Page 56 of Wicked Scandal

As he heads out the open bathroom door, I have to refrain myself from jumping on his back and digging my nails into his face. I can’t believe him. He is a top-notch asshole. The worst of the worst.

He’s dreaming if he thinks I’m going to work in that office every day, for him. Over my dead fucking body.

Luck was on my side tonight and Troy crashed hard and fast on the living room recliner after his shower. I’m actually surprised he didn’t stay up to drill me about what I did all weekend, or if I met up with any “friends.” Not that I have any.

I still can’t believe he thinks I’m going to work for him this summer. The man has seriously lost his mind. One of our agreements was that he wouldn’t interfere with my career, not that he’s a man of his word.

With my bedroom door closed and Friends playing quietly on the television, I get comfortable in bed with my laptop by my side.

Taking a deep breath, I try to recenter myself. Troy has this way of making my world feel flipped on its axis and I need time to focus on me for a second to get it to recenter.

Picking up my phone, I open the SnapTok app, a smile immediately spreading across my face when I see about a dozen messages from Wilder.

I skim through them, my heart growing in size with each one. He tells me how much he loved spending time with me this weekend and how it ended too soon. He goes on to say how he can’t stop thinking about me and how he’s already looking forward to seeing me again. He says he emailed the speech and any help would be appreciated. Finally, he asks if I’ll sneak out and meet him tonight, which isn’t a remote possibility.

I type out a reply…

CatEyes: This weekend with you was amazing, and you’re heavy on my mind, too. I wish I could meet you tonight, but it’s not an option.

As if he was holding his phone in his hand when I hit send, a reply comes right back.

WildMisfit: Did he hurt you tonight?

I didn’t expect that question, but it makes me feel good knowing that there is someone out there looking out for me.

CatEyes: No.He wasn’t too bad.

It’s the truth. When Troy comes back from a trip, he is either clingy and sweet or mad about everything and just my voice can set him off. I was surprised after the news of Beth quitting that tonight didn’t go downhill quickly, but I will take my blessings where I can get them.

I open up my email and download the doc Wilder sent as I wait for a reply. It’s not very long, which is not a bad thing, but I’m sure his dad is going to want a little more depth with his speech.

Then, my phone buzzes with a response from Wilder.

WildMisfit: I’m glad he wasn’t too bad. And if you ever need help, or anything at all, please tell me, Cat. You don’t have to go through anything alone ever again.

His words hit deep in my soul, so much so that tears form in my eyes. I’ve been alone my entire life with no one in my corner. At one time, I thought I had Troy, but it turns out, he only pulled me into his corner temporarily before pushing me back into mine all alone. It’s a lonely life when you don’t have someone to count on, and knowing I have Wilder now makes living so much more bearable.

CatEyes: I still can’t figure out what planet you came from, but I’m glad we found each other. You’re hands down the most amazing person I’ve ever met and now that I know you, I can’t imagine my life without you in it.

I wait a second before typing the truth. With Wilder, I find that I want to tell him everything on my mind. So instead of hiding my feelings, I just lay it out there.

CatEyes: It kind of terrifies me.

A tear rolls down my cheek as I hit send because the truth hurts. Wilder isn’t a permanent fixture in my life. He’s a young man who has so much going for him that doesn’t involve his almost-thirty-year-old teacher. This is just a phase and he’s going to outgrow me before I outgrow him.

WildMisfit: I’m not going anywhere.

For now, is what he means. He’s not going anywhere for now. He’ll leave eventually but I’d endure the heartbreak of that loss for this limited amount of time with him. I’m falling hard for this guy, even when I know it’s going to hurt in the end. I won’t press on any of that tonight because we still have right now.

CatEyes: Neither am I.

I finish going over the document and add some fluff and words that I know will grab the attention of Grant’s audience. I also fix up some punctuation errors and reword a few sentences that are already there. Then I email it back to Wilder.

When I go back into the app, I see another message from him.

WildMisfit: Sweet dreams, Kitty Cat. I’ll see you soon.

I giggle at the nickname.

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