Page 84 of Cruel Steps

Eventually, he climbed off the bed, disposed of the condom, and I used the bathroom. I stood in his doorway, debating whether he wanted me to return to the couch or not.

“Hope you like cuddling,” he said, smiling and lifting the blanket.

“Love it.” Smiling, I climbed in and fell asleep on his chest. Finally, all my thoughts were quiet.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-SEVEN

EMERSON

“How bad is it?” I asked, stumbling into the kitchen. My eyes were heavy with sleep, and it took all my effort not to stay curled up in Colter’s bed and pull the covers over my head.

Colter turned at the sound of my voice and smiled. He walked to me, rubbing my shoulders in greeting. “Good morning, Merbear.” He bent down to kiss my cheek and whispered in my ear. “If you’re trying to test if I’ll fuck you in front of your friend, we’re about to find out. Fuck, you look hot in my shirt.” He stepped back, a smug expression covering his face as he crossed the kitchen. “Coffee?”

Cheeks pinked, I tried to find my voice after that pussy annihilation. “Um, huh?”

Cody chuckled. “She’ll only drink it if it’s super sweet,” he told Colter for me.

“Yeah. That.” I waved off their laughter and took a seat at the minibar. There were two barstools, so I took the one closest to the end.

“Here you go.” Colter kissed my cheek again and placed a warm mug in my hand. He returned to where he’d been, and I drank my coffee, willing my brain to wake up while I watched him stir something in a bowl.

“It’s a mixed bag,” Cody said, answering my question. “There are a lot of students deeming you a hero for taking down the mean girl.”

“But that wasn’t the point.” Taking down Hope was what I wanted, but not so people would think I was a hero. I just wanted the bullying to stop.

“We know, Mer.” Colter’s eyes were soft.

“And the other half?” They looked at each other, telling me everything I needed to know. “They blame me for the accident.” I sighed, rubbing my temple. “Any word on Hope?” I cringed. I should have asked that first.

“Nothing from Holden. You might try your dad,” Colter offered, not denying my claim.

Downing the last of my coffee, I slid off the stool and went to my pile of stuff near the couch. Thankfully, I remembered to charge my phone last night. Waking it, my eyes widened at the number of calls, texts, and notifications I now had.

“Um, guys…” My heart sped up, and my hands grew clammy. I handed my phone to Cody and sat on the couch, pulling my legs under me.

“Shit. The Dean wants to see her,” he relayed.

“It doesn’t mean it’s bad,” Colter said. “Let’s eat, and then I’ll go to campus with you.”

The idea sounded nice, but then I remembered it was Sunday. “Don’t you have to work today?”

“I’ll call off.” He waved off my concern and placed a plate of pancakes on the small table in the kitchen.

“No. Your job is important. I don’t want you to miss it because of me.”

“It’s not a big deal, Mer. Sandy loves me.”

“I can go with her. I need a ride back to campus, anyway,” Cody said, shoving a bite of pancakes into his mouth. Colter assessed me, his eyes searching me for something. I nodded I was okay with that, and he sighed, agreeing.

“Fine. Promise me you’ll text me after?”

“Of course.”

“You can stay here tonight if you want.”

I grinned. “Thanks.”

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