Page 35 of Student Seduction
“Stay here,” he said softer. “Let me help them get Derek out of here, then me and you will go out to the camper.”
I tried to steady myself, to tell him I had to go. But it felt as wrong to leave as it did to stay.
“Okay.”
“Promise me, Emersyn. Promise me you won’t bail.” He glanced at Derek. “I could leave him in my bed but I have pictures of my family—of my parents—in here. If he wakes up raging and trashes the place…” he trailed off.
I didn’t want to risk Derek trashing Aiden’s things. “I’ll wait right here. I promise.” I cast a pleading look at Drew. “Please catch up with Camille and let her take you home. Please don’t ride with him.”
I didn’t look at Devon. I couldn’t without anger and disgust rising up in me all over again.
“I’ll be fine, Em,” Drew assured me. “He’ll need some help unloading Derek. I’ll text you as soon as I’m home, okay?”
“Okay,” I whispered, feeling completely out of control. I wasn’t his mother. I couldn’t tell him what to do. A lump rose in my throat. I did my best to swallow it.
Drew helped Aiden get Derek up and moving, leaving me alone with Devon. He edged toward the door.
I stepped into his exit path. “If you ever lay a hand on him again, I’ll go to the police even if he won’t.” A muscle in his jaw ticked. “I know you’re some big lacrosse star at school and you probably think you’re untouchable, but trust me, you aren’t.”
He hung his head. “I hear you, Emersyn. I am deeply sorry for hurting Drew. I do love him, even if you can’t believe that.”
I glared so hard it was a miracle he didn’t spontaneously combust.
“Love doesn’t land you in the hospital, Devon. Love doesn’t bruise your ribs, your spleen, and your face.” He continued staring at something in the distance. “I hope you get the help you need, I really do. Because if you don’t, I am going to the police. And anyone else who will listen. Do you understand?”
He nodded.
“If he doesn’t text me in half an hour telling me he’s home safe and sound, I swear on everything holy I will hunt you down.”
Devon chewed the inside of his cheek. “Understood.”
“I hope so.”
My blood scorched my veins. I was still learning what love was, but I knew it wasn’t this. The same way I knew my mom slapping Ethan across the face wasn’t right.
And me putting Aiden in danger of being arrested was as wrong as any of it.
A sick feeling hit my stomach as I followed Devon out and saw Drew and Camille by the door. Camille held her hands up as if to ask if I was coming with them. I shook my head and tried to keep my head down. Just as they headed toward the front door, Aiden walked back inside and guided me to the kitchen.
“We’ll go out the back. It’s a madhouse in here.”
I followed him out to the Airstream silently, trying to piece together the chaos of the night.
My head spun.
I let him help me up the steps into the camper, then walked inside behind him.
He flipped a switch and light filled the space. A few things had changed since the last time I was here.
I let my gaze roam around the living area. A giant flat screen television had been added, books were scattered here and there. Mostly ones on wars, and Generals, and other boring history stuff. Except one on the fall of the Roman Empire, which due to my love of art, I found intriguing. I touched the cover, pulling my hand back when I saw the how badly I’d chewed my fingernails.
“You added a television.”
His eyes shifted to the blank screen then back to me. “I’ve been spending more time out here lately.”
I couldn’t focus enough to speculate why.
Aiden cleared his throat loudly, breaking the silence. “You want to go with them, don’t you?”
