IT'S A SHORT DRIVE filled with conversations about how our days went.
He tells me about how his professor accidentally assigned the same essay twice, and instead of correcting him, everyone just reprinted the first one and handed it in. It's honestly quite brilliant, but I'd expect nothing less from a bunch of college students. They can be rather devious.
We pull up to a boxing gym, and my brows furrow. “We came to work out?”
He puts an arm around me. “Well, I know how much you enjoy your freedom, but without knowing Blade's next move, I need to keep you safe. So, I'm teaching you how to fight.”
It's a thoughtful gesture, and truthfully, a pretty smart one. “I don't exactly mind you being my shadow, you know. There are worse things in the world.”
“Good to know,” he says, leaning across the center console and pressing a chaste kiss to my lips. “But it's always smart to know how to defend yourself.”
We climb out of the car and go inside. There are a few people moseying around, and one of the trainers hands Zayn a couple rolls of what looks like elastic bandage. He takes both my hands and carefully wraps each one, making sure I'm fully covered before moving onto his own. Once he's done, he leads me into a ring.
“Okay, I'm going to show you a couple moves first, so just follow my lead.”
I nod and start to watch him carefully.
AFTER AN HOUR OF him giving me my own personal self-defense class, I think I've grasped everything he's taught me. He brings over another girl for me to spar with, and while I don't exactly beat her, I at least hold my own to the point where I'd be safe if she tried to attack me.
“Nicely done, Meelz,” he praises me. “I didn't think you'd learn so quickly.”
I shrug. “It's not hard when I have a good teacher.”
He chuckles. “Okay, so let's make this a little more interesting.”
“Sounds dangerous.”
“Always.” He winks. “You're going to go against me. I won't be fighting back, but if you manage to get me on the ground, I'll give you a prize.”
That grabs my attention. “What kind of prize?”
The corners of his mouth raise in a smirk. “Anything you want.”
“Hmm.”
I pretend to think about it as I come closer. I put my hands on his shoulders and press a lingering kiss to his lips. Then, while he’s distracted, I hook my leg behind his and pull toward me so he falls onto the ground. I move to straddle him before he can get up.
“You were saying?”
He looks at me in both amazement and disbelief. “I don't know whether to be mad you cheated, or completely turned on.”
I smile and flip my hair to the side as I hover over him. “Well, based on what I want for my prize, I'm hoping it's the latter.”
His hands move to my hips. “Is that right?”
“Mm-hm.”
Our mouths connect, and the two of us get lost in each other completely, not caring about who's around. As his tongue intertwines with mine, all that matters is each other, and I wouldn't change it for the world.
I was never the type to think there was someone out there for everyone. I grew up in a split household, with a mom who was really never around and a dad who would rather focus on his newest flavor of the month. I learned how to depend on myself and never put all my emotions in one person. But with Amelia, I just can't help it.
We spend almost every moment we can together. Sneaking kisses when Easton isn't around. Meeting after class. Acting like we're going separate places, only to go together. Hiding it from Easton feels wrong, but right now, I'm just enjoying the time with her.
Amelia is everything I never knew I wanted. She restarts my heart just with a single look. The sweet, innocent girl I remember was already captivating, but this spitfire she's become is something else entirely, and I want to get drunk on it.
Things have always been rocky for me. It's never been something I complain about, because I've done pretty well for myself regardless, but Amelia is the first person to make me feel like I could have something real. Something worth waking up in the morning for.
I GET HOME FROM class to see Easton's car in the driveway. Usually, he disappears for a while in the afternoons, so I'm honestly surprised he's here, but when I get inside, I see why. He's cuddled up on the couch with Kennedy practically in his lap. Her legs are draped over his and his hand rests on her thigh. They both look at me as I walk in.