Page 148 of Faking It With the Small-Town Bad Boy

I shake my head, still looking for numbers in things as if it’s a big

enough distractor to ignore the stinging aftermath of a hit against my

face. It didn’t hurt, not physically at least, but Farrah has always

known my manhood is something I’ve fought to build up. Degrading

me to nothing more than a punching bag has been my biggest

struggle in our time together.

I’m an object she takes her fury out on, and I’m not going to let that

happen anymore. I can’t. I need to do something, to prove to her—

and to prove to Leah—that I’m a brave, strong man who was built for

survival and protection.

But then I’m subjected back to being nothing more than a thorn in

her side.

“Please, look at me, Percy,” she begs.

I’m staring right at her, my head unmoving, and yet she still asks me

to look at her.

“You’re far away,” she adds, shaking her head while her eyes turn

pink. Tears stream down her face when she sees my mind pull from

the present, and I can’t stand the sight of her upset. “Please, Percy.”

I lean in, pulling her into my arms tighter. Her face rests on my

chest, and I push my hands against the back of her neck, shifting my

fingertips to her hair where I can soothe her slowly and calmly, and

we both float back down to reality.

“Hey, I’m sorry,” I breathe into her long, blonde hair. “I’m okay. I

promise. Please don’t be upset.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’m worried about you.”

I bite back a sob, fighting everything inside of my body not to cry

against her shoulder right now. “I know you are, but I’m okay. I

promise.”

“I saw what she did to you. I heard what she said.”

I wince slightly, and she feels it but doesn’t mention it. I’m grateful

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