Page 112 of Bad Boy
It’s been a week since my father’s arrest, and things are finally starting to settle down around here. Logan was detained on a slew of charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, attempted robbery, breaking and entering, and a whole heap of domestic abuse charges considering it was his own son he smashed in the face. He’s looking at spending the next ten years in jail, if not more. Let’s hope he’s old enough to learn his fucking lesson by then and not come for me or mine ever again.
Mom has already filed divorce papers with help from Gramps and his courtroom connections, and Otto still stays over on the nights he’s not at the gym. It sort of feels like a real family, and I think Mom and Otto feel it too. It’s another thing set right in the universe. Another thing that should have always been.
Mom and Otto.
Me and Lincoln.
All of us,home, in Hunter Springs, with Gramps. Who successfully kept everything under wraps might I add. The Andersons, the Walkers, and the entire town are none the wiser to yet another Keller family scandal.
But what wecan’tkeep under wraps any longer is Lincoln and my relationship.
Wehaveto tell his parents.
Lincoln and I are ready for it to be done. Sierra has been smoothing things over on her end, placating her parents with small fibs to keep them happy. And as soon as we come out to his parents tonight, we’ll start holding hands at school. Maybe even kiss. No big announcement for our peers. It just is what it is.
If anyone has a problem, they can take it up with me, and I’ll take it up with Gus. I’m not fighting anymore. After everything that happened, I made a promise to Lincoln. No more fight nights. Instead, I’m focusing my energy on looking into who’s running Keller Industries. But I still train with Otto, so I won’t hesitate to defend my boyfriend’s honor and our right to be together, unbothered. And I never back down from a challenge.
No one will fuck with Linc ever again. Not under my watch. Connor and Brandon have backed down since getting their asses whooped, unwilling to start on either of us and suffer more embarrassment. Don’t blame them. They’re pathetic and should just stick with football.
“Is my tie straight?” Linc asks for the millionth time.
“Yes, Preppy. Come here.” I hold my hand out, and he places his palm in mine, fingers trembling.
I’m perched on the end of the bed, waiting for him to finish getting ready for dinner at his house. I pull him between my spread thighs, settling my hands on his waist. I peer into the eyes that I love so much. “You look amazing. Really, Lincoln. And you don’t need to worry about what your parents think anyway. You’re not living your life for them anymore, remember? You live for you.”
I place my hand over his heart and his over mine. “For us.”
His heart beats steadily as he stares at me, chewing on his bottom lip.
“This isyourlife,yourhappiness, not theirs,” I say, reinforcing what he needs to hear every now and then.
He leans down, pressing his lips to mine, breathing into my mouth. “I love you, Remi. You’re my happiness.”
“Love you, too,” I respond, grabbing him by the hips until he’s straddling me in his suit and tie. I band my arms around him tightly, squeezing him to me.
“So fucking much.”
* * *
“Sean, darlin’, would you pass the risotto, please?” Kendra asks, her dark hair slicked back into a neat bun on the back of her head.
She scoops a small portion onto her plate, then motions to Linc sitting next to her with me on his other side. “Want some more, sweet pea?”
“No, thank you, Mrs. Walker,” he responds politely with a stiff smile on his handsome face. His knee bounces under the table, and I settle my palm onto it, letting the weight calm him.
I lean in, subtly whispering into his ear, “Relax, Preppy. Everything’s going to be fine.”
I glance across the table and lock eyes with Sierra. The parentals are chattering away next to us. She knows the questions are coming soon. Either her parents or Linc’s will ask about the courtship unless we spill the beans first.
Before Linc can gather the courage and grab the metaphorical bull by the horns, Diana speaks up.
“So, how has the courtship been going for you two? Lincoln, have you taken Sierra out on a date yet? I’d like to hear about it.” Diana doesn’t miss a beat, and I can see the sweat beading along Lincoln’s temple. I stroke his leg, letting him know I’m here for him. Whatever he wants to do. However he wants to handle this.
“No, Mother. I haven’t,” he replies calmly, in complete contrast with the raging emotions I know he’s keeping a tight hold on inside.
Diana releases a heavy sigh, slowly shaking her head like she’s just so disappointed. It’s hard for me to sit back and wait for him to get his words out. But I will. I’d wait forever for him.
“And why not, Lincoln James?”
