Page 32 of The Good Girl Next Door

I take slow steps into the room as Prudence’s leg bounces against the other, hands flat on the desk as I make my approach. She leans back and I groan, the outline of her breasts swelling beneath her hoodie.

“You know what I like, don’t you, Prudence?”

I grab her legs, spreading both of them as I slide between them and grab her by the base of her skull. She gasps as I tilt her head back, her lip dropping as I swear I can see her pulse pounding in her throat.

“Me,” she breathes.

“That’s right,” I growl before kissing her, my hand finding her breast as she moans into my mouth. She grabs a hold of my back, pulling me into her as I savor her taste.

Prudence wraps her legs around me as I slide my forearm across the desk, clearing the surface before setting Prudence onto her back.

But before I have the chance, the door swings open and both of us turn to see Coach Parker standing in the doorway, keys in hand, mouth wide open.

It’s only a moment before his shock gives way to fury.

This wasn’t how I wanted to break the news, but I’m not backing down from a fight, especially when my future with Prudence is at stake.

nine

prudence

“Relax,”Sofia says as I pace outside the athletic building, clutching my phone. “It’s going to be okay.”

The sun is high in the sky and there’s not a whisper of a breeze. Even though it’s cresting ninety degrees, nothing can penetrate the cold dread that blankets me.

Except for the red-hot metal bench. That did it. I yelp and then lurch back to my feet.

“Are you okay?”

“Just some scorching metal across my legs.”

“Ouch.”

It’s nothing compared to the pain coursing through the rest of me. I have no idea what’s going on in my dad’s office and what it might mean for my future with Silas.

His future with hockey.

I sink into the grass beneath a tree and sigh. “I don’t know what I was thinking. But my father left. I said goodbye to him. I didn’t think he would—”

I shake my head.

“I didn’tthink.”

The last few weeks with Silas have been amazing. I’ve never felt so alive, sneaking out at night. Breaking all the rules. I keep pushing boundaries for the thrill of it, but this time I pushed too far.

“Do you think your dad will kick him off the team?”

Would he choose me over hockey? I don’t want him to throw his career away for me. But I can’t think of a future without Silas. I’m used to knowing all the answers, but this is one question that leaves me clueless.

“I don’t know, Sofia. This is… It’s all new and I don’t know what to expect.”

“Your dad isn’t an asshole. And from what you’ve told me of Silas, I don’t see how your dad would disapprove.”

I shrug my shoulders. “I wish I could hug you right now.”

“Me too,” she says with a sigh. “I’m off for a few days later this month. I’ll visit you.AndSilas because everything is going to be okay, Prudence.”

“Tell me about your job, the town, your neighbor—anything—because I can’t think about this anymore.”

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