Page 3 of #Beautiful

My entire body tenses as she steps closer and lifts her hand to twirl her hair around her finger, staring at me through her lashes. “I mean, sure. There’s other things I can hop on for you this year if you need it, too. Unless that prude you’re dating finally decided to put out.”

Tilting my head to the side, I notice another person from behind the counter staring at us. His eyes widen as he moves quickly past the cashier, heading for us. Quicker than she’s expecting, I snatch my schedule out of the girl’s hand as the other guy reaches us, stepping up behind her. His name tag reads ‘manger.’

Standing at my full height, I hold my schedule over the girl’s shoulder to the manager. “Even if I was that kind of guy, I wouldn’t touch you with someone else’s dick. If you’re willing to offer it to me in the middle of a crowded store, I bet you’ve offered it to a ton of other guys. It’s cute that you call my girlfriend a prude when she’s anything but. Unlike you, she has enough dignity not to throw it at everything with a pulse.” I look past her to the manager as her face reddens and her mouth hangs open. “Think you can grab those for me? I actually have stuff to do today.”

“Sure,” he says as I turn and head over to Jackson, the manager’s voice ringing behind me as he and the girl get into it.

Jackson has a look of satisfaction on his face. “That was kind of awesome.”

I shrug as we head down the first aisle toward the notebooks and other class supplies. “I’m not putting up with people talking trash about Lena this year, man. Last year, I ignored all the ignorant stuff Bo and the frat guys said about her, which was messed up. I’m not letting it happen again this year.”

Jackson claps me on the shoulder. “I’m proud of you, dude. For what it’s worth. You’ve really turned it around after everything.”

“Thanks, man,” I say as we grab spiral notebooks for each class, planners, and all new pens. I even grab a few extra packs of the ones I know Lena likes. She’ll get some for herself, but I know she loses them a lot, so this year I’ll carry extras for her just in case. “Now, if only I can show Lena that I’m not gonna screw up again.”

Jackson and I make our way to the registers, where we each have a large stack of books. He and Lena have the same major, so she’s going to have a pile like him when she and Candice come later. They’re having a girls’ day today— lunch, hair, whatever else they feel like doing. Once we’re done, we head back through the building toward the campus bus. We ride it to and from the house because it makes more sense. If we aren’t carrying this much, we usually just walk.

Once we’re out in the courtyard, he grabs my bicep, turning me to face him. “Listen, Lena knows you’ve changed. I don’t think the way she’s been since last year is because she fails to see that.”

It takes a lot for me to bite back the emotions that hit me. It’s been a while since Jackson and I really had a heart-to-heart. But, this summer, I really had to understand that last year's actions and choices didn’t just hurt Lena and me. They hurt our close friends, too. “Then why does it still feel like she hates me, man?”

Jackson’s eyes soften as he sighs. “I don’t think she hates you, Declan. I think that girl is scared.”

My brows pull together. “Scared of what? Me?”

My best friend shakes his head. “Nah, not scared of you like you’re thinking. You and Lena pretty much fell head over heels the moment you met. She was in a dark place, and you brought her out of that. We all saw it. I think the good she sees in her life, she directly ties to you, and she almost lost all of it last year. I think the sheer thought of something like that ever happening again is what terrifies her, and she just ain’t found a way to get past it yet.”

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I take a deep breath. “Okay, so what do I do? How do I help her get past it?”

Jackson shrugs. “We can try to work that out over lunch because I’m hungry. You might have to be prepared that there isn’t anything you can do, bro. This might be something she has to work out on her own.”

Waiting for the bus and heading back to the house to drop off our books, Jackson’s words ring in my head. Lena and Candice are in the living room, getting ready to head to the bookstore. Usually, I’d stop and crowd her, but I’m trying not to be overbearing, so I don’t. Instead, I step beside her, leaving a little space between us, and lean down to kiss her cheek. “Have fun, babe. If Jackson’s books are any indicator, you might need a red wagon to get them back here.”

To my surprise, Lena smiles wide and laughs. “I got this,” she says as she brings her arm up and flexes, making all of us laugh.

I turn to head to the kitchen but stop short when her hand closes around my forearm.

Her eyes are tight as she turns away from Candice and toward me, searching my face. “What’s wrong?”

I shake my head. “Nothings wrong, babe. Why?”

She shrugs, looking a little uncomfortable. “Usually, you’re more, uh—”

“Clingy?” I say with a smile, tears welling in the bottoms of her eyes. “Overbearing? Smothering?”

“Declan, I-I—”

Leaning down, I shut her up with a hard kiss, snaking my arm around her waist and pulling her body forward until it’s flush against mine. Touching Lena, being around her, even the smallest look from her still sends my entire being haywire. And I wouldn’t trade the way she makes me feel for anything. Pulling back, her eyes are a tad glossed over, and she seems a bit stunned. “There’s nothing wrong, baby. I’m trying to find a balance that works for you. I love you, Lena.”

She leans her head on my chest and sighs, her arms going around my midsection. “I love you, too.”

“I know you do,” I whisper as I kiss the top of her head before pulling back to see her face. “Now, go have fun with Candice. Jackson and I are gonna get food and kick it, and you can let me know if you want to hang out tonight. Maybe we can watch the last two episodes of The Irregulars.”

She smiles again, and it’s the first real one she’s given me in months. “I can’t believe we pretty much binged the entire thing yesterday.”

I chuckle. “Well, you can pick another show for us to binge after this one.” I lean down again and kiss her soft and quick before standing up and letting her out of my hold. “Love you, babe.”

Candice taps her shoulder, and I stare as she leaves the house. My heart swells at the fact she opens the front door and looks back at me with a grin before walking out. Taking a deep breath, I jump when Jackson slaps me on the back.

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