Chapter 15

Reign

Our team is winning, just like I knew we would. Seven to one is a ridiculously high scoring game and their only point was scored on our junior varsity goalie, who was pulled up to play so Leif didn't have the opportunity to get injured. This pre-season match up was a joke if you ask me, so I didn't mind that I missed it. Our starters only played one period, where the majority of our goals were scored. Regardless, I did what was expected of me for this game. I dressed in my jersey and sat on the bench, cheering the team on. At least my penance for Coach Silver's car going into the bay is now considered paid. I learned my lesson, or whatever bullshit it was my dad had been going on about. I know why I was blamed and I would do it again just to see the fire in Riley's eyes. She beat me that night at my own game. I was impressed and fucking dying for her.

Scanning the area again I look for any sign of my girl. I had taken my time browsing the stands where the girls' hockey team sat earlier but couldn't find her. Every chance I had, I looked in the other parts of the stands and even behind the bench a couple of times to see if maybe she showed up late. By the time it was the end of the third period, Riley still hadn't shown. Irritation tickled the back of my mind. It wasn't a regular season game by any means, and I wasn't even playing. I couldn't explain the need to have her there other than to cheer our team on with the other girls on her team. Riley was so worried about not fitting in and being accepted because she used to be a Pirate. I was looking for any excuse to help her feel secure in her decision to be at All Saints with me. Why did I think it would be this easy?

The game ended with an eight to one victory. I followed my team into the locker room and listened to our coach's speech before giving my own. Carter and Leif watched me with questions in their eyes, probably because I sounded rushed with nothing very inspirational to say at the moment. I wanted this obligation to be over so I could track down Riley and ask her why she didn't come tonight. My mind has replayed the past few days over and over. Every time she tensed up or couldn't meet my eyes. She was guarded last night before I left her room and we barely had time to discuss her question. It didn't sit right with me and if it hadn't been for Carter's emergency, we would have finished talking about it. His fucking emergency. I wanted to hit him upside the head right now for how stupid it had been and the time with Riley it cost me. He was all concerned that one of the jersey chasers was hacking his social media accounts finding him. It took Leif all of three seconds to point out that Carter posted everything there and that was probably how the girl was finding him. By the time we were done making sure I couldn't go back to her dorm because it was too late. I went to bed with my head spinning and now that she didn't come to the game, I feel the pressure building in my chest from the need to see her.

I need to know why she would think I would try and get back at her about the challenge when all I clearly had to do was sit on the bench for a pre-season game. I've never once ducked out of a challenge that has come between us over the years. If anything, I practically jumped at the chance for her to initiate something because then I had her attention. Her entire focus was on me and I thrived under it. It just took a week at camp for me to realize why I wanted her attention so badly and that was so she wasn't giving any other guys her attention. I wanted her. I wanted her to be mine.

Once I could leave the locker room, I stepped out into the hall and turned my phone back on. No new messages greeted me. My hand clenched around my phone while I pulled up our text thread and sent her a message.

ME: The game is over, where are you?

It takes a few minutes before I see those three magical dots dancing on the screen. I hold my breath the entire time, wondering what her reasoning is. I wish she would just come out and say exactly what it is that is making her upset At least then I could fix it and she could quit trying to put distance between us.

RILEY: I told you I had to study this weekend. Big test on Monday.

My grip on the phone tightens more

ME: There's a party later. How about you study a little longer then I'll pick you up.

RILEY: At Weston's?

RILEY: I'm already going with Sam and Emma

Fuck me. I can't catch a break. It's also painfully obvious she's avoiding me on purpose, trying not to spend time around me at all. My suspicion grows that I'm missing something, something vital that is making her cautious. I want nothing to get between us. Whatever the threat is, I need to find out and destroy it before more seeds of doubt are planted in her brain.

ME: I'll see you there, babe.

The anger I'm used to when I don't feel in control with Riley settles in my gut. Quickly I pocket my phone and leave the arena. Tonight I'm getting answers.

The basement party at Weston's parents' home is flooded with people and this time Saints students are outnumbered by Pirates. Weston's family lives close to the border of the schools and even though he could be at All Saints, he is a huge player for the Pirates baseball team. He also plays hockey, but it's mostly for conditioning during his off season. He's holding up court in the middle of the basement by the pool table and nods at me when he sees that we've arrived. His eyes flash over to a different corner, but I already found her the minute my feet hit the bottom step. My body was instantly aware of where Riley was tucked in the corner of a makeshift dance floor with her friends.

I tug the edge of my beanie lower on my head and walk through the crowd to where Weston is.

"Keg is in the back." He nods behind him before wrapping an arm around a blonde girl at his side. She sinks further into him, after giving me a small head nod.

"Thanks for the invite and for…" I tilt my chin in the direction of where my girl is sexily swaying her hips.

Weston smirks and shrugs. "No sweat, Thorn. Although you should be aware she's had a few drinks already."

My lips tip up. Good. Not that I want her inebriated, but a buzzed Riley tends to let her feelings out more than a sober Riley. Making my way through the crowd, I post up on the back wall where Carter is hiding out from his fan club. Leif is busy playing pool and nods his head in my direction. With the season in full swing, I won't be drinking, but I cradle a bottle in my fingers anyway while keeping my sights on my girl. Her eyes flicked briefly to me, and I felt that sear of her gaze burn through my body and flare in my chest. It was quick, and now she's back to pretending she's alone with just her girls on the dance floor while I stare down any of the Public assholes who think they can get closer to her. Nah. She's mine. None of them will get close enough to touch her.

Riley and her friends stay close and keep dancing, like nothing in the world is bothering them. I continuously keep checking on them, which is its own brand of torture. My girl can dance. And every time she twists, her shirt rides up a little higher, exposing more of the soft skin of her torso. With every sway of her hips to the beat, I can feel the blood heat in my veins. It's torture keeping my back on the wall, and my fingers tighten around the bottle I'm holding. Thankfully my brain seems to understand that she needs this time with her girls. Even though she was trying to hide from me, she's in my sight now. I can be calm, breathe, and know she's leaving with me whether she fucking wants to or not.

When more of my team members start to trickle in, the room gets more crowded and for the first time I notice Riley's eyes flicker around the room and her teeth clamp on her lower lip like she's nervous. Awareness skates down my spine and my eyes search out who she's looking at. He's a junior and wasn't talented enough to make varsity, but his father was able to pad some wallets and he managed to get a starting spot on junior varsity. He's also on our list should any of our starters ever be hurt. She can't be interested in him?

My eyes swing back to Riley and she's looking at the ground. I notice one of her friends, the girl with the striking blonde hair, touches her arm in a reassuring way. No, she isn't interested in him. She has that look on her face when she's worried and not sure how to act, and it's clear she would rather be anywhere else right now.

"Who's that junior player over there?" I ask Carter and tilt my head in the guy's direction.

Carter's brow lifts when I ask, but he glances over anyways. "Ah, Hunter Tomichos. He's a center forward on the JV team."

I nod, already knowing that piece of information. "Anything to be worried about?"

Carter glances at me and shrugs. "Nothing notable. Other than he's heading this way."

My head snaps up and sure enough Hunter and his friends are heading over. He has a smile on his face that looks as phony as his stride. I push my back off the wall, not trusting him. Riley finally stops moving and edges off the dance floor when she notices what's going on.

"Yo Thorn." Hunter raises his voice, making sure I can hear him, as well as everyone in our vicinity. I notice the slight slur in his voice but let it go.

I keep all emotion off my face, letting my eyes land on him, sizing him up. Even with him being drunk, my instant hostility puts a little dent in his ego because his grin falters, as do his steps, like he's contemplating if he made the right move walking over.

"Hunter." I say his name, with zero emotion or recognition. His smile disappears completely and a red tinge lights up his cheeks.

"No reason to scowl, Thorn." He tries laughing it off but the sound quickly dies.

"Why are you over here then?"

One of his friends laughs but quickly covers it up. Hunter's neck is beat red, the color climbing higher and higher to his face. "Just here to talk about a challenge if you're interested."

Riley freezes in place and her gaze falls on me. I don't have to look to know that I have her full attention and that something about the guy in front of me is causing her distress.

"I don't just take challenges without knowing what the stakes are."

His beady eyes look over at my girl and I instantly know two things. One, this has to do with Riley and her jumpy as fuck behavior and two, I'm going to beat his ass for even looking at her.

"A chance for revenge," he says and my eyes narrow on him. "After all, Thorn, it's not like you could actually care about the Pirate bitch, right?"

He laughs, his glassy eyes looking around, waiting for everyone to join him in his taunts against Riley. The very girl whose face is pale, and her eyes widen, looking directly at me. I can practically hear her screaming at me, begging for answers. I hand my bottle to Carter who whistles under his breath before stepping closer to Hunter.

My voice lowers. "No one gets to talk about her that way."

His eyes widen and he drags his dry tongue across his lip, contemplating. "It's not like you've actually claimed her though. You never do girlfriends and especially not during the season. I'm thinking you want revenge for how she fucked you over and I can help you get it."

My head tips to the side and I let my gaze wander over to my obsession. She's watching carefully. Waiting to see my response and it all makes sense now. Her questions from the other night, missing my game today. I hold her eyes, and read all the confirmation I need from her. My chest squeezes when I see how close to tears she is. "I don't do girlfriends."

Hunter nods enthusiastically, his face lighting up, like I just proved his fucked-up version of events right in his mind. "That's exactly what I told that puck whore, man. So how about it? Challenge accepted, put her in her place?"

Blood sprays from his nose in the next second when my fist collides with his face. Once his shock wears off, he swings at me, but I'm able to dodge and land a few more hits, sending us both crashing into the pool table. I'm vaguely aware of Carter trying to peel me off him, while his friends are trying to get his body out from under mine. All I can hear is my own heartbeat pulsing in my veins as I hit him over and over for calling Riley a whore. For insinuating that she means nothing to me, and that he thought he had the right to talk to her.

"Enough, Reign." Leif and Carter finally get me off of Hunter, his body passed out on the floor of the basement. I'm breathing heavily and even my best friends are eyeing me warily.

They get me to my feet before I shrug them off. Weston makes his way over and looks from the passed-out prick on the floor to my bloody knuckles. "He talks too much."

A laugh escapes me and Weston claps my shoulder before turning to Hunter's friends and ordering them to clean him up off the floor and get out of here. Pulling my beanie from my head, I slide my fingers through my hair, willing the riot in my chest to settle before I look for Riley. She was there the entire time, her lips parted and eyes wide while I beat the shit out that prick for her. I then saw her slip away from the crowd when Weston came over. Searching out her friends, I make eye contact with the girl with curly hair who points toward the ceiling. With a nod of thanks, I slip through the crowd and take the stairs up two at a time. I need to get to her. She also shouldn't be trying to drive after having the drinks she did.

The air is crisp when I get outside so I instantly tuck my hands in the pocket of my hoodie. I see Riley is almost to the road, with her arms wrapped around her body, and for the second time tonight, I see red. She's walking. It's freezing out and she doesn't even have a jacket. More than that, she's running away to put space between us and that pisses me off. Jogging across the yard, I reach her easily, my hand catching her arm and turning her body to mine. I just need to feel her, to see her, for this whole fucking night to be better.

"Riles."

"I can't right now, Reign. Okay, just go back to the party."

She tries to pull out of my hold, but I'm quicker. My arm slings around her back, clasping her body to mine. "Stop running."

"Stop chasing." She glares at me. Her eyes are arrowed, her cheeks are pink with anger and her chest rises and falls rapidly.

I glance around us and calculate the distance to my car. "It's too fucking cold out," I mutter and start moving her toward the shelter of my vehicle.

"Reign!"

"Look, have your pissy fit at me in the car. It's freezing and you're out here without a jacket." I ignore the way she twists and tries to pry herself out of my arms.

"Fuck you." She grits her teeth and I can't help the vicious smile that tugs at my lips.

"Oh, you will, baby, but not until after you tell me exactly what that shithead Hunter said to you."

Riley loses her fight and it makes it that much easier for me to maneuver her into the car. Once I'm satisfied she isn't going to jump out, I close her door and round over to my side. Minutes tick by as we head back toward campus and she's still silent. When the road splits, one direction heading to her dorm and the other heading to where my apartment is, I take the exit to my place.

"Where are we going?" She sits forward and suddenly feels like talking.

"My place." I slide a glance at her, my knuckles tightening on the wheel. "I thought you'd want privacy for this conversation."

"I don't have anything to say." She shrugs, but her hands clasp together, telling me she's holding back.

"So that dickhead spews nonsense at a party and you have to leave because it doesn't bother you?" I challenge her. I know her and with how she's been acting, it's easy to see she's hiding something.

A humorless chuckle leaves her lips and she turns her head to look out the window. "Who said it was nonsense?"

"What did he say?" I demand, wishing I could go back there and rearrange his face again.

Riley shrinks into her seat, and finally, a tear slips from her eyes and down her cheek. "Nothing I haven't heard before."

Anger pulses in my veins the rest of the drive. When we reach the apartments, I drive into the private parking garage, find my spot and throw the car in park before turning to her fully.

"Tell me what he said or I'll go back there and keep pounding him into the ground until he tells me."

Her head lifts and the doubt in her eyes guts me. "It's nothing I haven't heard before. I'm nothing. I'm a Pirate whore. That you're only with me as a challenge."

"Who is saying that to you besides Hunter?" I need names. I need to know who to go after, who will never walk again, who can say goodbye to their time or scholarships here at All Saints.

"You can't take on the whole school or town, Reign," she mutters and the look of defeat on her face would bring me to my knees if I wasn't already sitting.

The urge for bloodshed is riding hard when I fling open my door, get out and circle around to her door. I open it with a gentleness I don't feel, so I don't hurt her.

"Take me home, Reign." Riley meets me with defiance.

I don't even respond, just grab her by the sides and lift her from my car and over my shoulder. She screams her outrage and her fists hit my back, but it doesn't stop me. With Riley in my possession, we enter the building. I nod at the night tenant who raises a brow.

"Role play." I wink at the elderly lady and Riley slaps my back.

She doesn't get to say anything though because we enter the elevator and I set her on her feet once the doors close. The minute she's upright, Riley shoves me hard.

"Are you insane?"

I shrug. "Not diagnosed but when it comes to you it's always a possibility."

"This isn't funny, Reign. I want to go back to my dorm. No, I want to go back to my home and forget everything here at this damn cesspool of a school." Her arms fold over her chest and she looks so close to breaking. My jaw clenches and our eyes clash.

"That's not happening, Riley," I spit out the words while crowding her until her back hits the elevator wall. Taking her chin between my fingers, I bring her face up, so she can see how deadly serious I am about this. She won't be leaving. "You're mine and I'll deal with anyone who tries talking shit again. You deserve to be here more than half of them anyway."

Riley jerks out of my hold right as the elevator dings and the doors open on my floor. Before she can run, I pick her up again, ignoring the flail of her legs as I walk to my door. With my one free hand, I scan my badge and slip inside.

"Let me down," Riley grunts, hitting my back with both fists while I set her on her feet again. Her hair swirls in her face and she pushes it aside while trying to calm her breathing.

I fold my arms over my chest, refusing to budge, should she try and escape. "Are we going to talk now or are you running again?"

"I'm not running. Don't try and turn this on me. I just don't see the point of talking about something that can't be fixed." She glares at me. It shouldn't be cute but fuck it is.

I lean down, getting in her face. "I will fix it. No one should be saying that shit to you anymore."

"Right there is my point." She waves her hand in front of us. "Anymore. Everyone in this school and in this town already has their minds made up about me, Reign, thanks to you. They all followed every word you said when you put me down. Everyone knows we can't stand each other. Of course they all think this is a challenge and you're playing me."

"You could be playing me," I throw back, hating that what she is saying makes sense and that she is hurt by it. She scoffs and once again her eyes fill with tears. "You're right. It's my fault that our rivalry went that far. I made it personal."

"Yeah, you did," She wipes her tears angrily with her fingers. "You were my best friend Reign. Whatever I did to make you hate me, I'm sorry—"

"Don't fucking apologize to me." I shake my head, pulling the beanie off with frustration. "We both participated in challenges and it was fun as hell. I always came back for more because I liked the way it felt to have your attention, Riles."

"But—"

"No. Shut the fuck up." I reach for her, my hands sliding around her neck, one fisting her hair at the back of her neck. She gasps and her lips part. "We only do challenges together from now on. You being mine is not a challenge or a prank. I will fix everything so that they don't dare say anything to you or look at you like you are less than them. You are so much more, Riley. You are a queen amongst peasants. Now, tell me what he said."

"That he didn't see what you saw in me. I'm just a puck-bunny who hangs off of you and that I was a challenge and I should watch my back." Her eyes stay glued to mine the entire time, and each word is like a stab to the gut.

"Is that all?" I ask, watching her face for any sign that she's holding back. My thumb runs gently across that pulse point on her delicate little neck.

"Yes."

I'm on her in an instant, giving her no time to think. A small gasp leaves her as my mouth lands on hers, claiming her, and she gives me everything in return. Her arms surround my body, tugging me as close to her as she possibly can. I don't stop kissing her while she clings to me, and I try to move us through the living room to the bedroom that I've been dying to have her in since the summer ended.

Riley clings to me when I pull back, walking her into my room, taking in the sight of having her there. My stomach flips in anticipation, the vision of her in my space makes my chest swell with emotions so strong I can't name them. It feels right. The room looks perfect with her standing here like it was always meant to be. Riley is mine.

I haven't had her fully since the night I took her virginity, waiting for her to heal, so I wouldn't cause her pain again. The teasing each other with touches and caresses has been fun, reminding me of our time at camp, but fuck if I don't want back inside her. Sliding my hands along her sides, I gently kiss her again before my hands slip under her shirt, gliding across her skin.

"Always so soft and perfect," I murmur.

She moans, her lips whispering against my lips, "Don't stop touching me, Reign."

I listen to her command, and I don't hesitate taking what I want, slipping my hands past her bra, and grasping a handful of her silky skin. Her nipples are already hard, and with one brush of the pad of my thumb across the sensitive bud, she cries out. The sound of it is desperate, caught between painful and needy. It's sexy as hell and shoots straight to my cock, making me throb. My hips roll into hers and she presses her body back into mine instantly. Her hands clutch my shoulders while little noises keep escaping her lips, begging for more.

With my last sane thought, I lower us onto my bed, fitting my body between her legs, before taking her mouth again in a hungry kiss, the need to consume her riding me hard. I drag my hand down her stomach before slipping my fingers under the waistband of her jeans and deftly flicking open the button. She moans and lifts her hips, pushing herself more into my touch. I grin against her lips before pulling back. Her eyes are dazed, her pupils blown, as I drag my fingers along the edge of her underwear before hooking my finger in the material and stretching it to the side.

Her teeth bite into her plump bottom lip when I run the tips of my fingers up and down her heated slit before sliding inside the sweetest heat I've ever felt. "Reign." She breathes my name and her head falls back. I take that as my cue and thrust two fingers in slowly, enjoying the way her pussy clenches, threatening to pull me in deeper. When my thumb ghosts right over her clit, she pushes into my hand, gasping into the stillness of the room.

I pinch her clit, quickly swirling until her body starts to shake. Her head turns to the side and her lips run along the column of my neck. My skin pebbles under her little breaths, and then her tongue trails across my neck and a jolt runs deep in my body, a groan slipping from my lips. "Fuck."

I can feel the brush of her lips as she smiles before pressing a kiss under my jaw right before she shatters in my arms, her body quaking in my hold. Only when her breathing slows do I slide my fingers out of her pussy and grasp the edge of her pants, getting on my knees and sliding them off her legs. Riley doesn't fight me, lifting her hips and shoving her underwear down as well. I'm grabbing at my own clothes when she reaches for her shirt and tosses it to the side, only her bra is left before that too joins our clothes on the floor.

Wasting no time, I slide back between her legs while she wraps them around my waist. My brow arches at the way she anchors me to her, claiming me in return. My palms slide over her chest, my fingers brushing her hard nipples before sliding back up and cupping her breasts fully. I massage them gently, before dropping my lips to one of the hardened peaks, swirling my tongue and using my teeth to bite it gently. Another moan leaves her lips and I gift the other one with the same treatment.

Riley's legs hook at my waist, pulling me close, and I let more of my body drop onto hers, loving the way my bare skin lights up from her touch. I kiss her collarbones, the place where her neck and shoulder meets, and my favorite place on her neck where her pulse hums under the skin, before bringing my lips back to hers. I kiss her deep while her arms wind around my back, her fingers digging in, almost begging me to do more.

Teasing her, I run my fingers down her slit, loving the dripping mess I made her minutes ago. "I can feel how bad you want me, Riles. You're still soaked."

Her dazed eyes meet mine, darkening, "I need you bad, Reign."

I've always been good at reading Riley and right now is no exception. Her cheeks are pink, her lips are puffy and red from our kisses, and her body is melting into mine. She wants me. Riley shifts her lower half, aligning the head of my cock with her entrance. The tip is suddenly wrapped in her warm, wet flesh.

Her hands tighten on my back and she bites her lower lip. I've never seen a more beautiful sight than Riley Conrad, bare, underneath me, looking ready to be mine. She is all mine. Bracing one hand next to her head on the bed, my other comes up to cup her face, fingers braced against her neck before I slide in, her pussy swallowing me whole. I moan, my hips starting to lightly pump in and out of her, my pelvis grinding against her clit. She feels unreal. Even better than the last time, all silky, tight and fucking burning.

She presses her breasts into my chest, and my head falls to her shoulder. Her hands clutch at the hair at my neck and the slight sting makes me groan. Using my teeth, I suck and bite at the tender skin between her shoulder and neck, wanting to mark her while I shove in deeper. Her pussy walls squeeze my cock and a shudder runs down my spine.

"You feel so fucking good, Riles. How bad do you want to come again for me, babe?"

She whimpers, her hands moving to cup my face, before bringing my lips down on hers hard. Her teeth scrape along the skin, seeking entrance. Our tongues battle for dominance before she pulls away, her eyes meeting mine. Her pupils are so big the coloring almost looks black while she gives me a little smirk. "I need to come again, Reign."

Her words break something in me. I pump in and out, faster and faster, determined to feel her come apart under me, knowing I gave that to her. That I made her feel that good.

"God, damn, babe," I praise her, placing gentle kisses on any skin of hers I can reach. "I need that too. I need to feel your tight, little pussy taking all of me, wringing me dry."

I pull one of her legs up, holding it against my side and tilt my hips, going deeper, filling her up. Her head tips back into the pillows and her back flies off the bed. She moans loudly right in my ear, the sound filling my room, and it will forever be stored in my memories. Her body twitches, gripping me and riding out the rest of her orgasm while I grind harder, push deeper and come after her.

Both of us are sweating and she's holding my body tightly still. I never want to let her go. Even thinking about having to move to clean up after this makes me irritated. My body is spent but there is a satisfied thrum in my heart.

After a few minutes Riley untangles from around me, her body falling limp against the bed. I lift my head and our eyes meet. She smiles, and her hand lifts up to brush some of the hair off my forehead.

"Stay with me tonight, Riles. Please?"

Her gaze darts around my room and she bites her lip, the first sign of nerves since we got here. I think she's about to turn me down, but she surprises the hell out of me when she softly mutters, "Yes."

I climb off the bed and help her stand, showing her the bathroom. We both clean up before I drag her back into bed with me. I fall onto my back, and drape her across my chest, my hand running up and down her smooth back.

"I'm keeping you, Riley. No one else matters but us. I would never use this as a challenge or to hurt you again."

She stiffens in my arms but relaxes again, before laying her hand on my chest. She doesn't speak, doesn't acknowledge this growing thing between us, which is fine for now. Someday I'll own her words, her heart, and her soul just like she owns me.

It doesn't take long before she goes completely limp and her breathing evens out. She has to be exhausted and probably still a little buzzed from her drinks. Slipping from the bed, I make sure to bring the blanket around her shoulders before grabbing my phone and heading out to the living room.

Leif picks up on the third ring. "Why are you calling? Did your dick game make her cry from boredom?"

"Fuck you." I chuckle at him. "She's sleeping. I wanted to take care of this without her knowing. None of this touches her."

"Anything, man," Leif responds immediately, the strength of our friendship showing in those two words.

"I want the names of everyone still giving Riley a hard time about being here. And if it's females, I want the names of their brothers or cousins they're closest to."

Leif whistles. "Are you planning to fight the whole town? This list will be extensive. What do you plan to do?"

My lips turn up in an evil grin, imagining the bloodshed over my knuckles. "I don't care how long the list is. Anyone who makes an issue will be added. Start sending them invites to the rink."

"Oh shit." Leif chuckles and I hear him tapping out information on his phone. "Got it."

We hang up and I sneak back into my room, closing the door softly behind me. Riley is still out, snuggled deeper in the blankets, her face nuzzled in the pillow. I slide in behind her this time, tangling my legs with hers and wrapping my arm around her waist. Holding her feels as natural as breathing. It feels right. My lips press against the back of her head, and I make her a vow that the things Hunter spoke of tonight will never touch her again. No one gets to make her cry. Joy, sadness, pleasure, pain. Her tears belong only to me.