That Girl (That Girl, #1)(47)
“Take Oakley home, Jewels,” Lincoln orders.
He picks me up off the tailgate, sets me down, and then kisses my lips in a hurry.
“Stop, what are you doing?” I ask him, grabbing his arm.
“I’m going to kick the prick’s ass who just sat there and watched while Monica did that to you.”
“No, stop!” I’m frantic. I can’t let him do what he’s planning.
Heath steps up. “It’s okay, Oakley. I’m gonna kick the cocksucker’s ass.”
“Please don’t leave me, Lincoln.”
My words are having no effect. “Go. Go with Jewels.”
“Please,” I plead again.
Lincoln walks straight to me and grabs my face in his hands. His voice is heavy with determination and eerily calm. “I will not let anyone treat you this way. I don’t care who the f*ck it is. Nobody is going to hurt you. Your begging and pleading isn’t going to stop me from leaving to defend your honor. Trust me when I say Paul will never be able to drive a truck again.”
This time Lincoln walks away, and I’m stunned from his words. Nobody has ever fought this hard when I’ve been abused or wronged. Part of me is cheering for him to go kick the driver’s ass, and the other is scared to death of the outcome.
***
“That’s his truck,” I say about two hours later.
Jewels and I have been huddled together on my bed, trying to watch T.V. and waiting on the men. I can hear Lincoln’s truck from blocks away; I’ve memorized the roar of his engine. It’s engrained in my memory.
Running out front to the sidewalk, I meet Lincoln and rush into his arms.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Are you in trouble?”
“No.”
“I love you, Lincoln Wilks.”
It leaves my lips before I realize it, and I don’t panic or even try to run. I simply repeat it again.
“I love you, Lincoln Wilks.”
Chapter 14
All In at 1,104 Miles
“Is that lip gloss you’re wearing?”
Looking up from my shopping bag, I see Lincoln sitting on top of the picnic table next to my room.
“Lincoln!” I call happily, “when did you get back into town?”
He stands and starts walking toward me. “About thirty minutes ago.”
“Why didn’t you text or call?”
His lips turn up in a mischievous smile. “Because I wanted to see your face light up, baby.”
“Oh my God, your game was so freaking spot on.”
This was Lincoln’s second away game. Having him gone for three or four days at a time has nearly killed me. It sucks knowing I depend on him and want him so badly every single minute of the day. There are three more away games I have to deal with.
“Again, is that lip gloss you’re wearing?”
“Lincoln, it was hell. Jenni dragged me to a spa again. You wouldn’t believe the shit they do at those places. She actually got her yoo-hoo waxed,” I say, cringing and crossing my legs.
“So, did you?”
“Absolutely not. I just did some shit makeup and some freaking scrub thing.” I can’t tell if he’s disappointed or relieved.
“Want to go out tonight? There are a couple parties.” He reaches me and takes me in his arms.
“Actually, I just want burgers and ESPN.”
“I can manage that,” he mumbles into my lips.
“And by ESPN, I mean you shirtless in my bed holding me.”
He brushes his lips across my hair. “Anything, babe.”
Something about his demeanor seems off. “Lincoln, what’s wrong?”
He had another phenomenal game in Oklahoma, but he’s moping around here like his puppy was just run over.
“My mom and dad are in town.”
“Oh. Okay, what does the mean for you?” I know he doesn’t talk to his parents and avoids them at all costs, which I’ve found is not hard because their heads are always stuck up Levi’s ass.
“They want to have dinner tomorrow.”
“Okay, that’s not bad is it?” I study his face for clues.
“I’ll just hear all about Levi, and how close he is to breaking records, and how his season is set to be the best of his career, and how big his house…”
Placing my fingers over his mouth, I say, “Stop, I’ll go with you. Hold your hand and get you through the dinner. I’ll be there for you.”
I feel a bit of the tension ease from his shoulders. “Thank you,” he whispers down into my hair.
Wrapped up in his arms, I respond, “It’s the least I can do for you. Lincoln, you’ve brought me to life. The last three months have been nothing short of spectacular.”
“Oakley Ann, I don’t know if I can ever live a day without you now that I’ve found you.” He holds me a little tighter. “Never run again.”
I look up at him curiously. “Are you still worried that I’ll run?”
“It spooks me sometimes, yes.”
“Well, stop.”
With a nod, he seems to accept my statement. “Let’s go get some f*cking food. I’m starving.”