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Tutoring the Bad Boy

Copyright © 2022 by Josie Max

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by
U.S. copyright law.
 Contents

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Tutoring the Bad Boy
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7

Chapter 8
Josie Max Books
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 Tutoring the Bad Boy

He needed a tutor, but never expected her to be the girl of his dreams.
Emma
I had been on the run for over a year. What my ex did to me, I never wanted to live through again.
The last thing I needed was for anyone to recognize me and my ex finding me. Then I meet Ryan, who
saved me from another black eye. But there's just one problem... his light shone too bright in my dark
hiding place.
Ryan
After my ex-girlfriend cheated on me, I thought I'd never find love again. Then Daisy stood there
clutching her eye because some jerk hit it. What could I do? I had to defend her. I had to protect her. I
had to make her mine. But every time I got near, she ran. I'd even consider giving up being a shining
star as a collegiate soccer player so she'd feel safe in my arms.
 Chapter 1

Emma
A yellow leaf floated by as I walked past the quad with Madison. As I inhaled the crisp air, the
hairs on the back of my neck rose.
I skimmed over the crowd of college kids hanging out on the bright autumn day. I shook my head.
He wasn’t here.
Thank God.
“What? Do you see him?” Madison asked as her hazel eyes gazed around.
The green grass hadn’t faded yet, and I shook my head as I inhaled its sweet scent. “No. I’m sorry. I
should have never told you about him.”
She pressed her hand to my arm and stopped me. “Emma, I hope you never feel you can’t tell me
something. I know we’ve only been roommates for several weeks, but I like you. We’re friends. I’m
here for you.”
Hot tears pricked my eyes. Damn it. I swore I would not cry, not this time. Not at Winter River
University.
I shook off the tears and smiled. “Thank you. But it was just my overactive imagination. My dad
always told me since I was an only child that I had to use my imagination to invent siblings to play
with. Like when my friends were sick and couldn’t come out to play.” I giggled.
“You’re lucky. I suspect imaginary siblings don’t steal your good dresses and ruin them with cherry
punch.” Madison frowned.
I knew Madison didn’t have much growing up and treated her belongings with care. I was lucky; it
was just me and Dad, and he made enough money that I never had to worry.
 “You really don’t have to come to the library with me. I think I can make it across campus by
myself.” I shrugged, but deep down, I was thankful to have someone walk with me.
“Like I said, I’m here for you. I’d be fearful too, especially if I had an ex like yours.”
I sighed. My ex-boyfriend, Mark, wasn’t a good guy. Madison and I had talked about him this past
weekend, and she told me I was attracted to bad boys.
Perhaps she was right, but not anymore. If dating a bad boy caused me to run to three different
universities in just over a year, then I wouldn’t date at all.
Being nineteen and on the run wasn’t a fun life. A part of me was jealous of the kids in my dorm
who went out to parties and strolled around campus, completely oblivious to the surrounding people.
Madison was the first friend I made who I felt I could trust since I started college. That was the
only bright spot in my chaotic and stress-filled life.
Even my dad couldn’t know where I was. He understood, but still, he missed me. We had tried
going to the police after the last time Mark found me and I ended up in the hospital. Mark’s dad was a
government official, so the police did nothing.
That was when I realized I needed to leave for another state, somewhere Mark couldn’t find me
and where his father had no influence. I even got a burner phone to keep up my weekly talks with my
dad.
He thought I was taking it too far, and maybe I was, but I’d rather be safe than dead.
“But you don’t need to go to the library. It’s Saturday; you should be sleeping in or going to the
campus café like you do every day.” I rolled my lips over my teeth, trying not to laugh.
Madison had a total coffee addiction. I liked coffee and drank it most mornings—especially during
finals week—but Madison took it to a whole new level.
“I still plan to go to the café since it’s just a few buildings over from the library. I’m just making
sure you get to the library safely.”
The sun hit her cascading black curls as she smiled. She was gorgeous, and I’d told her a few times
she should be a model. She scoffed, saying that was for skinny girls.
Madison reached down to open her blue purse, slung across her body. Her brows creased, and she
came to a stop.
“Something wrong?”
“Shoot. I must have left my wallet back at the dorm.” She nibbled on her lower lip as her eyes
bounced between the direction of the library and the way we came.
“Just go back and get it.”
 “Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you...”
I snorted and shook my head. “Madison, I’m not a child. I think I can make it to the library and live
to tell the tale.”
Her brow crinkled with worry. “I’ll just get coffee later; it’ll be fine.”
The way she bounced from foot to foot, I knew, in fact, it wouldn’t be fine.
“Go. The library is right there.” I pointed to the enormous building with a dome on top. “I can see
it. Nothing is going to happen to me with the sun shining and people everywhere.”
“I don’t know...”
“I’m fine. Grab your wallet and get your caffeine fix.”
Her lips thinned, but she nodded. “Okay, but on my way back, I’m running into the library to check
on you. Make sure the guy you’re tutoring isn’t some crazy killer or worse... Darrell from Dorm
Eight.”
I couldn’t hold back my grin. It had been so long since anyone, other than my dad, cared about my
wellbeing. “Thanks. I’ll be on the second floor, back by the magazines.”
“Magazines? Does anyone even read them anymore?”
I shook my head. “That’s why I chose the spot. Privacy. It’s better to concentrate without a lot of
distractions.”
She tapped her head. “That’s why you’re the science genius, not me.”
“Now go get the money.” I pointed toward our dorm building.
She gave me a salute and said, “Yes, ma’am,” before she ran off.
I turned to assess the crowd that had gathered on the lawn and a few guys by the big oak tree. They
were the only students taking in the beautiful day.
I hated that I felt uneasy with Madison gone. Mark had warped my brain so much that being alone
in public felt like walking on a tightrope. It just took a shove for me to fall into the abyss.
I used to be independent; I loved going to the mall or out for drives by myself. I didn’t do that
anymore.
Glancing down at my clothes, I frowned. Even what I wore wasn’t my taste. I loved color and
fashion and got excited when I saved up to purchase a new outfit. But now, the more muted the color,
the more likely I’d wear it. And fashion...? If it was stylish, I bought the opposite—anything to not
stand out.
Because I knew if anyone recognized me, word would get back to Mark.
I took a deep, cleansing breath and stepped forward. No one was paying any attention to me. Good.
 After a few paces, there was a sharp pain in my eye. Something had hit me. My hand instinctively
flew up to cover the hurt eye. “Ow!” Wincing, I tried to open my eye, but the pain was too much.
After what felt like minutes but was only seconds, I blinked some of the pain away. I saw a bright
green Frisbee lying across my blue sneakers. Reaching down, I picked it up.
“Hey, throw it back,” a guy yelled from near the oak tree.
Still wincing, I glanced over at him. He had his hands on his hips and tapped his foot.
“You hit me,” I said, waiting for an apology.
His brows rose as he threw his hands up. “What do you expect when you’re the size of the Great
Wall of China?” he yelled, causing a few chuckles from the surrounding guys.
My fist tightened around the green plastic disk. I wanted to scream at him, tell him I’d rather be fat
than be a horrible person.
I, like most college kids, gained the freshman fifteen. Well, for me, it was more like the freshman
thirty. I was the first to admit I used food as a stress reliever, and I had loads of stress in my life.
But then someone from my high school had a class with me at my last university. The crazy thing
was, she didn’t recognize me. When she heard my name one day in class, I finally saw the recognition
on her face. The way her eyes scanned my body, I knew it was because of the weight gain.
Most people hated gaining weight, but I reveled in it. It was another chink in my armor against my
ex. If no one recognized me, then he was less likely to find me.
I also grew out my chestnut-colored hair. Anything to protect me.
”Asshole,” I whispered.
I took a few breaths to calm down. If I told him off, it would only draw attention, which would
have consequences worse than being compared to a wall in China.
My one working eye darted around the quad. A few people were watching, but what caught my
breath was a stunning guy marching toward me. His gaze was set on me, and my heart picked up its
pace with every step of his foot.
He was tall, obviously built under his dark leather jacket, and looked exactly like the bad boy I
swore to Madison I would avoid. I had to get out of here.
Throwing the Frisbee back, I ignored the idiot by the tree. But as I took a step forward, he called
out, “Run away, fatty.”
More chuckles.
I kept my head down as my cheeks heated with embarrassment. My weight might have been a
shield, but it hurt to be called names.
 “What the fuck did you just call her?” a deep voice rumbled, sending shivers down my spine and
straight to my core.
I turned to discover that muscular guy had the Frisbee guy pressed against the oak tree.
“Hey, get off,” the idiot said as he struggled to push the big guy away.
That was when I noticed the crowd forming. Their gazes danced between me and the two guys
fighting by the tree.
This was the last thing I wanted to happen.
 Chapter 2

Ryan
The coach’s voice kept going round and round in my head: Ryan, if you don’t keep your grades up,
you’ll be kicked off the team.
I rubbed the back of my neck as whispers floated around me. People watching me walk toward the
quad as if they had nothing better to do.
It was sad. I was a student just like them. The only difference: I was Winter River University’s star
soccer player.
Because of me, the Winter River Miners won the state cup last year. I was a god to these students,
and I hated it. People came up to me everywhere I went, wanting something from me—a pic or to
crash their party to get cred. Girls threw themselves at me all the time.
It was nice at first, but after my ex-girlfriend cheated on me and said she only dated me for the
attention, I realized every one of these students wanted a piece of me. They didn’t care about me, just
what I could do for the team, for their school, or for them.
As much as I hated the attention, I wasn’t about to give up my goal of being a professional soccer
player, and that meant not getting kicked off the team. My ultimate dream was to play for the
Liverpool Football Club one day. My dad and I might not have seen eye to eye on most things, but
soccer was one thing we could bond over. He was from England, and that was his favorite team. We
watched all their games together when I was growing up.
After my parents divorced when I was sixteen, he was heartbroken when I lived with my mom. But
my mom never put her job before her family, and I couldn’t say the same of my dad. Being a cop was
his life, and I wondered where I fit into it. I hadn’t spoken to him in months and wondered if I’d ever
speak to him again.
 I was lost in my thoughts, wondering if the tutor I was going to meet today could help me
understand biology. Then I saw something green fly across the air in the distance.
It was a Frisbee, and it hit a girl. Even from this far away, I could tell she was gorgeous with long,
flowing brown hair.
Something surged in me upon watching her shrink back in pain. A primal anger and protectiveness
that I had never felt before flowed through my veins.
My pace picked up as I moved closer to make sure she was okay. I knew he hurt her from the way
she covered her eye.
When I was several yards away, I heard the asshole who threw the Frisbee joke about her weight,
accusing her of being at fault. Suddenly, my anger grew tenfold. My fists tightened, and I turned
toward him. He was tall but lanky. I could easily break him if I wanted to.
I knew I should calm down—the last thing I needed was to cause a scene that Coach would find out
about—but that jackass needed a good kick in the pants.
Right before I got to him, he said something else. He called her a name that made me sick to my
stomach.
My hand landed on his chest so hard, he stumbled back into the tree. He told me to get off, but I
laughed.
I knew I had a temper. Coach had warned me many times to keep it in check, or I’d get kicked off
the team. I’d be the first to admit that, until this year, I was reckless and gave zero fucks about anyone
but myself.
But after what my ex did, I realized she did to me what I had done to everyone around me. I spent
the past year working on my temper and keeping it in check, and I’d done a good job... until now. For
that one moment, I was going to tap into my bad boy reserves and let this weasel get what he had
coming.
“Dude, seriously, I can’t breathe.” His wiry arms tugged at mine with zero effect.
“I don’t hear you apologizing for being an asshole?” I tilted my head.
“Look, I’m sorry. Whatever I did, I apologize.”
This guy didn’t understand why I had him pinned against the tree?
“Are you serious? You just hurt her, while also blaming her for your pathetic Frisbee throwing, and
you have no clue why I’m pissed?”
His brown eyes widened. “Oh, shit, dude. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize she was your girl. I’m a big
fan of yours. Come to all the games you have here. I’d never dream of hurting your girlfriend.”
 “I’m not his girl,” a beautiful voice came from behind. “Please, let him go.” She put her hand on my
arm.
All the anger that sent me here seemed to melt away—most of it, anyway. I had trouble looking at
the jerk who threw the Frisbee without clenching my teeth.
My grip loosened, and the guy slid down the tree trunk. I heard him gasp for air before he got up
and ran off.
My gaze traveled to where her hand still rested on my arm. Her blue eyes rounded as they raised up
to meet mine. I had to be at least a foot taller than her, maybe more. She had to tilt her head back to
glace up at me.
I took a step closer because all I wanted was to be near her, to inhale her vanilla scent or gaze at
her glistening plump lips. I couldn’t stop my eyes from traveling up and down her body. My hand
itched to cup her chin and pull her close.
I hadn’t been with someone since my ex, but standing in front of this girl, all I wanted was to sink
my cock deep inside her. Jeez, I didn’t even know her name, and I was already fantasizing about
fucking her.
Get it together, Ryan.
Maybe it was the cool weather, but I wondered if she felt the same way with how her nipples
spiked under her brown sweater.
“Thank you, but that wasn’t necessary.” She suddenly realized she was still touching me. After
pulling back her arm, she tucked her hair behind her ear.
“That guy was a dick.”
She dropped her eyes and glanced around us. Obviously, she was nervous, and I wondered if it had
anything to do with who I was.
Just another girl wanting a chance with the local college soccer star.
“You’re not wrong.” She let out a shaky laugh. “But violence is never the answer. Never.”
She wrapped her arms around her stomach, and I wondered if she was cold with the way she
shivered.
Instantly, I shrugged off my black motorcycle jacket and threw it over her shoulders. It was big on
her, but seeing her in it caused my dick to twitch.
Did she even realize how hot she was?
“Oh, thank you. But I think you’ve done enough already.” She pulled off the jacket and held it out
for me.
 I hesitated and was about to tell her to keep it. The jacket was expensive, but it wasn’t like I
needed it. I crashed my motorcycle last year, and my parents’ response was to have me work toward a
sensible used car instead. I finally saved up for the ten-year-old Honda with no hubcaps this past
summer.
Even if I wanted her to keep it, I could tell she wasn’t happy.
I plucked it from her fingers and folded it over my arm. “Sometimes my temper gets away from me,
but I’ve been working on it. It’s just when I saw what that guy did and then what he said, I couldn’t let
him get away—”
She stepped back, placing her hands on her hips. The way she stood accentuated her sexy curves—
her sweater and jeans hugged her body perfectly. I licked my lips as she glared at me.
Fuck, but this girl was hot.
“That was my decision to make. You may be used to pushing people around because of your height
and all those big muscles...” Her gaze lingered on my arms, and I couldn’t stop the smirk on my face.
She continued after clearing her throat, “But that doesn’t mean you shove your way into other people’s
lives and try to fix their problems. If you don’t mind, I’m late for an appointment at the library.”
She pushed past me, and I took that moment to indulge in the sway of her plump ass.
Once she was several yards away, I snapped out of it and realized something. Jogging up to her, I
said, “Isn’t that a coincidence...? I happen to be meeting someone at the library too. Guess we can
walk together.” I grinned.
“Fine.” She frowned, scanning the quad as if searching for someone. “But that doesn’t mean we
need to talk.”
It surprised me she was letting me walk with her. Maybe she was afraid that Frisbee jerk would be
back.
As much as I didn’t like people using me, I rather enjoyed the thought of this girl wanting me for
protection... or just wanting me in general.
Once we got to the library, I held the door open for her. She turned to me after we entered and said,
“I know you were trying to help, but maybe next time, just ask me if I’m okay instead of attacking the
guy.”
I felt bad because she was right. That was why I was working so hard on my anger. It never helped
to fly off the handle, because usually, it only caused problems. I hated to admit it, but I was too much
like my dad.
“You’re right. If another Frisbee hits you in the face, I’ll help you any way I can.”
 Her eyes fell to the floor as she smiled, a dimple appearing on her cheek. God, it was adorable. I
had the strongest urge to kiss it.
“I’ve got to go.” She threw her thumb behind her toward the elevator.
Shoving my hands in my front jean pockets, I nodded. “Yup. Me too.”
I wanted to ask for her number so I could text her but thought better of it. She just forgave me for
my horrible actions, and I didn’t want to push it.
I followed her to the elevator because I had to go to another floor too. The doors to the elevator
opened, and we both stepped inside.
“What floor?” I reached for the number two button. That was the floor where I was to meet my
tutor.
“Second.”
My heart pounded in my chest as the doors shut.
She couldn’t be...
“You’re not Emma Holden, are you?”
Her head tilted to the side in that adorable way again. “How did you know?”
 Chapter 3

Emma
He knew my name. I couldn’t believe the hot-as-hell guy sharing an elevator with me knew who I
was.
He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his phone. Tapping at the screen, he held it up for
me. There was a string of texts—the same texts I had on my phone.
“You’re Ryan? The guy who needs help with his biology class?”
The door swooshed open, causing strands of hair to flutter onto my face. Ryan reached out, his
finger skating across my cheek, causing heat to bloom in my core.
I bit my lip as he tucked my brown hair behind my ear. I was so lost in his touch that I barely
noticed the door closing on us.
His corded arm reached out and held the doors back. “Yup. I’m that Ryan. We could talk about it in
here or sit at a table in the stacks.” His smoky-gray eyes darkened as they fell to my lips. “Of course,
we’d have more privacy if we stayed in here.”
Swallowing, I shook my head. I forced myself out of the tiny elevator and onto the second floor. I
felt the heat from his body on my back as he came up behind me.
“I was thinking we’d study back by the magazines.” Frowning, I suddenly realized that the
seclusion of that section wasn’t such a good idea anymore.
“Perfect. No one ever goes back there.” He lowered his head, and his hot breath tickled my ear as
he whispered, “Lots of privacy to do whatever we want.”
I took a shuddering breath, my body on fire. Ugh, Madison was totally right. Based on his actions, I
knew he wasn’t good for me.
 He moved past me toward the tables in the back corner but stopped, sensing I wasn’t following. He
turned.
I sucked in a breath. His lips curled into a wicked smile as if the devil was waving for me to
follow, and my core ached to do exactly as he demanded.
I gave a little head shake and moved toward him. There was no way I could tutor him. I might have
needed the money to pay for living expenses, but I could find another job. Though nothing paid as
well as tutoring at Winter River. A lot of spoiled rich kids went here and would pay anything not to
fail a class.
While I got a scholarship that paid for most of the tuition, it didn’t pay for my dorm—the tutoring
did that. Since my mom died when I was five years old, my dad had worked hard to support me and
make sure I had everything I needed.
I refused to let him pay for all my college education, and I took out loans to cover what I could. He
warned me about paying the loans back once I graduated, cautioning that some people were still
paying back education loans a decade or longer after they graduated.
That was the last thing I wanted. I applied for every scholarship I could and lucked out with the one
I got. It might take me a few years to pay the loans back once I graduated, but not a decade or more.
“This seems like a suitable spot.” Ryan waved to the small desk butted up against the wall with
two blue plastic chairs side by side.
“Uh...” I glanced around and noticed no other desks nearby.
Closing my eyes, I let out a sigh. Damn it. Opening my eyes, I accepted the fact that, for the next
few minutes, while I told Ryan why I couldn’t tutor him, part of my body would be pressed against
his. There was no way we could both sit in those chairs without touching.
He pulled out a chair and waved for me to take a seat. It surprised me that he was being so nice.
Even when Matt and I met, he never held open a door or pulled out a chair for me.
I gave a small grin and took the seat. “Thank you.”
He even helped me push it back in.
Was he normally like this with girls, or was it just me?
Once he sat, he leaned back, his legs falling open, causing his knee to touch my thigh. My breath
quickened as I stared at where our bodies met.
“Thank you for your help,” he said, snapping me out of my focus on his knee.
“Yes, well... you’re the one paying me.” I tried to sound serious, but there was a wobble in my
voice.
 “I know.” He leaned over and placed his hand on top of mine. “If I don’t get my grades up, I’ll be
kicked off the team. And if I get kicked off the team, then no more scholarship.”
Ryan really needed help. Without my scholarship, I’d be screwed. Electricity shot up my arm from
where his hand touched mine, and I pulled my hand away. Disappointment skirted over his features. It
wasn’t like I was the only tutor on campus. I’d help him today, but then tell him I couldn’t do it
anymore.
“You play sports?”
The corner of his mouth curled, and it did things to me—things I hadn’t felt in a long time.
“You could say that. I’m on the Winter River Miners.”
“Oh, soccer. I guess you’re pretty good if you got a scholarship, huh?” The discussion of sports
was a helpful distraction. I didn’t want to worry about disappointing him when I got around to telling
him I couldn’t be his tutor.
He shrugged, reaching for a scrap of paper someone had left on the table, twisting it in his fingers.
“Sure. But I don’t really want to talk about me. What about you? What brings you to Winter River
University?”
I frowned. That was the last thing I wanted to discuss with him or anyone else. “Oh, you know...
it’s a good college for biology.”
My heart thundered in my chest, and I glanced around. Just the thought of why I was going here
made me nervous. Suddenly, every movement I saw from the corner of my eye caused me to jump.
He leaned forward, placing his hand on my arm. “What’s wrong?”
And like magic, my anxiety melted away—not entirely, but most of it. There was something about
Ryan’s touch that made me feel safe. I didn’t think something like that could even be possible.
I’d seen how he reacted to that guy on the quad. Why would I believe he’d be a safe person to be
around?
My eyes fell to his lips. His mouth was only inches from mine. Instead of worrying about my ex, all
I could think about was kissing Ryan. What would he taste like? How would his lips feel against
mine?
“Nothing. Just... I had a bad breakup a while ago, and sometimes...” Why was I telling him that?
“Breakup?” His eyes darkened, and he leaned closer. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“I don’t want to discuss it. It has nothing to do with biology and why I am tutoring you.” It felt like
a drummer had taken up space inside my chest. I wondered if Ryan could hear it.
 His nostrils flared. “If it has anything to do with you, then I need to know. I won’t let anyone hurt
you, Emma.”
The way he said it, I knew I should be offended. I was my own person, and he barely knew me, yet
he was acting like my bodyguard.
But my body didn’t respond to him in anger. Instead, I almost sighed in longing. I licked my lips
and tried to change the subject. “Biology...” was the only thing that came out of my mouth.
He reached up, cupping my chin and pulling me toward him. I should push him away, but I didn’t.
God help me, I let him control me.
His lips crashed onto mine. He was rough, as if he worried I’d stop us at any moment. I reached up
and dug my fingers into his upper arms. His skin was soft, but what lay underneath was hard as steel.
His tongue slid over my lips, and I opened for him. He groaned in satisfaction. Ryan tasted better
than I could have imagined.
“Emma?” a female voice called from close by.
Oh no, someone saw me. I jerked back and blinked. Ryan’s eyes were hooded and his brow
crinkled.
Glancing up, I found Madison standing a few feet away with a knowing grin on her face. I stood so
fast, I knocked the chair down, causing the person who was walking nearby to stop and look.
“Madison. Hi.” Warmth shot up my neck and all over my face.
“Oh. My. God. You’re the Ryan Kern. You’re like, famous.”
Famous? Oh no, I couldn’t hang around someone who would get attention anywhere he went.
“I’m sorry, Ryan, but I think this will be our last tutoring session.”
I started to walk away before he grabbed my arm to stop me. “But I really need a tutor. If it’s the
—”
I tugged my arm away and held up my hand. “There are plenty of tutors available here. Find
someone else.”
I turned and crooked my arm into Madison’s, pulling her with me. There was no looking back. That
would be the last time I let my hormones dictate who I kissed.
 Chapter 4

Ryan
“There you are. I thought you wouldn’t show,” Aiden said as I sat at his table at the Campus Café.
Aiden was an art major and my roommate. You’d think an art major and soccer player wouldn’t get
along, but we had grown close over the past two years. He was also a senior like me.
We met the beginning of our sophomore year and just clicked. Maybe it was his past and his
troubles with the law that I related to, but I knew our friendship ran deep. I had met his brother a few
times, but he was older and had graduated from college a year ago.
“Rough practice,” I said as I ran my fingers through my still damp hair. I always took a shower
after a game or practice. Quick in and out. But today, I stuck around until I was the only one left in the
locker room. It had been two days since Emma told me she couldn’t tutor me, and I’d been a wreck.
Aiden lifted the straw in his smoothie to his lips and nodded. After taking a drink, he said, “Sure it
was just practice?”
My lips thinned. He had that look on his face that practically screamed he didn’t believe me.
“I can have a bad day like anyone else,” I grumbled, gazing anywhere but at him.
The thing about having close friendships was that the friend knew when you were lying.
“Bullshit.” He sat up and leaned across the table. “Sure, you can have a bad day, but I know you,
Ryan. This isn’t you having a bad day. This is you hung up on something.” He rubbed his chin before
sitting back. “Or hung up on someone.”
Fuck. I should just go live in the woods and be a hermit.
“Fine.” I slapped the table a little too hard, and his smoothie almost fell over. The guy loved his
smoothies. If it had hit the floor, he wouldn’t hesitate to make me pay for it—and I didn’t mean in
cash.
 I might have been a big guy, but Aiden was Hulk-like. With his tats and the scar that ran along the
side of his neck, he wasn’t someone to mess with.
“It is a someone... I met a girl, and I can’t get her out of my head.”
He winced while lovingly cradling his smoothie. “Remember what happened last time with Jill?
Your heart wasn’t just broken; she smashed it into dust. I should know; I’m the one you made binge-
watch all those Stephen King movies with you to get your mind off her. I still can’t look at clowns
because of that.”
I frowned. “Sorry. But this is different. She’s different.”
He rolled his eyes and slurped more of his smoothie. I groaned because I knew he wouldn’t
believe me. What did it matter? Emma wanted nothing to do with me.
I was such an idiot trying to kiss her after I only just met her. She obviously liked to take things
slowly. She mentioned an ex. Maybe he moved fast with her, and she later regretted it.
Maybe he cheated on her the way Jill cheated on me?
I clenched my fist. That made me want to punch the guy. I didn’t even know the entire story, and I
already wanted to make him the soccer ball while I kicked him around the pitch.
“That’s what every guy says. Let me guess, she was sweet and shy, and you practically fell all over
yourself to make her at ease?”
I tilted my head. “Yeah, what’s wrong with that?”
Aiden shook his head. “That’s the game they play, man. They pretend they aren’t into you, that
they’re this meek little thing and then, bam!” He sat up quickly, almost losing his grip on his smoothie.
“They screw you over.”
My eyes narrowed. Aiden was pretty tight-lipped about his past relationships, and I was starting to
understand why.
“Okay, but Jill never pretended to be shy or sweet. She just pretended to care about me as a person.
But Emma is different. She didn’t even know I played soccer.”
“Really?” Aiden scratched his head, his short black hair barely moving because of his buzz cut.
“See. I told you.” I nodded. “She’s different. She’s not trying to use me.”
At least, I didn’t think she was. No, she wanted nothing to do with me. How could she use me if I
wasn’t even around?
Two girls sat at the table behind us, and I glanced back when one of them snorted. My eyes
widened when I saw Emma with her friend from the library. I had tried texting her, but she never
replied.
 I had never been in the position where someone ghosted me; it was torturous.
“That’s her.” I lowered my voice and threw my thumb over my shoulder.
Aiden glanced over. “The brunette or the one with the curly black hair?”
“The brunette.” I inhaled, remembering tucking her hair behind her ear in the elevator. It was
silkier than I had imagined. Was it weird that I jacked off on Saturday thinking about touching her
hair? Yup, it was weird.
“She’s pretty, but so is her friend.” He shrugged. “Why don’t you ask her friend out?”
“What sort of screwed-up advice is that? That sounds like something my friends in high school
would tell me to do when I was fifteen. I’m not into playing mind games.” That was the shit Jill
would do to me, and I wasn’t about to do that to someone else.
“No, not actually go out with her. Just see how Emma reacts.”
I frowned. “Dude, you have some serious girl issues. If you were ever thinking of doing that to
someone, just don’t.”
“No, I would never do that. I just wanted to see if you would do that.” Aiden curled his lips.
”Asshole.”
Aiden had a weird, twisted sense of humor. I suspected it was because of his time in jail.
“I’m going to talk to her,” I said and took a fortifying breath before I stood.
Turning, I went over to Emma’s table. Her blue eyes rounded when she looked up at me.
“Ryan?”
“Hi, Emma.”
Her friend placed her hand on her chest. “I’m Madison, and I just want to say if you ever need a
tutor for a business class, I’m your gal.”
I glanced over at Madison before focusing on Emma. “Not taking a business class this year, just
biology.”
Madison’s amber eyes bounced between us before she picked up her cup of coffee. The girl
chugged it back like it was beer. She winced when she placed the now-empty cup back on the table.
“Damn. Never do that with hot coffee.”
“What the hell, Madison?” Emma reached over to her friend.
Madison stood and picked up her empty cup. “Oh, look, I’m out of coffee. Guess I better go get
more. I’ll be back.” Then she walked off.
I smiled, watching her walk away. If Emma let me see her again after this, I would thank Madison
for giving us some time alone.
 I slid into the wooden seat recently vacated by her friend. “You haven’t responded to my texts...”
Emma licked her lips, and it took all my strength not to stare. She focused on her neatly folded
hands on the table. “I’ve been busy.”
“Look, I’m sorry about the kiss at the library. I mean, I’m not sorry that I got to taste you. I haven’t
been able to think of anything but your sweet lips since I first laid eyes on them in the quad.”
She pulled some hair behind her ear and lowered her head. It was a strange position to be in, as it
looked as if she were praying.
“That wasn’t a very good apology. I meant, ugh... if I hurt you, I am so sorry. I would never do that
to you. It’s been eating me up inside, knowing I pushed you too far.”
“You didn’t push me, Ryan.”
God, my dick hardened just by her saying my name.
Emma stood and grabbed her purse. “It’s not you. You did nothing wrong. Believe me when I say
it’s me. You should really stay away from me. I’m not the sort of girl you should be interested in. I’m
no good for anyone.”
She didn’t let me respond before she turned and ran out of my life once again. I stood there,
stunned. How could she say she wasn’t good enough? Emma was beautiful, smart, and could make the
sun break through on the cloudiest day.
“Ryan.”
I turned to find Madison standing there with another cup of coffee. I figured she was just pretending
to get a drink to grant us some alone time, but she really wanted that coffee.
“Oh, hi again.” She placed her hand on my arm and then squeezed it in various places. “Damn, you
really are built.”
My brows rose. The last thing I wanted was to be manhandled in the middle of the café, and by
Emma’s friend, no less.
“Sorry.” She cleared her throat as she dropped her hand. “The thing about Emma is, she doesn’t
date bad boys, and there’s a very good reason for that.”
I groaned as thoughts of my past floated around in my head. The motorcycle I destroyed and the
parties and dorm rooms I trashed. Yup, I was the poster child for bad boys.
“I know I have a past, but that’s behind me. Could you tell Emma I’m working hard to fly right? I’m
trying to get good grades, and I don’t even go to any campus parties anymore.”
“That’s great, but you’re in the limelight, at least here on campus. Everywhere you go, people
notice.”
 “And?” I didn’t know why that was such a problem. It got me some perks, like free coffee
sometimes.
“Emma isn’t a shy person.”
I shook my head. “Then you don’t know her very well. I haven’t known her long, but she came
across as very shy.”
“It’s not my story to tell, but I will say this... Emma’s ex has turned her life upside down. She’s this
way because of him. And you being in the spotlight is the opposite of what she needs in a guy.”
Madison patted me on the shoulder and walked off.
The only way for me not to be in the spotlight was to quit soccer. That wasn’t even an option... was
it?
 Chapter 5

Emma
I couldn’t believe I was sitting here watching a Miners’ game. Even up here in the nose-bleed
seats, I saw the determination on Ryan’s face.
It had been three days since I saw him at the café, and I had felt guilty for running off. He didn’t
know my past, and it was wrong of me to punish him for it. He wasn’t my ex.
I came here to explain why we couldn’t be together, not even as friends.
The way he moved across the field—oops, I meant the pitch. Madison told me in soccer the playing
field was called a pitch.
The way he ran and twisted and turned across the pitch was, well... graceful. It seemed like his
body was created to play soccer. No other players could compare to Ryan.
“Damn, now I know why you kissed him,” Madison said. “It would help to see the players if we sat
closer.”
I shook my head. “No. I think where we’re sitting is a perfect spot.”
I hated that I was being covert. There were moments where I wondered if I was overreacting.
There were times I thought I imagined it all, and I was losing my mind.
But that was when I rubbed the scar on my arm—the one Mark gave me when he tried to stab me.
The only reason he didn’t cut my chest open was because I held up my arm in defense.
The memories were crystal-clear, and I knew I wasn’t crazy.
“You know you can’t live like this forever.” Madison placed her hand gently on my shoulder.
I kicked at a rusted bottle cap by my feet. “I know.”
There was a buzzing sound, and a cheer erupted around us. I glanced at the scoreboard and
discovered the Miners had won. The players were dancing and fist-bumping each other.
 I smiled as I watched some Miners slap Ryan on the back. He had played great today, and pride
soared in my chest. I knew I had nothing to do with his skill, but just knowing him and caring about
him made me thrilled for his success.
“Should we go?” Madison stood, pulling her purse strap over her body.
I shoved my hands under my legs and kicked the bottle cap some more. “You go on ahead. I want to
see if I can catch Ryan before he leaves.”
“Good.”
Her reaction surprised me. I thought she would be worried and ask me questions. Maybe I was just
projecting my worry onto her.
“Look, Emma, you need to take some risks. I’m not saying take out an ad on social media sites
telling everyone what school you go to, but dating a guy who is obviously head-over-heels for you is
a good risk. Besides, have you seen the muscles on that guy? Your ex would be stupid if he confronted
Ryan.” She patted my back and walked off.
I watched the stadium seats empty until I was the only person left. What Madison said bothered me.
I had been worried the whole time that Mark would find me, but I never thought about Mark going
after Ryan.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t notice someone come up to the row of seats I sat in.
“Emma. I’m glad you came to the game.” Ryan’s deep voice sent a shiver through me.
He was dripping wet, and all I wanted to do was lick him dry.
“I saw you in the stands, but I wanted to shower and get changed before I came to meet you. I was
worried you wouldn’t still be here.” He moved closer but was waiting for me to signal for him to take
the seat next to me.
I did, and when he sat next to me, I inhaled. He smelled like soap and something spicy. I wanted to
lean forward and just breathe him in.
“Madison mentioned you were playing a game today, and I... I wanted to talk to you. I wanted to
apologize for running out on Monday.”
He reached over and grabbed a lock of my hair, rubbing it between his thumb and finger. I barely
felt what he was doing, yet goosebumps broke out over my skin.
“You don’t need to apologize, Emma. Your friend mentioned that you have a shitty ex. I had a nasty
breakup too, and, honestly, I never thought I’d be interested in anyone again. But then you walked into
my life, and now I can’t get you out of my mind.”
 I sucked in air and felt the heat rise to my cheeks. The thought that this god-like man would even
consider me was unimaginable. There were much more beautiful girls on campus. Why me?
“It wasn’t just a bad breakup... I came here today to be honest with you. My ex will kill me if he
finds out where I am.”
His hand dropped from my hair, and his eyes darkened. I watched a muscle twitch in his jaw. “He
said that?”
I nodded. “It’s not just that he said it; he already attempted it.” I pushed up the sleeve of my gray
hoodie and showed him my scar.
Ryan grabbed my arm roughly but then winced. “Sorry, that was too much.” He loosened his grip
and smoothed his finger over the raised skin. “He did this to you?” he asked, his voice barely a
whisper.
“Yes, and a lot more. This is the third university I’ve attended in a little over a year. He found me
at the last one, so I fled the state. I’m not from Virginia.”
His nostrils flared. “What’s his name?”
“I can’t tell you that. If he knew we were friends, he’d come after you too.”
He took a deep breath and sat back, placing his arm around my shoulders. “I understand you don’t
want to talk about it, Emma. But I want you to understand that I can help you. I can take care of this for
you.”
I leaned my head against his shoulder, and it felt nice. When Ryan touched me, my body lit up, and
it was as if no one could hurt me.
“I guess telling you his first name won’t hurt. His name is Mark. If you’re thinking of going to the
police, don’t bother. Tried that, and they did nothing. His father is some big shot senator, so he did
everything in his power to make sure nothing happened to his son.”
I raised my head and gazed into his sparkling gray eyes. “I know you want to help, but there’s
nothing anyone can do. Now you know why I can’t be around you. Everywhere you go around here,
people notice. And if I’m at your side, then people will notice me too. The last thing I need is for
anyone to see me.”
His arm tightened, pulling me close. Without warning, he lifted me like I weighed nothing and
placed me on his lap. “I see you,” he whispered into my ear, sending heat down to my core.
I felt his hardened length push against his jeans. I trembled as his hands slid to my hips, digging his
fingers into my jeans. He groaned as he pushed me down onto his stiff cock.
 I couldn’t tell for sure with his jeans on, but he felt big—like the size of his body matched the size
of his dick. My mouth watered at the thought.
“I’m going to make you feel good, Emma. You deserve to be worshiped, and I’m ready to fall to
your feet.”
I gasped at his words. Mark had never said anything as beautiful to me. Ryan was so different.
I bit my lower lip and nodded. We were out in the open for anyone to see, but I didn’t care. It had
been so long since I felt wanted, and Ryan wanted me.
He unzipped my hoodie and then slid my thin sweater up slightly. He cupped my breast, and I
arched into his touch. His other hand joined, grabbing my other breast, and before I knew it, I was
squirming on his lap as he played with my nipples.
“Emma, you’re so beautiful. I could touch you all day.”
And at that moment, I’d let him. Thankfully, the outdoor arena was empty, but I was too far gone to
care if someone walked onto the pitch or into the stadium seating area.
His hand left my breast and slipped down, undoing my jeans. I opened my thighs and let his fingers
drift under my clothes until his finger slid across my clit.
“Ryan,” I moaned.
“Fuck, Emma, you’re so wet.” He removed his hand and my heart ached with disappointment. I
glanced over my shoulder to find him licking his fingers. “Damn, you taste so good.”
After he got his fill, he pushed his hand back under my panties until he was playing with me once
again.
I gripped the armrests, afraid I might tumble off his lap. My hips were going wild with how Ryan
touched me.
My head fell back as he slid two fingers into my core but kept his thumb on my clit. My body felt
like a tightened string ready to snap.
“Ryan, please...” I reached for his arm, afraid he’d pull away again.
“That’s it, my sexy girl. Come all over my hand so I can lap up your sweetness.”
I lifted my shirt again and pinched my other nipple. I was doing things I never would have done for
Mark. I loved nipple play, but Mark never knew it because he’d only laugh—it was what he did
whenever I told him what I liked.
But with Ryan, I felt I could be the true me, and he’d embrace it.
“Fuck, you’re so hot. That’s it, come for me.”
My eyes rolled back, and all I felt was bliss. My orgasm crashed harder than I had ever felt before.
 Once I was back down to earth, I noticed Ryan straightened my shirt and was zipping up my jeans.
“Hey.” I turned in his lap with his rock-hard length pressing against my thigh. “What about you? I
like to give as good as I get.” I smirked.
He pulled me close, wrapping his arms around me. “Oh, sexy girl, there will be time for that later.
This moment was just for you—to give you some much needed happiness.” He dotted kisses on my
shoulder, which led to my throat, and ultimately, to my lips.
We kissed for a while, just enjoying each other. His hands slid all over my body, and it felt
incredible to be wanted like this. My hands did their fair share of exploring too.
“I understand if you say no, but I do still need a tutor for biology,” he said after several minutes.
I pressed my face into the crook of his neck and giggled. “Of course. Free of charge.”
He pulled me back and shook his head. “No, I mean to pay for your services.”
He winced as my eyes widened. “That didn’t come out right. I meant, tutoring in biology is your
job, and that’s what I hired you for. That’s totally separate from this.” He waved his hand between us.
I protested, but he held his finger up to my lips. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned from studying the
talented players of soccer, it’s to know your worth and accept nothing less.”
I let his words sink in and realized that applied to so much more than just tutoring.
 Chapter 6

Ryan
I begged Emma to come home with me after the game yesterday, but she refused. There was no way
I’d leave her alone after what she told me.
“Ryan?” Emma opened the door to her dorm room, causing me to fall back. “What are you doing
here?”
“I stayed here all night,” I said as I stood. A muscle spasmed in my back, causing me to flinch, but I
ignored it when I saw her in her tiny sleep shorts and threadbare T-shirt.
“Just leaning against my door?” Her cheeks flushed, which didn’t help my hard-on.
“Yes. I wouldn’t leave my girl unprotected.”
She clasped her chest. “Your girl?”
I took a step closer and wrapped my arms around her. “I didn’t tell you yesterday after the game,
but I’ll never let anyone hurt you. That, I promise you.”
She sighed. “I know you mean well, Ryan, but you don’t understand who Mark is. He won’t stop.
Sometimes I think I’ll be running forever.”
Kissing the top of her head, I inhaled. Emma was everything to me. There was nothing I wouldn’t
do to keep her safe.
Madison came up behind Emma. “Oh my god, Ryan?”
She was fully dressed in a pink sweater, a scarf, and jeans, with her backpack slung over her
shoulder.
“He slept right outside the dorm room all night.” Emma turned but slid her arm around my back,
keeping me close.
 “You know there’s a few recliners in the study room, in the middle of the floor, right? It would have
been more comfortable.” She pointed behind me.
“I had to keep my eyes on her, just in case Mark showed up.”
Madison’s eyes widened. “You told him?”
Emma bit her lip and nodded.
“Good for you. The more you open up about that piece of shit and get others to help you, the better
chance you have to fight him if he ever shows.” Madison patted Emma’s shoulder. “I’d stay and hang
out, but I’ve got my only Friday class soon. Then it’s hanging out at the campus café for the rest of the
day.”
Emma waved me inside as Madison shuffled past us, and I followed. Once Emma shut the door, I
noticed the same layout and furniture as my dorm. The cheap wooden bed frame and desk. Instead of
soccer and European football posters lining the wall, there were motivational posters that would be
more at home in an office building, not a girl’s dorm room.
As if reading my mind, Emma pointed to the poster with a kitten hanging by one paw and said,
“Madison likes to wake up with positive thinking. She believes these posters will help her have a
good day.”
“What about you?” I asked, not seeing any other décor on the walls.
Emma shrugged. “Decorations are a pain to pack up and move. I keep things as simple as possible
in case I have to run at a moments’ notice.”
Ice ran through my veins after hearing her words. She shouldn’t live like that.
“What would you put up if you could?” It made her uncomfortable to talk about her ex, so instead, I
decided to just talk about what she liked. It was the one subject I was eager to explore, anyway.
She tucked her hair behind her ear and sat on the edge of a green comforter. I assumed it was her
bed.
“No one ever asked me that before. Uh... I suppose I wouldn’t have posters—not really a poster
girl—but I like plants and the outdoors. Anything green, really, because that’s my favorite color.” She
let out a sigh. “But traveling with plants is difficult, so I don’t have any.”
She patted the spot next to her, and I sat. The heat ran off her body, and it took everything in me not
to lean over and dot kisses up and down her neck.
When she let me touch her yesterday in the bleacher seats, it was amazing. The feel of her soft folds
and her taste was like the sweetest nectar. It was difficult not being able to rub one out thinking about
Emma last night when I was outside her dorm.
 I may have had the hots for her, but I wasn’t a perv. I’d wait until we could be together again.
Maybe she’d let me do more to her gorgeous body.
Her nipples were so sensitive. I couldn’t wait to suck on them when we got some alone time, and
she was willing to do more.
“What about you? I know you’re amazing at soccer, but tell me something else I don’t know.”
“Mmm. I like the color red. And once, when I was a kid, I fell out of a tree and chipped my front
tooth.” I grinned and tapped my fingertip on the tooth. “It’s fake now. But I remember being so
embarrassed because I had to go around with half a tooth and a swollen face for days. I wouldn’t let
my friends see me. It was silly, but I was so sure people would laugh at me.”
“Oh, yes, we think the craziest things when we’re little. Like one time—” A ringtone sounded on a
phone atop the bedside table.
She got up and grabbed it. “No,” she cried as her hand flew to her mouth. “How did he find me?”
I jumped up and ran over to her. Tears were streaming down her face. “What? What happened?”
Her hand shook so badly as she held up the phone that I couldn’t make out the words on the screen.
It was a text, but it was a blur.
“Can I?” I asked, gesturing to take the phone from her.
She shoved it in my hand and ran over to her closet, yanking out a suitcase.
It was a picture of her on the quad, and the image seemed familiar. Then it hit me: it was the day I
met her when that guy threw a Frisbee at her. But based on the angle of the photo, they took it near the
Frisbee guy.
Her one eye was shut, but the image was clear. It was her. Then, below the image, were the words,
I know where you are.
“You think this is Mark?” I held up the phone.
“Yes.” She straightened her back to me with a large suitcase dangling from her hand.
“Please tell me who he is. A last name? His father’s name? Something?” I walked over and took
the suitcase from her and made her look at me. “Because this,” I held up the suitcase, “can’t keep
happening.”
She grew quiet as her tears stopped, and I thought I finally broke through. She had to tell me. Emma
must realize she couldn’t keep running.
She walked over to her door and cracked it open, taking a peek outside. Then she pulled it open
wider. “Ryan, I like you. Hell, I know we haven’t known each other long, but I think I’m falling for
you.” She wiped the tears on her cheeks before straightening, as if bracing herself for something
terrible. “But you can’t see me anymore. Even if you try to look for me, I’ll be gone.”
My heart felt like it had just shattered into a thousand shards, each tiny piece tearing at my flesh as
it fell to the floor.
“You can’t do this. I will protect you, Emma.” I marched over to her, hoping my words would sink
in.
She cast her eyes to the ground and mumbled, “This is hard for me. Please, don’t make it any
harder. Just go.”
The back of my eyes burned. I wanted to reach for her and tell her it would all be okay, but I didn’t
know Mark; she did. And unless I knew who he was, I couldn’t make that promise.
I lifted my hand and brushed away a tear that slid down her cheek. “You may think you are doing
what’s best, but I won’t stop until he’s out of your life for good.” I stepped forward, knowing this
might just be the last time I saw Emma.
I cupped her chin and lowered my mouth to hers, brushing my lips gently over hers. She was on
edge and hurt, so I left her with the gentlest kiss.
Dropping her suitcase and holding out her phone that I happened to still have in my hand, she
waved the phone away. “You keep it. I don’t need that one anymore. I’ll get another one.”
Then slowly she closed the door, and it felt like she slammed a boulder onto my heart.
Despite what she wanted, I refused to move from her door. In case that asshole showed up, I’d be
right here to greet him.
Then a thought popped into my head. Thankfully, her phone was still lit up, and I didn’t have to
figure out her password. I took a screenshot of the number, along with the message from Mark, and
sent it to my phone. Shoving her phone into my pocket, I took a breath, preparing myself for the one
thing I never thought I would do again.
Time to call Dad.
Despite my relationship with my father, he was a cop. If he knew someone was being threatened
and hurt, he would be the first one itching to track down the scumbag who did it.
It wouldn’t be easy talking to him, but I was going to put aside my anger and frustration with my
father to help Emma.
 Chapter 7

Emma
I gave Madison a hug. The tears had never dried from a few hours ago when Ryan left.
“Don’t do this.” Madison’s voice wavered as she pulled back to look at me. “Ryan will protect
you. I don’t know Mark, but I can’t imagine he’s bigger and tougher than Ryan. I saw how he looked at
you. That boy would do anything for you. Damn, I wish I had a guy who looked at me how Ryan looks
at you.”
Madison showed up after her class looking for her wallet. That was when I told her I was leaving
for good.
“Stop making this worse than it actually is.” I reached down and threw my backpack over my
shoulder, then grabbed the handle of the suitcase, ready to roll it along with me.
She sighed. “You’re the best friend I have ever had. It’s only been a month, but to paraphrase an ex-
friend of mine, I am an acquired taste. You put up with my weirdness.”
“What does that even mean?” I frowned. “Acquired taste? Who says that?”
“Bitches, that’s who. You are sweet and don’t question my coffee addiction. You let me decorate
the dorm room with my posters. Emma, you’re too good to have this happen to you.” Another tear fell
onto her cheek.
“Maybe that was my problem all along. I was too good, too sweet. An evil asshole knew I was
easy prey, and now, I either run or be killed.”
“Fuck.” She swallowed. “That’s so messed up.”
“I left a note in your wallet because you left it behind again. I gave you my dad’s number. Let him
know I moved on. If you want to pass a message on to me, give it to him. He’ll let me know.”
“I feel like we’re in some spy movie, but this isn’t cool at all. This is awful.”
 I pulled her into a tight hug, willing myself to let go. I had to just rip off the bandage and move on,
no matter how much my heart was battered.
The look in Ryan’s eyes earlier when I told him I couldn’t see him again just about broke me. I
wanted to scream, but I held it together. Once he left, I melted onto the floor and sobbed for at least
twenty minutes before I could focus on packing.
I never realized I would care about someone so quickly the way I did Ryan. If he was here, I’d
admit I lost my heart to him. I loved Ryan and didn’t think I could ever love anyone else again.
There was a loud knock on the door. My eyes widened as I pulled out of Madison’s arms.
“Oh, god... he found me,” I whispered as my voice cracked.
“Hide. In there.” She pointed to her closet.
I ran inside, throwing my bag at my feet, and Madison shut the door. My heart pounded as I pressed
my body against the wall. My heartbeat was so loud, I feared Mark would hear it. There was no way
he was leaving this dorm without ripping it apart.
I had trouble hearing what was being said, but I caught Madison saying, “fuck no” and “too late.”
It sounded like something had gotten knocked down. I winced and tried not to make a sound.
When the door to the closet opened, I covered my eyes, trying to press back into her clothing.
Maybe he couldn’t see me. I glimpsed a dark figure before I covered my eyes, then I felt his hand on
my arm, pulling me out.
“No,” I screamed, trying to yank my arm away.
“Emma. Emma.” The voice was deep and not like Mark’s at all.
Maybe I had forgotten what Mark sounded like? I kept fighting.
“Sweet girl, it’s me. It’s Ryan.”
My body instantly relaxed as I gazed up into his sparkling gray eyes. “What are you doing here? I
told you…” I looked around and noticed Madison was gone. “Wait. Where’s Madison?”
He smirked. “She wanted to give us some alone time. She’s heading to the café.”
She was a good friend for giving us privacy to let us say our last goodbye.
“Oh.” I swallowed, not wanting him to go—not wanting me to go.
“I know you told me not to help, but I couldn’t let Mark get away with this.”
Fear crept up my spine, and I took a step back. “What did you do?” Not only was I in danger, but
now Ryan could be too.
“My dad is a cop.”
I rubbed my forehead. “I told you cops do nothing. His father is a senator.”
 “Was. His father was a senator. The idiot tried to run for governor and didn’t even make it to the
primaries—got the least amount of votes. And now he can’t even be a senator because someone else
took his seat. Mark’s father has no power over the police. And even if he did, he has no say here in
Virgina where my dad is a cop.”
That was good news, but it didn’t stop Mark from coming after me.
“I called my dad and told him everything, which wasn’t easy since we don’t exactly get along.”
I reached for Ryan’s hand and intertwined our fingers. “I’m sorry, Ryan. But you didn’t need to do
that. These are my problems, and I never wanted to involve you in them.”
“Don’t you understand?” He lifted our hands to his chest. “If you’re hurt, I’ll take care of you. If
you need help, I’ll be the one to help, without question. And if you’re sad, I’ll be there to wipe away
your tears. There’s not just you or me anymore, Emma. It’s us from here on out. I love you.”
I let out a whimper. “I love you too. You make me feel beautiful and seen. And as much as I tried to
hide, I think I needed someone to notice me. You’re everything I never thought I could get in a guy.
You’re handsome and so freaking talented. It... it’s ripping me apart to leave you.”
“But you don’t have to leave. My dad said there’s a warrant out for Mark’s arrest in Ohio, where
you’re from. You’re not the only one he assaulted.”
I gasped. That monster.
“And I went down to the station with my dad to talk to his cop buddies. That’s where I was. I was
going to stay by your door in case Mark showed up, but when you gave me your phone, I asked my
dad to look up the number who texted you. That’s how we found out about his warrant.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It had been so long since I had people on my side helping
me. Mark had been untouchable for so long, and I wondered if it might not be real.
“My dad and some cops are on campus. If Mark comes near you, they’ll grab him and take him for
a ride. They’ll drop him off at the nearest police station across the Ohio border.”
I melted to the floor. Ryan sat next to me, cradling me in his arms. It had been so long since I felt
safe that my body didn’t know what to do.
“Thank you,” I croaked out between my sobs.
“You don’t need to thank me. I told you I would never let that guy hurt you. I won’t let anyone hurt
you.”
He held me for so long, just letting me cry, that I lost track of time. My body heaved and shook until
there was nothing left.
 I felt so exhausted that I must have dozed off with my head leaning against his shoulder. When I
woke, Ryan was tucking me into bed.
He turned to go, but I reached out. “Don’t leave me...” I mumbled around a yawn.
“Never.” He smiled as he crawled in next to me, throwing his arm over my stomach, holding me
tight.
Ryan tried nothing, just held me. He was warm and comforting, and I had never felt so safe. I
drifted off again, knowing our love had been tested and held strong.
There was nothing I wouldn’t do for this man. He saved me, and now it was my turn to show him
how grateful I was by being at his side through the good and the bad.
He deserved nothing less. He called me sweet, but he was the sweetest, most loving guy I had ever
known.
And I was the luckiest girl in the world.
 Chapter 8

Ryan
I watched the girl I loved sleep, knowing we’d always be together. It was difficult seeing my dad
again, but for Emma, it was worth it.
“What time is it?” Emma’s blue eyes blinked open as she stretched her body.
“Just after one in the afternoon.”
Her eyes widened, and she pushed herself up. “Wow. I’ve been asleep for a long time. Have you
been here the whole time?”
I sat up and placed my arm around her shoulder. “I won’t leave you. And I wanted to give you the
good news when you woke.”
“What good news? What could be better than telling me that Mark had a warrant out for his arrest,
and I don’t have to leave you?”
I dotted kisses on her cheek, unable to resist. Nuzzling her neck, I said, “They caught him in Ohio.
My dad texted me while you were asleep. He got pulled over for speeding. The officer saw there was
a warrant for his arrest and took him in on the spot. There’s no way Mark can get to you now. You’re
safe, Emma.”
Her smile grew, causing a dimple to appear on her cheek. My heart soared with satisfaction,
knowing I played a part in her happiness.
I couldn’t hold back any longer. My lips crashed onto hers. I claimed her mouth, ready to do more
with the rest of her body.
Emma slid back, causing her legs to fall open. She kissed me back with even more hunger.
Falling over her, I was careful to hold myself up so I didn’t crush my sweet girl. Emma wrapped
her legs around me. My cock was hard before, but now it was like steel with how she clung to me.
 I shifted onto my elbow as I let my hand slide over her body. My fingers hooked under her tiny T-
shirt and tugged it up. When I glanced down, her tits were begging to be kissed. I moved down until I
captured one of her nipples between my lips.
She arched and moaned. The girl liked attention on her nipples—which was good because her tits
were exquisite and I loved playing with them.
“Ryan,” she moaned.
I knew she wanted more, and I was happy to give her what she needed. My hand left her tit and slid
down her body until I pushing my fingers under her tiny sleep shorts.
She was incredibly wet as my fingers slid around her slippery lips. God, I had to taste her. I left
her tit and moved down her body. After pushing her shorts down, I flung them behind us. I took a
moment to stare at her beautiful body laid out before me. “Fuck. You’re so gorgeous.”
Her arm slid over her stomach as if her curves embarrassed her. I reached up and pushed it away.
“Never hide yourself from me. You never have to hide again.”
Her cheeks flushed, and it reminded me how I wanted to bring that pretty pink color to the rest of
her body. I lowered my head and swiped my tongue across her folds. My nostrils flared at her
incredible taste. It wasn’t long until I was sucking on her clit, unable to get enough of her while my
fingers worked her core.
I smiled when Emma’s fingers curled into my hair. Her core tightened around my fingers, and I
knew it wouldn’t be long before she came for me. “That’s it, sweet girl. Come all over my mouth.”
“Ryan,” she cried out as her orgasm crashed into her.
I lapped up what she gave me, never wanting her to stop. But eventually, the spasms slowed, and I
knew she was ready to take me.
I reached into my back pocket and pulled out a condom. I tugged off my shirt and pulled down my
jeans and black boxer briefs, unable to wait any longer, and took them off completely.
I slid the condom on and looked over at Emma. She licked her lips, her eyes locked on my cock.
“Please,” she begged, opening her legs for me.
I placed my cock at her entrance and pushed the tip inside. She was warm and so tight. I tightened
my jaw and asked, “You sure? You let me know if I hurt you.”
She raised up onto her elbows, keeping her gaze on where I was entering her, and nodded.
I worked into her slowly and watched as she reached up for her nipple, pinching it between her
fingers. She felt better than I had imagined, and I fantasized about this moment a lot.
 She was so fucking hot. My thumb nestled onto her clit. I wanted her tight pussy to squeeze me
when she came.
Her hips shifted as she met mine. Her other hand reached up to my arm, digging her nails into my
muscles. I knew I wouldn’t last, but I wanted to feel her come on my cock.
I lowered my head onto her tit. Dotting it with kisses, I moved to her hardened nipple. After a few
licks, I sucked it between my lips.
“Oh god, Ryan. I’m going to come,” she said as her head fell back.
Her pussy tightened around my cock. I lifted my head to watch her climax, and it sent me over the
edge.
I pushed into her a few more times, emptying my load before I collapsed. I was quick to roll off
her, even if I wanted to stay inside Emma longer. My arms weakened from the best orgasm I ever had.
Her chest was rising and falling, and I smiled seeing that pink color all over her body—just like I
had wanted. “Now I never want to leave your bed,” I said in between gulps of air.
She turned onto her side, draping her arm over me. “I wish you could stay here, but I don’t think
Madison would like that. Speaking of her, she should be back from class by now.”
“She came back to drop off her backpack, but then turned around and said she was going back to
the café.”
Emma chuckled. “I’m wondering if it’s more than just coffee that keeps her interested in the café.”
We talked and held each other for a while.
“I wonder how Mark got that picture of me? I know I shouldn’t think about that anymore, but it’s
hard to stop.”
I had hesitated to tell her, but she had a right to know.
“I realized it must have been one of the Frisbee guy’s friends since that was the angle of the picture.
I ran into Frisbee guy on my way to meet my dad. He told me it was his buddy, Milton. Apparently,
Milton is in an online group for guys who think it’s cool to degrade and abuse women. He posted the
pic because he thought it was funny how you were hit by the Frisbee.”
“Ugh. What a jerk.”
That was putting it more kindly than I would have.
“Anyway, Mark is in the same group and saw it. He reached out to Milton and tracked you down.
Milton is in one of your classes, and when you went to the bathroom earlier this week, he found your
phone and got the number. That’s how Mark got it.”
“Shit. What class?”
 “Microbial science.”
Her hand went up to her forehead, and I saw the worry in her eyes.
“Don’t worry. My dad called the dean and informed him of what Milton had done. He’s being
kicked out of school right now. You’ll never have to see Mark or Milton ever again.”
She pressed her body to mine, throwing her arms around me. “I was so stupid for not telling you
about Mark from the beginning... thinking I could do this all by myself. I love you, Ryan. Not because
you saved me, but because you’re such a good person. I’m lucky to have you in my life.”
I never thought of myself as nice, especially with how I treated people in the past. But if Emma saw
me that way, then maybe I could try to see myself as nice too.
“I was going to walk away from soccer for you. I didn’t want whatever fame I have, even if it’s
only local, to hurt you.”
She frowned. “Don’t you dare give up the sport you love. You are too talented to walk away, for
me or anyone. I see you playing for the best team in the future. I know because you’re that good.”
I didn’t want to tell her with all that was going on. But now that her nightmare was over, I felt I
could share my good news. “There was a scout for DC United at the game the other day. He wanted
me to try out for the team. It may not be my dream team, but it at least gets me onto a professional
team.”
“That’s wonderful.” Her dimple burst forth, and I leaned over to kiss it like I had always wanted
to.
“You’ll get on that team, no problem.”
“But then I wouldn’t be here anymore, and you’re only a sophomore. You don’t graduate for three
more years.”
She slid her finger down my neck, sending shivers down my body, causing my cock to stir. “DC is
only an hour and a half away. We’ll be able to see each other all the time.”
I kissed her with a happiness I had never felt before. I had the chance to do what I loved for a
living while dating the girl I loved.
My life was complete.

***

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against the King’s men as “rebels and traitors”; but, said the
proclamation, if they would lay down their arms all would be
pardoned—all, that is, except John Hancock and Samuel Adams.
Toward the end of the month British re-enforcements began to arrive,
and on the twenty-fifth the troop-ship Cerebus brought three
generals—Howe, Clinton and Burgoyne.
Don and Jud were in the vicinity of the Green Dragon Tavern a few
days after the Cerebus arrived. They were looking out over the
harbor when Don heard someone call his name, and, turning, he
saw one of the sailors who had helped him from the water the day he
had saved the Redcoat from drowning.
“Hello, there, young Master Donald,” said the fellow—it was Hank.
“There’s the boat out there that brought the three big ones—Howe,
Clinton and Elbow-Room Burgoyne. If they’d side-stepped on the
gangplank, I don’t doubt you’d have jumped in and saved them.”
Don flushed. “I’m not so sure—now,” he replied. “But tell me, why do
you call Burgoyne ‘Elbow-Room’?”
“Why, haven’t you heard that story?” Hank grinned and glanced
round to make sure that no Redcoat was within hearing. “You see,
it’s like this: As the Cerebus was coming in she met a packet bound
for Newport. ‘What news is there?’ Burgoyne shouts to the skipper.
‘The town is surrounded by ten thousand country folk,’ was the reply.
At that the general opens his eyes wide. ‘How many regulars are in
the town?’ he asks. ‘About five thousand,’ the skipper shouts in reply.
Then the general’s eyes open wider than ever, and he cries, ‘What,
ten thousand peasants keep five thousand King’s troops shut up!
Well, let us get in, and we’ll soon find elbow-room!’”
Both boys laughed heartily, and Hank added, “Elbow-Room
Burgoyne it’ll be to the end of his days, now, I suppose.” Hank
lowered his voice. “Let me tell you something, my lads,” he said.
“There’s going to be a big fight before many days have passed.
There must be close to ten thousand Redcoats in the town now, and,
mark my words, they’re not going to sit idle, not they. You lads keep
your eyes fixed on Dorchester Heights and Bunker’s Hill.”
“How do you know all that?” asked Jud.
The sailor solemnly winked his left eye and stuck his tongue into his
left cheek. “The sea-gulls of the air,” he said. “The sea-gulls of the
air.”
Whether or not Hank had secret information about the movements
and intentions of the British troops, it is a fact that on the evening of
the sixteenth of June, while Don and his aunt were sound asleep,
events moved swiftly toward a climax. The army in Cambridge,
determined on driving the King’s troops from the town, took
measures to fortify Bunker Hill, and then almost at the last moment
changed the plan and fortified a hill that was somewhat nearer the
town. All during the night the Continentals labored at throwing up
earthworks; and all the while the stars looked down peacefully, and
the British men-of-war floated serenely with the tide, and the British
patrols cried “All’s well” at frequent intervals.
At dawn Don and his aunt were wakened by the noise of firing; but
by the time they were both down to breakfast the firing had ceased.
“Now what in the world could that have meant?” asked Aunt Martha.
“I’ll find out,” replied Don and ran into the street.
Near the town hall he inquired of a pedestrian what the firing was.
“His Majesty’s ship Lively,” replied the fellow shortly. He was
evidently a Tory. “She fired on some earthworks the rebels have
thrown up over by Charlestown.”
Don waited to hear no more. While he and his aunt were having
breakfast he told her what he had heard. Aunt Martha only sighed.
“Who knows,” she said after a long pause, “but what your uncle and
Glen are over there at Charlestown?”
During the forenoon the firing resumed. The British, it seems, had
brought three or four floating batteries to bear upon the fortifications;
but in spite of the heavy bombardment the Continentals continued to
work.
The day promised to be hot and sultry. The sun, a bright ball of
molten gold, was blazing down on the shingled roofs of the town and
was sending up heat waves from the cobblestoned streets. Don left
off his top coat and turned in the collar of his shirt.
“You don’t look neat and trim, Donald Alden,” said his aunt as he was
about to leave the house.
“It’s too hot, Aunt Martha.”
“You think so perhaps. Well, don’t go far.”
“I’m going to find Jud,” replied Don.
He did not have to go all the way to Hog Alley to find his comrade.
Jud, hot and excited, almost ran into him at the foot of School Street.
“O Don!” he exclaimed. “There’s going to be an awful time—a battle,
sure as you’re alive! I was coming to get you.”
“I know,” said Don. “Everybody’s excited. And did you hear the firing
early this morning?”
“Come up to the Common,” said Jud. “The Redcoats are all on
parade. They’re going to march off, I think.”
The boys found the Common a scene of intense activity. There
seemed to be Redcoats everywhere. Some were in formation; some
were hurrying to join their companies that were assembling, and all
seemed to be carrying arms and full equipment. The sun flashed on
glistening swords and buckles and seemed to turn each bright red
coat into a vivid blaze of fire. And overhead the graceful limbs of the
great old elms waved gently to and fro like gigantic lacy green fans.
“Look,” said Don, “there’s the 43rd, Harry Hawkins’s regiment.”
“Yes, and there’s Hawkins himself,” replied Jud. “See him—that big
fellow?”
Don bit his lips and said nothing. He did not dare put into words the
thoughts that had come crowding into his mind at sight of the only
Redcoat for whom he had the least affection.
“There’s the grenadiers,” said Jud; “and the new regiment, the 35th
and the 49th.”
“Yes, and there are the marines,” added Don. “They all look pretty
fine, don’t they?”
“They look fine enough now,” replied Jud, “but just you wait till our
men get a shot at them. You know how it was at Lexington and
Concord.”
Don knew indeed, and the thought of that memorable day cheered
him considerably.
By now most of the troops had assembled, and one regiment already
was marching off. The boys hastened to follow along Common
Street.
“My, but it’s hot! Whew!” cried Jud. “I’m most melted.”
“I am too,” Don grinned. “I’m glad I don’t have to carry a pack and a
musket. Just listen to the firing now!”
Although the sun was high overhead, neither boy thought of being
hungry. Down Queen Street they hurried and past the town hall into
King Street. People were standing on street corners and watching
from doors and windows as the King’s troops swung past over the
rough street. Small boys, shouting loudly to one another, were
hurrying along beside the splendid, well-disciplined columns; and
dogs of all sizes were running here and there, barking shrilly. One
little fellow, all black with white spots, ran diagonally through the
column and then, turning swiftly, ran back again as if for the sole
purpose of showing that he could do it.
The boys saw the regiment march out upon Long Wharf, where
boats were waiting to carry them north toward Charlestown. Then
they saw another and another regiment swing down King Street and
move out upon the wharf.
“Are they all going to embark here?” asked Jud.
“No,” replied a man who was standing near by. “Some of ’em are on
the way to North Battery.”
“Come on up there then,” said Don.
When the boys reached the battery most of the British who were
embarking at that point were already in the boats.
By now some of the people in the North End had climbed to the roofs
of their houses, from which points they would have an unobstructed
view of Charlestown across the water and of the men-of-war. As the
boys were coming from the North Battery, Jud shouted to a man who
was perched astride his gabled roof: “Hey, there, is there room for
two more?”
“Come right along if you’re not Tories,” replied the man. “I reckon it
wouldn’t be safe for a Tory up here beside me to-day.”
Jud, impetuous by nature, ran to the ladder that was leaning against
the house, and Don, naturally cautious but in the excitement forgetful
of everything, followed him. In a minute the boys were beside the
man—John Short, a saddle-maker—and were looking eagerly
across the water.
 CHAPTER X
FROM A HOUSETOP

The two boys and their patriotic friend, the saddle-maker, saw the
barges loaded with red-clad soldiers steering for the point northeast
of Charlestown and later saw the barges return for more troops.
Close in toward the Charlestown shore they could see the men-of-
war Falcon, Lively, Somerset and Symmetry, and all were firing at
the little redoubt on the hill beyond the town.
“Who’s that walking along the top of the fort there?” Don asked
suddenly.
“Whoever he is, he’d better keep down,” said Jud.
“I can’t be sure at this distance,” replied the saddle-maker, “but from
the size and appearance of him I’d say he was Colonel Prescott.”
Afterward the boys learned that the man was Colonel Prescott and
that his apparent disregard for the fire of the British was for the
purpose of heartening the men within the fort.
About mid-afternoon all the fire from the men-of-war and the British
batteries seemed to concentrate on the little fort.
“There they go!” cried Short. “The attack’s begun.”
The regulars were advancing in two divisions; one division moved
straight up the hill toward the fort; the other moved toward the
fortifications beyond the hill—which could not be seen from the roof.
Burdened with heavy equipment, and with the hot sun blazing down
on their heads, the British walked slowly over the uneven ground.
When they had gone some distance they opened fire and continued
to fire as they advanced. A few scattering shots from the hill
answered them.
“Our men are withholding their fire till it’ll count,” said Short. “A wise
thing to do.”
“Well, I wish they’d hurry and fire,” said Jud. “Just see how close the
Redcoats are to the fort!”
The stretch of green and brown field between the redoubt and the
front line of advancing regulars was growing smaller and smaller.
From beyond the hill came a rattling roar of muskets and of field-
pieces. Then came a heavy volley from the fort.
“Look! Look!” cried Short and in his excitement almost let go his
hold.
The regulars returned the fire, and then amid the rattling, crackling
hail of musket balls the ranks wavered and then broke. Down the hill
haphazard the trained troops of King George retreated; but they left
many of their number behind on the slope.
Meanwhile shells that had fallen inside Charlestown had set many of
the wooden buildings on fire, and the flames were spreading with
great rapidity. Blue smoke was curling upward from the spires of the
public buildings to mingle with the deeper blue of the sky. Little
tongues of yellow flame were licking the sides and roofs of many of
the smaller houses. In a few minutes the crash of falling beams
mingled with the roar and rattle of cannon and musket.
The regulars rallied and advanced again, but they could not go far in
the face of the terrible fire that poured down upon them. As at
Lexington, Don could see red-coated officers urging and threatening
their men with brightly gleaming swords, but it was of no use. Again
the lines broke, and the King’s troops retreated, this time in greater
disorder than the first.
“They’re brave men; I’ll say that for them,” said Short.
Don and Jud thought so too, but neither said a word; the terrible
spectacle seemed to have taken away their power to speak.
It was a long time before the Redcoats rallied and advanced for the
third time.
“They’ve left off their knapsacks this trip,” said Short. “They’ll do
better, I’m thinking.”
It was only too true, for the gallant Americans had used most of their
ammunition. They met the attack bravely, and then the fire from the
fort suddenly slackened. In a few minutes the regulars were at the
walls. Then a great cloud of dust rose above the works as the
defenders reluctantly gave way. The British, who were on three sides
of the redoubt, rushed forward and, swarming over the walls, sent up
a great cheer, which came faintly across the water. Then they
opened fire on the retreating Continentals.
The boys could see little groups of soldiers beyond on the slopes of
Bunker Hill, but by now the dust was so thick that they could hardly
distinguish which side the men belonged to. Intermittent firing
continued for some time, and the warm air was saturated with the
pungent odor of powder.
“Victory for the Redcoats,” said Jud in a choking voice, and Don
nodded in agreement. There was such a lump in his throat that he
would not trust himself to speak.
“Well, maybe,” said Short, “but I’m a-thinking it’s a pretty costly
victory for old King George.”
And so it proved to be. The town of Boston wore a gloomy aspect
during the next few days. The King’s troops, who had looked so fine
on parade on the morning of the battle, went about dispiritedly and
muttered among themselves at the awful price that they had paid for
the hill.
When Don reached home late that evening the sound of cannon was
still ringing in his ears—indeed the guns did not cease firing until the
next afternoon. He told his aunt what he had seen, but omitted a
good deal out of sympathy for her feelings. But though Aunt Martha
had not seen so much as her nephew she seemed to know quite as
much about what had happened as he did; and all her anxiety, all her
thoughts were for her husband and for Glen Drake.
Almost all of the next day, which was Sunday, she spent in reading
the Bible; nor would she permit her nephew to stir from the house. “I
want you with me, Donald,” she said. “Something tells me that your
uncle was in the battle, and something tells me that everything did
not go just right.”
“But, Aunt Martha, you can’t be sure,” said Don. “I’m just going to
suppose that he was there and didn’t get a scratch.”
Although Aunt Martha did not reply her eyes said plainly that she
wished she could think as her nephew did.
To relieve the depressed and disgruntled Redcoats the Tories took
upon themselves the work of patrolling the streets at night. Every
evening forty-nine of them went on duty, and once Don saw Tom
Bullard, dressed in a green uniform, hurrying importantly along
Cornhill apparently with a message from his chief, General Ruggles.
That was the same evening after General Gage had issued another
proclamation calling upon the townspeople again to turn over to him
any firearms that they still possessed.
“Aunt Martha,” said Don, “you know there’s some powder among
that stuff in the cellar. Do you suppose we’d better turn that in?”
“No,” replied his aunt firmly. “Only to have the Redcoats use it
against our own men! Never! If the cellar were full of swords and
muskets, I’d not say a word about them to anyone who wears a red
coat. Maybe some day that powder will be useful in the hands of
those who really deserve it.”
It was now nearing the end of June, but not a word, not the slightest
hint concerning the fate of either David Hollis or Glen Drake had
reached Aunt Martha’s ears. Together Don and his aunt had visited
the hospitals where both Americans and British wounded soldiers
were being cared for; yet not a thing could they find out. Instead of
feeling encouraged, however, Aunt Martha became more and more
worried, and oddly enough Don soon began to feel much as she did.
One bit of information of quite a different sort did, however, seep into
the beleaguered town. Rumor had it that a valiant soldier from
Virginia—Col. George Washington—was coming to Cambridge to
take command of the entire Continental army. Don heard the news
from Jud, who in turn had heard it from a storekeeper in Orange
Street.
“Col. George Washington—why, he was with Braddock and saved
what remained of the British army after the French and Indians had
ambushed them.” Don’s eyes were wide with admiration. “When’s he
coming, Jud? Say, he’s a great man!”
“He’s one of the finest soldiers there ever was,” said Jud. “He’ll make
things hum when he arrives. Give him an army and he won’t be long
in driving the Redcoats into the sea!”
“When’s he coming?” Don asked again.
“Oh, in a few days, so they say. I heard that he’s already on his way
and that Congress had made him commander-in-chief just a day or
so before the fight over Charlestown way.”
“I’d surely like to see him,” said Don. “Glen Drake knows him and
has fought beside him. He says he’s the finest looking man he ever
saw.”
“Have you heard anything of Glen or your uncle?”
Don immediately became grave. “Not a word, Jud,” he replied.
The first two weeks in July came and passed, and it was known
definitely that General Washington had reached Cambridge and had
taken command of the army beneath a large spreading elm tree.
Still no word came concerning David Hollis. Aunt Martha went
mechanically about her housework and had got into the habit of
reading much and of talking little. Other people who had relatives in
the Continental army had managed to get word of them—somehow;
but David Hollis and his friend, the trapper,—it seemed at times
almost as if they never had existed.
The friendship between David and Jud seemed to grow stronger
each day, and the boys spent most of their time together. One
evening, Jud, in response to an invitation from Aunt Martha, came to
spend the afternoon and night at the house in Pudding Lane. The
boys had intended to go fishing that afternoon, but unfortunately rain
began to fall around noon and increased to a steady, violent
downpour as the afternoon wore on.
By five o’clock it was so dark that Aunt Martha had to light a candle
in order to see to read. Rain was still falling, and with it came a
heavy fog that swept like smoke through the narrow streets.
“It’s good we didn’t so fishing,” said Jud. “This is a regular northeast
storm. Probably it will last for two or three days.”
“Yes, and it’s growing cold,” said Aunt Martha. “Donald, I think we’d
better have a fire.”
Between the two of them the boys soon had a cheerful, crackling fire
on the hearth; and by the light of it Aunt Martha became more like
her old self. During supper she laughed frequently with the boys,
especially when Jud told of his many pets. And afterward she played
fox and geese with them. “I declare, Jud,” she said, “I’m glad you
came.”
The evening passed swiftly and pleasantly, though outside the wind
was howling and sending the heavy drops of rain spattering against
the windows.
Don and Jud had finished their last game, and Aunt Martha was
looking at them inquiringly, when suddenly the knocker on the door
rose and fell.
“Oh!” cried Aunt Martha, startled.
“Now who can that be?” said Don and went to the door.
He opened it a crack and then stepped backward in astonishment as
a man pushed his way inside and hastily closed the door behind him.
“Glen—Glen!” cried Aunt Martha and fairly flew to meet the visitor.
Don was too much surprised to speak. He only looked on dumbly as
the old trapper caught his aunt’s hands and drew her swiftly into the
shadows away from the window.
“Glen,” said Aunt Martha, “only one thing could bring you here—
David——”
“Is well,” replied the trapper and sat down in one of the chairs. “He’s
been sick, Martha—he was wounded at Bunker’s Hill—but he’s
doing well. There’s no cause for worry.”
Aunt Martha drew a deep breath and sank into a chair beside him.
“Don, my boy, how are you?” asked Glen. “I see you’re taking good
care of your aunt. And this——” He glanced at Jud searchingly for a
moment.
“This is Jud Appleton,” said Aunt Martha. “Don’s close companion
and as loyal as any of us.”
Jud winced under the trapper’s grip and from that moment would
have followed his lead anywhere.
“I told you he’d come if he wanted to,” whispered Don.
Though Glen was naturally a man of few words he did most of the
talking during the two hours that he remained at the house in
Pudding Lane. He had crossed from Cambridge under cover of rain
and darkness and would return the same way. David Hollis, he said,
had received a ball through the shoulder during the third assault of
the Redcoats on the hill and was now at Cambridge, where he would
probably remain until he was fully recovered; then he would rejoin
his company.
Glen had had two reasons for coming, it seemed; one was to
acquaint Aunt Martha with the exact condition of her husband; the
other was to bring money, which both he and David Hollis feared she
was sorely in need of.
For perhaps half an hour he and Aunt Martha talked in low whispers.
Then he raised his voice and spoke of events that had happened
concerning the Continental army, and both boys bent forward
eagerly to listen.
“You boys just ought to see Cambridge,” he said. “Soldiers
everywhere—fine-looking fellows from up north, dark, handsome
boys from the South. I tell you it’s a sight to see them on parade.
And tents—hundreds of ’em of all sorts. Those of the Rhode
Islanders are all canvas, but the others—why, they’re part sailcloth
and part wood, and some are mostly mud and branches. And
fortifications all over; Boston Neck and Charlestown Neck are sealed
tight, you might say.”
Glen paused and filled his pipe. “It’s a funny thing,” he continued;
“not many years ago the settlers faced their fortifications the
opposite way to protect their homes against the Injuns; now it’s an
enemy from the east they’ve got to protect themselves against.”
“And have you seen Colonel Washington?” asked Jud.
“Seen him! I should say so!” The old trapper’s face lighted up, and
his eyes gleamed in the shadows. “There’s not a better officer alive.
He’s what you call an officer and a gentleman, and he looks the part
every inch when he’s on his big horse. He wears a blue uniform
faced with buff and a black cockade in his hat—but you ought to see
him. I’m no hand at describing.”
Glen had another talk alone with Aunt Martha before he finally shook
everyone by the hand, bade them keep up their spirits and then,
muffling his face with the collar of his coat, slipped noiselessly out
into the night.
“Now, you boys, to bed with you,” said Aunt Martha. “And don’t lie
awake, talking.”
But her good advice was given in vain; the boys lay awake until long
into the night, talking of the wily old trapper who somehow had
entered the town right under the Redcoats’ nose without their
knowing it.
“I told you he’d come if he wanted to,” Don repeated exultantly.
“Yes, and he’ll get back easily too,” said Jud. “I’d pity any Redcoat
who tried to stop him.”
“So would I,” said Don, thinking of how Glen had acted on the
evening when they had crossed the flats together and had met the
British sentry.
“Are you boys asleep?” came the voice of Aunt Martha.
Only the echoes answered her question.
 CHAPTER XI
THE LIBERTY TREE

By the end of July both the people of Boston and the King’s soldiers
were beginning to feel the ill effects of the siege. One of the main
troubles was the food. Civilian and soldier alike were obliged to eat
much salt fish and meat—so much in fact that sickness and fever
broke out, especially in the army. Don and his aunt were rather
better off than most folks, for at the beginning of the trouble the store
had been well stocked, and, moreover, Aunt Martha now had money
with which to buy fresh eggs and vegetables.
With the increasing discontent owing to improper food individual
Redcoats became more arrogant toward the townsfolk, whom they
far outnumbered. There were fewer than seven thousand
inhabitants; whereas, the troops and their dependents numbered
close to fourteen thousand.
“Oh, dear,” said Aunt Martha, “how is it ever going to end? How
much longer are we to live this way, insulted and persecuted on
every hand?”
“It seems that every time they have a skirmish with Washington’s
men,” said Don, “they take their spite out on us. Well, just you wait,
Aunt Martha; General Washington will show them he means
business. He can’t do it now because his army isn’t ready; he has to
train his men. And besides, he needs more powder and cannon and
——”
“Why, Donald, where do you learn all these things?”
“Oh, Jud and I hear folks talking. Sometimes we hear when we’re
pretending not to. Jud says that’s the thing to do.”
Aunt Martha smiled and shook her head.
“We were down on Essex Street yesterday near the Liberty Tree,”
Don continued, “and heard some Tories and Redcoats talking. One
of the Tories said, ‘These stubborn rebels’—meaning us, Aunt
Martha,—‘think they’ll do wonders now that they’ve appointed a
Virginian head of their upstart army; but they’re wrong; if great
Cæsar himself were head of that army he couldn’t make ’em stand
up and fight!’
“Then one of the soldiers—I thought at first it was Harry Hawkins, but
it wasn’t—faced around quick and said, ‘Were you at Lexin’ton or
Bunker’s Hill?’
“‘No,’ the Tory replied.
“‘Well, then,’ said the Redcoat, ‘what do you know about it? I was at
Lexin’ton, and I was over at Charlestown last June, and I know they
can fight. I hate ’em just as much as you do, my friend,’ he said, ‘but
I respect them too. They can fight. If they’d had lots of powder, we’d
never have taken that hill. And another thing, I know this man
Washington. I should say I do! I was with Braddock. And when
Washington gets his army trained and has plenty of ammunition I tell
you we’re a-going to have a fight on our hands, and don’t you forget
it!’”
“What did the Tory say?” asked Aunt Martha.
“He didn’t say anything. He just shrugged his shoulders and turned
away. That’s how a Tory is, Aunt Martha; he’ll talk a lot and let the
Redcoats do the fighting.”
Certainly the Tories had much to talk about. It must have given them
much satisfaction to see their neighbors imprisoned on false
charges. Mr. Lovell, the schoolmaster, charged with being a spy, was
confined for sixty-five days. John Gill, a close friend of Don’s uncle,
was imprisoned for twenty-nine days for printing what had
displeased General Gage.
But even numerous vexations and wrongs of that sort were not
enough to satisfy the Tories. They themselves were suffering from
the siege, and they wanted to punish the whole people of Boston,
who they said were the cause of their suffering. Just what a
malicious form of punishment they chose Don and Jud were soon to
learn.
Early one morning the two boys were on their way to Coffin’s Field to
get bait for fishing. Each was lightly dressed, and both were hurrying
along briskly. The sun was pushing its way up warm and bright and
seemed to promise a good day. They had come down Newbury
Street and were turning into Essex when Jud pointed to the Liberty
Tree, a great elm that stood on the southeast corner. “That’s what I
call the finest tree that ever grew,” he said.
“It surely is pretty,” replied Don; “just look how dainty and green the
leaves are, and how the limbs curve way up and hang over like long
ferns. Yes, I’d say an elm is about the finest tree that ever grew.”
“I wasn’t thinking of the appearance of it so much,” Jud replied,
“though it surely is a beauty. I was thinking rather of what it means. It
stands for Liberty. Don’t you remember how, whenever there used to
be trouble with King George, folks would flock to the tree?”
“They do still, for that matter.”
“Well, yes, but I was thinking of one night when I was just a little
fellow. I don’t remember just what had happened—the repeal of a
stamp law maybe—anyway Ma took me to the tree, and there it was
covered with lanterns and a big flag flying from the pole in the centre
up there, and everybody was laughing and singing and ringing bells.
Oh, it surely was fine!”
Still talking about the tree, the boys went on down Essex Street and
a few minutes later were at Coffin’s Field. Jud led the way to a far
corner of it, where they began to dig.
For almost three-quarters of an hour they worked, turning over great
clods of earth; but grub worms, which they particularly wanted, were
scarce.
“How many have we got?” asked Don.
Jud counted them. “Only fourteen,” he replied. “Let’s try over there
behind that pig-pen.”
The ground behind the pig-pen proved somewhat better, and at last,
with a fair supply of worms, the boys started back along Essex
Street.
They were perhaps half-way to Newbury Street when they heard
loud talking and boisterous laughter. A minute later they saw a crowd
—mostly soldiers and Tories—at the corner.
Suddenly the two boys stopped short. Don grasped Jud’s arm and in
a choking voice cried, “See what they’ve done!”
Jud was speechless; his lips moved, but he made no sound. There
in front of them, the centre of a boorish mob, lay the Liberty Tree! It
had been cut down near the base. The delicate leaves and slender
twigs were being trampled underfoot as Tories and Redcoats moved
here and there, laughing, shouting and swearing. Great limbs that
once had swayed so gracefully in the breeze were scattered about
along the street; deep white gashes showed where the cruel axe had
bitten into them. And the odor of green wood filled the moist warm
air.
“J-Jud!” cried Don.
But Jud did not utter a word. His ruddy face was pale, and his
cheeks seemed suddenly hollow.
“Well, what do you think of your fine tree now?” said a mocking
voice.
Both boys turned and confronted—Tom Bullard.
“You dirty, sneaking chicken-thief!” cried Jud and would have hurled
himself against the Tory if Don had not held him.
“Now, none of that,” said Tom and retreated a step or two. Then he
turned and walked away, whistling.
“See here,” said a bystander, “I guess you boys feel as bad as I do
about it, but don’t be hotheads. They’re too many for us.”
“How did it happen?” asked Don unsteadily.
“Job Williams, the Tory, led the mob,” replied the man. “And a mob it
surely was. Such a lot of swearing and yelling—it’s good you missed
it. Redcoats and Tories alike swarmed up the tree like so many thick-
lipped gorillas. But it wasn’t all fine for them. Just before you came
one of the soldiers in the topmost branches missed his hold and fell.
I saw him fall; he was killed!”
“Good!” cried Jud, clenching his fists.
“That’s just what I said.” The man smiled. “They carted him off a few
minutes ago. It was the hand of Providence that did it, my lads, and
the hand of Providence will account for many more of them before
long.”
“Let’s get out of here,” said Don. “It makes me sick to look. Just hear
’em yelling.”
Each boy picked up a twig from the street, and, thrusting it into his
pocket, hurried up Newbury Street toward Hog Alley.
There was no fishing for Don or for Jud that day. What they had seen
in the morning had taken away all their desire for sport. And Aunt
Martha felt quite as bad about the destruction of the tree as the boys
did. “If there’s one thing I can’t abide,” she said, “it’s spite work.”
The Liberty Tree yielded the soldiers fourteen cords of wood, but
they had paid dearly for it. Other trees also were cut down for the
sake of the wood, and before winter set in the Common had lost
many of its fine old elms.
September passed, and with the turning of the leaves Don longed to
go forth into the woods. “Say, Aunt Martha,” he remarked one day, “I
never knew that the town was so small. There’s no place to go
without seeing Redcoats. I’d like to go off somewhere in the woods.”
“Have patience, Donald. Maybe if you wait, some day the whole
continent will be free for you to come and go in as you please.”
“Do you think the Colonies will be independent, Aunt Martha? Do you
really want them to be?”
“Yes. I think it, and I hope it.” Aunt Martha’s lips were set in a straight
line, as they had been when she had told her husband that she
would not leave her home for the sake of a Redcoat.
Don was about to make some reply when he spied Jud outside the
window; he was hurrying up the street, and there was an eager look
in his eyes.
“Hello, Jud,” Don greeted him as he opened the door. “What’s the
news?”
“Good news,” Jud replied breathlessly. “I’ve heard that old Gage is
going back to England. How glad I am!”
“Say, where did you hear that?” asked Don.
“Over near Faneuil Hall. I was listening again.” Jud grinned.
“Who’s to take his place?” asked Aunt Martha.
“Don’t know yet. But won’t it be fine to see old Gage go? He’s
caused enough trouble for half a dozen men.”
The news proved to be true enough. On the tenth of October,
General Gage sailed for England, never to return. Lord Howe, who
had commanded the British in the assault at Charlestown, took
Gage’s place. He was popular with the troops, but with the suffering
townsfolk he was a poor substitute for the unpopular Gage. The
proclamations that he issued were irritating at best; he seemed to
think only of the safety and comfort of his soldiers.
One of his first acts was to erect new fortifications. Then he
requisitioned private dwellings and some of the meeting-houses for
the use of his men.
 CHAPTER XII
A BLUSTERING SERGEANT-MAJOR

“Donald, someone’s at the door. Hurry and answer it.” Aunt

Martha’s voice sounded from her nephew’s room up-stairs, which
she was sweeping.
Knock, knock—knock!
“He’s pretty anxious to make us hear,” said Don as he crossed the
floor of the living-room.
Knock!
Don opened the door and looked full into the face of a red-haired,
red-coated British sergeant-major, who at once inserted his foot and
pushed his way inside the room. “Who lives here besides yourself,
young sire?” he demanded.
Don stared at him and thought he had never seen such an ugly-
looking fellow. He was big and broad and flabby, and the only thing
about him that was not red, it seemed, were his eyes, which were a
pale, washed-out blue.
“Don’t stand there and stare!” the sergeant-major bellowed. “Tell me
who lives here.”
“My Aunt Martha Hollis and I and my uncle David, who’s with the
Continental army just at present,” replied Don.
The soldier snorted and then hurried to face Aunt Martha, who had
come down-stairs. “Is that right?” he asked in a surly but milder
voice.
“My nephew has told you the truth,” Aunt Martha replied with dignity.
“How many rooms are in the house?”
“The living-room and three rooms up-stairs.”