Page 99 of Beyond the Pale

Lennon’s eyes flutter open. She rolls onto her back, her eyes seeking me out.

“I love you so fucking much,” I whisper.

“How much?” she asks, a smile tugging the corner of her lips.

She’s teasing me. I like it. “So fucking much.”

She rolls toward me, the sheet falling down in the process. I reach for her breast, cupping it in my hand. I can’t believe I can do this now. Touch her just like this, whenever I want to.

“I love you the same way,” she says, her voice still sleepy. She reaches for me, her hand disappearing beneath the sheet. She grins when she finds what she’s looking for. “So soon? Four hours ago you woke me up because you couldn’t wait until morning.”

“I believe it was you who wokemeup.”

Her eyebrows wiggle. “Maybe…”

She ditches the sheet and sits up, climbing over me. She sinks down onto me. I grab her hips and push down harder, until there isn’t an inch of me she’s not covering.

She keeps going, riding me until her head tips back and she has to cover her mouth to muffle herself. She falls limp against my chest. I roll us over and kiss her, aiming for her second high. Her legs shake as she gets closer, and when I feel her clench around me, I let go too.

I move off her and tuck her into my side. She drifts in and out of sleep, but I stay awake.

My gaze falls to the dresser where my sling waits for me. Last week I transitioned from cast to sling, and soon there will be no sign of the car accident.

For Brady, it will take longer.

When Lennon told me she was in love with me, I was ecstatic. But a victory for me meant a loss for Brady, and that was tough for me to swallow. He’s doing better, or at least it seems that way. I think one day we'll get to a place where he’s happy for us.

I could’ve just as easily been where he is. Lennon could’ve chosen Brady, and I wouldn’t have an argument against it. He’s a good person and he deserves the best. If I could pick one other person for Lennon, it would be Brady.

For a long time I thought he loved her just as much as I did.

And then, on graduation night, I learned the truth.

He didn’t love her enough to kill for her.

But I did.

The End