All Chapters of Private Lessons With The Bad Boy Bully: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

“What do you mean he’s staying with us?” I demanded, looking between them both for some kind of explanation that would clear everything up so everything would go back to how it was before.Gerald’s eyes moved to me slowly, his mouth downturned and his eyes hard and unfeeling, as though he’d already decided I wasn’t worth much of his time.“Your mother and I have already discussed this.” His voice was deep and unhurried. Clearly, he was not used to not being interrupted, and that each word he said was gospel. “It’s already been settled.”“I’m talking to my mother.”“--Lena…” Mom started.“--A young girl like you, growing up without a father figure.” Gerald spoke right over her, “It simply doesn’t make sense.”He continued, “ Your mother came to me, she explained the situation, all the financial difficulties, the debt, the house.”He spread his hands generously, “Thomas was my brother. And despite our many differences, he was my blood, and his family is my responsibility now. So here I

TWENTY THREE"I…"I had an answer ready that I'd rehearsed on my way here in case anyone noticed the giant red handprint on my face that was now turning into an ugly bruise.It was perfectly reasonable, one that wouldn't reveal anything about my broken family life, and I was about to deliver it when my stomach growled loudly, finishing the sentence for me.Jace looked down at my stomach.I looked at the door frame and cleared my throat. "Uh... Can I come in or...?"He stepped back and jerked his head in a come-in motion, then turned and walked toward the kitchen, leaving me standing on the doorstep deciding whether my dignity could survive the next few minutes.It was going to have to.I braced myself and followed him in.The kitchen was quiet and bright, morning light streaming through the large windows and landing across the marble island in long gold strips.Jace went straight to the fridge, pulling out eggs, milk, butter. Then to the pantry for flour. Had a mixing bowl on the count

Twenty-five minutes.That's how long I stood in the hallway losing my mind, wanting the floor to open up and swallow me up for doing something so stupid.I inhaled, exhaled then inhaled slowly again to try and calm myself. Thankfully after a while it started to work, I grew calm, and my practical instincts kicked in, reminding me that I was a seventeen year old girl with a job to do and a family to feed and absolutely no business hiding outside a bedroom door like a little kid because of an accidental almost kiss that had lasted less than a second and meant nothing to anyone.He'd probably already forgotten about it, right? And he’s been weirdly nice to me today, so he wouldn’t torture me and bite my head off, right? I thought to myself.I smoothed my shirt down, took one more deep breath and walked back inside, prepared for the worst.The room was empty. His assessment was on the floor, completed, with the pen laid across the top. His phone was also gone from the shelf.Yes! Thank G

“Does she go to our school?” Marcus asked“Are you deaf? I said, drop it.”“So yes, she goes to ouur school. Okay, got that.” He stole my water bottle and started shaking it like it was a maraca. “Does Alison know?”“Marcus, who the hell cares if she knows or not? Also, cut that shit out.”“Dropping it, dropping it.” He held his hands up. “For the record though, nine years, never once seen you lose a game over a girl. So whoever she is I’ve gotta meet her.”“Who are we meeting?” Devon, another one of our teammates asked Marcus, barging in through the equipment room door . Then to me he said, “Hey, man. I knew that was your car outside.”“What the fuck? Who invited you here? Don’t tell anyone we’re here,” I said immediately, already starting to panic.Coach couldn’t find out we were here on a Sunday, or there could be real consequences, and I didn’t have time to deal with that shit now, especially on top of everything else going on.“Bro I’m literally just…” He was already on his phone

"Okay but Jace," Devon said, having descended safely from the bleachers at some point. "Real talk. She's cute, right? You gonna take her out?"I put my phone back in my pocket."I'll pass," I said, looking away from the crowd to instead stare at my watch. 8:25. I wasn't interested in getting into any more romantic entanglements; juggling between Lena and Allison was already drama enough.Someone handed Emma a cup and she took it, swallowing the whole thing in one go, blinking back tears.Soon enough the circle moved on. There were more dares and more laughter. The room getting warmer and looser with music playing faintly in the background. They all started to get more and more into it, a few people taking breaks to talk or make out, then coming right back for their turn.I checked my watch. Eight forty-five. Fifteen minutes left."Oh look! The bottle finally landed on Jace.”I looked up.Alison was standing in the middle of the circle with the bottle in one hand, all her patience and