Freight Train

by Sapphire Knight

  I want her to meet my family?

  Shit. I do.

  Chandler shakes his head. “Clyde freaked out the last time we had a party. I’m not going to be there for it to happen again.”

  He sure as hell did. I’ll never forget it. “That was different. We were screwing around while we were underage and the state could’ve taken Nate and me away from him. We’re all over twenty-one now. He won’t care.” I’ll talk him into it if I have to. This may be the best time for me to get Kadence by herself. I swear if I don’t kiss her lips sometime in the next century, I’m going to explode or end up screwing some random chick to hold me over, and that’s the last thing I want to do at this point.

  JJ glances at Chandler uneasily, and then at me. “Maybe you should call him first. I remember him flipping out too; he’s crazy when he’s pissed.”

  God do I know. He’s shoot-you-in-the-ass type of crazy. I grew up with him, they have no idea.

  “The ranch is partially mine too. It belongs to all of us. If I want to throw a party, then I will.” That’s a lie. Well, it is partially mine, but I definitely have to get permission first.

  “All right bro, it’s your ass.” JJ shrugs “Sounds good to me anyhow.” He easily gives in while Chandler keeps whatever he’s pondering to himself, clearly not buying it a hundred percent.

  I understand their hesitation. The last time we planned something, we invited a bunch of girls over to the pond on my family’s land. We all wanted to swim, drink, and hook up back in high school. Then Clyde showed up flipping out, and the chicks bailed on us. It sucked, and I was pissed at the time, but I get it now. I’m glad he was like that; it kept us living with him and safe.

  Leaning into Kadence, I speak lowly, so the others don’t overhear everything. “Come stay with me this weekend.”

  “What about Brianne?”

  “You can leave with me right after the game and Brianna can catch a ride out with Kash later on if they decide to come out.”

  “If I stayed over, where exactly would I sleep?” She meets my gaze, the gold in her chocolate irises sparkling. She already knows the answer to that question, but if she wants me to say it out loud, I will.

  Running my finger along her jawline, I can’t suppress the grin as I think of her softness lying next to me. “In my bed, Pretty, right where I want you.”

  “And what about you? Where’d you sleep?”

  “I’d be right there next to you. I wouldn’t want you to get cold or anything.”

  “It’d be like that for the entire weekend?”

  “Yep.” Staring at her mouth, I tip her chin up a little, wanting a sample. “Saturday we drive there after the game.” Leaning a bit closer to her, my breath tickles her lips as I mumble, “We party and sleep together Saturday night, and then hang out Sunday.”

  Brushing a soft peck against her bottom lip, she draws in a breath, and I continue. “We sleep together again Sunday night, and then I can bring us back to school on Monday morning.” Planting a tender kiss on the corner of her mouth, I finish. “I promise to keep you in one piece, too.” Sucking her bottom lip into my mouth, I take every bit that I want from her. Not giving her the time to think or argue, just kissing her passionately until I feel her start to pull away.

  She nods slightly, answering breathily, “Okay. But on one condition.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You get the floor, and I get the bed.”

  A chuckle escapes me before I can hold it back, causing one of her eyebrows to raise up in curiosity. “I can agree, but you know I’d be lying to you about it. If you’re in my bed, I’m there with you.”

  “What if I just kick you off?”

  “You can try, Pretty, but look how big I am. I could just lie on top of you and make you stay next to me.” Resting my arm across the back of her chair, I practically engulf her with my size.

  “You’re too sweet to squish me.” She smirks, looking all too pleased with herself, thinking that she’ll get her way.

  Bending close enough that my lips nearly touch her ear, I rest my other hand on her leg and grumble, “Not when it comes to having you in my bed. I’ll be anything but sweet. I promise you that too.”

  At my words, scarlet flushes over her cheeks and chest, her breathing quickening as her breasts heave slightly. With a strong squeeze to her thigh, I sit back in my seat and wait for her to argue, already feeling as if I’ve won.

  Damn it; I want her something fierce. I can’t remember the last time—or if ever—that I’ve felt like I actually needed to sink my dick in someone. With Kadence, it’s like my cock weighs ten pounds resting between my thighs—constantly. Thanks to this brilliant bonfire plan, I’m finally getting the chance to spend some real time alone with her. None of this group outings bull we’ve been doing. It’ll be me and her—alone—in my bed.

  Fuck yes!

  Tom Brady:

  Making football relevant to women since 1996.

  -Awesome Meme

  What on earth did I just agree to? I can barely tell him no and push him off when we’re surrounded by people, and now my ass goes and agrees to spend an entire weekend with him? Just the kisses and quick touches he does when we’re around each other have me wanting to rip his damn clothes off.

  Tyler’s amazing, not just because of his toned body, but because he’s caring and kind and funny. He literally feeds me every day if I let him. He’s done nothing but spoil me rotten and pay tons of attention to me.

  Me. Kadence Winters being doted on by Alabama’s Golden Boy.

  I don’t get it. Does he have some sort of a motive? I’m freaking boring and plain compared to him. I’m the average everyday bookworm who does great on her English essays, and he’s this popular, beautiful jock with a heart dipped in freaking gold. He can’t really be that perfect, can he?

  Don’t get me wrong; he’s not a saint by any means. I can tell he has some naughty shit running through his mind every time he looks at me, but when it comes to helping people—listening to others and being genuine—that’s just the type of man he seems to be. I could do worse I suppose. I could pick a total loser to have some hopeless crush on; instead, I’ve somehow chosen him. Did I choose him? It feels like it may be the other way around like he decided on me and I’m just along for the ride, and despite me trying to hold back, I’m enjoying it so far.

  God what a ride already. I’m going to be so screwed if I get in any deeper with him. He’s going to end up breaking my damn heart, I know it. Even with those thoughts running through my mind often, I can’t stop myself, nor do I want to, from feeling his energy around me.

  Being with Ty is like riding your favorite ride at a theme park. You get the thrill, the excitement, the enjoyment—all of it. I’m not looking forward to the feeling of the ride being over with, though. I’ll most likely go into a carb coma trying to make up for it. Sugar’s great, but in the end, it doesn’t even come close to comparing to the natural high he gives me.

  Then there are his friends—whom I actually like—by the way. Surprising, considering I had it in my mind that ninety percent of jocks are douchebags. I seriously doubt I was just lucky enough to meet the ten percent in our school who aren’t. I need to stop being so shallow, especially when it comes to football. The game’s practically in my blood.

  I wasn’t so sure about JJ at first. He came off as a bit of a pretentious asshole, but once he lets his guard down some, he’s actually not that bad. He’s protective over his small group of friends, and I respect that a great deal.

  Chandler’s pretty much the opposite. He’s so nice and calm, just going with the flow of things. Oh, and he’s super smart, which is a huge bonus by giving me someone else to talk to who knows what I’m saying when I bring up certain subjects.

  I’m waiting for Brianne to confess she’s in love with one of them. Once that happens, I may as well say goodbye to Tyler, because she’s a train wreck when it comes to relationships. Like I have room to talk. I’ve never really
put much effort into any of my past relationships.

  She has the habit of picking dirtbags, though. She ends up with the guys that drink excessively and party all the time, cheating on her with random girls and what not. I end up being the one to help pick up the pieces, which usually involve face masks, peanut butter M&M’s, and excessive amounts of Red Bull. Weird combination, but that’s what makes her start to feel better.

  “Ready?” Tyler stands, along with everyone else, so naturally, I scoot my chair out too quickly and damn near fall forward. Ty’s hand shoots out like a rocket, keeping me seated. He’s so freaking strong with reflexes like a cat.

  “Thanks,” I breathe, wide-eyed. He releases me but holds his palm out to take mine, reminding me of the first time I ran into him. That one collision has changed so much in my life already.

  Placing my small hand in his, he holds on tightly, offering me stability. It’s ridiculous how clumsy I am sometimes, and the fact he notices is embarrassing. At least he’s sweet enough not to tease me about it, but instead, offers to help. It’s weird, but I feel like he makes me stronger in a sense.

  “Sorry about that,” I mumble as we walk toward the door leading outside into the large courtyard full of grass and stone benches.

  “You have nothing to apologize for,” he responds, pulling me closer so he can place a chaste kiss on top of my head and wrap his arm around my shoulders. It’s sweet and done so naturally, that a girl could easily get used to it. Day after day his gestures wear me down. Eventually, I’ll no longer have my heart; it’ll belong to him.

  Nearly everyone we pass greets the guys in some way, whether it be football related or just an excited hello. I don’t get it how they can be ‘on’ all the time like this. I’m only around them sometimes, and it’s exhausting for me. My father’s the same way as me; he likes it quiet. The guys act like it’s normal, though, and with how well they each play, I guess life for them has been in the spotlight for quite a while. Even when they’re being fawned over by their fans, they never make me feel like I don’t belong, and I love that.

  Brianne stops next to Tyler’s truck, smiling at Kash like he’s hung the moon.

  Great.

  I’d suspected that she liked Kash and possibly JJ or Chandler as well. It seems more and more that I’m right. At least with it being Kash, it’s not one of his best friends. If she goes out with him, it could be a little awkward, but not as bad as if it were JJ or Chandler.

  Instead of opening the door so I can hop in like Tyler normally does, he cages me in, both of his arms level with my shoulders. The corded muscles of his biceps are nearly the size of my thighs; it should be intimidating, but it makes me grow warm all over instead.

  “I’m serious about the ranch. You pack up some stuff, and after the game, you’re all mine.”

  He’s so sure like he’s waiting for me to argue with him. What he doesn’t get, is that I want to go. I want to be with him, even if it is a little overwhelming. “I mean it. I’ll go with you, but you better keep your hands to yourself and stay out of the bed.”

  He chuckles, amused at my demand. “You keep saying that, Pretty, but trust me, you’ll want these palms all over you, rubbing you and keeping you warm at night.” He raises his large paws in front of my face, before running them over my arms, making me feel dainty compared to him.

  “Don’t hold your breath,” I retort and roll my eyes.

  He smirks, brushing his nose against my cheek before taking a step back. Each time he does little things like the nose brush, it makes my insides melt to utter mush. I keep being defiant and trying to push him away, but he won’t budge. He’s just as stubborn as I am, if not more.

  “Get in.”

  “Only because I don’t feel like walking today.” Winking, I climb into his big pickup.

  “Christ, you’re tenacious. My brothers are going to get a kick out of you,” he mumbles as I scoot into the middle seat and he climbs in after me.

  “You think they’ll be around?” Now I have more guys that look like him to worry about like one isn’t enough to get my blood heated. I’m going to need those cold nights he keeps mentioning, to be able to get some sleep.

  “Yeah, I know they will be. Clyde won’t let anyone have a party without being nosey, and Nate will want to drink the free beer.”

  “Do your brothers, um, look like you?”

  The truck swerves a little as he swallows, his brow wrinkling as he glances over at me. “Yeah, I guess so, why?”

  “Oh no reason, just curious if I’d be able to pick them out or if they’d blend in with everyone else.” Or because Tyler’s smoking hot and I don’t think I can handle being around two more versions of him. I may abandon my clothes and scream for them to all just take me, right there out in the open. I can imagine the school’s newspaper headline and the call I’d get from my father.

  Slut.

  Shaking my head, I stare straight ahead and thank God Tyler can’t read my mind.

  We get halfway through a song by Twenty One Pilots, and we’re already at the entrance to my dorms. I’ve gotten pretty comfortable with him driving me around. It gives me time to really take him in, without him being able to distract me. I feel safe next to him.

  “Thanks for the ride,” I mumble, using the same line I’ve used every day. I start to scoot out the passenger side when he grabs my arm.

  “Pack tonight, so we can get your bag and leave right away.”

  “Bossy much?”

  “Always, sweetheart.” He grins.

  “Why tonight?”

  “Because, the game’s tomorrow, remember?”

  My stomach drops. I was thinking of this weekend, as in really being next weekend, not tomorrow! “Of course, I do. I was just checking if you were paying attention.” God that sounded dumb, even to my own ears.

  He chuckles, and I feel my cheeks heat. I’m not used to the sort of attention he’s giving me. He’s everywhere when we’re around each other.

  “That explains the light lunch you had today,” I say out loud, thinking about the fruit he was feeding me. Duh, he eats light the day before his games, only clean eating, so he’ll feel one hundred percent. Shit.

  “Yes, ma’am. Glad you noticed. So, I’ll see you tomorrow.” He plants a soft kiss on my lips.

  “Bye, Ty.” It comes out in a whisper, but it’s loud enough for him to hear.

  “See ya, Pretty.”

  Brianne waits patiently with the truck door open as I climb out through the passenger side. We both send Tyler a quick wave and head inside. I’ve noticed he never says goodbye. It’s usually ‘see ya’ or ‘catch ya later.’ Just another little unique quirk I’ve picked up about him.

  “I can’t believe you said yes! I’m so proud of you!” Brianne damn near squeals when the entry door to the building fully closes.

  “Oh God, why? I’m such a slut.”

  She laughs at me and hits the button to the elevator. “Give me a break; you are not! He’s one guy, Kay, one. Have some fun; it’s not like y’all are going to fall in love. Besides, this is college.” She shrugs like that one meager sentence is enough to excuse any irrational behavior. She’s always telling me that.

  “Trust me; I’m trying not to fall in love. Hence the lack of dates I agree to go on with him.”

  “That’s only because you’re always reading those books about the perfect guys. It’s okay for you to like a guy that’s not secretly a knight in shining armor or a surprise billionaire with a heart of gold. Ty’s real, and you need a ‘real’ type of guy.”

  “He’s real?” I utter, laughing humorlessly. “Uh, hello, Brianne. Tyler Owens is the star football player for the University of Alabama. He’s the Freight Train, aka the Golden Boy or Mr. Popular. How is that anywhere near even being remotely close to real?” I argue as we enter our room.

  “You look at him like he’s perfect, but none of us see him like that. You’re already gone for him, woman. Ty’s normal. Trust me and open your eyes.”
>
  “I am not.” I turn my back to her and toe off my shoes into the minuscule closet. I may be sorta gone for him, though; I’m just too stubborn to admit it out loud. I figured when this would finally start happening to me I’d see fireworks or something crazy. I did get a spark when we met, but was that because it was fate stepping in or because I needed to use more dryer sheets in my laundry?

  “Deny it all you want to Kadence, but it’s happening whether you want it to or not. And he is real; he’s emotional, overbearing, protective, and smart. The best part out of all of it is that he’s only that way when it comes to you. I have him in classes, and I’m telling you, he doesn’t treat other females the way he does you. And especially now, he doesn’t pay anyone two cents of attention.”

  “Huh?” That last sentence has my mind spinning, so I turn to her. “What do you mean by ‘now’?”

  She shrugs, wearing a smirk. “This past week in class, he wouldn’t even speak to anyone that had boobs, let alone look at them. There were so many pissed off, scanty tantrums thrown and cleavage put in front of him, it was hilarious. He was like a rock; they couldn’t get his attention no matter what they tried. Kash says it’s because of you because Tyler tells everyone that you’re his girlfriend. And that would make you the only girlfriend he’s had since he’s started college. Think about it, Kay.”

  “That’s absurd.” Huffing, I pull out my notebook to go over my notes from earlier because this conversation is officially over. No way do I want to believe that he could be that way all because of me. It’s been two weeks—two freaking weeks—since this all started! That’s no time for him to act as if I’m his girlfriend as if I’m the only one he cares for.

  “Think what you will, but I saw it with my own eyes,” she finishes and closes the bathroom door.

  Whatever.

  No way can she give me credit for all of that. It does make me all warm inside to hear her say it out loud, though, knowing he was ignoring the usual skanks.