Lucky Me

*XI*

Chapter Eleven

When we get back to the dorm, I clean up Ezra's wounds. He winces a couple of times but doesn't say anything.

I reach for the part under his eye but he grabs my wrist and stops me. "What the hell were you thinking?'' he asks.

I sighed. "It's not like I knew Caleb was a rapist or something. He was just . . . there.''

Ezra cocked an eyebrow at me, "there?''

I groan. I didn't really feel like explaining my love life to Ezra but after what he did, it was the least I owed him. "Deb and I went to the nightclub to find me a rebound.'' I start and I swear I saw a look of jealousy across Ezra's face. I continue though, ignoring the look. "After many failed attempts Caleb came to me, he sat right next to me in my booth and we started talking.

"I found him very attractive so I went with it. Then he kissed me and I kissed him back. When I had . . .'' I pause. This is awkward. "When I climbed onto his lap he . . . he reached underneath my dress and I didn't like that so I told him to stop.

"He obviously ignored me and he started groping me. I kneed him in the crotch and I tried to make a run for it and then you appeared.''

Ezra sighed, running a hand through his hair. His hair isn't incredibly long, it doesn't even reach his shoulders but it's slightly below his ears. I don't think he realizes how hot he looks like with his hair not tied back into a bun. I wonder if he could do a French braid.

"You should try to stay away from my brother,'' he then said, looking at me, a serious expression written on his face.

I roll my eyes but smile, "I promise I will, Mom.''

He shakes his head, still serious. "This isn't something to joke about, Caleb is dangerous. He hangs around a dangerous crew.''

I clenched my jaw, "you mean he's in a gang.'' I kissed a guy that was in a gang. Someone who could hurt me. I'm so stupid! I'm probably going to get killed before the end of the school year. Only a month into college and I manage to fuck things up.

"Hey,'' Ezra reached out for my shoulder and electricity shot through it. I wish I was still wearing a short sleeve dress instead of a tight tank top. "I'm not going to let Caleb hurt you,''

I look at his eyes. He's serious. Suddenly I feel safe like I know Ezra wouldn't let me get shanked by some gang leader. Or at least groped.

I smile a little and nod and then I reach for his bruises and dab at it, he winces but doesn't complain. When I'm finished, I grab an ice pack and hand it to him. "Here, you need it for your eye, so it doesn't swell.''

"I know,'' he smiles and when he takes the ice pack our hands brush and I feel knots tie up in my stomach. Fuck you, stomach.

I sit down beside him, it's late and I'm tired but I don't feel like sleeping in my room tonight. I just think there's better lighting here and someone wouldn't be able to corner me. I guess what happened at the nightclub really shook me.

"Hey,'' I say. "How old are you?''

"Nineteen.'' he answers, "why are you asking me?''

I shrug, "I just was.''

He nods, "you should probably head to bed, it's late.''

Not wanting to look like some scaredy-cat I nodded and reluctantly got off the couch and headed towards my room. I didn't close the door though. I climbed into bed and pulled the covers over my head. I use to do that when I was little and I was afraid of monsters underneath my bed or in my walk-in closet.

But this time, the monsters aren't fictional, they are real.