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I copy his movement and scoot closer to him like we’re sharing a big secret. This is the most action I’ve had all night. “Oh yeah, what’s that?” I ask with a smile.
He drags his gaze towards my breasts, and I wonder if he can see down my dress. My first instinct is to pull it up, but I force my arms to stay where they are.
“I’m here for you.”
I sit up. “Wh–what?”
He leans back in his chair. “I’m here to make sure you’ll always remember tonight.”
“And how are you supposed to do that, Hawking?”
He pulls himself up and lays his hand, palms up, on my thigh. “Do you trust me?”
My eyes sweep across the gymnasium to find my date. Clint is grinding into the backside of his ex-girlfriend. His fingers are digging into her hips with nothing but lust on his face. I look down at the hand he’s offering. Taking a deep breath, I swallow, trying to find the courage. I lift my gaze to him, and that’s when I know. I trust him. Of course, I trust him. It’s stupid of me to even question it.
“Yes.” I place my hand in his, and his fingers instantly circle around mine.
“Good.”
He stands, pulling me up with him and takes a step toward my date. Confused, I stumble slightly trying to catch up as Hawk all but drags me to the group of dancing kids.
“Hey, fuck face,” he calls out over the music.
When Clint turns his head and sees me standing there, his eyes grow wide. “Tessa,” he says, taking a step back from the girl he’s been dry humping.
“Just letting you know,” Hawk says as he takes a step in front of me, blocking Clint’s view. “I’m taking her home.” He squeezes my hand. “She’s far too good for the likes of your punk ass.” When I look around, I see the majority of the gym has stopped what they’re doing and are watching us. “You’d rather have your hands on that piece of ass while you’ve got my girl in the corner? You’re pathetic.”
“Yeah well, at least I know that I’ll be getting laid tonight,” Clint fires back. “She won’t put out for anyone.”
“Wrong, douchebag.” He takes a step towards Clint. “She won’t put out for you. It’s called having standards.” He jabs a finger into his chest. “I gave you a chance to prove your worth, and you fucking failed–miserably.”
Without another word, Hawk pulls me from the crowd, low murmurs run rapid as we exit the gym. As soon as the door clicks behind us, I pull my hand from his grip and throw my arms around him. “Thank you,” I say with my face nestled in the crook of his neck. “Thank you for standing up for me.”
“Always, Tessa. Always.” He tightens his hold around my body.
“I can’t believe he did that to me. Why did he even ask me?”
“He’s a total ass gasket, Tessa. He always has been. You have no idea how hard it was not to say anything to you when I found out that you were coming here with him.”
I pull away and search his eyes, hoping to see some trace of interest. “It bothered you?”
“Why did I tell you I came, Tessa? For you. You’re mine, girl.”
I pull completely away from him and cross my arms over my chest, suddenly feeling a tad bit too cold. “I’m not yours, Hawking.”
“Come on, Tessa. I’ve seen the way you look at me. I see the jealousy in your eyes every time I’m with another chick. Don’t lie to me. We’ve known each other far too long for you to start pulling that shit.” He takes a step closer, pulling my arm from my body and stepping into my space. He tilts his head down and lifts my chin, so I meet his gaze.
“Do you trust me?” he asks again, but I don’t want to answer. My heart is pounding in my chest. The adrenaline is spiking through my blood, and I can feel my body start to shake. “You know you do,” he answers for me. “You know I only speak the truth, and you know that you and I are going to happen. Tonight...”
“Mija, did you hear me?” Bianca’s voice pulls me from the past, from the night I gave so much more than my heart to Hawk.
“I’m sorry…”
“Never mind, mija, never mind. I know what I need to do.”
She doesn’t say anything more, ending the call without a goodbye. It’s then I know that Martha was right, and, by one phone call, I’ve invited the demons of my past to invade my present.
Hawk
