The Bet: A Bully Romance(69)

Remington



Two Weeks Later





Life went back to normal, or as normal as it could be. All that matters to me really is that Jules is mine again. I vowed to work toward being a better man, to making better choices.

I had plans, plans that involved me making up for lost time, that involved putting a ring on her finger and giving her my last name. I won’t ask her today, or even tomorrow, but soon.

Soon I’ll make her completely mine, as she was always meant to be. But before that, it’s important to me that she heal from the wounds I’ve created and the assault that Cole inflicted on her. She tells me often she feels safe with me, that she doesn’t want me to go anywhere without her, and I never will, never.

“Jules.” My father’s voice fills my ears, ripping me from my thoughts.

“Papa Miller,” Jules greets my father with a smile and releases my hand to give him a hug. Today is our first Sunday dinner together in well over a month and I’m basking in the glow of it. I’m still running daily, mainly to deal with the anger rushing through my veins over Cole, over being so stupid and immature. Plus, it helps me clear my head.

“How are you feeling, pretty girl?” my father asks her while I go into the kitchen to help Sebastian finish up dinner.

“Good. Feeling more and more like myself every single day.” Her confession warms my soul. I could only wish for the day when she was back to her normal cheerful self. I miss that side of Jules.

Sebastian nudges me in the shoulder, and I look over at him. He’s been wearing a permanent look of shame on his face over how he treated me for the last month and every time I see him, I want to wipe the look off his face. He’s my brother yes, and family, but just because we are family didn’t mean he had to believe me. I can’t blame him for reacting as he did, especially with all the evidence pointing at me, and him wanting to protect Jules.

“How are you doing?” he asks.

“Well, I would be doing better if you would stop looking at me like you’re sorry all the time. You want me to punch that look off your face?” I grin.

Sebastian smirks. “You could try.” The smirk slips a smidge. “I just feel like an asshole. I’m your brother I should’ve believed you.”

“Stop feeling bad. I was partially guilty anyway. I hurt Jules, maybe not as bad as Cole did, but I still hurt her. You had every right to believe what you did. I’m just thankful you were there for Jules when I couldn’t be. If it weren’t for you…” I trail off, a distinct ache forming in my chest. I don’t want to think about what it would be like for Jules if she didn’t have somewhere to go.

Sebastian places his hand on my shoulder, stopping the thought from taking root. “All that matters is that you have her back, she’s healing, and that you won’t make the same mistakes again. She loves you, and I know you love her, so don’t do anything stupid to ruin it.”

“Oh, I fucking won’t. I’m never giving her up, ever.”

Sebastian smiles. “Good, because if you do, I will seriously kick your fucking ass.”

“Don’t worry, you won’t have to. I’ll kick my own ass.”

We both laugh and I help Jules set the table for dinner while Sebastian finishes up the salad and breadsticks.

“I love you,” I whisper against Jules’ lips as I pull her into my chest. She wraps her slim arms around me, and I relish in the feeling of her wound around me. It’s been two weeks, two weeks of holding her, and still, I can’t get enough of having her in my arms. Once upon a time, I wanted revenge...I wanted her to feel my pain, but now all I want is to take away her pain, take away the nightmares that still plague her.

Love, the deep unruly kind that claims every ounce of your soul has a way of changing things, and it changed me, completely. The sound of Jules’ belly rumbling makes me pull back.

“Hungry?” I smirk.

“Starved.”

“Hurry it up in there, Seb. Jules is going to eat the house down.”

Jules elbows me in the stomach and shakes her head, a tiny little smile on her pink lips. At that same moment, a loud pounding on the front door startles all of us. After spending nights at the police station, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was Detective Garcia dropping by to check in on us. I release Jules and walk to the door, pulling it open without even looking through the glass window off to the side.

As soon as I open the door, my mouth pops open. Shock and excitement paint my features when I see no one other than my oldest brother, Alexander, standing there with a knowing grin on his face. He’s bigger, taller even, and I have to blink a couple times to actually be sure that it’s him standing in front of me.

“You going to let me in, Rem, or do I have to stand outside?” He snickers, his russet brown eyes twinkling with amusement. I move out of the way, giving him room to walk in.

“What’s going on? Who’s…” Sebastian’s words cut off when he sees Lex.

“Holy fucking shit,” he mumbles under his breath. “Dad, you’ve got to see this.”

Lex rolls his eyes, acting as if we’re being dramatic or something, but in reality, it’s been over a year since we’ve seen him, so having him walk in here without warning is going to take a little bit of getting used to.