by Krista Wolf
Instead of stepping aside so I could go make the hallway, Garrett put his arm up to block my way.
“Claud. We need to talk about stuff.”
“Don’t call me that,” I snapped. “And no, we don’t need to talk about anything.”
I started moving again. He made no motion to get out of the way. Somewhere behind me, I thought I heard his asshole girlfriend chuckle again. Finally I sighed, letting my arms fall to my sides.
“Fine, what?”
“You need to move out.”
I swallowed hard, trying to fight the bile threating to rise up in my throat.
“Are we really going to do this here?” I asked. “Right now, in front of your—”
“Fiance’.”
The word hung there in the silence of the kitchen, causing my eyebrows to knit together. Chastity had said it, and for one or two seconds it was completely foreign to me. Like the word held no meaning.
“What did you say?” I turned to face her.
“Fiance’,” she said again, more firmly and snottily than before. She held up one bony hand and wriggled her fingers. I saw a gold ring with a tiny diamond glitter in the overhead fluorescents.
Holy shit…
“Y—You’re getting married?” I swore, whirling on Garrett.
“Eventually,” he said. “Yes. And Chastity’s moving in. Right away, in fact. Which is why—”
“Which is why you, honey,” she finished for him, “need to get the hell out!”
I wanted to speak. I really did. I wanted to say a thousand things, and all of them terrible.
Most of all I wanted to beat my fists against Garrett’s chest, or drive one of them through Chastity’s homely, pockmarked face. But that wasn’t me. I just wasn’t that type of girl.
Too bad.
“Listen, I’ve asked you a bunch of times,” Garrett said placatingly. “You always change the subject. You always—”
“That’s because it’s my house too!” I screamed. “You don’t just get it! You don’t just—”
“There’s no equity,” he said. “There’s no value. It’s just a house, Claud. That’s all it is. That’s all it ever was.
My head spun. My mind screamed at me to do something! But somewhere in my chest, deep down in my heart, a hard truth finally emerged.
He’s right.
The anger drained from me. The frustration didn’t.
“Fine,” I yelled. “You want me out? I’m out.”
I took a step toward the door, then stopped short. On a whim I whirled again, grabbed the mug from Chastity’s hand, and hurled it against the wall.
The both of them cringed as it shattered into a million pieces.
“I’m out,” I said again, this time to her. “You can have him. But you don’t get my favorite coffee mug.”
She looked shocked and surprised. Garrett too. Before either of them could recover, I grabbed the coffee maker, dumped its contents to the floor, and pulled the plug from the wall.
“And you don’t get my coffee maker either!”
I stormed out, trying to maintain what was left of my dignity. Only there was no dignity left. I’d give it up a year ago, when I’d agreed to stay in the house rather than be forced to find another place.
Not anymore, the little voice in my head assured me. Not anymore.
I slammed the door, realized the coffee-maker’s cord was stuck in it, then re-opened it and slammed it again. Through the kitchen window, I could see Garrett and Chastity watching me. I must’ve looked like a total psycho.
“You’re not getting my coffee maker,” I said again, through tear-streaked eyes. “No fucking way.”
Seven
CLAUDIA
“And you left? Just like that?”
I nodded, standing in the ornate Victorian doorway. Tears streaked down my face as I sniffled, merging in with the rain.
“But why did you take the coffee maker?”
“It’s a long story.”
“Oh sorry!” Brandon blinked, suddenly realizing he hadn’t invited me inside. “Come in, come in!”
He slid one of his big arms around me and practically pulled me inside. It felt warm and reassuring and immeasurably good.
“Claudia,” he said, closing the door. “I’m so sorry.”
The house really was beautiful, especially at night. Lots of old, original finishes. Some still needed repairs, but—
“Wanna talk about it?”
I shook my head. Probably a little too quickly.
“That’s fine,” Brandon said sympathetically. “I can wait.”
Sympathetic I could take. Pity I could not. I didn’t detect even the slightest pity as Brandon took me by the wrist and led me into the kitchen. Before I could protest, he thrust a beer into my hand.
“Or would you rather have wine? I think Colin has a bottle somewhere. Let me—”
I tilted the bottle back in answer and downed five or six really big gulps. The cold liquid tasted amazing, especially against the warmth of the room’s big old, cast-iron radiator. Even with the water dripping from my hair, I let out a long, gratified sigh.
“Beer it is then,” Brandon smiled.
I’d wanted to confide in Lauren. One of my oldest friends, Lauren would know exactly what to do. It wasn’t until I pulled up to her house that I realized she was still in Italy — and had been for most of the week. Thinking back, she’d probably told me a half dozen times and it just never registered.
Crying in front of her house, I felt like a shitty friend.
You gave up most of your friends for Garrett, I reminded myself bitterly. Remember that?
And so I’d driven here. Mechanically. Automatically. Through the pouring rain.
It was the only other place I could think of.
“Where are the others?” I asked.
“Colin crashed early,” he said. “Morning swim practice. Hunter’s in his room with the door closed.” He squinted down at me shrewdly. “Trust me, you do not want to mess with Hunter’s room. Especially when the door’s closed.”
I nodded, looking back at Brandon and actually seeing him for the first time. He wore old faded sweatpants, with some kind of logo emblazoned on one leg that the dryer must’ve burned off years ago. Stretched over his massive chest was the tightest black T-shirt ever. It looked even more comical painted over the thickest part of his biceps. I laughed inwardly, realizing it could be an XXL and it would still look small on him.
He waited until I drained my beer then handed me another one, already open. Before I could say anything else he turned a kitchen chair around and straddled it backwards.
“So…” he said sternly, sitting down. “Out with it.”
I told him. I told him everything. From my failed marriage to my failed attempt at living with my ex to my failure to find a full-time teaching job. Brandon listened intently, crossing his arms over the back of his chair. Resting his chin on top of his hands, waiting on every sad word of my sorry tale.
“Listen I’m sorry to bother you with all this,” I said when I was done. I’d probably just gushed for half an hour. “I feel like such a colossal asshole.”
“Save it” he scoffed. “You’re not bothering anyone.”
I sighed and accepted the fresh tissue he offered me. I had no idea where he’d gotten it.
“Your fraternity brothers already turned in. You probably want to go to bed.”
The rain outside grew louder. I could hear it pattering on the roof. Tapping against the kitchen windows.
“Then come to bed with me,” he said.
My stomach did a somersault.
“W—What?”
“Sleep with me,” he said. “I mean, not with me. With me.” He shook his head again. “No, that’s not what I meant. I mean you’re obviously staying here tonight. With us. So stay in my room, and—”
“And sleep,” I smirked.
“Right. You take the bed and I’ll… I’ll take the couch.”
It was cute, watching him stumble. I let it go on for a little while longer.
“I’m not taking your bed,” I told him.
“The fuck you aren’t,” he said, rolling his shoulders forward. There was something extremely sexy about watching the competitive, football player side of him coming out full force.
“Why not just sleep in the bed with me?” I asked. “I’ve seen your bed. We can both fit. We’re both adults.”
“Can’t do it,” he shook his head.
“Don’t trust yourself?” I teased.
“Nope. Not that.” He rolled his eyes. “Well, that, but also Colin and Hunter would both drill me a new asshole if I did.”
I let my gaze shift to the living room. The couch was downstairs.
“But I don’t want to be alone,” I said, and I meant it.
He looked conflicted for a moment. “Fine. I’ll sleep on the floor.”
He got up, and my eyes wandered his body again. He was being incredibly sweet. The perfect gentlemen. I was grateful for that, but there was still a reckless part of me that wanted to throw myself into his arms. Let him take me upstairs and ravish me, any way he wanted, while the thunder crashed and the rain came down all around us.
Easy, Claudia.
It was only the beer talking. Or the loneliness. Or both. Either way, I chastised myself immediately.
“Alright fine,” I said. “I’ll take the bed, you take the floor.”
Brandon smiled and rose to his full, impressive height. Reaching down, he took my hand with surprising gentleness and led up me upstairs… to his bedroom.
Eight
CLAUDIA
I woke in a haze, unsure of where I was. Then I remembered.
Brandon’s room.
His bed was surprisingly soft, yet firm enough to be comfortable. Best of all it smelled like him. Strong, musky, masculine. It triggered something primal in the back of my mind, something that threatened to overwhelm my restraint. Something that could easily convince me to shake him awake… and invite him beneath the blankets, to curl up with me.
Good thing I really had to go to the bathroom.
Reluctantly I flipped off the covers. Brandon was on the floor as promised, his beautiful chest rising and falling in a deep, even rhythm. I tiptoed past him. Made the doorway.
The bathroom was at the end of the hallway. I padded barefoot down the worn wooden floor, which creaked and groaned with every step I took. Luckily it was still raining outside. The white noise of the storm all but drowned out my footsteps.
I did my business, squinting at brightness of the single overhead bulb. That bulb had been here since the house had gone unoccupied, meaning it had been here since Delta Delta Tau. Since the 1980’s. That bulb had probably seen some shit.
“Good job,” I told the bulb as I washed my hands. Silently I promised not to replace it with one of today’s energy-efficient counterparts, at least until it finally went out.
Back in the hallway, I retraced my steps toward Brandon’s room. Halfway there, I stopped.
Hunter’s bedroom door was open.
You do NOT want to mess with Hunter’s room…
Brandon’s warning echoed in my mind.
Especially when the door’s closed.
It had been a stern warning, but technically, his door was open. Even just a little crack.
I started to go back, stopped myself, then crept a little closer to the open doorway. I wanted to see. I had to see. Besides, it was Brandon’s fault really. The forbidden aspect is what made the whole thing all the more appealing.
I touched the edge of the door. Nudging it open just a few more inches, the tiny voice of reason inside my head was screaming for me to mind my own business.
Curiosity killed the—
“Ohhhh…”
A sound emanated softly from the darkened bedroom. No, not a sound.
A moan.
My heart raced. Instinct told me to pull back, to retreat to the warm safety of Brandon’s bed. But curiosity…
I peered into the room. As my vision adjusted to the dim light of the windows, I could make out slow movement. A head — a woman’s head, by all the flowing hair. Churning slowly. Bobbing up and down…
Oh my God… she’s blowing him!
Hunter was on his back, arms folded behind his head. And this girl, whoever she was… the girl was…
Go! Now!
I should’ve gone, but my feet just wouldn’t move. The truth was, I wanted to watch. I’d never seen two people have sex, not in real life. Other than checking out myself in the mirrors of the occasional cheap motel.
The moan I’d first heard was feminine, but now I could hear Hunter too. He groaned softly as she went down on him, guiding his lover with one hand on her head. A minute went by. Two minutes. Eventually she rose up and straddled him, guiding him inside her.
It was too dark to see much in the way of details. But his cock…
Oh wow.
“Mmmmmm!”
Hunter’s guest grew louder as she sank down, taking him fully inside her. I almost gasped. Without realizing it, I’d already placed one hand over my mouth.
This is wrong, the little voice in my head screamed. I pushed it aside. Kept watching as she rode him. Up and down. Forward and back. Grunting. Groaning…
This isn’t something you should be—
She bucked as Hunter rolled her over, keeping himself inside her the whole time. I flinched at the movement, but thankfully they were facing the other way.
The girl cried out again as he spread her open. Her legs went to either side as he positioned himself between them, squatting on his knees.
Jesus…
They began fucking in earnest now. I saw Hunter’s broad, rippled back. His V-shaped shoulders, tapering down from his thick neck.
And his round, beautiful ass… thrusting forward as he drove himself into her. The muscles pumping and grinding, working hard just beneath the surface of his warm flesh.
I don’t know how long I stood there. In many ways, time stood still. I felt like a third party, all forbidden and wrong, witnessing something I wasn’t a part of but certainly wanted to be. The whole thing was hot… sexy… beautiful.
All of a sudden Hunter’s arms locked. He shoved his lover’s legs back, hands gripping her ankles hard as his ass came forward for one more thrust.
Oh my God he’s coming!
“UNNNNGHH!”
Hunter pushed forward one last time as he finally exploded. The girl beneath him whimpered softly, then cried out as he crushed his body against her.
He’s coming inside her…
I felt a stab of jealousy. I don’t know where it came from but it hit hard, right in the very pit of my stomach.
Look at that…
They remained motionless for a moment, reveling in what had to be the most intense, mutual climax. I envisioned his heavy balls, twitching, surging, pumping his seed inside her. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t even swallow. For the first time I noticed the aroma wafting out of the room; the smell of sex. The smell of—
A flash of lighting lit the room, and for a split-second I could see everything. Or rather, several things, gathered around the bedroom. Somewhat large things. Vaguely familiar things, only I didn’t have time enough to make them out.
Back in the renewed darkness, the muscles of Hunter’s back relaxed all at once. He released his hold on the girl’s legs, which were now trembling, and rolled over.
You should go…
The girl kissed him briefly, then sat up. In one graceful movement she rolled off the bed…
… and headed straight for me.
Shit!
I backed up a step or two, then froze. There wasn’t enough time to make Brandon’s room. Not enough time to do anything!
The door opened and I froze, pressing my back to the wall. It was futile. There was no way I couldn’t be seen…
The girl stepped out — some breathtakingly beautiful blonde with long, silky hair
. But rather than see me she turned, crossed one leg over another, and sauntered her little heart-shaped ass right into the bathroom at the end of the hall.
Thank God…
I remained motionless as she closed the door. Then, for some reason, I pressed my luck. Peering through the bedroom door, I caught a glimpse of Hunter laying on the bed. He was gloriously naked, his spent cock slung limply against one leg. In the silver moonlight I could see his perfect body covered in a thin sheen of sweat…
I took a mental picture. One I could stow away for later, and pull back to the front of my mind whenever I wanted.
Then the toilet flushed.
Claudia, you asshole!
I practically sprinted back to Brandon’s room and quickly slipped inside. The noise from the running sink and flushed toilet more than covered my escape.
Back beneath the sheets, I stared up at the ceiling for a long time. What I’d just seen was thrilling. Exciting. In more ways than one.
And you want it…
“No,” I tried convincing myself with a nervous chuckle. “I most certainly do not.”
But even as I pulled the pillow over my ears and rolled onto my side?
I knew I was lying.
Nine
BRANDON
My alarm split the morning silence at exactly 5:30. Way too soon. It was going to take a while to get used to it — practicing before and after classes — but it was nothing I hadn’t done before. Nothing I couldn’t—
A spike of pain shot through my back. Why the hell was I sleeping on the floor? Did I fall out of bed?
I looked up at my perfectly made bed. Too perfect. Whoever was responsible had even tucked in the corners.
Ahhhh… that’s right!
It came back to me all at once. Last night. The rainstorm. Claudia, showing up crying. It all made sense.
I checked the entire upstairs for her before heading down. Voices in the kitchen told me Colin and Hunter were both up.
“Hey,” I said, stumbling in. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. Looked around.
Still no Claudia.