Chapter Forty Five

"Chill," Juice said, "Put the tears away. It's no big. We're all g—."

"No! You don't say another word, not to him, not to me or I'll end you, Jerome Williams," Saylor said. His voice was bone chilling. He had uttered those words with more conviction than I'd ever heard him use throughout our entire friendship.

"Nobody tells Juice Williams w—," Juice said.

There was a loud crushing blow followed by a thud. I heard the metallic shivering of lockers as shoving commenced, grunts and groans came and went, the snap of skin sliding against skin and another crushing blow followed by a thud signaling someone's violent crash to the floor.

My heart broke, fearing the worst. I opened my eyes and looked at the ground, fully expecting to see Saylor laid out.

"We're leaving!" he shouted from above. I opened my mouth in protest. "I didn't ask!"

He took my wrist and flung me over his shoulder in a fireman's carry. I looked back at Blake and Juice who were laid out in the middle of the hallway as my best friend since childhood, my bruiser, my hero, carried me away.

I had never been more smitten in my life by anyone or anything. Saylor stood up for me when no else ever had. He wanted me around. He had always wanted me around, more than anything. That was better than being needed. Even if I never saw it again, I knew what he was capable of, what he showed great strength in holding back, when violence was so easy for a man of his size.

#####

Saylor drove me home. I didn't talk for most of the ride. I couldn't. I was busy texting Faith what happened, that I was fine, that I wanted her to have a great night with Kristen and that she could come over first thing in the morning. Saylor parked his truck in my driveway and turned toward me.

"Rudy, I'm really sorry about you and Juice," he said, "I honestly want you to be happy."

Saylor deflated, showing me those sad eyes in that crestfallen expression that made it seem like he'd never be happy again. I dove over the center console and attacked his face with kisses. I couldn't stop myself. "I love you Saylor, the you, me and no one else kind, the kind I need you to stay over for, the kind I n—."

Saylor silenced me with kisses, finally, five years after our first one. It took him fucking long enough. He carried me out of his truck, all the way upstairs to my room. He had no idea how badly he screwed up.

I was instantly addicted.

Good luck getting me to walk again.

The End.

El Fin.

***Let me know if you want the Epilogue***