Page 28 of Tainted Kitten

“Don’t cry. We’ve got you. Nothing else matters.” Marcus says louder, and Simon chuckles.

“So close, no matter how far.” Simon sings.

“Couldn’t be much more from the heart.” Garrett chimes in.

“Forever trusting who we are,” Marcus adds.

“What are you dickheads singing?” Shaun huffs, and I giggle.

“Come on, Cass. What’s the next line?” I peer up at his confused expression.

“How the fuck do I know?”

All the guys laugh then while I sing.

“Nothing else matters.”

“What song is that?” Shaun asks, and Marcus answers.

“Nothing Else Matters by Metallica.”

“As if I would know that. I don’t listen to that heavy shit.” Shaun protests. He prefers pop music.

The sound of my phone ringing quietens us, and Shaun pulls my phone from the band in his white pants, looking at the screen before offering it to me.

“It’s for you, Kitten. It’s Skipper.”

My brows shoot up, and I hesitate for a moment before I hit accept.

“Hello.”

“Kitten! Thank fuck! Are you ok? Where are you?”

“Hey, Ty. I’m ok now. I had a freak out there for a bit, but I’m ok.”

“Fucking hell, I was so worried. Shit!” Tyler sounds distraught, and I feel guilty for worrying him so much. I didn’t mean to. “I’m so sorry about what happened tonight. I wish you had told me what has been going on. It all makes so much sense now.”

“Sorry. I guess I’m not used to people caring.” I’m not sure what he means bywhat has been going on, but I guess Shaun may have filled him in.

Arms squeeze me tighter from behind and in front, and I relax into their hold, needing the support.

“I fucking care, Kitten.” Tyler rasps. “A hell of a lot. You mean so much. Please don’t ever forget that.”

A tear pops free again, and I let it roll down over my nose, not wanting to break the hold the guys have on me.

“I’ll try not to, but you’ll probably need to remind me. Daily. With your tongue.” Even as I say the words, it feels kind of wrong, but I push the thought away and ignore the round of groans from the guys as they listen to my conversation.

Tyler chuckles. “It’s a deal. I’m coming to see you soon, beautiful. Put Fuckboy on the phone for me?”

“Ah, yeah. Ok.”

I hand Shaun the phone, and he presses it to his ear, talking quietly and then telling Tyler his address. There’s a bit more talking, mainly from Tyler, so I can’t hear what he’s saying, but then Shaun ends the call and smiles at me.

“He’s got it bad for you, Kitten.”

I can’t hide my satisfied grin. I think I’ve got it bad for my teacher too.

We lay in our huddle for a little while longer before we unravel ourselves and walk up to the shed. It looks old and rusty on the outside, but on the inside, it’s decked out as a man-shed with a table tennis table, a small bar, a wide-screen TV on the wall, and some mismatching couches. Shaun disappears for a few minutes but returns with clothes for everyone, and I end up in one of his Element t-shirts, thrown over my Cleopatra costume.

---