Page 114 of The Bad Boy Rule

I woke up alone this morning, not wrapped around my girl’s soft, warm body, and that was surprising as fuck, considering I was inherbed, at her apartment.

When I rolled over, one eye cracked open, I saw a piece of pink paper sticking out from beneath my phone that she must have plugged in for me last night after I passed out.

In my defense, that was after spending the majority of the night in a jail cell and giving herthreeorgasms.

Not my finest moment. Getting arrested, I mean.

But fuck, it was so worth it.

The relief I feel is palpable after coming clean to her last night. My shoulders feel lighter without the weight of everything I had been holding in. I hated that Lennon had to hear about how badly I fucked up, but she needed to know the truth. I couldn’t tell her that I loved her without being honest about everything.

I guess the truth really does set you free because for the first time in months, I feel like I can finally take a full breath without waiting for the other shoe to drop.I put everything in the open, even though I was terrified she’d leave.

The note she left this morning said she was going to be taking care of something and to lock up when I left. And that she loved me with a cute-as-fuck little heart that had me grinning like an idiot for the next ten minutes.

Never gonna get tired of hearing her say that.

I’m so fucking gone for her. Fully, completely, and don’t give a shit about who knows it.

“Saint.” Looking up from my economics textbook, I see my mom standing in the doorway to my room, pulling her sweater tighter around her small frame. “There’s someone here to see you.”

My brows cinch together in confusion. I don’t even think anyone knowswhereI live.

Who the fu?—

Suddenly, Lennon steps from behind her, a soft smile on her lips as her green eyes capture mine.

“Hi,” she says quietly. “You didn’t answer my texts or calls, so I just… came here.” The way she says it is hesitant, like she’s worried maybe I wouldn’t want her to.

“Oh shit,” I say, grabbing my phone and looking at the screen. There are at least a dozen calls and messages from her. “I was studying, and my phone was on silent. I’m sorry, baby.”

“It’s okay.” She turns to my mom and extends her hand. “Hi, Mrs. Devereaux. I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself when I got here. I’m Lennon, Saint’s girlfriend.”

That’s new… Yeah, I like that way too fucking much.

My girlfriend. My Golden Girl.

Mom’s face immediately softens, her wide brown eyes crinkling in the corners as she smiles at Lennon. “Hi. I’m Stephanie. It’s nice to meet you, Lennon. I guess you’re the one that has been keeping my son smiling like that?”

I hadn’t even realized I was smiling as I watched their exchange until she said that.

Lennon’s cheeks twinge pink.

“I’ll leave you two be, but… thank you for making him so happy, Lennon. He deserves some happiness in his life.” With one last look, she leaves us, shutting the door behind her.

Her words hit me directly in the chest, the feeling of something foreign unexpectedly pulling at my heart.

We both do, I wanted to say.

But I know that when my mom’s ready, she’ll let me know. She’s just… not yet. Not ready to talk, not ready to admit my dad’s no good for her. Not ready to figure out what happens next. Right now, I think we’re just taking it day by day. That’s all we really can do.

“I’m sorry to just barge in like this. I just ne—” I cross the room in two short strides and cut her off with my lips, kissing her like I didn’t just see her eight hours ago. Fuck, I love how she tastes.

How she melts for me.

When I pull back, her eyes are glassy and her mouth swollen from my kiss. I reach up, dragging a thumb along her bottom lip, smirking when she parts for me.

“You don’t ever need to apologize, baby. I’m glad you’re here. I wanted you to meet my mom, so it’s perfect.”

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