Shaking off the memories, I make quick work of washing up until my soap-slicked hand grips my dick. In an instant, blood is rushing to it, turning my cock to steel with the memory of Jonah’s ass pressed against me last night.
God, I wanted him. I wanted to feel his skin against mine, hear his whimpers and moans as I touched him.
I force myself to stop and get out of the shower. It’s too dangerous to even think about.
With a towel wrapped around my waist, I check on my bruises. My ribs that were turning green are blue once again, thanks to the game last night. I hate this fucking place. Down here in the Bible Belt, we’re supposed to be Godly people, only caring about upholding the Lord’s Word. Instead, they all turn a blind eye to blatant abuse because of football. It’s a fucking joke.
Grabbing some clothes, I get dressed for my date with Mary and Jonah. I both love and hate how he looks at me. Like he can see through me. I shouldn’t have touched him last night, but fuck, did it feel good. No girl pressed against me has felt like that. Ever.
Tucking just the front of my shirt into my jeans, I brush my hair, then pull on my shoes. I grab my stuff and head out of my room.
“Roman.” Momma’s rough voice catches me off guard. “I haven’t seen you in a while.”
She stands against the counter stirring coffee, wearing clothes that hang off her. Her once-beautiful smile is sad as she looks at me while a purple bruise swells her eye shut.
Fuck.
“Shit. I’m sorry, Momma.”
A tear slips down her cheek as she drops her gaze from mine.
“I should have been here.” I walk around the kitchen island and wrap her in a hug.
She breaks, leaning into me, and cries on my shirt. My hand rubs circles on her back lightly. I assume there’re more bruises I can’t see, and I don’t want to cause her more pain.
She’s just as trapped here as I am.
“He’s been a real asshole lately. I’ve been avoiding him.”
She swallows, and I know an excuse is coming. It’s second nature to her at this point. I can’t even really be mad at her for it.
She steps back and lifts her coffee to blow across the hot liquid.
“Work has been stressful this week. Things will get better.” She doesn’t look at me when the lie falls from her lips and a tear trickles down her face. She knows just as well as I do that it’s not going to get better.
I nod, but don’t say anything. There’s no point in arguing with her anymore. I kiss her hair and lean against the counter. She deserves so much better than the life she’s living. I wish my father’s liver would just give out and kill him already.
“I’ll be back later. Why don’t you get some sleep or take a bath?”
She nods her head and makes her way up the stairs. From the careful walk and the bruises on the back of her neck, I know she hasn’t been locking the bedroom door at night. She’s so fucking desperate for him to love her. He will kill her one of these days.
Hopping into my truck, I drive around for a while, needing to clear my head. I have to have my game face on this afternoon, so I’ve got to lock down my emotions.
Turning down the street the Cohens live on, I stop on the curb and kill the engine. It’s a quick walk up to the door, and my knuckles are raised to knock when the door opens to an excited Mary. Her bouncy curls are down, framing her face with just a hint of makeup. She’s decided on jeans and a shirt that flutters around her when she moves. She’s cute, in that girl-next-door kind of way. Innocent and sweet.
“Hey,” she says, nervous excitement making her quiet.
“Hey.” I smirk at her.
She’s adorable, but what takes my attention is Jonah behind her in jeans and a t-shirt. He only ever wears khakis and polos to school, but this laid-back look is good. Really good. His eyes meet mine, the hazel so similar to Mary’s, yet with more green.
Mary looks over her shoulder to see what I’m looking at and her smile falls. “I’m sorry he has to go with us.”
Turning back to her, I give her a wink. “It’s no big deal. We’ll make it work.”
Mary turns and hollers over her shoulder. “Bye! We’re leaving!”
I smile as her hand pushes on my abdomen to make me step back, determination in her face.
“Oh, no, you don’t!” Mr. Cohen says, speed-walking toward us. “Hold your horses, young lady.”
Mary groans, her head falling forward. At least her father gives a fuck, which is a whole lot more than I can say about mine.
“Good afternoon, Roman.” His expression is serious.
I’m sure he doesn’t really want Mary and Jonah coming out with me. I’m a liability. He zones in on the black eye, and I wait for the questions. The lies I’ve told circle through my head.
The boys and I were messing around and I caught an elbow. The boys and I were messing around and I caught an elbow.
“Good afternoon, sir.”
Mr. Cohen stands before me, hands in front of him and his shoulders back. He’s very much the preacher right now. I’m sure he has a speech prepared.
“Are you a troublemaker? I’ve asked around about you, but no one seems to know much more than you being a ‘right good quarterback.’” He fakes a Southern accent for his quote, and I can’t help to smile. That’s all anyone around here wants to know about me.
“I’m not a troublemaker, sir.” The boys and I were messing around. “My father and I had a disagreement.”
The color drains from my face and my eyes widen.
What. The. Fuck?
Why did I just say that?
Everyone’s eyes are on me, just as surprised as I am by the truth of my words. Mary and Mrs. Cohen both gasp with a hand pressed to their mouths. Jonah stands up straight, no longer leaning against the wall. His eyes meet mine; concern and confusion have his eyebrows low and pulled together.
Obviously not expecting my answer, Mr. Cohen opens his mouth and closes it a few times before he gives up and closes his eyes. I stand there, more embarrassed than I can ever remember being, wanting to throw up with everyone staring at me.
Mr. Cohen takes a deep breath and looks at me once again. “Have you had sex, Roman?”
That.
I wasn’t expecting that.
My eyes damn near pop out of my head. “Uh. Yes, I have.”
Jonah’s eyes widen, and I almost smirk at the shocked expression, surprised by my answer. Either surprised I told his father, or surprised I’m not a virgin, I’m not sure which.
“Bad company ruins good morals. That’s from the book of First Corinthians. Are you bad company for my kids?”
Yes, I am.
“No, sir, I’m not. I’m in control of myself. You have nothing to fear from me.”
“I have something to fear from all young men wanting to spend time with my daughter.”
Mary groans, Jonah rolls his eyes behind his father’s back, and I smile.
“Second Timothy 2:22 says, ‘So flee the youthful passions and pursue the righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.’ My kids have a pure heart. Pursue them, and you will too.”
I nod, knowing the exact opposite is true. Mary and Jonah have pure hearts, but my pursuit of them will not give me a pure heart. It will lead them to damnation.