Belonging to the Bad Boy

Chapter 24

I sit on a beanbag in Damon's room, the room I'd been in so many times throughout my childhood. I got a lovely greeting from his parents, both him mom and dad giving me the largest hugs as it had been so long since I'd been there.

I stare at my laptop, at the single sentence sitting at the top of the document as I have no idea what to write about. Damon sits on his bed, typing away rapidly as I assume he knows exactly what he wants to do and has already done all of the research into his topic. I delete my sentence, huffing in defeat. "What are you doing?"

He looks over his screen and down at me, smiling brightly. "So I know he wanted historical figures, but I'm going a little outside the box," he starts, fidgeting to get comfortable. "I settled on the music industry, briefly explaining the first record found of music, and now discussing historical forms of music, such as national anthems and the impact of rock on western society."

I zoned out, not listening as he happily babbles on about his favourite topic, Music. I simply nod, trying to seem interested in what he was telling me, my mind drifting back just three hours ago. "Earth to Alex," he shouts, snapping his fingers across the room.

I snap out of my thoughts, looking up at him. "Sorry," I mumble, putting on a fake smile, silently pleading for him to continue his rambling about the history of Music.

"What's on your mind?" He asks, placing his laptop on his desk, along with mind before plopping next to me on the large, black beanbag. "You can't say nothing, either."

I roll my eyes at his response, crossing my legs and turning to look at him. "I haven't spoken to Ranger all day," I reply honestly and watch as he rolls his eyes. "See!" I exclaim. "This is why I didn't want to talk to you about it!"

He chuckles, shaking his head. "Okay, okay, pretend I'm your best girl friend," he says, flipping his imaginary hair and sitting like me, hands on his chin and eyes wide as he tries to impersonate a girl.

I can't help but laugh at him and nod, trying my best to vent to him. "So, I know it's all so sudden but I do care about him, and watching him storm away at lunch annoyed me," I talk, looking at my hands and see Damon nodding in my peripheral vision. "Then after school how be beat that boy up, presumably over me, then storming away without another word. I don't know." I sigh, running my hands through my tangled curls as I feel confused and lost.

"So, how I see it is he's being a massive asshole and doesn't deserve your pining right now," Damon states, shrugging his shoulders. I look at him with a frown, disagreeing. "Hear me out," he says, placing a hand on my shoulder as we sit face to face. "He made the decision to leave both times, both for reasons out of your control, and so it should be his decision to come back when he's ready."

I nod, knowing in some sense he is right. I know I should give Ranger the space he needs, I just need to know why he isn't talking to me and why that fight occurred in the first place. "Okay," I simply say. He nods, pats my shoulder and leaves to the bed again, continuing with his assignment as I sit in silence, still pondering everything.

Hours pass by and I finally settle on the history of female literature, hoping it was interesting enough a topic to please my tutor. I didn't write a lot, but got a lot of research done, making note of what is needed and the websites I found it on. The sun was beginning to go down and I decided I was ready to go home. "Are you sure you don't want a ride? None of us mind," Damon's mom assures, motioning to her, Damon and his dad.

I smile and shake my head. "It isn't far, and I could honestly use a mind-clearing walk," I reply honestly. All three nod. I'm once again enveloped in a hug by both parents, and I offer a wave to his younger sister as Damon and I head for the door. "I'll be okay," I state as he stand in the doorway.

"Call me if you need anything," he says, almost demanding. The sun was going down and he's far to protective of me walking alone at night. I nod and hug him quickly before beginning to 20 minute walk home. The air was crisp and refreshing, winter upon us now and the temperatures beginning to drop again. I pull the sleeves of my oversized sweater over my hands, glad I dressed comfortable and warm today. Although, there was no need for all of my bike gear as Ranger drove me to school and Damon drove me to his.

Dusk rolls around, the sky a mix of lavender and deep blue, the sun-rays just barely visible in the horizon, and I still had 10 minutes left until I reached home. I knew the area and felt safe, knowing houses and shops I could escape to if needed. My mind floats to nothingness, enjoying the time I had to not have to think of anything at all. I feel a presence behind me and turn to see a dark green, old muscle car rolling slowly behind me. I keep my calm, continuing my pace as I hear the quiet purring of an engine I am sure is loud when given the chance.

I turn back again, seeing it closer now. A deep, sparkling green lay upon the Plymouth Barracuda. I take a moment to appreciate the car, the front end long and block, the small middle and end making it look unbalanced and predatory. It is a beautiful car, stunning for it's time and beautiful now. My father worked on one, years ago when I was a child for a man he once was good friends with. He'd had it from his childhood, wanting it restored and running.

"Ally," I hear a voice call and I'm snapped out of my thoughts, remembering why I'm thinking of this memory in the first place. The car is alongside me now and I peer inside the window, seeing Ranger sat in the drivers seat. "Get in."

I scoff, looking away and continuing to walk. "Why would I do that?" I ask, crossing my arms as I stand my ground.

"Because I told you to," he states, his tone cold and hard.

I cannot help the sarcastic laugh that leaves my lips. "No." I state simply and hear the engine roar to life. I admire the sound as the car screeches away, only to stop 10 feet in front of me. The drivers door swings open and Ranger climbs out, staring at me with cold eyes. I stop, taking a moment to decide what to do. Turn around or keep going? I know him and I'm not afraid of him, so I decide on the latter, striding along the sidewalk next to the car.

As I approach he walks towards me. I keep my pace, keeping my eyes forward, but he reaches me before I can pass completely. A large, strong arm wraps around my torso as it did weeks ago. I want to melt into his grip, but instead I flail. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" I demand as I'm dragged to the car.

He pressed me against it, my back hitting the cold metal of the car. "I told you to get in," he growls and I can see he hasn't calmed down from the fight earlier. I take a sharp breath in, staring at his eyes, feeling how close we are. His body is pressed against mine, and I'm blocked in by his arms. His face but centimetres from mine, his minty breath fanning across my face. "You're mine, Ally, and I expect you to listen."

I snap out of my daze at his words and immediately try to shove his chest, to move him away from me. "I am not property, Ranger."

"No, but you are mine and I need you with me," he states, his voice cold but the crack in 'need' telling me he's hiding something. I look to his eyes and see softness behind the hardness, seeing truth behind the anger. I simply nod, staying quiet. He opens the door next to me and I climb inside, texting my dad to tell him I'll be late and I'm safe.