Chapter 55
I Swear On My Own Testicles
After a few minutes of replaying this entire relationship, I tell him, “I don’t want to feel the way I did last night when I saw you with her, or the way I do when we fight.”
Adrian sighs. “It’s called passion. You’re allowed to feel passionate about something, or someone.”
I lay my cheek on top of my knees, looking at him. “It’s intense, and I think we can both agree that a little time apart would be a good thing?”
Adrian shakes his head. “No… Nope, I certainly cannot agree with that. Look at the stupid shit I do when I’m not with you.”
And there’s problem number four-hundred and one with this clusterfuck of a relationship.
“That’s part of the reason why. You’re twenty-one years old, Adrian. You shouldn’t need a babysitter, and your girlfriend shouldn’t have to worry that if you get into a fight you’ll go making out with another girl. You have to be able to make the right choices on your own.”
He purses his lips, thinking. “You broke up with me, so technically you were not my girlfriend.” He’s teasing, but it still stings.
“You’re right,” I agree, “but can you honestly tell me that if we do get back together, you would never get drunk and do anything stupid like that?”
Eyes wide, he nods. “Yes, I can swear on my own testicles that I won’t touch another girl, ever again.”
I roll my eyes, then try again. “We need some time apart—” He tries to cut me off, but I go on, knowing we need this. “Let's take some time to do our own thing and recover from this. Then if we both want to, we can try it the way normal people do. After all, we didn’t start this off in any way that even closely resembles a normal relationship.”
Adrian’s eyes are wide, and he looks panicked. "I don't need any longer to know that you’re my game changer, and if you walk away from this now, I will lose my mind. And I’m not talking about I'll be upset and grumpy and get drunk for a few days, I'm talking about not knowing what I'm going to do with the rest of my life because my future just walked away from me. I'm talking about needing to relocate because there's no way that I could see you all the time and not throw you in the back of my car, take you to a cabin in the woods somewhere, and lock you in the basement so you never had the chance to leave me again."
That’s kinda sweet… in a psychotic kinda way.
I press on, not allowing his psycho sweet talk to deter me. “You have to grow up. Stop with the public shows that are going to get you in trouble. And no more crazy jealous crap. If you want to send me running fast and far, then keep it up.”
He’s pulling his hair with both hands, his tell of how stressed he is right now. After a minute of thought, and searching my face for any sign I’m not serious, he tells me, “Then you have to stop flirting with other guys. I won’t flirt with, kiss, or have sex with any other girls while we’re on this stupid break.”
I give him a small smile. “I’m not asking that of you because there’s no guarantee we will get back together.”
“Oh, we’re getting back together, so I would appreciate it if you would extend the same respect. If not, I can’t be held responsible for what I do to any asshole who touches you.”
I roll my eyes.
“Can you please just promise? That will make it much easier for me to focus on growing up.” He begs again. “Keegan, please promise me this?"
The tortured expression on his face leaves me no choice, though I have zero intentions of sucking face with any guy. Especially after knowing what Adrian's mouth does to me. I don't think I could kiss another guy anytime soon, without waiting for my brain to flat line, and when it didn't, the kiss would be over.
"I promise," I say and his body relaxes instantly. He closes his eyes and nods once.
"Okay, I'll try this your way. I'll work on growing up and not being so impulsive."
“And you’ll work on the jealousy. You can't go throwing tables and threatening people,” I remind him.
“Well, I can, but I probably shouldn’t.”
***
Adrian
My phone rings, causing my entire body to rigid, fear coiling my muscles tight.
It’s been four days since my explosion in the library. Four days, and no call from my dad.
What the fuck was I thinking? I could’ve cost my brothers years living in hell with our dad. Then that fucking text to Katie? Christ, I’m a college-educated idiot.
My phone rings again, coiling my muscles tighter. Knowing I can’t put it off, I pick up the phone, and I’m relieved to see it’s Kylar. Is it possible my dad’s campus spy didn’t hear about the stunt?
“Hey, bud, what’s up?” I ask, relaxing a little.
“Aunt Diane’s got a headache again,” Kylar says, not one for small talk.
Shit, Diane said her doctor gave her new meds. She’s been getting migraines for the past six months, and they seem to be getting worse. Her doctor recently gave her a new med to try, and I’d hoped this one would work.
“You told me to call,” Kylar reminds me, “If she got another one.”
I smile. “I did, and thank you. I’ll talk to her again this weekend.” I decide I’m going to need to spend the weekend at home helping with the boys and getting Diane better.
“You ready for the game Friday?” I ask, changing the subject. I want Kylar to keep me updated on Diane, but I don’t want him to worry.
Kylar talks about a new play his team has been working on, then the other two boys take their turns catching me up on their week.
I smile and laugh, at all their stories, grateful for my relationship with all of them. These boys mean everything to me, and if our dad tries to take them back, I’ll go on every TV news station to tell my story. I may not have any proof to fight him in court, but you don’t need proof for TV when you’ve got a heart-breaking story of a congressman who beats his children.