Page 33 of Last Boy

“I’ll do whatever it takes to make it up to you.” I kiss her again, feeling her pussy start to tighten around me, sending my balls into a tailspin.

“Walker,” she whimpers.

“Let go, baby. Let go of it all and come undone for me.”

I move my head down, kissing her neck as my seed spills inside of her, and she moans, coming on my cock. Her nails make my flesh damn near bleed.

Her chest heaves, a mixture of moans and cries leaving her mouth, all at the same time, as she comes back down from her orgasm.

I want to tell her I love her. That I’ve loved her since we were kids and that I’ve never stopped loving her. But tonight isn’t about what I want. It’s about getting her through the toughest day of her life.

And being the man she once thought I was.

10

Poppy

The dull sting between my legs is nothing compared to the ache in my chest. I woke up, wishing that it were a nightmare, losing my brother. But I’m hit with the harsh reality that it wasn’t, and now, I need to break the news to Jake.

I allow myself another gaze at Walker as the sun begins to peek out, waking up the sky and starting the day. The light shines on his face, and for the first time in years, I try my best to memorize every line, freckle, and feature. So badly, I want to lean down and press my lips to his. But one night can’t fix everything. And right now, I have bigger fish to fry than figuring out my extremely confusing, all-over-the-place feelings for Walker James.

Slowly, I slide out from under the covers, careful not to let the bed creak. Quickly yet quietly, I pull on yesterday’s clothes. Tiptoeing across the floor, I slide my feet into my sandals, looking back at him again. The comforter rests at his waist, and he has one arm above his head and his gorgeous face turned slightly toward the window.

I wish I could stay in the moment when he made love to me last night. If I could, I’d never leave. Because for once in so long, I didn’t feel the pain of everything. And just as I’d always wanted, it was us against the world.

Pulling the door open, I walk out. Leaving Walker sound asleep, knowing that when he wakes up, he’ll think I’m next to him.

Walker

Before my eyes even adjust to the light, I know she’s gone without physically seeing it. My hand reaches the side of the bed she fell asleep on, and I find it cold.

Shooting straight up, I toss the blankets off and leap out of bed before pulling on my sweatpants. Running out into the main part of the dorm, I look around.

“Poppy!” I yell, knowing it’s useless.

She ran.

I wish I were surprised, but I’m not. I stayed awake for as long as I could, just listening to her breathing. And held her closer when she winced in her sleep. None of that will ever be enough though.

Trying to love her will be like bringing a stray animal inside after it’s spent its entire life in the wild. Just like that animal, she won’t trust me, and she’ll always be ready to run.

I’d be stupid to even bother. But I’m going to try anyway.

I still don’t have her number, but I know who does.

After dialing Cade and getting no answer five times, I call Lana.

“Walker?” she says after answering on the first ring. “Are you with Poppy by chance?”

“No. I was last night, but she’s gone.” I drag my hand over the back of my head. “I need her number. Okay?”

“I’ll text it to you,” she says quickly, and seconds later, I see the text come through. “Done.”

“Thanks. I gotta go.”

Before I can hang up, she stops me. “Walker, if you see her…can you call me?” The worry in her voice is clear. “I know you said she was with you, but she didn’t come home. And she never does that.”

I can’t tell Lana about Van. It isn’t my place.

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