Page 141 of Bonding with the Beta

My chest aches, and I press my hand to the skin above my heart. “He said it would be my word against his and that no one would believe me after seeing my record with the hospital. That it’ll make me look obsessed and crazy, and if I said he tried to assault me, they’d think I was lying and doing it for attention.”

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?”

I shake my head slowly. “That’s why I deteriorated. I rang you because I needed something to calm me down. Then I scolded myself for doing it and got angry for not being able to deal with it by myself. He proved me right. I always need to rely on someone.”

He sighs with frustration, but not at me—at himself. “I’m your boyfriend. You should be able to call me without thinking you’re a burden. I’m meant to be your support system, so let me. That is literally what a relationship is, supporting each other.”

A ball grows in my throat, becoming impossible to swallow. “I’m starting to realise that now. I’ve never had that before. Any time I tried to talk to Josh about anything, he made me feel stupid and continuously invalidated my feelings.”

“Yeah. Well, I’m not Josh, Kayleigh, and you know it.”

“I know.” I smile sadly. “I know that more than anyone. I got defensive when you showed up because I didn’t know how else to react. I’m not used to someone actually caring, and it sounds so stupid, but I pushed you away because it didn’t feel right. You were right there after I called you once. We didn’t even speak, and I guess I never thought anyone could care for me like you do.”

Kayden scoots closer and gathers my hand in his lap. “I get that. You pushed me away because maybe you’re wary, wondering if my intentions are real. Josh messed with your head. He made you think so poorly of yourself, and I vow to change every last thought he made you believe.”

“That’s why I said I need to get therapy.” I nod with determination. “Because I can’t push all of this on you. I need to speak to someone who is going to be completely unbiased. I don’t want to put a strain on our relationship because I really,reallywant this, and I’m tired of sabotaging myself. I want to be happy.”

He kisses my knuckles tenderly, and butterflies are set loose in my stomach. “Okay. But I’m going to be with you every step of the way. I’ll never shut you out.Never.”

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“You should tell the university about what happened,” Kayden says.

“No,” I murmur. “Josh said he’d press charges against you.”

He shrugs. “Then let him.”

“What? No. I’m not doing that.”

“Kayleigh, he hurt you. Knowing that predator is still at your university makes me physically sick.”

I blink through the pressure in my eyes. “No one is going to believe me.”

“Do you have any evidence of your relationship on your phone?”

“Uh,” I pause. “Some texts and voicemails.”

“Anything you could use?”

“Maybe.” I nod. “I still need to think this through. Okay? I need more time.”

“Of course.” Kayden kisses my forehead. “I get it. Do you want to watch a movie and order some food in?”

I smile. “You know the way to my heart.”

“Blondie.” He smirks at me and tilts my chin an inch. “I already have it.”

My eyes roll teasingly, but he’s right.

“Also, I had no idea my girlfriend had a thing for ass-play.”

I gawk at him, and his chest vibrates from laughter. “You are too much.”

“What can I say?” He smirks. “I love having a freaky girlfriend.”

“Of course, you do,” I snort.

“So, tell me the story,” he states.

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