I expected Phoenix to follow me, and I noticed that Thorn put his arm out, stopping Phoenix from going any further.
“Let her go,” Thorn said.
“But—”
“Don’t do that. she’s upset. Let her figure it out on her own. We put the carrot there, and she’ll take it sooner or later,” he said.
“As fucking if,” I told them.
I was annoyed and furious. They did all of this, waited around helplessly as I was attacked, as others were used and hurt because of me. I’m tired of this.
Maybe I was making a mistake not taking this offer. I didn’t know for sure honestly, but I definitely was furious, annoyed, and I felt frustrated with the way things were going too.
Chapter 16
About three days had passed since the whole incident at the fall formal. I didn’t hear anything from Dane, and I presumed that this was just something that would be brushed off. But I didn’t want that to happen.
I wanted to find Dane, especially since he was the one who got hurt. Because of me. However, he seemed to be avoiding me too, which was irritating. Finally though, I noticed him alone in one of the computer labs. I waltzed in there going to where he was, and for a moment, I noticed him hesitate, and then, he relaxed.
“Oh, hey Jules,” he said.
“Hey, so I wanted to talk to you. I feel bad for what happened,” I said to him.
I looked over at him, noticing the bandages that he had, and I could see part of his arm a cast. Shit was he even going to be able to play.
“Yeah, well it’s not like I want to get beaten up,” he said.
“Listen, I’m really sorry that—”
“Do you know what you did Jules? This is all your fault!” he said to me, his tone of voice changing.
“What do you—”
“If I was hurt any worse, my career as an athlete would’ve been ruined. You’re damn lucky this is just a minor break and in two weeks I’ll be healed. I did have some bruised ribs, but nothing was broken. But, if I got hurt any worse, fi the break was any deeper, I would’ve been benched for most of the season. My career would’ve been ruined, all because of the little fights you have with that bitch Tabitha,” he said to me.
Was this dick really blaming me for what happened? I wasn’t going to sit there and take this bullshit, if he thought I was going to.
“Well fuck off with that. I didn’t ask to be bullied. Not my fault that some people dislike me because my father is a fucking stick in the mud that everyone fucking hates. I don’t like him either. It’s not like I want to be here either, and I’m forced here because my mom is off in fucking la-la land with someone else and doesn’t give a rat’s ass about her daughter,” I said back.
I didn’t mean to lash out. I was super upset though. I’m just tired of this, and I can’t help but feel like I’m getting blamed for all of the bullshit that’s happening.
After a brief moment, I then saw Dane take a deep breath, looking at me for a brief moment.
“Sorry. I’m sorry for saying what I said. I know that it’s not your fault. You’re being bullied, and it was unfair of me to blame it all on you. For that, I’m very sorry,” he said.
I looked at him and realized he was being honest about that.
“You’re forgiven,” I said.
“It is unfair of me to blame you. I’m sorry. I really, really don’t want to ruin what we have so far, what’s between us. In the past, I’ve dated other girls, and while it’s been nice, there is something…different about you. Something special,” he said to me.
“Like what? Besides the fact that I’m not the type to just sit there and take it unless I’m helpless to the cause,” is aid.
“Well that, but the truth is, you make me want to shape up a little bit. For once you…make me not want to act stupid and lose you. I definitely feel that with you,” he said.
At this point, I looked at him, realizing he wasn’t breaking eye contact with me. In truth, it was romantic, more tender and romantic than anything I’ve ever experienced. In truth, it made me feel funny.
It was a different type of funny than what I was used to. It was a good type of funny, a strange type. In a sense, I felt nervous, lie butterflies in my stomach.
“I kind of feel the same way,” I told him.
That was the honest truth. In the past, I always was focused on sex, rather than the romantic part of this.
Maybe it was because I had too much sexual experience with guys who didn’t give a rat’s shit about me, but I felt happy about this. Dane makes me feel different, and in the 17 years I’ve been alive, it was definitely a nicer feeling.
“Well, I’m glad. I want to make things right with you,” he said.
I felt like he really meant it.
“Well, if you want, we can try again. Maybe another date,” I offered.
“I’d like that. let’s shoot for that. how does this Friday work. My place,” he said.
“You mean like…your house?” I said.
“Yeah, my house. I’ll pick you up.”
I felt a sudden lurch in my stomach. This was so different. He didn’t just see me as a sexual object like others, and he wasn’t some old ass man who hired me because he was lonely.
I think he meant it.
“Sure Dane let’s shoot for that,” I said.
As we parted ways, I felt a
