She Said Yes

Crash

Her smile is blinding. I am so fucking lucky.

"I said yes, Crash. I meant it. I'm only asking how we make it happen because I don't want Dan to ruin it. He'll never agree. Not when I'm still a minor."

I smile. She's right, of course. But Holly's already looked into it. In Nevada you only need one guardian's signature. So, if we do this right, Dan won't even know until it's too late.

"We have a plan. But first things first." I open my hand to show her the ring that costs more than every car I've ever driven before this month put together. If my mother saw it, she'd flip. She could live off it for months—even with the meth addiction.

Kelly gasps again, and she stares at the little piece of jewelry like it's a unicorn.

The jeweler said the main stone is princess cut. It's a big sapphire with two diamonds flanking it because those are Kelly's favorite.

Her hand's shaking like a leaf when she holds it out, but I grin. This is the best part. The part where she's wearing me. No one can take that away.

I juggle the little ring, almost dropping it, then slide it on her finger. Kelly throws her arms around my neck again.

"Thank you, Crash. I love you so much."

The wave of emotion begins in my toes and surges up my body, wracking me with a shudder of my own, and a battle to keep tears back. But I circle her waist and stand, pulling her with me, off her feet, so I'm standing and she's clinging, and we're as close as two bodies can be without—

"Show me your bedroom," Kelly whispers in my ear. "Please."

Thank you, God. I'd hoped. But this was one of Kelly's things—she never expected to wait for marriage. She was just waiting. Because Dan calls her a whore every time he gets mad—despite the fact that Kelly's still a virgin—and it closes her up like a flower at night every time. I hate him for that. He always apologizes later, like that somehow takes it away.

Those words, thrown at her so many times, are burned in. There are times when we're making out and things are good. Then all the sudden she freezes up and pushes away, babbling apologies. I tell her not to worry, it's fine. But I know what's happening. She's suddenly thought about Dan and what he's said, and it makes her feel ashamed of herself.

I want to throttle that asshole. But I have to call him Mr. Berkstram and shake his hand, otherwise he won't let me see Kelly at all.

Once we're married, I can tell him where to put his filthy mouth and his guilt trips, and his OCD. I can make sure he never lays a hand on her.

Kelly swears he's never hit her, and I think she's telling the truth. But I've seen him tug her around by the arm, or shove her in whatever direction he wants her to move.

It's messed up. He won't do it again. Ever.

I slide Kelly down my body, letting her feel how much I want her, until her bare toes curl into the grass. I smile and kiss her with everything that wants to pour out of me.

And she responds.

Fuck.

Kelly loves me. She's loved me for a long time. And she's always loved being close to me. But our moments are usually stolen, taken somewhere that we might get interrupted, and always under the shadow of her fear of Dan.

She's been tense.

I hadn't realized how tense though, until this moment. When we know no one else will show. When we're truly alone. And we're taking the first steps down the road to get rid of that prick.

Kelly kisses me with abandon. A tiny whimper sounds in her throat and I tremble with the urge to take her straight to bed. But I have a plan for tonight, and I want her to enjoy it.

"I'll show you everything tonight," I say against her lips. "And I'll love you more than you've ever been loved, Kel. I mean it."

She kisses me again and I forget my name until we come up for air. Then I clear my throat and try to get my bearings, while Kelly, little devil, grins at me like she knows what she's doing.

"We're having a date tonight. And then, well, that's definitely on the list." My voice has gotten deep and husky, and I don't care.

Kel grabs my chin, beaming that smile of joy that warms me to my toes. "You're a good man, Crash," she says quietly.

Like a bomb going off, I shatter inside. I nestle into that spot where her neck meets her shoulder and breathe deep because if I don't, I'll cry like a little girl.

Every harsh word my mother ever threw at me, every loser, asshole, man-whore, and useless she spat rears up, ready to make its case. But my girl is digging her fingers into the back of my neck and massaging my nape, and whispering words I didn't know my heart needed. Words like everything, and best, and want. And they make me so strong, I can beat back the monster my mom made for me.

Then Dan's suspicious, sneering gaze flashes in my head.

Never again. Doesn't matter what you say. No more from you. She's mine now.

Kelly arches to press her chest into mine. "Crash, you're my forever. I can't believe this. I want this. I want you. Right now."

She's starting to sweat in the summer evening me with me clinging to her. But I don't care. I lick the salt off her collarbone and she shivers.

"All in good time," I say, rearranging things in my head so the good time comes a lot sooner than I'd planned.

"I love you, Crash."

"I love you, too, Kelly. More than anyone."