“Okay,” I cried when I could take no more. “You win. I’ll go.”
I turned my head to look into Stefan’s grinning face, trying not to laugh as he grinned at me. “I knew you would see it my way. I have ways of bending you to my will.”
He slapped me on the ass, making it wiggle a little and making us both laugh. “Now go get ready so we can get back fast. I have another surprise for you.”
“Wasn’t that great?” Stefan asked as we walked back into the apartment.
I walked over and set down several shopping bags that were filled with baby outfits and some new stretch sweatpants for me. I knew it was stupid to still feel insecure, especially with all the sex we’d been having, but I hated getting the pants. They were so unflattering and so unsexy, but I was starting to have trouble getting into my normal sized clothes. To even things out, I’d gotten a couple of short shorts that were several sizes bigger than the ones I normally wore. Stefan loved my ass, and if I had a way to show it off, I would for him.
“Yeah, I did,” I replied. “And I’m so glad I went.” Truthfully, I had the most fun since arriving at the apartment with Stefan. After all the stress I’d gone through—the Sacrifice, the school’s investigation, the harassment by the assholes at NSU, and lastly, our parents discovering our secret—it was just what I needed to relieve a bit of stress.
At the restaurant, Stefan had been the perfect gentleman, holding out the seat for me and telling me to order whatever I wanted. Over lunch, we’d reminisced over old times together and talked about our future.
After, we’d gone shopping in the mall. Once again, Stefan told me to buy whatever I wanted. When I resisted, he was adamant that I do it. He wanted me to feel better. He’d just put everything I wanted on credit. I just worried about how he was going to pay for it with dwindling resources and no job.
“I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun."
Stefan grinned at me. “I can. The first night we fucked.”
I gaped. “Stefan!”
He laughed, shrugging. “Well, it's the truth! I'll never forget that night.”
My mind wandered back to the night that started all this mess. “And neither will I,” I whispered.
“And now it's time to have more of that fun,” Stefan said huskily. He walked over to me and pulled me into his arms. His lips quickly found mine, and he moved his hands over the small of my back, dipping me slightly.
Things were going perfectly when his cell ringtone went off.
Stefan pulled away from me, leaving me breathless, and reached inside his pocket.
“Hello? Oh, hey, Coach Carter.”
Hot and bothered, I flopped down on the coach and grabbed a magazine off the coffee table and began fanning myself, trying to get my temperature to go down.
“I don't know, Coach,” Stefan said, sending a glance my way. “I don't think I can. Really? That would be wonderful, coach," Stefan said, flashing me a thumbs-up. “I would like that very much. But you know what? I'm busy right now. I'll get back with you about a decision by next week. Okay? Cool. Talk to you then. Bye.”
Stefan hung up, turning back to me. “That was just Coach Carter calling again. I swear, that guy is not going to give up.” He gave me a look that should have had me ready to climb the walls, but instead, it made me angry. He moved toward me. “Now, where were we—”
“Why don't you just tell him no instead of leading him on all the time?” I cut him off, my tone sounding harsher than I wished.
Stefan froze. “What?”
I swallowed back an angry lump. I was sounding accusatory, but I couldn't help myself. I was filled with fear and anxiety. “Why the hell would you keep telling him that you'll get back with him when you know that you can't?”
Stefan stopped and backed up, raising his hands. “Bella, I was going to wait until after my head’s in the right space, but what he said was that I might be able to work something out where I can work and go back to school at the same time. It wouldn't be that hard. In fact, SSU offers programs for students who need work. With my athlete status, it shouldn't be hard getting some help.”
“And so all that shit you told me the other day about trying to be a good man and giving up sports—was that just bullshit?” I half yelled, not knowing where it was coming from. My body literally shook with rage. I couldn't believe I was saying these things to Stefan. I had never been so angry with him in my life, and it felt like I was losing control over my emotions. “Were you just playing me this whole time?”
Stefan looked like he'd been struck, his face going pale. “How can you act like this to me? I've done everything I can to help us, and I'll continue. Bella, I just heard the news. I didn’t say yes or no, and what the hell’s gotten into you? For God’s sake, if you tell me you don’t want me to go to SSU, I won’t go to SSU! I’ll go down to the day labor office tomorrow and get a temp job digging ditches if I have to! I just thought it’d be a good idea to try and keep our fucking options open!”