For The Love Of A Bad Boy

XXIII

-Jeremy's Point Of View-

"It's okay if Sam doesn't like me, Jeremy. I'm not upset." Noah shrugged.

I had gotten a day off work and Noah didn't have to work until after Sam got home from school.

I was still crazy from the day before. Sam was a lousy little brother, playing with other people's emotions to get what he wanted. He had always been that way. With Mom. With Dad. Especially with me.

"You should be," I said to Noah, "he was terrible to you."

"I'm used to people not liking me."

"Why? Who doesn't like you?"

"Almost everyone I meet," Noah smiled.

"That doesn't bother you?"

"No. I mean, I don't care that people judge me."

"What about me? Do you care what I think of you?"

"Well, duh. You're my boyfriend."

He kissed my cheek, pressing his fingers into my side to tickle me.

"Noah," I laughed, trying to push his hands away.

"How are you a police officer if you can't handle tickling?"

"No one tickles me at work."

"They should. It's really attractive."

I wrapped my arms around his waist, kissing his lips.

"Know what I love about you?" Noah arms go around my neck.

"What?"

"You're so tough all the time, but in reality you're just soft."

"I think you bring that out in me."

I haven't felt so love struck in a long time.

"I think I have to go to work soon."

"No....stay with me. Call and say you got sick."

"I can't lie, Jeremy."

"Please?"

"I'll call you and you can come over when I'm done, okay?"

"Okay. You owe me."

"Whatever you want," He leaned his forehead against mine, "I promise."

~

-Sam's Point Of View-

I felt a pair of arms encircle my waist when I was about to go into my last class.

There was Mike, trying to get me to forgive him already.

"Sam," Mike whispered, "I'm sorry."

"Sorry is not enough." I took his hands and removed them. I moved away from him.

"Can I see?"

"No. You'll make it worse."

"I'll be careful."

I rolled up my sleeve. Mike gently held my wrist, swiping his fingers across the dark blue and now red bruise.

"I did this to you?" He asked as if he didn't know.

"Yeah. You did."

"God, I'm so sorry. I didn't want to hurt you."

"I don't believe you."

"Honestly, I wasn't trying to-"

"Well, you did. That's what matters."

"Isn't there somethng I can do?"