“John, we’ve been over for such a long time. Almost six years.”
“Not because I haven’t tried.” He backed me into a locker, blocking me in with a hand on either side of my body. A sickening taste filled my mouth at the memories stirred up by our position.
“John—”
“I still love you, Dell.” He leaned in so close I could smell his spicy deodorant. “I never stopped.”
I hummed my doubt of his words. “It wasn’t like that with us. And you’re not stuck on me. You’ve probably slept with hundreds of women since we were together.”
“Only because you wouldn’t have me.” His lips were an inch from mine now, and I turned my head to the side to avoid his kiss. “Give me another chance, Dell.”
He pushed my cheek to line my face up with his and descended on me. I pressed my mouth closed, my body trembling with fear. It didn’t seem to bother him. He grabbed a handful of my hair and yanked on it, making my cry out. When my mouth opened, he shoved his tongue in it.
I pushed on his chest with both hands, desperate to escape his grip and his unwelcome kiss. But he was a brick wall, easily absorbing every movement I made.
“I miss this,” he said in a low tone, gripping my crotch with his hand.
“Stop!” I cried. “John, stop. I don’t want this.”
“You always liked it a little rough.” He spoke against my cheek. “Have you forgotten how good I can make you feel?”
“We’re over.” Anger surged warm in my veins. “We’ve both moved on. Let me go.”
“You and me and Kyler are a family.” He reached for the buckle of his pants and I let out a panicked gasp.
“No.” My voice shook. “Don’t do this. Do not do this, John.”
“You were mine before he came along.” The jangling sound of the belt buckle made vomit start to ease its way up my throat.
I couldn’t break free of his hold, but damned if I’d let this happen.
“No!” I screamed. “Dad!”
John pressed a hand over my mouth. “He left so we could be alone. This is what he wants, Dell – for us to be together. It’s what everyone wants. Especially Kyler. You’re the only one who won’t give it another chance.”
Hot tears stung the corners of my eyes as he shoved down his pants and set to work on mine. I pushed, clawed, tried to get my feet off the floor, but he was so much bigger and stronger. Even with his injuries, I was just a plaything to him. He laughed at my efforts.
“Fucking pussy,” I spat at him. “Forcing someone weaker than you. You’re disgusting.”
His eyes narrowed and I screamed again. He pressed a hand to my mouth, using his arm to jam my body into the locker, which sent a wave of pain down my back. His forearm hovered over my neck. My fear of how easily he could crush my airway silenced me.
His fingers gripped my shoulder so hard I whimpered. I felt his hand slide into my pants and I squeezed my eyes shut.
“No, no, no …” My plea had a note of defeat in it. This was happening, but he would have to listen to me telling him no until it was over.
“What in the fuck is this?”
Another voice. John turned and my heart skipped a beat with hope. I looked, too, and saw my dad, his face eerily calm.
“I’m trying to convince her to take me back,” John said.
“Get your goddamned hands off my daughter,” Dad said, his tone low and menacing. “You filthy fucking excuse for a man.”
He stepped closer to us, and with each step, my body melted a little more with relief. My dad was protecting me. I couldn’t help the sobs that broke free from my chest.
“Look, I know what I’m doing,” John said. “It’s not like I’ve never had her.”
“Pack your shit and get the fuck out of my locker room.” Dad’s face was flushed with anger. “If you ever set foot in here again, I will choke you to death with your own dick.”
John stared at him, aghast. “What are you saying? I’m suspended?”
“You’re gone.”
“You can’t cut me. I’ve got a contract.”
Dad’s face was filled with contempt. “Stay, then. Find out how goddamned sorry I can make you for it.”
John gave me a dirty look and opened his mouth, but my father silenced him.
“Don’t you so much as fucking look at her ever again. I’m ashamed of you.”
The words made John flinch. He’d been Dad’s protégé for years. He dropped his head and headed toward his locker.
Dad wasn’t the hugging sort, but I flew against him and squeezed with all my strength. “Thank you, Dad. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I was so afraid. And I know you wanted things to work out, but—”