Page 139 of Learn Your Lesson

This time, we fell asleep in each other’s arms.

This time was different.

Everythingwas different.

And I was unafraid.

A Good Man

Chloe

Scratch that.

I was afraid.

I was very,veryafraid.

The morning came too quickly, too harshly, the sunlight streaming in through the windows of Will’s room. We hadn’t thought to shut the blinds last night, and I winced a little as I sat up in the bed, my head aching.

Shit.

What time was it?!

I ripped the covers off me, quickly dressing and not thinking about the fact that I’d be parading about in yesterday’s clothes as I ran down the hallway and up the stairs to Ava’s room.

When I creaked the door open, I saw she was still sound asleep.

I let out a long breath, watching her for a moment before I silently shut the door again. Will had decided she wouldn’t be going to school today, and after whathappened, I called in and used my second vacation day of my career so that I could stay home with her.

I decided to let her sleep a little while longer. Judging by the sun alone, it was likely around seven-thirty or eight. After all the adrenaline yesterday, she could use the extra rest.

We all could.

And with that thought, the night came rushing back to me.

I pressed my back against the wall, heart racing as I closed my eyes and a flash of Will struck me behind the lids.

My own hands traced where his had been, washing over my neck, my collarbone, my lips. I still tasted him there, still felt the bruising pressure of his mouth seeking mine.

He kissed me.

I blinked open at the realization, chest tight and mind whirring.

The last week and a half had been so strange between us. After our last night together, I couldn’t help but pull away from him… because just like myRedditfriends had warned, I knew I’d started falling for him.

Hell — I had already fallen. Hard. A face-planting, knee-skinning type of fall that left you bruised and bloody for life.

I thought putting distance between us was the right thing to do. TheRedditadvice flew in faster than I could read it before I deleted everything, but it all echoed the same sentiment — pull away. Go ghost. Don’t talk to him, don’t confess feelings, anddefinitelydon’t get naked again, not until you pull your shit together.

His words from yesterday floated through me.

I miss her, I do, but I miss you more.

And then he’d kissed me.

And last night, that wasn’t a lesson. That wasn’t fucking.

That was making love.