Damaged and the Beast (Damaged #1)

“Why do you care so much about Nick?” I whispered. “He’s just a guy who wants to be a teacher. Besides being freshmen, that’s all we have in common. I really like you, but you’re scaring me.”


Placing my hand on his forearm, I hoped to settle Cooper down and have him focus on me. Instead, he glared at Nick who did his best to ignore him. Unsure what to do, I lifted my hand to return it to my lap. Cooper grabbed my hand and replaced it on his arm. Staring at him, I felt like nothing I remembered from the weekend was real. He might have even only liked me out of a weird competitiveness with Nick.

When Manuel entered the room, everyone breathed again except for Cooper and me. I sat with my head down and my hand stuck against his arm. Cooper dug his heels into the ground, making squeaking noises as his boots met the linoleum.

“Why him?” he growled in my ear.

There was nothing to say. Nick was a nice guy, but I’d fallen for Cooper. I even imagined a future for us, but I wasn’t sure I wanted him anymore.

Cooper let go of my hand and crossed his arms angrily. He sat like that for the entire class while everyone ignored us. I didn’t pay attention to the instructor. I could only fight the urge to bawl and run away. Why did Cooper have to ruin everything?

When class was almost over, Cooper leaned towards me and spoke quietly. His voice lacked much of the earlier heat, but his gaze was again on the back of Nick’s head.

“Tell me you’re my girl and I’ll let this go.”

“I was yours, but not anymore.”

Cooper glared harder at Nick. “If he takes you from me, I’ll kill him. I’m not kidding.”

Leaning away from him, I packed my books. “Don’t worry about it. I’m done dating for a long time. Men are assholes.”

As soon as Manuel said we could leave, I bolted out of my chair and ran for the door. I needed away from Cooper. I didn’t want to see Nick either because I felt guilty for drawing attention to him. Crying, I hoped to get to my bus, go home, and hide for a while before work.

Feeling his gaze on me, I knew Cooper was following and I couldn’t outrun him. The people around me backed off and walked away, unwilling to get sucked into the upcoming drama. In that moment, I accepted how I was completely on my own in Ellsberg. Grown men, instructors, and even a security guard walked away, leaving me alone on the grassy quad with Cooper.

Turning towards him, I clenched my hands into fists. My fight or flight kicking in, I realized flight was no longer an option. Staring up at Cooper, I saw his expression shift from anger to surprise then he looked a little panicked.

“It’s okay,” he said softly. “Don’t cry.”

“Leave me alone.”

“I just want to talk.”

“Fuck you,” I muttered through clenched teeth. “I made myself think you were this great guy and I missed you all day then you showed up and embarrassed me. You treated me like a piece of trash in front of everyone. You threatened Nick who’s never been anything except nice to me. You’re acting like a psycho.”

Knowing the words were harsh, I’d likely sealed my fate. Yet, I expected to be hurt anyway. I could imagine a slow painful death after Cooper was done playing with me. People wouldn’t care or mention I existed. Tawny would sit alone in a motel room, waiting day after day for me to call.

“Farah,” Cooper began, his movements careful, “don’t be scared.”

“Leave me alone. I want to go home.”

“Let me drive you.”

Shaking my head, I backed away when he stepped forward. Cooper sighed and reached out to caress my wet cheeks.

“I’m so crazy about you,” he whispered in a pained voice. “I hate how our schedules don’t match up except for this fucking class. I waited all day to see you too then some asshole asked if you and I broke up because he saw you hanging out with another guy. I ignored his bullshit, but then I saw you with that piece of shit and I just freaked, okay?”

“Not okay. Nick is helping me get caught up because I’m falling behind in class. Even if he liked me, he knew I was dating you and he’s scared of you like everyone else.”

“Including you?” Cooper asked, reaching out to gently unclench my hands. “I acted like a jackass in class, but I’m not going to hurt you.”

“You did,” I said, yanking my hands away as more tears broke forward. “You embarrassed me. I don’t want everyone looking at me and laughing. People think I’m just some slut you’re fucking. Like I’m nothing.”

Stepping closer, Cooper used his thumb to caress away a little of the wetness on my cheeks. “That’s not what they think. They think I’m an asshole and you’re my hot girlfriend.”

“It’s not funny.”

“I’m not being funny. I’m an ass for acting like that. I looked insecure and stupid. They’re judging me, not you.”