Romeo rubbed his hand down his face. “Mol. Let me just sort the f**ker once and for all. It’ll send a message to everyone else to leave us be. There’s a lotta ass**les who I’ve pissed off that’ll enjoy raggin’ on us bein’ together.”
I shook my head curtly, showing him I didn’t care.
With a curl of his lip, he hooked his arm around my neck, dropping a kiss on my head. “Fuck, Mol, I’ll be gettin’ a new rep—Rome Prince, newest member of Pussy Whipped-R-Us!”
Our friends had returned to their usual spot on the grass, but Rome and I sat under a tree a few yards to their left, sheltered away from the attention of the rest of the students. We chatted about frivolous things and eventually, Rome cooled his temper, holding me tightly in his arms.
We stood to leave for Philosophy class when a shadow cast over our relaxed place beneath the trees, like a storm ruining a bright and sunny day. Queen-bitch Shelly herself had stopped by to offer her regards, towering above us all with a face full of fury.
“What the hell is this?”
Rome groaned and pulled me closer into his protective embrace. “Ahh, f**k off, Shel. I’ve had enough in dealin’ with ass**les for one day!”
“Are you seriously with her?” She looked at me as though she’d swallowed something nasty.
“Yep, I seriously am.” And he dropped his head and took my lips in a searing kiss to prove his point. I wrapped my hand around his neck to encourage him further.
“You know he won’t stay with you, don’t you, darlin’?” she spat at me, causing Rome and me to break apart.
“And why’s that?”
“Because Momma and Daddy Prince won’t accept a money-grabbin’ whore with their son, and they can be real persuasive. They want me and they’ll get me, you can count on that.” She smiled as though she had Romeo wrapped around her little finger.
“Funny, a money-grabbing whore—that’s exactly what Rome said about you,” I replied.
“You’re nothing! A pure piece of—”“Shut your evil mouth, and get the f**k on before I do somethin’ I regret,” Romeo warned with a no-nonsense tone.
She laughed patronisingly. “I’ll give it a month and then we’ll see what your folks do. You’ll be back in my arms in no time. Your momma’s gonna flip!”
“I’d never touch you again and wouldn’t be with you if you were the last person on Earth. You’re a bitter, vindictive bitch. As for my folks, I’m quickly learnin’ to not give a shit what they say anymore. I want Mol and she wants me. End of discussion. Nothin’ you or my folks do will make a damn bit of difference to change that. Now leave us the f**k alone.” He twisted his body and addressed the rest of the teaming Quad. “That applies to everyone—leave us the f**k alone or deal with me! The next person who interferes or even breathes wrong in our direction, I won’t be so f**kin’ lenient with!”
I sighed and closed my eyes. I abhorred violence.
Shelly straightened her hair and, seeing hundreds of eyes staring nervously at our display, stormed away. I watched as she pulled out her pink covered iPhone—it didn’t take a genius to guess who she was calling.
Romeo bent his head to my ear. “Don’t listen to her, okay? What she said, they’re just words; don’t mistake them for truth.”
I moved to sit on the other side of the tree, slumping dejectedly to the ground. I couldn’t shake my unease at what Shelly had said and hated, only hours after announcing we were together, the amount of trouble we’d had thrust our way. I couldn’t help but wonder if Romeo’s parents would think I was with him for his money? Would they try to make him leave me for Shelly?
Romeo quietly crouched before me and pressed his forehead against mine, his hands lying lightly on my shoulders. “You’ve gone all quiet on me, Shakespeare. I don’t like it.”
I forced a smile. “I’m good, baby. Don’t worry.”
My friends headed over to us, anxiously watching us both, clearly checking we were okay. I smiled in assurance that all was well.
Romeo eyed me sceptically one last time before announcing, “I’m gonna take you out on Saturday after the game. A real date. No more hidin’. ‘Bout time I show all of Tuscaloosa you’re mine.”
Our friends smiled in delight at his obvious affection towards me, but I shook my head.
“What?” Rome said as he tensed his shoulders. He thought I was rejecting him.
I put my hand on his arm and squeezed gently. “I’ve already agreed to go dancing with this lot, babe.” I gestured to the group.