No body likes me

COLLIN POV

It took everything I had not to go after that little punk and punch his face in. I wanted to take my anger out on him so badly but knew I'd probably go to jail for beating a minor nearly to death.

The worst part was seeing Saige half-naked in the classroom behind me as that little fuck left her alone in there. I knew what they had done, especially after what she yelled to his retreating back, and I was furious.

Our shared kiss from last night was still fresh on my mind and I could still taste her. I wanted so badly to believe that everyone was wrong about her but that clearly wasn't the case. I was so stupid.

The door to the classroom opened and I spun around to find Saige standing there with a timid look on her face. It was clear that she hadn't expected to get caught, especially by me.

When I didn't move or say anything, she cleared her throat. "So, are you taking me to the principal's office now, or what?" I shook my head. "You need more than detention for your actions."

A devilish grin spread across her face. "Oh? Are you ready to punish me, Coach?" Her voice was velvety and flirty as she ran her hand down my chest.

I grabbed her wrist so hard that she winced from the pain I was no doubt inflicting right now.

"Turn around and go back inside," I growled, nodding toward the classroom behind her.

A bit of fear flashed in her eyes but she did as I asked. I shut the door behind us and crossed my arms over my chest when I turned to glare at her. I had so many things I wanted to say to her right now but I couldn't figure out what I wanted to say first. I also didn't want to frighten her because I knew I'd end up screaming at her for how angry I felt.

"So, how do you plan on punishing me, sir?" Her tone was still sultry and flirty.

"Shut up," I bit out, not in the mood for her shit right now.

Her eyes went wide and she did what I asked. She leaned up against the desk and crossed her arms over her own chest while staring down at the floor.

"Who was that guy?" I finally asked, trying to keep my tone level.

She grinned up at me. "Why? Is someone jealous?"

I don't think it was jealousy I was feeling, but, yeah, I was upset that she screwed another dude right after she kissed me.

"Not likely," I replied dryly and her face dropped. "I'm disappointed in you, Saige. I wanted so badly to believe what people say about you isn't true. But, all you've shown me is that the word around town isn't a rumor at all. You're a beautiful young lady. Why do you..."

She cut me off. "You don't know anything about me and neither do any of these boring fucks around town. Don't you stand there and judge me when you know nothing."

I laughed. "Nothing? I may not know the details, little girl, but I have eyes. You're clearly hurting and so fucking lost. It's why you chase after guys and spread your legs. You want that acceptance and that fleeting moment of lust because you're not getting it elsewhere." Her face went hard and her eyes welled up. "Am I right?"

"Maybe I just like fucking. Have you ever thought of that?" She was grasping at straws here. She knew it and I knew it.

"Saige, everyone likes a good fuck." I had hung my faculty jacket at the door as I was trying to be real with her right now. "It isn't about the number of men in your bed versus who's in your bed. When you find that special someone that truly sees you for who you are, you'll stop hurting."

She laughed incredulously, shaking her head. "Nobody wants me like that, Coach. Haven't you heard? I'm the town bicycle."

I could hear the emotion in her voice and I so badly wanted to go to her and hold her, but I knew I couldn't.

"You don't know that, Saige. There's a whole world outside of this little town. Someplace nobody knows you." I took a few deep breaths and stared at her. "You can't keep belittling yourself like this. It isn't healthy." Her eyes studied me but she said nothing. Then I nodded toward her neck. "You going to tell me what happened there? If someone hurt you, Saige..."

"Like you're going to step up and protect me?" She rolled her eyes and scoffed.

"Maybe not personally, but I know the cops would like to try." That's all I could offer her right now. I didn't want to entwine my life with hers, knowing the attraction I felt toward her wasn't healthy.

"It's nothing," she replied as she pushed away from the desk and tried to walk past me but I grabbed her arm.

"Saige, talk to me," I whispered, trying to level with her. I wanted her to trust me so I could at least help her. I have no idea what her home life is like, but if it's as bad as Coach Briggs says it is, then I wanted to help any way I could.

She looked up at me with the saddest eyes and it broke something in me. I had never seen her look so serious before. Normally she always had a playful scowl on her face as if she were on a constant prowl for men.

Her bottom lip began to tremble and I knew I had struck a chord.

When she tried to look away from me, I turned toward her, grabbing her chin to look back at me.

"Hey," I whispered, "You can trust me, Saige."

She stared into my eyes for a long moment, looking frightened and unsure. Then she did something that made me tense up. She slammed her face into my chest, wrapped her arms around my waist, and cried. It wasn't her usual come-on to get close to me. No, this was genuine and this girl was hurting.

I wrapped my arms around her, rubbing her shoulder gently, and just let her cry it out in my arms. It's probably been a long time since someone had her back like this and that realization punched me in the gut. Nobody should feel alone. Saige could use a strong friend and I was going to do my best to be that friend for her. I just hoped like hell that I could keep my feelings and emotions out of the mix.