Page 24 of Never Gonna Lie
I revert back to my nickname for him as a kid—he’d braided his hair and put pink beads along the bottom, making it look like he had pink tips. I’ve never let him live it down.
Theo chuckles. “Bringing out the big guns, I see.” He finally takes his head out of his hands and looks at me, sadness etched into the lines of his face. “I’ll deal with it, I promise.”
I nod my head. One thing about Theo? He hates being pushed on anything. You keep at him, and he’ll dig his heels in harder just to make a point, whether he’s right or not. But this is one slope I don’t want him going back down.
We finish up lunch, Theo back to his normal jovial self, but I know I need to keep a closer eye on him. I won’t let what happened happen again.
Chapter Sixteen
RAVEN
After my run-in with James, I kept as far away from him as I physically could for the rest of the weekend. I knew he was holed up in my dad’s office, so I avoided it like the plague, having dinner in my room or just grabbing a snack.
I’d spent the rest of the night fortifying my walls against him. He’s made it clear so many times now that he doesn’t want me, even if his actions show otherwise. Maybe I was just in the right place at the wrong time and he saw me, briefly, as another conquest to add to his list? I definitely can’t keep doing this with him, though. I just need to grow up and stop with this stupid crush. I’ll be happier for it, right?
If I wasn’t in my room, I was with Emma. We went shopping during the day, stopping for lunch or a coffee when we got tired, and in the evenings we sat and watched a film or I caught up reading the newest release byS Wilson—her dark enemies to lovers romance hits just right—while she was catching up on her paperwork. Emma’s a charity fundraiser. She puts her heart and soul into getting donations andmaking sure all the money goes to making a better life for children who’ve suffered sexual assault.
The awkward encounter with my dad came on Sunday night as I was watching TV.
“Pumpkin, I want you to take James’s number.” He holds out a piece of paper, and I give it the eye. “I want you to contact him if there are any problems.”
I laugh. “Dad, I’ve been at college for the last two years, and I’ve been just fine. I didn’t need his number then, and I don’t need it now.”
Do I want his number? Yes. No. Maybe?
“Things change, Raven,” he sighs as he places the paper on my lap before sitting down next to me. “I need to know you're safe and protected,” he murmurs.
I turn my body to face him. “Dad… is everything okay?” I ask, concern evident in my tone.
“Everything’s fine, pumpkin. Can’t your old dad worry about his favorite daughter?” he jokes.
“I’m your only daughter,” I chuckle, leaning forward and wrapping my arms around him, hugging him. “I don’t need James,” I mumble into his chest,
“Humor me, hmm?” he replies. “He’s a good man and I know he’ll look after you. Call him whenever you need him. I’ll ask him to take you out for dinner as well.”
Tensing, I push away from him as I rush out, “Dad, no. That’s absolutely not necessary.” Panic claws at me. Ido notneed to see that man ever again. “I’ll call him if I need him, but that’s it.”
“Okay, pumpkin. Thank you.” Dad kisses my forehead before standing up and leaving the room.
The drive back to college gave me the time to think about the situation. I eventually saved his number, but I haveno plans on using it. A girl can only be told she’s a ‘mistake’ so many times by the man she’s hopelessly in love with before enough is enough. No matter how much he lights me up from the inside out.
Pushing the door open to my dorm, I find it blissfully quiet. Felicity’s out, and I breathe a sigh of relief knowing I won’t have to make small talk with whatever guy she’s brought back this time. Continuing to my room, I place my bag on my bed and grab my shower stuff.
Like most of the dorms at Abingdon, there are separate rooms, a living room, and a kitchen, but no showers. I have to share with the rest of the floor, and I hate it. Growing up in what can only be described as a mansion and having my own bathroom, it was hard having to share, but I got used to it after the first few days of smelling when I couldn’t bring myself to shower.
Once finished, I towel off, putting my sweats and vest top on. I head to my room and sit in front of my vanity, drying my hair. I wonder for a brief moment if I can be bothered to tame my curls, but that’s a big fat nope, so I apply a small amount of anti-frizz serum and hope for the best.
My phone starts buzzing, and I scramble to the bedside table to get it. “Hi,” I answer breathlessly.
“You okay there, babe? I’m not interrupting something, am I?” Mia deadpans.
“Ha, ha. Very funny,” I quip, rolling onto my back and looking up at the ceiling. “You know full well I don’t do that sort of thing.”
“I know,” she laughs. “You’re going to have to find someone else to take that V?—”
“Yes, thank you very much,” I interrupt, sitting upright. “Is there any particular reason why you’re calling other than to tell me about my lack of sexual experience?”
Her sweet, butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth voice begins, “I haven’t seen you in a few days, so I wanted to check in on you.”
