Glass Hearts [BL]
Chapter 49: Holy Shit. I’m In So Much Trouble.

Chapter 49: Holy Shit. I’m In So Much Trouble.

I didn’t even go inside right away.

Instead, I turned and crossed the hallway, straight to the familiar blue door with the peeling paint...Mrs. Diggs’ apartment.

I knocked gently.

I heard the familiar sound of wheels on tile, and a second later, the door creaked open.

Mrs. Diggs sat in her wheelchair, wearing her usual pink cardigan and a headscarf tied neatly under her head. She smelt faintly of lavender. Her eyes crinkled behind her glasses when she saw me.

"Ash, honey!" she said, her eyes lighting up. "Everything alright?"

"Yes ma’am. Mrs. Diggs..." I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly. "I just found out what you did. With Mr. Warren. You gave him two hundred for my rent."

She waved a frail hand. "Pssh. Nonsense."

"No, it’s not nonsense!" I said quickly. "Mrs. Diggs, I swear, I’ll pay you back the second I get the money. I promise."

She waved her hand dismissively. "Boy, hush. I didn’t lend you anything. I just helped. Neighbors are supposed to look out for each other. Especially sweet boys who take care of their little sisters and mamas."

"But.. but you didn’t have to."

"I wanted to," she cut in firmly. "I’ve been blessed enough to have a little extra. And I’d rather see it help someone who needs it. Now... how’s your mama?"

I hesitated, the question scraping over my raw nerves. But I forced a shaky smile. "She... she’ll get better. I’m gonna figure it out."

Mrs. Diggs reached out and gently patted my arm. "That’s right, baby. You’re strong. And God’s got you both in His hands."

Then she gave me a warm smile, turned her wheelchair around, and slowly rolled back into her apartment. "Don’t you worry about paying me back. You just worry about taking care of your family."

"Thank you, Mrs. Diggs," I murmured. "Really."

She just waved me off as the door clicked shut behind her.

I closed my own door behind me, leaning against it for a second, letting out a long, trembling exhale.

God. People were kinder than I deserved sometimes.

I tossed my backpack on the worn-out couch and pulled out my phone.

Three notifications glowed on my lock screen.

One from Dominic.

DOMINIC🥵: You good?

Just got back from Ren’s.

And don’t forget you’ve got your hearing Friday.

Hope you’re prepping. Don’t make me drag your ass to the boardroom myself.

I rolled my eyes, even as my lips twitched into a small smile.

Me: Yes, boss.

Another message blinked in from Marcus.

MARCUS😎: Bro, just checking in. You okay? Want us to come over or bring food or something?

I snorted under my breath, typing back quickly.

ASH: I’m okay. Thanks Marcus. Let’s make it tomorrow, okay.

Then the third message came from June.

JUNEY🌸💕: Just left the hospital, I didn’t see you there. Fed Alia dinner before leaving. Whatever you need, we’ve got you.

I stared at their texts, thumb hovering over the screen.

I hadn’t replied all day.

But the fact that they kept reaching out... it did something to me. Kept me from falling apart completely.

I typed slowly to June;

Me: Thank you Juney. I love you so much.

I let out a tiny laugh, warmth seeping through my chest.

June’s typing bubble popped up instantly.

JUNEY 🌸💕: Alright. See you tomorrow. smiley emoji.

I set the phone down again.

My eyes drifted to the calendar pinned above my desk.

Wednesday.

Two days until Friday.

Two days until the hearing that could either save my scholarship..or end everything I’d worked for.

I stared at the date until the numbers blurred

I had no speech written.

No defense ready.

No plan.

Just a sinking heart... and a mountain of pressure crushing down on my shoulders.

What am I going to do?

I lay back on my bed, eyes still locked on the ceiling, while my phone buzzed again quietly on the blanket beside me.

Because somehow, despite all of it... I wasn’t completely alone.

I had people.

People who cared enough to text me, to pay part of my rent, to tease me and check up on me.

June, with her fierce loyalty and giant heart.

Marcus, always ready with a joke and a steady shoulder.

Mrs. Diggs, who didn’t owe me anything but still helped.

Alia, who always make me laugh even when the world was crashing down around us.

And even Dominic.

Complicated, reckless, sexy looking Dominic... who kept showing up for me in ways I never expected.

That was something.

That was everything.

And maybe... that was enough to hang on, because even if I didn’t have a plan...

At least I had people who believed in me.

And tonight, that was enough.

I opened my phone again and saw another message had popped up from Dominic.

Dominic🥵:

Stop worrying about Friday, okay? I’m gonna figure out a way to help you keep your scholarship.

I sighed, and continued reading the text

Dominic🥵: Your job is to chill, look pretty like you always do, and get ready to blow the Board away.

And yes, I do mean blow in all the ways you’re thinking, Rivera.

I nearly dropped my phone.

My mouth fell open.

Oh. My. God.

I bit my lip so hard it almost hurt

I stared at his message, my heart pounding.

God, he’s impossible.

But... I couldn’t stop the smile from tugging at my lips.

I typed back with trembling fingers.

Me:

Ohh... so you think I’m pretty, huh?

He responded instantly.

Dominic🥵:

Pretty? Baby, you’re fucking gorgeous.

And one day, I’m gonna make you moan it back to me while I’ve got my tongue...

"OH MY GOD!" I yelped, smacking my phone against my forehead.

A full-body shiver ripped through me. I swallowed, heat crawling up my throat.

Me:

Dom... stop. You’re insane.

Dominic🥵:

You love it.

I can see you blushing right now.

My jaw dropped. My thumb hovered over the keyboard as my brain short-circuited.

Me:

I’m not... shut up.

Dominic🥵:

Uh-huh.

I’m picturing you right now... lying on your bed, flushed pink, biting your lip, that sweet little nervous look you get.

Bet if I was there, I’d have you begging in five minutes.

My heart skipped.

Me:

You’re such a perv.

Dominic🥵:

I’m your perv.

And I know how to make you moan, Rivera.

Wanna hear how?

I choked on air. My fingers hesitated over the screen, then typed:

Me:

Fine. Tell me.

Dominic🥵:

First, I’d pin your wrists over your head.

Then I’d kiss you slow and deep, until you can’t think.

And then... I’d slide my hand down those jeans... and stroke you nice and slow.

Until you’re so desperate you’d do anything I say.

I made a strangled noise, pressing the back of my hand to my mouth.

Me:

Dominic, oh my god...

Dominic🥵:

Mmm.

And then I’d get you on your knees.

And show you exactly how pretty my cock would look in your mouth.

And I wouldn’t stop until you’re whimpering my name.

My entire body was shaking.

Me:

Fuck, Dom...

Dominic🥵:

Say you want it.

Or I can stop, if you want me to.

My stomach twisted into knots. I stared at my reflection in the mirror...flushed cheeks, wide eyes, lips parted.

He was right. I did want it.

My thumbs hovered, then finally typed:

Me:

I want it.

The reply came instantly:

Dominic🥵:

Good boy.

Think of me, okay?

Because next time... it won’t just be texts.

I stared at his words, my entire body was trembling.

Holy shit. I’m in so much trouble.