Chapter Thirteen

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Wes ~

Every muscle in my body screamed in protest as I walked away from Colt, choosing to leave instead of fight. I wanted nothing more than to teach him the lesson he deserved to learn in the most painful way possible. I wanted to knock his teeth down his throat and watch him choke on his own blood, but I couldn't. I had something precious tucked under my arm that needed to get as far away from Colt as possible.

My back molars were clenched so hard I thought they might crack as Colt yelled after us, but I stayed the course toward Gracie's car, praying for the self control that I needed to maintain my forward momentum and to resist the urge to turn around and beat the living shit out of Colt.

The run in I had with Collin had seemed to literally knock some sense into him, causing him to understand the gravity of the situation that Colt was about to put himself in by calling my bluff. Collin held Colt back, but a part of me wished he hadn't. Just one solid right hook would crumple that piece of shit and my fists ticked and flinched as the thought crossed my mind, involuntarily preparing themselves for the task.

My body was ready and bloodthirsty - hungry for the opportunity to put fist to flesh, but I couldn't let that side of me take over at the moment. I was an absolute animal in the ring, but I wasn't all beast all the time. The analytical side of my mind weighed every option and sized up every opponent to put me in the best position to take control and win, and for this particular situation winning meant getting Gracie to my house with as little drama as possible.

Sure I could turn around and deliver a few punishing blows to Colt's smug face. It would be easy money for me, but that would mean I'd have to untuck Gracie from my side and leave her unattended while I put in work, and that was out of the question. I had given her my word that I wouldn't leave her side and I never go back on my word.

The fighter inside me protested and screamed, pouring adrenaline into my veins to get me amped up and taunting me internally in an attempt to give in to my blood lust for Colt.

I had to flex every muscle in my body to maintain my self control, and felt Gracie's small body tremble slightly against my torso as Colt spewed vicious words at her from behind.

I need to get Gracie out of here now. That bastard's words hurt her just as badly as his hands do and she's been through enough. This ends now and we're leaving.

Gracie settled herself into the passenger side of her car and I shut the door, sending a ferocious gaze over to Colt who must have had a sudden wave of stupidity wash over him as he took a few steps towards the car.

I clicked the lock button with my thumb and pinned Colt with a pointed gaze, making my way around the back of the car toward the driver side.

"She's been with me for six years, you think I'm just going to let her walk away?" Colt said, practically gnashing his teeth at me.

"That's exactly what you're gonna do if you want the blood that's inside your body to stay there. But I'd be happy to spill it all over this pavement for you, so just say the fuckin word."

Colt took another senseless step forward.

You really wanna challenge me little man?

"Take one more fucking step. Call my bluff...I dare you." I growled, rolling my shoulder back in a circular motion to loosen up my arms.

Collin intervened immediately, standing in front of Colt and pushing him backwards to try and stop his idiotic friend from making the biggest mistake of his life.

"He's good Wes, we're leaving." Collin said, looking over his shoulder at me with fear in his eyes that was food for my soul.

"That's what I thought."

I turned on my heel toward the drivers side door of Gracie's car, shaking my head at the stupidity of the group of assholes behind me.

Gracie might be a selfless angel, but I'm a fucking savage. I'm the wrong one to mess with.

I flung the drivers side door open with anger still coursing through my veins, only to look down and see that the drivers side seat was so close to the steering wheel it was practically touching it.

Gracie's eyes darted toward me with an apologetically adorable smile.

"I have short legs." she said softly as if I had somehow missed the fact that she was 5'2.

Her unnecessary confession put an instant smile on my face that dissolved the hatred that had consumed me seconds earlier.

"I'm aware," I chuckled, reaching down and pulling the lever to release the seat so I could adjust it for my large frame.

Once I had made enough room for myself, I ducked my head and took my place at the steering wheel, looking over at Gracie whose eyes flashed an emotion I couldn't quiet readĀ  - fear? relief? nervousness? happiness? It was too many different expressions to decipher.

"You okay?" I asked, patting her knee that she had folded up into the seat with her.

"Yeah, are you?"

"Me? I'm golden, Darlin'" I flashed her a reassuring smile that caused her to tuck a long strand of hair behind her ear and look at the floorboard...but she smiled, and I was going to consider a smile a win at the moment.

We met the rest of the group at the girls apartment and waited outside to keep and eye out for any of Colt or his dumbass friends while they gathered overnight bags.

"Mandy's pretty cool, don't ya think?" Blake said with a giddy smile, looking over his shoulder to make sure she hadn't heard him.

"Yeah I guess, if you're into that whole ice queen vibe." I sneered.

"She's only that way toward you." Blake chuckled and he was right.

Honestly, I didn't blame Amanda for acting so cold toward me, it wasn't that she was a cold hearted person - the opposite actually. Her deep disapproval was out of protective instincts for her best friend and her radar was spot on. I'm not a relationship guy. I don't date - I sleep around and that's it - nothing more. Amanda knew my reputation well and it was one that had been years in the making and was hard earned.

"You got a thing for Amanda?" I asked with a grin.

"Ah shit I don't know dude, all I'm sayin is she's cool."

Blake tried to play off his comment and scratched the back of his head nervously as he spoke.

"Whatever you say man, but I hope you don't plan on becomingĀ  a gambler because your poker face is dog shit." I laughed.

"Fuck you,"

Blake scoffed and gave me a playful shove as the girls started filing out of the house with bags.

Jesus how long are y'all planning on stayin?

"All that for one night?" Chad laughed, taking the words right out of my mouth.

"Shut up." Maggie sassed, handing her bag over to Chad.

Gracie was the last one out the door and turned around to lock the door behind her, dropping her small duffle on to the ground as she took hold of her keys and the knob. I took the opportunity to snag the bag from the ground and toss it over my shoulder, knowing she'd protest if I offered to carry her bag to the car.

She bent down and reached for her bag that wasn't there, then whipped her head up at me, eyeing her duffle that was hanging over my shoulder against my back.

"It's not heavy you know." She said with a grin.

"Never said it was."

"I can carry my own bag, Wes." She scoffed, holding her hand out toward me as everyone loaded into their cars.

Her insistence on taking care of everyone around her, even strangers, while simultaneously preventing anyone from taking care of her in return was fascinating and confusing.

"Have you ever just let a guy do something nice for you?" I chuckled.

She shrugged her shoulders and let out a cute little sigh at my questions before she said the most heartbreaking words I had heard in a long time.

"I guess I'm just not used to it." She said casually as if it were normal to be mistreated.

I tried to control my facial expression as best I could, but I could feel my playful smile fade and turn down at the corners. The fact that someone as sweet as Gracie was so accustomed to being treated badly that it had become second nature to her, tore me up inside.

You deserve better sweetheart.

"Well get used to it." I said playfully, trying to recover quickly and change the subject.

********

Once we got back to my place, Maggie got set up in Chad's room where she normally slept and Amanda and Gracie took the pullout couch. I had offered up my bed multiple times, but Gracie was too considerate to take me up on it, not to mention Amanda's hate daggers that she was shooting at me from across the room every time I brought it up.

Take it easy Amanda, I know what you're thinking and you're right, but I'd never hurt Gracie.

Chad, Blake and I popped open a few beers in the kitchen, while the girls put fresh sheets on the pullout mattress and gossiped. My eyes were focused on Chad and Blake, but my ears were perked back, eavesdropping on the conversation that was happening behind me.

"I think you just need to swear off guys for while." Amanda said to Gracie.

Swear off guys completely? I don't like the sound of that.

Gracie just smiled and shrugged, taking her friends advice with a grain of salt as she made the bed.

"Bullshit! I think you need to play the field Sis. Go sew some wild oats and fuck every guy in sight." Maggie said with a sly grin.

Did she just say fuck every guy in sight? Never mind I think I'd rather her swear off guys completely.

Maggie's loud, crude suggestion caught the attention of Blake and Chad who quickly spoke up, eager to interject.

"You really think fucking half the student body is going to fix anything Mag?" Chad laughed at his girlfriend, shaking his head at her antics.

"Couldn't hurt." Maggie joked.

"Actually that sounds like it would hurt a lot." Amanda countered causing Gracie to break into a fit of laughter.

The girls had finished putting the sheets on the mattress and Gracie had already climbed in, folding herself into a small pile as her roommates discussed her sex life. She was exhausted, but she was happy, smiling along with the ridiculous conversation that was carrying through the room about her because she knew it came from a good place - the best place. Her friends wanted her to move on and it was clear that Gracie was fond of that idea.

"Okay I didn't mean literally the entire student body, I just meant a rebound might do you some good, just to help you move on and forget about Colt." Maggie corrected herself.

"Why don't you let Wes be your rebound Gracie? He'd fuck you so good your brain would get rattled enough to forget Colts entire existence." Chad said with a laugh, shooting his eyes over at me.

His words caught me off guard, causing me to spit my beer back into the bottle as I coughed and sputtered against my own laughter.

Maggie slapped at Chad's bicep playfully with Chad laughing hysterically at his own words and his girlfriends reaction to them, but it was Gracie's reaction that I really wanted to see. I shifted my gaze toward her only to find she was already looking in my direction. She gave me a small slightly embarrassed smile as her cheeks and neck flushed red, but she didn't pull her eyes away from mine.

"Am I wrong?" Chad asked.

"Nope." I answered, maintaining eye contact with Gracie as I sent her an effortless wink.

The small gesture made Gracie's lips part slightly and her chest inflate as she took in a sharp breath. It was clear that she wasn't opposed to the idea which was usually my greenlight to turn on the charm and try to get her into bed, but not this time. Gracie had me conflicted - all twisted up in knots and I wasn't sure why.

Don't get me wrong, I would have done unspeakable things to get that woman into bed. There was no doubt in my mind that sleeping with Gracie would be heaven on earth and I'd be lying if I hadn't visualized what she'd look like with her toned legs draped over my shoulders, but Gracie needed more than a one night stand - Gracie deserved more than a fuck buddy.

It was difficult for me to admit, but the longer we sat in the living room and talked with our friends the more I realized that I couldn't be what Gracie needed. I could take care of every physical need that she had and more, but her heart...I knew I was way out of my depth when it came to her heart. I had exactly zero experience with matters of the heart and knew I'd break it if I touched it and I couldn't do that to someone as sweet as Gracie.

I admired her from across the room, stealing small glances here and there as we joked with our friends. Her head bobbed and her blinks became slower and slower as she leaned against her own arm.

You need to sleep sweet Gracie.

Letting out a big over exaggerated yawn, I stretched my arms out and arched my back before standing and addressing the group.

"I'm worn the fuck out. I'm gonna head to bed." I said, moving toward the kitchen to throw away my empty beer bottle.

Blake narrowed his eyes at me in confusion before registering the motion of my head in Gracie's tired direction.

"Night ladies." Blake said quickly, following my lead.

I started moving through the house, flipping off lights as I passed them, leaving the lamp beside Gracie for last. I leaned over the back of the couch until my fingers found the switch on the lamp and stole one last look at Gracie's perfect profile before the room when dark.

"Hey Wes?" she said, stopping me from leaving with her voice.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you." she hummed in a sleepy voice that had me coming undone.

"You don't have to thank me Darlin', get some sleep." I said in the softest voice I could muster as I reached down and ran my hand gently against her hairline.

"mmmk" she breathed out lightly as she drifted off.

One thing was for sure, Gracie did something to me that I couldn't explain. Everything she did elicited some sort of involuntary reaction within me or a flood of unfamiliar emotions to assault my analytical mind. I was torn in a million different directions when it came to Gracie, but they all lead to one definite conclusion.

As much as I'd love to be that guy for you Gracie I'm just not...I'm not a boyfriend...I don't do feelings. I'd hurt you and I couldn't live with myself if I hurt you.
********

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