Page 24 of Redeemed in Crimson
Dean was close enough to monitor every move of hers, but with his golf team and frat commitments, she couldn’t return the favor, so he got to do whatever he wanted, while she was pretty much forced to stay in. If she did anything against his will, like having fun, he threatened to tell her parents. By the time she realized all this, it was too late to transfer. She’s in the middle of telling me about how he never wanted to move their physical relationship past kissing when I remember the chlamydia.Oh Angel, you don’t even realize what afavor he did you with that one.Considering he’s been fucking every willing hole for years except her’s, I guess he has a “taking your wife’s virginity on the wedding night” fantasy.Well, had.Apparently, he's been trying to take things up a notch for a couple weeks, but Sloane has been turning him down.
“Would you mind taking me to his place instead of mine tonight?” My hand on her tenses, and I guess she realizes how that sounded because she quickly elaborates, “And could you wait for me while I break up with him?”
I want to tell her no. I know exactly what he and hisfrat brosare going to be up to tonight. I was in a fraternity in college. I like to tell myself it was just an attempt to impress my father by joining as a legacy, but it’s not like I didn’t enjoy the parties and camaraderie that came along with it. That’s how I know that the particular fraternity Dean is in has a very dark reputation.
My hand relaxes, and I give hers a little squeeze. “Sloane, do you remember how I said I was keeping tabs on him?”
She nods.
“Well…I don’t know if you’ll want to be anywhere near what’s going on at his frat house tonight.”
“Oh? Oh! I didn’t think about there being a girl there right now. Don’t worry about me. I’m a big girl, and I already told you that it doesn’t bother me to let him go. I’m actually relieved.”
I pause for a minute to figure out how I need to approach what I’m about to say.
Sighing, I just go for it. “It’s not just a girl…” She gasps before I can continue, “His frat is known for their beginning-of-the-year orgy, and recent messages in the frat group chat have all but confirmed it’s tonight.”
I chance a quick look at her, only taking my eyes off the road for a second. She’s in shock again.Fuck.
I hear her breathing get a little heavier. “Ledger?”
“Sloane?”
“Take me to that fucker’s house.”
The car has barely stopped before Sloane stomps toward the porch and bangs on the door. I watch as one of the frat members opens the door and then yells back into the house for Dean. He stumbles across the threshold looking thoroughly fucked up. She’s yelling at him, but I can’t hear what she’s saying, so I quietly get out of the car and make my way up to the side of the porch with as much stealth as I can muster. He reaches out to grab her waist, and I watch as Sloane slaps him across the face. He staggers back, and you can see the moment he realizes what she just did. He starts to raise his hand, but before he can strike mygirl, I’ve jumped up on the porch and grabbed his wrist.
“Don’t you dare. Touch.My. Girl,” I growl out.
Both Sloane and Dean snap their eyes to me. “Sloane, get in the car. We’re leaving.” She doesn’t budge. She’s just standing there looking between me and her ex. I realize my tone might have been a little harsh, so I soften my voice before repeating my request. “Please, Angel. I’m right behind you.”
I take her hand in mine and kiss her knuckles. That seems to be enough for her to obey me. She turns and is walking back to the car when I start to twist Dean’s wrist, letting him know just how easily I could break it.
“If you ever come near her again, I will ruin your life. Do you understand me?” I watch as fear grows in his glassy eyes.His lips press together as he nods. “No, you fucker, use your words,” I say, twisting harder.
“Okay!” he yells, “Ow! Okay, okay, okay!”
I let go, and he stumbles backward, rubbing his wrist. “I was tired of that uptight bitch anyway.”
I spin around and punch him square in the face, hard enough to break his nose but not so hard he passes out. I want him to be aware enough to watch me drive off with Sloane.
He stands at the door staring at us with his hand holding his nose as I get in the car. I start the engine and look over at my girl, grabbing her chin to gently turn her head to face me.
“You okay, baby?” She looks fine, but I stroke her cheek to calm her down regardless. I can’t stop myself. It’s like my hands can't help but find her. My eyes almost roll into the back of my head when she leans into my touch. She’s been single for all of ten minutes, and her body already knows who it belongs to.
She smiles, nods, then leans in to kiss my cheek. “Take me home.”
It takes me longer than I would like to admit to remember that she’s talking about her apartment and not the house I've renovated to her exact tastes. I could just go ahead and pronounce my love. Take her back toourhouse. Show herourowner’s suite, which now includes a walk-in closet that’s larger than her current apartment, stocked with all the clothes she could ever need. She actually doesn’t everneedto go back to her current residence. I sigh internally.Shejustbroke up with her boyfriend of three years, Ledger. Give her a moment.
It’s not a long drive back to her apartment, but I do my best to prolong our time together. I can’t help it. The mood haslightened, and I’m getting a personal concert as she sings along to the music. Laughing. Dancing.Fuck, she’s perfect.
I pull her hand to mine and kiss it. “God, Sloane, I’m so glad you are finally free of that, what did you call him? Fucker?”
She bends over in her seat, laughing. “Me too! Oh, oh, I know! Let’s celebrate by taking a ride on your bike! The ride you gave me Thursday night was incredible! That whole night was incredible! Well, not the end, I guess…wait! Do you think he was hooking up with that girl?”
I laugh. “Of course he was! Why do you think I took you to that specific diner?”
She freezes. “Wait, what?”
