Page 70 of All The Happily Ever Afters

I don’t look back at him, and he lets me go without further fuss. Good move on his part. I walk across the grass rather than taking the path. I make a beeline right for where I left my bike.

I need to get the fuck out of here, and never look back.

It’s better it happened this way. I was a fucking idiot to think I’d ever be anything to her. I still have my tats. I’m a Dean. I have my asshole parents' blood in me. I’ll never be good. I’ll never be worth anything.

It was stupid to think I’d be good enough for her.

I kick my bike to life and take off. I don’t bother to look back even when I hear Catherine calling out my name.

CATHERINE

Ican’t believe what this bitch is saying. I can’t even look at her. And now she’s talking about him the same way his parents did. All the memories flood back at once. I feel weak and helpless listening to the way his own mother used to talk to him. I cross my arms over my chest and turn away while tears run down my cheeks. I force myself to breathe out deeply.

I’m taken back to a night when we came home together. He’d always wait for me at the food court when the mall had curfew. He knew I didn’t like walking in the woods alone. Especially at night.

We walked mostly in silence. I had a cherry slushie, and I have no idea why because it was so damn cold outside. He laughed at me when I started shivering and took off his Henley. I remember how we stopped on the edge of the woods. The moon was out and it was bright. I could see all of his lean muscle and that “V” at his hips I used to dream about.

He handed it to me to cover myself with. I wore a thin tank top that cut off at my midsection. I'd worn it for him of course. I always made sure I looked cute if I was going to be around him. I was always hoping he would notice me.

I had to try hard to keep myself from looking at his body, and judging from the smirk on his face, he knew that. I remember how hot I felt then. I was a bundle of nerves and embarrassed for being caught looking. I expected him to make fun of me or put me in my place, but instead he just walked into the woods like normal.

He always walked faster than me, maybe because he’s taller? But I remember he seemed to be walking faster than normal that night. I kept telling myself it was because he was cold. I offered a few times to give him his shirt back, but he insisted I wear it. It was obvious he just wanted to get home and get away from me. At least that’s what I thought until I tripped over a tree root. I would’ve landed hard on my face. The damn slushie went flying and splattered on the ground.

I let out a shriek and prepared to fall in the dirt and land hard on the ground, but he caught me. Both of his strong arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me up until I was pressed against his hard chest.

I thought he was going to kiss me. My hands were on his bare chest, and the way he was holding me close made every nerve ending in my body burst into flames.

I remember how my breathing came in pants and I swear that even in the darkness I saw a heat in his eyes. But in a flash it was gone, like I’d just imagined it. And he set me down on my feet, leaving me confused and shaken.

He slowed his pace, and we walked home in silence. And it was an awkward silence. I kept my hands clasped to keep me from reaching out to him.

I felt fucking nauseated and practically ran to my house. I always entered through the back door so my father wouldn’t see I’d walked through the woods with Ryker. He was my dirty little secret. My parents would have killed me.

That night when I walked in, I’d completely forgotten I was wearing his Henley. I walked right in without thinking.

I was bombarded with questions. I wasn’t allowed to date anyone, and my father said it was unacceptable for me to be around Ryker, even if he was just a friend. He was in the middle of scolding me when we heard the neighbors. Ryker’s parents were having a fight. It wasn’t obvious at first. But then there was a loud yell of pain. I think his dad hit his mom. And then Ryker got in the middle. He always did that. He always defended his mom, even when she was the one yelling at him half the time.

The way Khloe is talking about Ryker reminds me of Mrs. Dean. It makes me want to slam my fist in her face.

I finally snap out of my recollection and look that bitch in the eyes.

“Fuck you.” That’s all I give her as I turn around and go back to where I left Ryker. But he’s not there.

I walk quickly around the corner searching for him, but I don’t know where he went. My heart races with worry. He left me? Fucking Khloe ruined it for me. Oh my god, what if he heard her?

“What the--” Khloe sneers as she puts her hand on my bare shoulder, digging her nails in so I’m forced to turn around. I don’t even think about it as I clench a fist and punch her right in her face.

She lets out a wail and clutches at her nose with her hands.

My eyes go large. Holy fuck!

I can’t believe I hit her. I mean, I’ve dreamed of doing it for so long. She’s definitely had it coming. But still. Holy hell.

She's bent over, but then she stands and pulls her hands away from her face. There’s no blood, but her face is all red, and her nose is starting to swell.

“You bitch!” she yells out, her eyes glassy with tears. I start to feel bad, but then I remember what she said about Ryker.

“You fucking had it coming.” I almost leave but then I think to add, “Don’t you ever talk about him like that again.” As if she’ll listen to me. I know she won’t and there’s going to be hell to pay for this, but I don’t care. What she said is not okay, and I’m not going to pretend like it is.

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