Chapter Eight:

Author’s Note: Thanks to RoseLife, tancsadesgal, missboo13, Kathadoodle, and sweets555 for your reviews. I really do appreciate your support.

--finding hope--

Chapter Eight: Co-Corruption

Gideon’s POV

“Actually, Matt, Gideon and I have that taken care of,” Hope announced, latching on to my hand.

“What?” Matt responded in shock.

“Well, it’s too late for your warning. Oh, Matt, will you help me break the news to my dad?”

She looked so hopeful. I almost believed her, and I knew it wasn’t true.

“What?” His tone was so sharp I jumped.

“Yeah, we’re planning the wedding for the fifth.”

Before she finished the sentence, Matt had me slammed against the wall. I choked.

“Matt, I would never—I was kidding! Don’t hurt him,” she cried, grabbing his shoulders.

“I know. I was just trying to freak out your boyfriend so he knows to keep his toes in line.”

“I don’t’ think the message was clear enough,” I remarked dryly. I looked him in the eyes, trying to convey a message I didn’t quite understand myself.

He let me go and I straightened my collar.

Hope did not look amused by Matt’s display of physical strength. “Matt, that was not funny.”

“I didn’t say it was.” His tone was innocent.

She glared at him.

“Ahem. You better get that pizza to Dritan and Deirdre,” I interrupted.

“Of course.” He brushed past Hope.

“Sorry, Matt, but my dad has the market covered on protecting me,” she called to him.

He looked back at her and sighed. “I’m sorry, okay?”

“It isn’t me you should be apologizing to.” She threw a pointed look my way.

“Ah, yes. I’m sorry, Gideon.”

“It’s all right, man. At least you didn’t give me a black eye,” I responded quickly. I really didn’t want to end up black and blue, unless I had to.

“I’ll protect you,” Hope promised.

I grinned. “I’m glad.”

Dritan and Deirdre ran up and grabbed the pizza once we were all inside. They ‘chowed’ down.

“Are you going to say thank you?” Hope asked with a hand on her hip.

“Oh, yes. Thank you, Matt!” they exclaimed in unison.

“No problem.” Matt shrugged.

“How did your date go?” Dritan asked.

“It was great!” I remarked with a sly grin as I put my arm around her shoulders.

She gave me a look, but smiled at them anyway.

“Oh, dear. I don’t know who has corrupted who,” Dritan remarked as he looked between us.

“It’s called co-corruption,” she stated as she looped her arm around my shoulders.

“We’re screwed,” Deidre groaned as she collapsed on the couch. “They’re gone.”

Hope laughed. Then she looked at me. “Should we go out again?” Her eyebrow was quirked.

“Nah. There are rooms here.”

Then she hit me.

I hit the ground, groaning and moaning like a wimp. “Dear Lord, you hit hard, girl!” I exclaimed.

She smiled and leaned down to kiss me.

It was worth it.

--finding hope--

When school started it wasn’t like we expected. I found the coursework somewhat harder than high school, but it didn’t really make me sweat. Hope breezed through it. Dritan struggled enough that we created a study group. Deirdre acted like a slacker with Cs, but she was doing as well as Hope.

Hope and I were taking extra electives because we had already taken care of some of our freshman credits by taking college classes online.

Hope and I had a study group of our own. During those times we were together alone I went from being ecstatic to being as nervous as hell.

Those were good times. Good times.

--finding hope--

Author’s Note: Thanks again to RoseLife, tancsadesgal, missboo13, Kathadoodle, and sweets555! I hope y’all enjoyed this chapter.