Page 63 of Love Takes Home

“That’s where you’re wrong, bitch. I have a lot of things to say to you, and I think you should listen if you know what’s good for you.”

I slowly stand, placing my instrument in its stand and putting the bow down. I finally straighten up to my full height of five-nine, five-ten in the shoes I have on, putting me two inches shorter than him. He looks me up and down, making my skin crawl.

“A dress, hmm?” He sneers at me. “You’re trying too hard. Anyone who looks at you knows you aren’t worth looking at.”

I purse my lips, trying to decide if his words hurt me. Nope, not feeling a thing.

“You pick on people’s physical appearance because it makes you feel better about your tiny pee-pee, don’t you?” I ask, serenely looking back at him.

“Fucking bitch. You think because you got some new dick in your life you’re better than me? You’re fucking nothing without me.”

“Are you projecting?”

“Fuck you! I’ve had more pussy than you could imagine since you ruined your life by walking away from me. And every fucking one of them knows how much better they are in the sack than you ever dreamed of being.”

“Yet, when you close your eyes, it’s my pussy you want, isn’t it, Keith?”

And it’s this moment I realize that’s too far for his fragile ego.

“You fucking cunt! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you before I ever let you say those words to me! Do you hear me? I’ll fucking kill you!”

He charges across the room, and I prepare for the pain I’m sure is about to come. But it doesn’t.

Chapter 21

Joker

Ginny’s car is stillin the parking lot of the school, so I pull in and wait. I see other teachers leave and lights in the building go out. No Ginny. After twenty minutes of waiting, I get out of the truck and head to the doors. One of them is still propped open and I slip inside, walking quickly to the classroom I know she’ll be in.

But I’m not five feet inside the door when I hear the very distinct sound of a man yelling. Hurling profanities to someone. My blood runs cold, but my focus sharpens like I’m on the job. I zero in on the open door and silently enter as Fucky McFuckerson charges Ginny, threatening to kill her.

Fuck. That.

Before he’s even gone two feet, I grab him by the back of his neck, applying just the right amount of pressure to stop him from doing anything without pain, and pull him back. His verbalattack ends, his eyes flinging from side to side, trying to find out who’s holding him.

“I suggest you watch yourself. You ever fucking lay a hand on her again, and it will be the last fucking thing you do, understand, motherfucker?” I say through my clenched teeth. “You’re fucking lucky I don’t end you right here, right now.”

“Get your hands off of me. This is my fucking school.”

“I’ll get my hands off of you when we come to an understanding. Now you just shut your fucking mouth for a goddamn second and be a good fucking boy.”

I look at Ginny, who seems unscathed. She’s breathing hard and her eyes are a little dilated, but she’s not been physically touched.

“What did this fucker say to you, Beautiful?”

She stares at me, her lips parted, but doesn’t say anything.

“Ginny. Are you alright?” I ask.

She nods. “Ye—Yes, I’m alright.”

“Did he touch you?”

“N—No. He didn’t.”

Thank fuck.

“The only reason you’re going to be able to walk out of this room on your own two feet is because you didn’t get the chance to touch her.”

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