by K. R. Grace
“Are you now the keeper of my virtue?” I asked dryly. “You didn’t see me acting as your accountability partner all these years.”
“It’s not the same thing, Mace. Those girls know the score. They know what they’re getting themselves into when they get involved with me. You? You’re wanting intimacy and romance. Stuff you won’t get if you fall in bed with the next guy you run into.”
I took in a deep, steadying breath. “Thank you for caring about me, but I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”
“I never said you couldn’t. I just don’t want to see you throw your dreams away over some stupid bet.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
He nodded, but he didn’t look satisfied with my comeback. Not everyone could say they had a best friend like Cam. I knew I was lucky, but I never dreamt that pursuing a love life would put such a strain on our relationship. Maybe he couldn’t handle sharing me with someone else. Maybe the only way to be with someone else was to distance myself from Cam.
But would it be worth it to have a boyfriend if I didn’t have my best friend there by my side?
I didn’t have the answer to that question, and that fact alone scared the crap out of me.
Nine
7. Every Good Romance Starts in the Bedroom
Over the next two weeks, I was so busy with school and work, that I didn’t have much time to focus on the plan. To be honest, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to attempt the next step. I’d always hoped that the first time I went beyond a simple kiss was with someone I loved. Call me crazy, but I needed to run the bases with someone who cared about going to bat with me over and over again for the rest of our lives. Not a wham-bam-see-ya-later-ma’am one-hit wonder.
It was the weekend, and I had to work, which was the best time to do what needed to be done without prying eyes. Because my parents put the fear of God in me about teen pregnancies and STDs, I knew the first thing I needed to do before I ever picked out a guy to do it with was to go to the drug store. Of course, because I lived in a small coastal town and word travels quicker than a wildfire, I couldn’t go to the one right across the street from the Yogurt Shack. Not unless I wanted everyone in school to know that I, Macey Greere, bought condoms.
No thank you. Not happening.
The next drug store was two towns over, so I left for work an hour early and hit the road. My palms were sweaty as I mentally rehearsed how I was going to get in and get out without giving away that I’d never done anything like it before.
The small voice in my head that knew how to make me feel like I was an idiot asked why I hadn’t just ordered the stuff online. It would’ve saved time and embarrassment.
But then I thought about the worst case scenario for having a box of condoms sent to my parents’ house. First, there was the strong possibility that they’d open the box first and Mom would pass out at the sight of them. Second, I could get lucky and get the package before they got home, but then Mom would open the credit card bill and see a purchase from a drug store almost an hour away and the jig would be up.
Yeah, driving to the drug store with cash in my pocket was the best way to go.
A little while later, I pulled into the parking lot and stared up at the big, red, scripted letters of the store’s name mounted on the side of the building.
I refused to acknowledge that my hands were shaking, and I was praying that a store-sized anvil suddenly fell from the sky and squashed the place so I would have a valid excuse for retreating. Unfortunately, no giant anvils fell, and a mother and her small daughter walked out the front door hand-in-hand.
“You can do this.” I gave myself a quick pep talk and climbed out of Oscar.
Inside the store, I circulated up and down the aisles for a full fifteen minutes. Every time I came up to the condom case, I freaked out and kept on walking. Why the heck were rubbers kept under lock and key? Oh God, I was going to have to ask someone to help me. They’d know. I’d be labeled a tramp before ever leaving the store.
I felt like I was about to be sick.
Finally, I worked up enough nerve to stop in front of the case and at least survey the options. Sweet mother of chocolate there were a lot of options. Different flavors, different textures, different sensations, different colors, different sizes. Some for men and some for women…though I didn’t want to know how the second option worked. There were even glow-in-the-dark ones. Why?
“Can I help you with anything?” a sweet voice asked, and I turned to see a girl about my age smiling at me. If she was passing judgment, her eyes didn’t convey it. For some reason, that boosted my confidence and I nodded.
“Yes, I need those,” I pointed at the case without looking.
She nodded. “Sure thing.” Then she quickly inserted a key in the lock and slid the case open to retrieve whatever the heck I’d said I wanted.
I couldn’t look.
Then she asked, “Do you need anything else?”
Because I was so ready to get the heck out of there, I shook my head and quickly answered, “Nope, that’s all.”
“Then I’ll just ring you up at the front.”
Because I didn’t want to follow her through the store as she carried my purchase in her hands like it was an offering to the gods and a billboard that I was looking to have sex, I took advantage of the fact she had to lock the case back up and darted up to the front of the store ahead of her.
With the deed done and over with a few minutes later, I stuffed the purchase under the passenger seat and drove to work.
The Yogurt Shack was insane. It was as if the entire community decided it was national yogurt day or something. Thankfully, Reese and I were working together, so we easily fell into a good rhythm, which combatted the madness.
I was in the middle of piling crushed up Oreos onto a chocolate and vanilla swirl when Cam came up to the counter.
“Hey, Mace, can I borrow Oscar for a few hours?”
Normally, I’d give him the third-degree, asking why the heck he needed my car when he had his choice of several at home, but I had a customer standing in front of me who looked pissed that Cam had cut the line to talk to me, so I nodded and motioned for the break room.
“Keys are in my purse.”
He lunged over the counter and planted a kiss on my cheek. “Thanks, Mace. You’re the best.”
And then he was gone.
I handed the customer his yogurt and change. “Have a great day!”
He grumbled something about PDA in the workplace and disappeared out the door.
“Some people need a lesson in how to have fun,” Reese muttered as she handed over a cup of toppings with a little ice cream to a woman with a squalling three-year-old at her ankles.
“Sweetie, look what I have,” the woman said, coaxing the little boy out of his crying fit. Through fake sobs, he looked up at the cup of ice cream, and miraculously, the tears stopped and he made grabby hands at it.
“The power of ice cream.” The exhausted mother smiled as she led her child away from the counter.
“Remind me to never have kids,” Reese muttered.
“You’ll be too busy doing your endorsement stunts after winning your multiple gold medals to have kids.” I waved her off.
“You really think I’m that good?”
It was what I loved about Reese. Her humility. The whole world said she was the favorite to break records and do what no female gymnast had ever done before, which was gold medal in all the events, but she didn’t see it. To her, she was good, but there were girls whose skills far surpassed hers.
“Most definitely, babe.” I hip bumped her before turning on my headset to take the drive-thru order.
A group of guys from school stumbled in, obviously drunk from whatever party they’d just come from and took up a table in the corner.
“Waitress! Oh, waitress!” One of them shouted at us.
I glanced over at Reese. “Is he frickin’ serious? Where does he think we are, O’Charley’s?”<
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“I’m not dealing with them.” She quickly grabbed a washrag and occupied herself with wiping down the counters.
“You can’t send me to the wolves!” I cried.
Loud, drunken laughter erupted from the corner, and she glanced over her shoulder to observe the chaos.
“Oh yes, I can.” She winced before returning to her job.
I let out a frustrated growl before walking over to where they all sat. Upon closer inspection, I saw that it was Trainer Proctor, Lincoln Quinn, and a couple of other sophomores on the baseball team.
“How can I help you gentleman tonight?” I asked, trying to keep my tone casual.
“Yeah, you could get us some ice cream.” Trainer smacked the table with finality. His short, black dreads bounced with the motion. He was definitely one of the hottest sophomores in school with his ice blue eyes, perpetually tanned skin, and god-like build, but I didn’t go for younger guys. Good thing, considering I was a few seconds away from giving him a lesson in manners.
“I’m afraid we don’t do table-side service. If you would like some ice cream, you’ll need to come up to the counter and place your order.”
“I’m sure you can make an exception for me.” He winked.
I glanced at Lincoln and the other guys who were giggling like a bunch of idiots. I took in a deep breath and prepared my speech when Jaxon Hill walked up to the table. Now there was a yummy piece of man. Not only was he tall, dark, and to die for, but he was smart, athletic, and super sweet. He had jet black hair that he kept short during baseball season, and one of those smiles that made my knees go wobbly.
“Are these guys giving you trouble?” he asked me as he shot death glares at the guys around the table.
“We were just messing with her.” Lincoln raised his hands in defense. Did I forget to mention Jaxon was captain of the baseball team with a full ride to the University of Tennessee? Yeah, he was a big deal on campus, and he also had the power to make or break the upcoming talent on the team because his dad was the coach.
“My misguided teammates will have waters to go,” he said apologetically to me.
“Sure thing.” I nodded and hurried back behind the counter.
“Oh. My. God,” Reese mouthed as she rolled her eyes in ecstasy.
“Shh,” I hissed as I made quick work with the waters.
“What time does your shift end?” Jaxon asked over my shoulder, suddenly right behind me. I jumped and forced myself to take in three deep breaths before turning to look at him. Only to discover we were almost chest to chest. How the heck had he gotten that close to me without my noticing?
“Um, we close at ten tonight.”
He nodded before a big smile spread across his face. “Then I guess I’ll have a vanilla in a cup with gummy worms and crushed Oreos to carry me over until then.”
I took him in from top to bottom. From his perfectly-fitted jeans to the black t-shirt that stretched across his abs and the tangy scent of his cologne…yeah, he could definitely be my first. I hoped.
“Coming right up.” I fluttered my eyelids and prayed to God I looked as hot as Marilyn Monroe doing it.
“Here you go.” Reese popped up out of nowhere, handing Jaxon his order.
“Thanks. What do I owe you?” he asked, fishing his wallet out from his back pocket.
She hip bumped me. “This one’s on her.”
I felt my cheeks flush red and gave him a shy smile.
“A sweet treat from a sweet girl. Thank you.”
Did he just use a line on me? Oh my God, Jaxon Hill just made a pass at me! He turned around and walked back to the table juggling the tray of waters and his ice cream.
Reese leaned hard against the counter and fanned herself. “Great heavens above, but that boy’s a bowl-full of chocolate fudge cake I’d love to spoon up.”
I rolled my eyes. “You must be on a dessert ban again.”
“It’s a chocolate ban and absolute torture,” she corrected.
“Am I in over my head with this one?” I asked, making sure my back was to Jaxon. I didn’t want him knowing I was totally out of my element with him.
She glanced over my shoulder at him and then back at me. “Heck no. He’s one of the good ones.”
I took in a deep breath and flashed my best smile.
“And despite what everyone else thinks, I love that you’re doing this ten-step thing. It’s about time you got away from being Cam’s sidekick.”
“It’s not like that!” I protested immediately.
She raised her hand. “I’m not saying you did it intentionally. You know I love Cam like a brother, but y’all’s relationship sends off mixed signals to other guys.”
I felt my blood start to boil. “I’m tired of everyone saying Cam and I come across as a couple. It’s not like we’ve ever done anything to give anyone that impression.”
She didn’t say anything else, but I knew I hadn’t convinced her of anything. So what if Cam and I were best friends who just so happened to be opposite sexes? It wasn’t like we’d ever entertained thoughts of dating each other. To be honest, the idea of kissing Cam made me want to laugh. He’d seen me at my absolute worst. We knew too much about each other to ever be romantically involved. Not to mention what dating would do to the friendship should it end badly, which it would, because Cam was a commitment-phobe.
For the rest of the night, Jaxon and I played the flirting game. He’d catch my eye while I was serving a customer and give me one of those grins that made my heart forget how to beat for a few seconds, and in return, I’d make sure I accidentally brushed against his arm as I passed him on my way to clean tables.
When closing time finally rolled around, I was a ball of nerves. I dashed into the break room to fix my hair into a nicer messy bun and applied some makeup. Thankfully, I’d brought a change of clothes with me tonight in the off chance that Reese and I decided to hang out afterwards, so I swapped my lime green work t-shirt for a black halter top and my dirty black yoga capris for ripped jeans.
I reached into my purse to fish out my car keys when I remembered Cam still had Oscar.
“Crap,” I muttered. The lack of transportation wasn’t the problem but what was currently hidden away under the passenger seat in said transportation.
Double crap.
I walked out of the break room with my purse slung over my shoulder.
“Get em’, tiger.” Reese smacked my butt before following me out the front door.
As she locked up, I scanned the parking lot until my eyes fell on Jaxon leaning against a black truck, his legs crossed at the ankles, the epitome of relaxation and sex appeal…or so I thought. Given my absence of knowledge, he could’ve had to pee for all I knew. With the trapeze artists performing in my stomach, it was hard to make sense of up and down.
“Cam still has my car,” I said apologetically.
“That’s fine. I can give you a ride home.” He shrugged and pushed himself off the truck and opened the passenger door for me.
As I climbed inside, I had to give myself some credit. Back when all of this started, I would’ve been a giggling mess at the mere mention of getting in a car with a boy. Instead, I buckled myself in and waited for Jaxon to do the same on his side of the cab.
My phone buzzed in my hand. I glanced down to see a text from Reese.
REESE: Where’s ur car?? U aren’t riding with Jaxson are you??
ME: Cam has it. I’ll be fine
REESE: ….fine, but call me as soon as u get home
ME: I will ;*
I scanned the inner contents of the truck and grimaced. It looked like a trashcan from a fast-food restaurant had been dumped into the floorboards. Discarded cups, crumpled to-go bags, fry boxes, and burger wrappers covered every available surface. The truck smelled like stale fries and…sweat. Mmm, gross.
“Do you mind if we take the long way home?”
Long way? I didn’t think there was any other way to get from the Yogurt Shack to my house…whic
h was only two miles away. “Yeah, that’s fine,” I said.
We went left when we should’ve gone right and drove out of town and down small, country roads.
“You know, ever since we had Spanish one together, you’ve been on my mind,” he said, breaking the silence after a while.
“That bad of a classmate, was I?” I asked dryly.
“No, the opposite. You were memorable. Always coming to class smelling like sweet fruit and willing to help the struggling hombre.”
The memories of that particular class flooded back. Cam and I had that class together as well. We’d spent the entire time passing notes back and forth and cracking jokes about the teacher’s fetish with his sombreros, which he always wore.
I didn’t remember Jaxon being in the class with us.
“Of course, you were always wrapped up in Cam. I’ll be honest, until two weeks ago, I thought y’all were an item.”
He pulled the truck over into a field and cut the engine. His lights stayed on for a few minutes before shutting off. My heart beat wildly against my ribcage like a prisoner struggling to break out. Oh crap, what had I gotten myself into?
“And what happened two weeks ago?” I asked?
He reached over and brushed a strand of hair that had broken away from the bun behind my ear.
“That doesn’t matter,” he said as he scooted closer.
It became all too clear in that moment that I wasn’t ready for this. While there were some girls who would’ve loved to have Jaxon Hill this close to them, I was assessing my exit options.
“No, I want to know,” I said as a stalling tactic. I thought I wanted this, but something felt wrong about the whole thing.
He cupped my cheek and lowered his head to mine. “I saw you at Kenton’s party and realized I didn’t care if you were Cam’s. I had to make you mine.”
And then he kissed my stunned lips. As far as kissers go, he was good, I guess. I only had one kiss with a girl to compare it to, but still, there was a part of me that would gladly get into the kiss, if my brain would shut up. It kept going over what he’d said. Was it a good thing that Jaxon was willing to go after another man’s girl?