Page 2 of The Bookworm

A burst of satisfaction diminishes my anger when I remember how I slammed each one of them into the wall and threatened to rip their tongues out if they made fun of her again. All of them knew it was true, the same way her father did just now.

“If you don’t wanna go to the hospital, that’s fine, but you’re coming home with us. There’s no way you’re going home with your piece-of-shit father.”

“Okay.” She doesn't fight me on the subject. Good. She looks around, disoriented, while Sawyer opens the car door, and I carefully place her into the back seat.

I close the door and jog around the car to get in the other side. Sawyer gets behind the wheel, while I gently lift Merrit’s head and place it on my knee. “Does anything hurt?” I ask her, swiping a strand of hair from her face.

She shakes her head slightly while sinking her teeth into her bottom lip.

“Don’t lie to me, Merrit,” I warn.

“Just a little headache. I’m fine, though.”

“You keep saying that. I hate how you make light of what happened, like you’re protecting him.”

“He is my dad…” Her voice shakes as she tries to defend him.

“Exactly.” Knowing that he is her father makes it ten times worse. If you can’t count on your parents, who can you trust? No wonder she pushes everyone away and isolates herself all the time. “He should protect you, care for you, and make sure you’re happy.” She squeezes her eyes shut, almost like my words hurt her physically. “Don’t worry about anything right now. Just relax and let me take care of you.”

“You don’t have to do this.”

“I know. I want to do this.” As a matter of fact, I want nothing more right now.

TWO

I can’t believe I’m in his car, my head lying on Talon’s muscular thighs like we’ve done this a million times. It’s comfortable and natural like it’s where we were meant to be. There’s a painful pounding behind my eyes, a headache from my dad slapping me so hard I passed out. I wish I could say it was the first time… or the last. But if life has taught me anything, it’s that it sucks.

“We’re almost home,” Talon says as if he meansourhome. I wish. I would like nothing more than to move out of my dad’s house and move in with Talon. It’s been a fantasy of mine for years. But I know that’s what it will always be—a dream. We could never be together like I want to. My father wouldn’t allow it. And Talon could never like someone like me, not like I need him to.

He’s a jock who grew up with a family who loves and supports him. He’ll get a full ride to a great college, thanks to his dedication to athletics, and he’ll marry the prettiest girl on the cheerleading squad there. Me... let’s just say I’ll have none of that. I have my books, and that’s all. I’ve dedicated myself to my studies in the hopes that I can get enough scholarships to cover college expenses and get away for good.

We’re from two different worlds. Talon and I simply don’t work.

Although he’s doing a pretty good job pretending right now, playing into my fantasy as if it were his own. His fingertips run over my forehead so gently it tickles. God, how many times have I imagined something like this? Every time I saw him in the hallway, I’d sneak a glance to catch his dark blue eyes, and in class, I’d admire how he ran his fingers through his short dark hair when he was focused. I’d even sit under the bleachers alone to watch him play football. I’ve never cared for the sport, but I’m happy to learn what I can about it for him.

I knew the risk of sneaking off to the game, but I gladly took it. Other than school, my dad hates it when I go outside—even then, he’s been trying to get me to either drop out or take online classes. He’s been like that since Mom died ten years ago. Something he never got over even after all this time.

Sawyer parks the car a few minutes later, and Talon opens the door. Fresh, cool air washes over my heated skin, sending a shiver down my spine.

“Are you cold?” Talon asks, concern lacing his voice.

“A little,” I admit.

Talon frowns. “Come here,” he coaxes, holding his arms out to me. Grinning, I climb into his lap, burying my face in his chest and wrapping my arms around his neck. He holds me tight, lifting me against him as he gets out of the car.

He carries me to his front door, where Sawyer unlocks and opens it. “I’m heading to my room to take a shower. Text me if you need something,” he mumbles before disappearing down the hallway.

I knew Talon and Sawyer shared their own place, but I had no idea it was this big of a house.

“Do you guys live here all by yourself?” I question as I take in the large and luxurious space.

“Not anymore. A pretty girl just moved in,” he explains.

“Oh…” The pain in my chest is uncalled for, but it’s there nevertheless. Like I said, we don’t work. “Maybe I should leave then.”

Talon shakes his head. “I meant you, Merrit.”

“Me?”He can’t be serious.“I can’t just move in with you.”

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