Lucky Me

*XX*

Chapter Twenty

I didn't kiss him though. It took every ounce of energy in me to just stay put in my seat and gaze at him. But we've been silent for way too long and it was starting to get uncomfortable.

"Um . . . so what do we do now?''

Ezra shrugged and he let go of my hand and it suddenly felt cold. "I got rid of the knife . . . permanently. Enzo's buddies barely know me and Caleb . . . Caleb never really paid attention to who I had beef with.''

I nod, so, for now, we were safe. For now, we didn't have to worry. But Karma has a way of finding you even if you are off the grid and it's going to come and bite you in the ass. And when it bites you in the ass, it bites hard.

But I didn't want to think about that. I know I will have to be more careful now but I didn't want to watch over my shoulder and be terrified of being jumped by one of Enzo's friends.

"So . . . why do you hate Caleb so much?'' I asked.

"Have I not told you?''

I shrug. "Not that I remember, so refresh my memory.''

Ezra snorts, "okay. Well, let's start at the very beginning.

"The Reapers, it's a gang that my father rules over. I use to be part of the crew or whatever, but I decided to run away after my mother's deth. The reason she basically died was because of my father, trying to protect him and all that bullshit-" I squeezed his hand. "-I couldn't handle looking at his face and knowing that he is the reason that my mother died. And the worst part is that they didn't even care. Dad continued selling drugs and doing bad things despite the fact that my mother had died to prevent him from going rogue.

"And Caleb is falling right into my father's footsteps.'' Ezra rolled his eyes and shook his head. "That's why I ran away, but living on the streets is easier said than done. The Scorpions, another gang, took me in. They are rivals with the Reapers but I was a kid and they took care of me. I could leave them, whenever I wish too. But I owe them and sometimes . . . I sell some drugs for them. It's not something I'm proud of but I hate being in debt.''

Ezra took in a deep breath but I didn't say anything so he continued. "Caleb and my Dad and the other Reapers have hated me after they had found out that I had joined the Scorpions or I was an 'ally'. I have beef with most of them because of that,''

When he didn't continue we sat there in silence for a while and I was taking this in. Ezra had a terrible childhood, his family was more dysfunctional than mine. I guess the photo on his nightstand was a souvenir from when things used to be good. Or at least better than it was before his Mom had died.

"I'm so sorry about your Mom, that must have been a hard thing to deal with. I couldn't imagine ever going through something like that.'' I whispered. I don't know what else to say. It's not like I can tell him I'm a witch and I can resurrect his mom.

"It was hard dealing with it, but Liana, Colin, and Tessa helped me through it.''

"Tessa?'' I couldn't help but ask.

"Oh yeah, I grew up with Tessa, Liana, and Colin. Tessa and Liana are part of the Scorpions and Colin is with the Reapers.''

Oh, so he's practically known Tessa for his whole life? That means they are like super close. I tried not to be jealous, but if I learned anything from watching The Flash is that people who grow up together are super tight. And don't get me started on the whole hyphenating your name after you get married.

Ezra laughs and cocks an eyebrow at me, "are you jealous?''

I rolled my eyes, "no. I was just . . . curious.'' I couldn't help but blush.

I picked at the hem of my shirt and suddenly Ezra cupped my face and I stared into his beautiful dark blue eyes. "You know, you're going to be okay, right? I'm not going to let anyone hurt you.''

I nod and I believe him. I know he's said that a bunch of times and I've ended up hurt but most of the time he wasn't there. But the times he was there, he didn't let anyone hurt me. Around him, I feel safe despite his horrible background and seemingly dangerous ways. What can I say, I have a thing for bad boys. Clichéd, I know.

I leaned in and so did he and I wrapped my arms around his neck and he pulled me close so that now I was lying in his lap.

Our lips met and it was like the whole world dissipated. It was like we were wrapped up in our own bubble and the kiss felt like it lasted forever.

My blood was boiling, eighteen-year-old me was definitely not trying to freak out. I was also trying to keep this PG-13 and not rip his clothes off and take it to the next level.

It was basically the best kiss ever.