Page 13 of Perfect Boy

And when I turn around, I see Watson standing between Denton and me, almost acting like a shield.

“Gentry, do me a favor and get the fuck out of my face.” Denton’s voice drips with jealousy as he looks around Watson’s huge stature. “I’ve texted you, Ry-Ry, so many fucking times the past few weeks.”

“Yeah, well, your number is blocked.” I try to say boldly, but they fall a little flat. Okay, a lot flat.

Denton’s eyes bounce from me to Watson, and though he attempts a smirk, it’s clear just how pissed off he is. I’m sure his controlling ass doesn’t like seeing me with another man. And to that, I say, good. I’m not his property. I never should have been his property. But that’s how relationships work, it seems. One person just acts like they own the other. And that’s why I don’t want anything to do with being in one again.

“What the fuck is this? You going for puck boys now?” His words drip with venom, his eyes growing dark with anger.

“Maybe.” I shrug, hoping Watson knows I’m just saying what I need to say to make Denton realize I want nothing to do with him. I don’t want to use Watson, but I also want to shut my ex up.

“That’s really fucking sad, Ryann.” He laughs bitterly, trying not to lose his cool the way I know he does. “I knew you had some fucking issues, but—”

“I’d advise you not to finish that fucking sentence, ball boy,” Watson growls, stepping so close to him that their chests brush. “And if you do, I promise you’ll regret it.”

“Oh, yeah? And what the fuck are you going to do?” Denton coos. “This seems like a lot of work for a little bit of pussy. Though I’ll admit, it is some grade-A pussy for sure.”

“Ryann, go get in the truck,” Watson commands before glancing over his shoulder and tossing me the keys. “Please.”

Catching them in my hand, I slowly start to back away, wondering what the hell is about to happen and wishing we could just leave. Together.

“Watson…let’s just go,” I whisper, looking over my shoulder. “Please.”

“I’ll be right there,” he assures me, giving me a slight head nod. “Promise.”

I turn and beeline it for the truck. I’ve never liked violence. I guess watching too much of it as a kid will do that. I wish I could go and pull Watson to the truck and force him to leave before the situation escalates. But I saw the look in both of their eyes—they’re out for blood.

Especially Watson.

I don’t want to risk seeing that. But more than that, I don’t want to risk being in the middle of it.

Before I make it inside the cab of the truck, I hear Denton’s voice, bursting with rage. “Isn’t this cute? If you’re being this sweet, Gentry, well then, I’d say she’s definitely shown you what she can do with those lips. Fuck, she deep-throats like a—”

Those are the only words I hear before a loud commotion starts. I don’t look back. I know myself enough to know that I can’t. Instead, I climb into the truck, and I bring my knees to my chest and bury my face in my hands. And I do my best to not let it take me back in time. But when I feel myself slipping back to a time when I lived at home, I know my attempt is a fail. And before I know it, everything is spinning. And the past and the future become one.

And even though my mind is somewhere else, I feel that guilt inside my chest because this fight was my fault.

And tonight, Watson has proven that he’s a monster. Just like all the others. Reminding me why I have my guard up.

Watson

I’m not usually one to settle things with violence unless there is no other way. But guys like Denton, they need to be knocked around a bit to be taught to shut the fuck up. All it took was a few solid punches, and he was down. He didn’t even attempt to scurry to his feet; he simply kept yelling how she’s not worth it and that he could have her back in a heartbeat.

Over my dead body, asshole.

I don’t give a shit that she can’t stand me. If you ask me, that’s an act so that she can keep me at an arm’s length. Either way, I don’t care. Because I’d murder that cocksucker before I ever let her go back to him. Hell, I didn’t even know they’d dated until tonight. He’s one of those football players who’s good enough to be on the team, but not good enough to be first string or to be talked about much around campus and certainly not on the news. And if he’ll say these types of things in front of me, I can’t imagine how he treated her behind closed doors.

The thought alone makes me want to turn around and go beat his face into the pavement. But I refrain and head to my truck. If I wasn’t with her tonight, I don’t know what he would have done. Then again, I think he was only angry because she was with me. Maybe he would have left her alone if I hadn’t been here. Either way, I wouldn’t want to chance it.

Pulling the door to my truck open, I’m met with a sight that has my stomach turning and my heart breaking. Ryann is rocking, her face buried in her palms as she keeps her knees pulled in, making herself smaller.

Running around to the passenger side, I pull her against me. “Fuck, I’m so sorry. Are you all right?”

Her body shakes, but she doesn’t respond. I don’t know what happened or if this is from the altercation between Denton and me.

Fuck, that must be it. I’m such a fucking idiot.

If I had known that knocking him out would make her this upset, I would have just walked away. It would have killed me, but I would have done it.

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