Sitting next to Jay in a lecture hall, is distracting. He sweeps his hand over my thigh and I smile focusing in on the lecture. Or trying to.
Ross moves in his seat pulling his phone out and then setting it back into his pocket. I can't help but to check mine pulling it out of my bag, for the first time in three days. I have messages from Jacob which I ignore. Placing my phone back into my bag. I'm not hiding my bruises, it's stifling hot weather and I'm wearing a cami and a skirt. People have looked at my arms several times and I've just stared back at them.
I try my best to refocus back into the lecture. Jay sits back and I relax into him. Head on his chest.
"I wish I could do what we did in the gym" he whispers and I laugh quietly.
"Oh do you now" I whisper.
"Have you moaning into my hand, yes" he says and I shh him playfully.
Before I grab him and pull him out of the lecture to have my way with him, the lecture finishes and we stand heading out with Ross. We all walk to the cafeteria to join the others. I notice that Ross is quiet walking slightly ahead of us.
We walk in and I head over to our tables, slightly surprised to see Rhea sitting with Rachel. I smile and Jay looks down at me.
"I'll get the food" Jay suggests insinuating that I go and chat with the others.
I walk over to them smiling with Ross.
"You okay" I ask him under my breath.
"Yes, course" he whispers.
"Just missing your body on mine" he sighs.
I smile up at him unsure of what direction to take that conversation in. Boundaries I remind myself.
"How's your arms" he say softly.
"Sore and my ribs and hips" I say quietly. He shakes his head. Clearly annoyed.
Rhea stands and I hug her, wholeheartedly.
"I've missed you" I say smiling.
"You too Tay" she says. She looks just as good as ever, a warm smile on her face. She's wearing a cream top and shorts. Paired with sandals.
We take a seat and I barely notice everybody else, Matty, Pippa and Ryan all relaxing on chairs. Matthew looks at me and I catch his eye.
"How have you been" Rhea says looking me over and glancing at the bruises on my arms trying not to cast any assumptions on what they might be.
"Oh different story all together" I say openly looking at the bruises.
"Obviously for another time" I add softly.
"I'm great" I smile.
"Wheres Malachi" I ask. Malachi is her partner, they're living together now.
"He's at work" she smiles.
"Oh nice" I say.
"Congratulations by the way" she says quietly. Everybody else is chatting.
"Thank you I think it's a little boy" I say.
"How's Jay been" she asks.
"Jay has been pretty excited about the whole thing actually. You wouldn't believe it but I think he will be the perfect dad" I say over the moon. He's walking up to us now.
"He looks so happy" she whispers and she glances at me unbelieving. She hasn't seen the new Jay. My Jay. She remembers him as the bad boy and I'm so happy that she see's the transformation.
"Wowzer" she adds.
"He is indeed wow" I chuckle. He saunters up to us in his pale blue shirt and jeans and I sigh at how sexy he looks, always. I'm just the pregnant girlfriend sitting here with a slight bump. I push my hair back.
"Your hair got super long" she says. She catches sight of my new tattoos.
"Oh we got engagement tattoos in Australia. Our initials" I show her.
"Let me see the ring" she says and Jay sits opposite us.
"Hey Rhea" he makes a point of greeting her. She looks abashed but smiles at him.
"Hey Jay" she replies.
"That is stunning" she says inspecting my ring.
"It was handmade by Jay's uncle" I say looking over at him.
"It's truly beautiful, I'm so excited for the big day" she says.
"Australia? Hey?" She laughs.
"Yes he has planned it all" I say. She turns to look at him astounded.
"I am impressed" she says and he chuckles.
"Yeah he stepped up" I say.
"Took me long enough to convince her to be with me, I just figure best to step up rather than lose her" he laughs.
"Who are you and where did you put Jay" she laughs.
"Oh yeah the asshole version of me" he laughs.
"Long gone" he says.
"Like I said he stepped up" I chuckle.
"Reminds me" he says pulling papers out of his bag.
"This is your boarding pass" he hands her the papers. And she smiles, a genuine smile.
"Thank you." she says.
He hands out the rest and genuinely Rhea cannot stop looking at him.
"I know he's changed" I laugh.
"Changed?!" She laughs.
"What an understatement" she adds. We finish off our food and join in talking to the others. Rachel dominates the conversation and I notice Nate is back in the picture.
"Right I have class now" Rhea says, and I stand and walk her out of the cafeteria.
Once we're outside and the hot air hits me, I take a breath and let it all out.
"My dance partner, Jacob. He ugh." I begin and she looks at me concerned.
"He tried to do things with me; and I fought back. He held me down and tried to" I say and I stop short wiping my eyes.
"No Tay" she gasps throwing her arms around me.
"I'm so sorry" she says.
"Have you and Jay told the police?" She asks.
"He handed himself in" I say.
She hugs me. I wipe my eyes off and sigh.
"I'm gonna be getting the best spray tan for my wedding to cover it" I laugh and she chuckles with me.
"Jay took me to a spa this weekend, and it's helped" I add.
"He is, Taylor I'm astounded" she says smiling at me.
"Jay is different. Those killer looks are so much more attractive with his new attitude" she laughs.
"I know I'm very lucky" I say.
"So is he" she smiles.
She checks her phone quickly.
"Wish Malachi all the best from me" I say.
"I will" she says.
"Missed you" she says and I hug her again before she walks away to class.
YOU ARE READING
Adore me- the fourth novel
RomansaThe fourth instalment "Ready baby" he smiles over at me. I gaze at him with his white shirt undone and his jean shorts and can't believe we're doing this together. "I'm ready Jay" I say meeting his piercing blue eyes. I recount all of those morning...
