Page 40 of Hooves & HeartStrings

eighteen

I wake up with a groan, my mind immediately replaying last night's events. Christ, why did I do that?

Stupid Marley. Stupid vagina betraying me.

The room is still dark, the early morning light barely creeping through the blinds. I roll over, and wince at the sting of the movement. Shit, did he rip my pussy in half? And he said that was just the tip? I’ll surely die taking the whole thing.

Nope. There won’t be a next time.

I drag myself out of bed, every movement a reminder of how good last night was. My mind is a whirl of thoughts as I get ready for the track meet. I can barely bring myself to look at Lucius as we move about the room getting ready. We don't say much to each other, the silence between us thick and heavy.

What can I even say?

We should have talked before we fucked. We did everything in reverse, and I know it's partly my fault. I've refused to speak to him for so long.

I’m still so mad that he just left and then showed up like nothing was wrong. It hurts more than I want to admit.

As we head to the meet, Lucius finally breaks the silence. "Will you sit with me at the meet?" he asks, his voice tentative.

Before I can think better of it, I answer, "Yes."

He smiles, and his ears flick back and forth, making me giggle.

"Sorry, the ears give away my feelings sometimes," he says, a hint of a laugh in his voice as he puts on a hat to cover them. He grabs my hand, leading me from the room.

We find a spot on the bleachers with Brooks, and the three of us settle in to watch the events. The energy of the meet helps to distract me, and I jump up and down cheering loudly as Stacy wins the two hundred meters, the hurdles, and the high jump. The woman is a powerhouse, and it's no surprise she’s here on a full scholarship for track.

Lucky betch.

When the meet finishes, we rush down to the track to congratulate Stacy. Brooks swoops her up in his tentacles, and she wraps her legs around him, kissing him passionately.

A pang hits my heart. That was me and Lucius this summer, and I miss it so much. I miss how he made me feel like I was the only woman in the world.

Why am I fighting it if he means what he says—that he loves me? We need to talk, really talk, before I let my pussy make decisions for me again.

As we head to the bus, I stick close to Stacy, wanting to sit next to her. She sits in an empty seat and Brooks goes to slide in next to her but I whirl around and face him.

“Please, let me sit with her.” I push out my bottom lip and put my best puppy eyes on.

“Don’t you want to sit with Lucius?” he asks.

“I need to talk to my best friend about said centaur. Please, Brooks? I’ll owe you one.” I’m practically begging and I swear if this kraken merman doesn’t agree, I’m going to fry him on a grill. A little kraken filet.

Brooks pouts but reluctantly agrees. “Fine, but you owe me.”

He walks away taking the spot next to Lucius, grumbling under his breath the whole time. When he drops into the seat next to his friend, Luci looks up at me with a raised brow.

I smile and sit down. Not wanting to upset him, but also, he doesn’t need to know I’m contemplating forgiving him. I’m sure after last night he thinks we are all fine and dandy.

"What's up, buttercup?" Stacy asks as we settle into our seats.

"Am I crazy or stupid for wanting to give me and Lucius another chance?" I blurt out, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Nope," she says firmly.

"You're sure?" I ask, needing her reassurance.

"Yes, Marley, you love him and he obviously loves you. He came back for a reason. You messed up, he messed up. Now it's time to act like the adults you are and figure it out."

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