Devil's Pawn (Completed)

Epilogue

This book is the first in the Devil's Series. Which means there will be a sequel and extended chapters summing up what happens with River and Jolie...

I turned to my room and grabbed the box labeled "Fragile" and handed it to my boyfriend who was looking at me impatiently. "What?" I asked returning the look.

"You're so organized!" he whined just randomly grabbing things and throwing them into boxes.

"Hey!" I yelled laughing as I went behind them and removed everything. "You're just a pig." I corrected folding the shirts he had ruined and put them into my clothing boxes.

We were packing my room for college today. I was leaving in a week and was totally unprepared. Because of him. He wanted to occupy 90% of my time.

"How will I survive?" He groaned dramatically.

"You're River Dallas." I said pausing from my packing as I took two strides to him. "Its in your DNA to survive and excel."

"But my beautiful girlfriend, the girl who gave up her anxiety attacks and OCD'-

"And the stammer."

"And that God awful stuttering habit, just to save me from the horrible alcoholic pit I was drowning in." His voice softened as he neared the end of his speech. "I'll miss this."

I frowned. "This isn't going anywhere." I used my hands to point between the two of us.

"But you are." He poured grabbing my waist and pulling me into him. "Promise me you wont find someone else?"

"I swear on my life, there's no one else for me."

He smiled as he grabbed the side of my neck and pulled me aggressively into his lips causing me to melt into him. "Can I show you what you're gonna be missing?" He asked nibbling on my bottom lip.

"You do realize you ask for my permission every time?" I teased cocking my head to the side.

He frowned. "Thats how it should be."

"But you don't have to..." I trailed off like a kid knowing I had pushed him buttons. He was extremely possessive over my right to say no, especially in the bedroom. I just didn't want him to feel like I didn't want to, in fact I always wanted to.

"Joe. You shouldn't think that a man can just"-

"You're not just any man!" I argued back scowling at him. I grabbed his cheeks in my hand as I stood between his legs and looked down at him. "I'm saying I trust you enough to allow me stop on my own...you don't have to ask me every time because every time I want to...probably more than you."

"But I just"-

"Love you so much." I finished kissing his nose.

"How much?" He teased kissing me hard.

"Enough to taste the beer on your breath and know you only had one." I teased pushing him back. "And enough to realize that you didn't get drunk last night."

"Last night?"

"Was Justin's birthday." I answered straddling him.

"You remembered?"

"Of course I did." I said feigning shock. He smiled up at me and picked me up as he stood.

"Lets finish packing. I have a surprise for you."

"You are full of surprises! You know I hate them!"

"They always work out though." I turned to him with a raised eyebrow only to lower it. He was right.

I finished packing swiftly after my distraction of a boyfriend left. It was strange, as much as I looked forward to this day I felt a nagging feeling in my gut. I had always imagined my best friends to be here helping me pack and us leaving together with our matching luggage. I imagined my mom to be waving me off while hugging my father in a loving embrace and my two younger siblings to be crying. Seeing their big sister off.

Chloe. I wanted to hate her so much, but I just couldn't. After all she had done to me I couldn't hate her. I couldn't hate any of them. I felt...bad. I hated that our relationship had ended so horrible. I wouldn't try again though, but I would always be there to listen if she ever needed me.

I looked in the mirror and ruffled my hair so it could have the messy, free look. I looked at the lavender dress that clung to my body casually. I grabbed a pair of wedge sandals and slipped them on walking to my car. On my windshield I saw a ticket and groaned.
"Seriously?" I mumbled getting out and grabbing it.

Dear Mr.River Dallas,

Your essay in your previous letter was phenomenal and expressed the dangers and consequences of abuse in modern times as well as any lifetime movie could have. We are pleased that you have showed an interest in our school and I am glee-filled to be the one to inform you on your acceptance to Duke. We cant wait to see you.

With love and regards

Michael Winsor

Dean of admissions.

I felt myself smiling like a cheshire cat as I looked around for him to pop out. He slowly walked up from his car with a sheepish grin.

"Not bad huh?"

"You didnt even tell me you applied to any schools!" I exclaimed. "What happened to whole "year off" theory?" I asked walking to him.

"A theory is all it will ever be." he concluded.

"So we'll be classmates?" I asked chessing.

"And if you want, flat mates?" he offered looking down into my eyes.

"You want to live together?" I asked furrowing my eyebrows.

"Of course I do." he said kissing my temple.

"I have a place about 10 minutes away from campus. Its a loft. Its amazing. It looks like a Jolie Mitchell space."

I looked up at the guy holding me in place. He had grown so much since that first day we had spoken. He was so much more grown and sexy. The guy in front of me today was a man. He helped me learn how to make my own choices. He helped me rid my fear of disappointing the people who should've been encouraging me to take risks and try new things. And most of all, he taught to me to love myself even if I didnt feel loved by anyone else.

"Whats that look?" he asked.

"A look of love." I said simply kissing him.