But him leaving would mean I’d be here alone and I don’t want to be.

Mrs. Butler invited us to dinner last night, and I played the message for her that Sam had made and sent earlier that day. She was in tears. We’re like family to her.

Now today I’m going to be leaving them and coming face to face not only with the guys, but everyone else at school, including Wes.

God, give me the strength to deal with anything that comes my way today.

“We need to get up and get ready to head out then. I’m dropping you off, and I’ll be there to pick you up at the end of the day.” He takes my chin between his fingers, pulling me closer as he leans in and kisses me.

“I can ride the bus home,” I remind him.

“Absolutely not. Rico will also be there today, because he’s getting his name added to your file and removing your aunt. So even if I wasn’t picking you up, he would be.”

“Yay me,” I mock.

He pulls me on top of him, locking his lips with mine as he smacks my ass. My pussy quivers and fuck, if it doesn’t turn me on.

“Let’s get in the shower,” he mumbles through the kiss as he sits up. My legs fall to either side of his body so I’m straddling him.

“No, I like it here,” I whine as I grind my core against his hard shaft.

“Mmmm, I do too, but we need to go. Don’t want to be late on your first day back.”

Groaning, I climb off of him, instantly missing the heat of his body. I head to the shower, stripping off his tank top and dropping it to the floor as I go. His groan does not go unnoticed as I sway my hips walking away. I hear the creak of the bed just before the thud of his feet on the floor.

Forty minutes later and an amazing round of sex in the shower, we’re heading to the front door, each of us with a book bag slung over our shoulders.

God, I hope this day goes by uneventfully. But I have a gut feeling it won’t and my instincts haven’t steered me wrong yet.

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