End of the Line | Part 1

by Levi, Casey

  Reed headed for the door. He needed to go after her. He did not know how he was going to fix this, or if Kristen would even listen to him, but he needed to make this right. He had to make this right, but before he could get far, Mairland snickered from behind him.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” He bit out as he spun around on the heels of his shoes.

  “I was just trying to be honest with the poor girl. I mean, would you really have told her?” Mairland purred as she stalked towards him until she was standing only inches from his body. She trailed her finger down his chest until it reached the edge on his jeans, then she hooked it inside the front and pulled him closer. “Would you have told her how it felt to touch me? To kiss me? Or what about how it felt to be inside of me?”

  “You’re sick.” He pushed her hand away from him and stepped back.

  “You can’t tell me you didn’t want it, Reed.”

  “It was a mistake Mairland. I told you that already. I’m sorry, but it won’t happen again.” Reed swore gravely.

  “Do you really think that you can walk away from me? From this?” Mairland inched closer to him and pressed her chest up against his.

  “Whatever Mairland. I don’t have time for your games right now.” Reed turned to leave, but she grabbed a hold of his shirt and pulled him back.

  “You’re going after her? Someone who will never be what you want? I can give you everything that she can’t!” Mairland yelled at him.

  Reed abruptly turned on her and pushed her up against the railing of the back porch. He placed his hands on either side of her, trapping her in place. “Listen and listen close because I am only going to say this once. I was drunk and needed a release. You are so easy, that yes at the time I wanted to screw you, but that was a big mistake. And trust me sweetheart, you’re nothing special.”

  Mairland pushed against his chest until he stood up, then she slapped him across the face. “Go to hell Reed!”

  “After you sweetheart.” He winked at her and then walked away.

  ***

  Reed’s surrounding slowly came back into focus as the memory of that night faded from the fore of his mind. He never found Kristen that night, and ever since then they have not seen or spoken to each other.

  Slamming the tailgate close in frustration, he ran an agitated hand through his hair. Aran and Julie appeared from the house with Kristen following close behind. He looked at her, but she refused to meet his gaze. He had to stop himself from walking up to her, pulling her into his arms, and setting things straight.

  “Damn, this is going to be a long ass weekend.” He muttered to himself as he rounded the jeep and met them by the hood. “Is everything ready to go?”

  “I believe so. Ladies?” Aran turned to Julie and Kirsten- who both stopped talking to answer him. “You good bro?” Aran questioned as he faced Reed again.

  “Yeah.” Reed replied flatly.

  “Alright, who’s ready to party?” Aran wiggled his eyebrows as he climbed into the driver’s seat.

  “Hell yeah!” Kristen and Julie said unison.

  2

  Chapter Two

  Kristen leaned her head against the window as they pulled out of the driveway. She tried to put as much space between her and Reed as possible, but with the small space she could feel the heat radiating from his body. It sent a nervous chill throughout her, and her heart picked up speed.

  She stared out the window at the passing buildings, and the noon rush of traffic. A bright red sports car flew past her window, and she imagined what it would feel like to be behind the wheel. A rush of excitement coursed through her as she imagined the vibration from the engine pricking at her skin, while the loud bass of the music blared through the car.

  Reed’s face appeared, and her mind turned in a different direction. She felt a fleet of butterflies turn in her stomach. She closed her eyes and let the warmth of the sun sweep over her face. She could picture Reed in the driver’s seat of the red sports car, shifting it from first to fifth in a matter of seconds. She imagined herself leaning over the middle console, whispering encouraging words into his ear as she placed her hand on his thigh.

  Kristen snapped her eyes open. She needed to get out of the jeep and the small space it provided. She felt relieved as the gas station came into view. Aran put his blinker on and switched to the right lane to turn in to the parking lot. Bodie and Mairland were already there and waiting outside the store in an empty parking space. Kristen narrowed her eyes as Mairland looked up in their direction. She hadn’t seen her since that night six months ago, and she would not mind going another six months- if not longer.

  “This is the only stop we are making, so you better get what you need for the road.” Aran called out as he pulled up to an empty gas pump.

  Kristen waited for Julie to get out of the jeep before climbing out. She stretched her arms above her head. Her muscles feeling stiff from the ride, but as she turned to see where Julie had disappeared to, she could not help but look at Reed as he walked past her.

  She waited for Julie to get money from Aran and turned back around to admire the view of Reed’s butt as he walked into the store, and again the dirty thoughts filled her mind.

  “See anything you like?” Julie nudged her in the side.

  Kristen jumped in surprise to Julie’s sudden appearance, and she could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. “What? No. I was just waiting for you.”

  Julie raised her eyebrows at her. “That’s not all you were doing”

  Kristen gave a dry laugh. It was no secret that she found Reed attractive, but she could not seem to help herself around him sometimes. They may not be talking, but that did not mean she could not admire the view.

  Walking into the store, Julie walked to the counter to pay for gas while Kristen looked through the candy aisle. She grabbed a bag of Butterfinger bites, some Twizzlers, a sprite, and a water bottle. After paying for the items, she walked out of the store with Julie.

  Aran was talking with Bodie, and Mairland was sitting on top of Bodie’s trunk, twirling her hair around her finger and looking bored with their conversation.

  Jealousy slapped her in the face at the thought of her with Reed, and it took all her willpower to not go over and slap Mairland across the face. Why had he slept with her? Other than the basic human need. But who was she trying to kid here? Mairland was everything she was not. Her short white blonde hair waved around her face, and her bottle green eyes sparkled with gold flecks. She was shorter than Kristen- only by an inch or two, but she had a slim petite figure with huge breasts. She could never compete with someone like her. She had no experience. Kristen had only kissed one guy before, and it was the most awkward ten seconds of her life. ‘Did that even count as a kiss?’ Kristen shook her head at that thought, and decided it was not worth her time to think about.

  “Hey beautiful ladies, can I give you a ride?” Bodie half grinned at Kristen and Julie as they walked up to the car.

  “Sorry bro, but this one’s taken.” Aran proclaimed as he wrapped his arms around Julie’s waist from behind and nuzzled her neck.

  “What do you say Kris?” Bodie raised an eyebrow at her.

  “How can I say no to that handsome face.” Kristen rolled her eyes when Bodie rubbed his bearded chin. He was a handsome man, reaching an inch shy of six feet, dark chocolate skin, and raven hair with deep amber eyes.

  Kristen stood there with her bag in hand as they began talking about their trip, and what the plans would be. She smiled, but on the inside, she knew that she was going to miss this. She hadn’t known Bodie that long, but he graduated this year and would be going to work with his father in the heart of New York City next month. Julie would be taking the next year off school to move to Seattle, Washington with Aran. She was not sure what Reed had planned- if he would be going with Aran and Julie or moving on to something else now that he finished school.

  She could care less what Mairland was doing, just as long as she did not have to see h
er. Kristen did not understand what she had done to piss her off so bad, or why Mairland even hated her. She had always wondered if it had something to do with Reed though.

  “What do you think Kris?” Julie’s voice broke through her thoughts, and Kristen realized that she had missed their whole conversation.

  “What do I think about what?” She shifted uncomfortably as everyone looked at her.

  “About going out to dinner when we get there?” Julie huffed in annoyance.

  “Oh yeah, that sounds good.”

  “Pay attention much?” Mairland said sarcastically.

  Kristen narrowed her eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Exactly what it sounds like” Mairland hopped off the trunk and flipped her hair. “Your clueless, and don’t know when to take a hint.”

  “Give it a rest Mairland.” Julie shot her a dirty look.

  “Seriously…” Aran muttered under his breath.

  Kristen knew the meaning behind her words, which she was talking about Reed. It was always about Reed with Mairland, and she wondered if there was still something going on that her friends knew about. Were Mairland and Reed still hooking up? She had to stop herself. She did not want to think about that. She hated having these feelings for a man who would never love her. Why couldn’t she just move on? She hoped going to Europe for the summer would help her to do just that.

  She turned to walk towards the jeep but hit into a solid chest. She dropped her bag, and her sprite bottle went rolling across the parking lot. Swearing under her breath, she bent down to pick up the items that fell. Reed bent down to help her, but she hurried and stuffed everything back in her bag and stood up. She could not resist the urge to look up at him, but when she did, her whole body burned with desire as his deep blue eyes gazed down at her.

  “Are you okay?” Kristen barely heard him over her pounding heart.

  “I’m fine.” She pulled her bag to her chest and walked past him to retrieve the sprite bottle.

  “She’s wrong you know.” Reed called after her, but she did not stop to question him. She could not keep playing these mind games with everyone, especially him. Whatever connection they had before was no longer there, and she needed to accept that. But could she just be friends with the man she would give it all too?

  “Alright party people; let’s get a move on it!” Bodie began snapping his fingers at everyone.

  She climbed in the backseat of the Jeep and buckled her seat belt. Putting her bag of snacks on the floor, she grabbed her iPod from her purse and flipped through her songs until she found ‘On Top of the World, by Imagine Dragons.’ She may not have her emotions under control with Reed, but as far as this weekend goes, she knew it was going to be the best weekend of her life.

  3

  Chapter Three

  Reed opened his eyes just as they were pulling into the parking garage of the hotel. He stretched his arms above his head then rubbed the sleep from his eyes. His legs ached from the lack of space the backseat of the jeep provided to him, and he felt anxious to get out and stretch them. A slight movement next to him had him looking down to see that Kristen had her head rested slightly on his shoulder. Her soft breathing caressed his skin, and he had the urge to wrap his arm around her.

  Kristen did things to him, and it drove him crazy that he could not touch her. He wanted her so bad on so many levels. She shifted, tucking her arm into his side, and the scent of strawberries from her hair drifted up his nose. He inhaled a deep breath, moved her arm, and slid her over to the other side of the seat. A disappointed look crossed her face, but he pushed it to the back of his mind. One day things would be okay between them again, but he knew that they could never just go back to where they were.

  “Wake up sleepyheads, we’re here.” Julie said, beaming with excitement.

  After Aran found a parking spot, the four of them climbed out of the jeep. Reed felt relieved to finally stretch his legs. He helped Aran grab some of the bags out of the back, and they walked towards the entrance of the hotel lobby.

  Bodie and Mairland were already waiting inside, and as they walked towards the counter, Reed could not help but gaze at Mairland. He laid the blame for her for the mess she had caused between him and Kristen. Resentment stirred deep with him, but he had to shove the regret away. He was just as much to blame as Mairland was.

  “Can I help you?” A young blonde asked as she smiled big at Aran.

  Aran casually leaned against the desk. “Yes. I have a reservation for Shaw, Aran Shaw.”

  She looked down at the computer, tapping away at the keys. “You have the three rooms? One suite with a queen bed, and two suites with two twin beds?” She asked without looking up at him.

  “That’s it.” He smiled at her.

  “Alright, here are your keys, and I see that you’ve already paid. Let me just grab your receipt and you’re good to go.” She turned towards the printer and grabbed the paper from the tray.

  She handed Aran his receipt, and he gave her another half grin. As Aran was handing out the keys, Reed wondered who would be sharing a room. He knew that Aran and Julie were, but the thought of Mairland sharing a room with Kristen did not sit well with him. Then again, the thought of Bodie and Kristen sharing a room made him clench his jaw with jealousy.

  “So, who’s sharing a room?” He blurted out without meaning to.

  “Dude, I thought we’re going’ to share.” Bodie said, trying to sound offended.

  “And what? Have me share a room with her? I don’t think so.” Mairland flipped her white blonde hair. “How about you and I share a room?” Mairland said placing her hand on Reed’s arm. “We have a lot of making up to do.”

  “I’d rather just get my own room.” Reed shrugged off Mairland’s hand.

  “Reed I doubt that they will have any spare rooms available.” Julie offered. “So… what if you and Kristen share?” Julie smiled mischievously.

  “She’s right, there is no point in paying for another room. I can deal with it.” Reed could feel his draw drop as Kristen spoke the words. He could not help but feel that spark of hope, but then it faded when he realized she had said, “Deal with it.”

  * * *

  Kristen’s heart was racing. Before she could stop herself, she had offered to share a room with Reed. The words had slipped out of her mouth. They had spent the last six months not seeing or talking to each other, and now they would be sharing a room for the next four days.

  She turned and glared at Julie. A mischievous smile still plastered on her face. The hope of things changing between her and Reed seemed small. The look of confusion on his face when she offered to share a room with him was any indication. Kristen glanced over at him and sighed in relief that he was talking with Aran.

  They walked towards the elevator, and Aran pushed the button to go up. Aran could not get all three rooms on the same floor, so hers and Reed’s room was on the twelfth floor, and the other two rooms were on the tenth. When the elevator doors slid open, they all stepped in, and Aran pressed the two buttons for their floors.

  “So, our dinner reservations are at eight. We can unpack, shower, and do whatever else we need to do. Then meet down in the lobby at seven-forty.” Julie said, winking at Kristen.

  Kristen wondered what Julie’s plan was for her and Reed, and why she had to try and play matchmaker. She glared at her friend again, knowing that whatever Julie’s plan was, it was not going to work. After everyone got off on the tenth floor, Kristen felt a little uneasy with just her and Reed. They have not been alone since that night. She wanted to talk to him, but about what? She was not sure. She wanted to say just anything to stop this awkwardness that had grown between them. When she finally found the courage to say something, the elevator dinged, and the doors slid open.

  When they entered the room, Kristen walked to the furthest bed and set her bag down. The room was bigger than she had imagined it to be, and the view of the city was massive from their room. There were two chairs in f
ront of the window, with a lamp in the middle, and in front of the beds was a dresser with a flat screen hanging on the wall. Next to the dresser on the right was a door, and she assumed it was to the bathroom.

  Kristen put her hands in her back pockets and turned to face Reed. “Do you want to shower first?”

  Reed looked up from his bag. “No, you can go first.”

  “I will let you go first. I might be awhile, and there probably wouldn’t be any hot water left.”

  Reed grabbed a few things out of his bag and walked into the bathroom. After she heard the water turn on, Kristen searched her bag and pulled a pile of clothes out. She looked through the articles of clothing and held up her black blouse that slightly fell off the shoulder. She decided to wear that with a pair of dark blue skinny jeans, and her black leather knee knee-high boots. She reminded herself that she would have to thank Julie for her shopping advice.

  Kristen folded her clothes as she pulled them out from her bag and set them in a neat pile next to her. She pulled out her makeup bag, and toiletry bag and set them on the other side of her bag. When she had everything out and spread across the bed, she wondered how she was going to get it all back in her bag, and how had she gotten it all in her bag in the first place.

  After she finished getting the rest of her clothes put away, the door to the bathroom opened, and she looked over to see Reed walking out only wearing a towel. Kristen could feel her eyes widen when she looked at him. The towel hung low on his hips, and water dripped down his hard chest to his defined stomach muscles. She could not help but notice the happy trail of dark hair that disappeared under his towel, and she nervously bit down on her bottom lip as butterflies swam through her stomach.

  Reed caught her stare, and desire burned through his eyes. “Sorry. I forgot my clothes.”