Page 35 of Only You
I’ve had all these rules because I blamed myself for what happened with Ricky. I let him get too close to me, and I vowed not to do that again. But with Tatum, it’s different.
I know he’ll never hurt me. Tatum—the big, tattooed, crass, brazen man who most would be afraid of, but who I know has thebiggest heart in the world. I know he’d never hurt an innocent human being.
I trust him.
It’s something that’s hard for me to believe because I trust no one, but I do trust him. Only him. It’s always been that way.
I don’t know how easy it’ll be for me to lower my defenses. Part of me wanted to crash my mouth against his when he asked me out on the date, and the other part of me wanted to run away again.
Because the feelings I have for Tatum run deep. I don’t think I’ll be able to keep the walls up much longer, and that scares me.
And it excites me.
“Principal Valentine.” The familiar voice rips me from my thoughts, and I lift my gaze toward the open door of my office.
“Raegan. Are you okay?”
She nods her head. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”
I motion for her to take a seat, and she walks into my office, removing her backpack from her shoulders and sitting in the chair in front of my desk. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine,” she says, her face lit up in a smile that doesn’t seem forced whatsoever. “I heard you have a date tonight.”
I relax, now that I understand why she’s here. “Shouldn’t you be in class?”
She shrugs. “I told my teacher where I was going. I have a pass.”
I smile, folding my hands together and placing them on my desk. “I do have a date. That’s true.” Her smile widens, and I realize how relaxed she looks for the first time since I met her. “I heard you met with Felicia this week.”
“I did.”
“How did that go?”
“Really well. I like her. Easy to talk to. Though she talks a little too much,” she says exaggeratedly.
“I’m glad you talked to her.”
“And I’m glad you gave Tatum a chance,” she counters.
“Me too,” I say honestly. “I can’t believe he told you though.” I’m not mad about it in the least. It’s not a secret, and it’s not like he’s a parent of one of my students. He’s a friend of a parent, but still, no real lines are being crossed.
She scoffs, rolling her eyes and waving a hand. “Please. He couldn’t wait to tell us all at dinner last night. The guy has it bad.”
There’s that warm, fluttery feeling again. I can’t hide my own excitement, and Raegan definitely notices.
“Gag,” she says, her eyes rolling around in her head again, but she’s smiling.
“I’m a little nervous,” I tell her honestly.
She goes deadly serious now, a kindness in her tone as her blue eyes lock on mine. “You can trust Tatum. He’ll never betray you.”
“I think that’s what I’m afraid of,” I say softly, doubt swirling inside me. I know he won’t hurt me, but what if I’m too damaged? What if I break him?
I’d never forgive myself.
She stands up and pulls her backpack onto her shoulders. “Give it a chance, Remy. I’ll keep going to meetings with the counselor, and you have your little dates with Tatum, and we’ll both be just fine.”
I smile at her, my fondness for the kid only increasing. I hear what she’s saying without having to say it and give her a nod before ushering her off and back to class.
