Page 69 of Cruel Devotion

I’d need to convince him to not go after Preston. We’d figure out a gameplan for him about his chances of graduating. And I would take another day as another lesson of how to lower my guard completely and let him all the way in.

He’d called it.

You and me.

I wanted that to happen. I wanted to see his almost far-fetched idea about our graduating and moving out of Marsten together become reality.

Because there was a damned strong possibility that I’d lowered my guard around him far enough for him to get into my heart.

No matter how relaxed I was, though, I struggled to get tired enough to fall asleep.

After I slipped out of bed, making sure I didn’t wake him, I showered. He’d cleaned me up, like he usually did, but standing in his shower gave me a chance to steam myself and think.

I got back into bed and checked my phone. My sister had texted, but I felt the need to reply to Davina instead.

Davina:Finn and I are gonna stay at my dorm tonight.

I smiled, still finding it funny that my friend had decided to hook up with Eli’s friend today. Finn had never outright bullied me, and I never minded him. Then again, Elihadbullied me and I was on the path to forgive him.

Haley:Sorry I kicked him out of his room.

Davina:There is nothing to be sorry about. I’m glad we were both there to help.

Davina:How are you feeling now?

Haley:Better.

I smiled at Eli sleeping away.

Davina:I never thought I’d say this, but your bully is good for you.

Haley:Former bully.

Davina:That’s true.

Davina:Do you think you’ll want to report P to the college security?

I furrowed my brow, deciding on an honest answer.

Haley:I need to think about it some more first.

As I lay there, I doubted I would. No one would ever believe that Preston West did something like that. Or maybe everyone would believe it, but nothing would be done.

I sighed, nestling against Eli and closing my eyes, wondering again what the next day with him would bring.

24

ELI

Haley said she didn’t want to report Preston for attacking her and almost raping her. Nor did she want me to seek revenge and go after him.

Reluctantly, I had to agree. I understood why.

Like the dean told me, it would be a case of her word versus his, and we all knew who had more sway in that regard. But I also had to respect Haley’s insistence not to speak up because of what happened to her sister. Natasha had been given a date-rape drug and was raped one night, and no one took her word for it either.

The Feldstones wouldn’t be believed in Marsten, and it reiterated how badly I hoped we could get out of here together to start somewhere new as a couple away from the prying eyes of everyone in town and on campus.

Ever since Preston went after Haley, I made sure she was never alone. If I couldn’t be with her, then Davina was. Or Finn. I enlisted a couple of other decent guys on the football team to be on the lookout for her too.

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