by Magan Vernon
He rolled his eyes. "Yeah. I had the same thing in mine. I tried to tell him that this isn't some sort of publicity thing and I wouldn't have brought you to my sister's wedding if I didn't plan on keeping you around, but whatever. You know he's just trying to cover his ass."
"And Layna?"
"What about her?"
I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, careful to keep the buoy between my thighs so it didn't shoot up and knock me in the face. "She said some pretty nasty things to me, it's why I cold-clocked her. I assume she had more to say after I left."
"Yeah. She did, but I told her I didn't want to hear it and hung out with my sister, who said that she liked you and it was about time someone hit that chick."
I couldn't help but laugh at that one, which caused the pull buoy to pop out from between my thighs and float to the top of the water.
"Sorry," I muttered. "You have to have really strong thighs for that thing. Yours have to be killer."
He smirked and picked up the pull buoy, putting it between his own thighs with ease. "I've worked on them."
"I bet you have." Immediately my face flushed.
Grinning, Jay put his arms around my waist and pulled me toward him, pressing his chest to mine, his hands trailing down to my lower back. "Don't worry, we have time to work on your grip."
I swallowed hard to keep down the weird sound that was gurgling deep in my throat. The guy could turn me on when I didn't even know I could be. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. "Maybe you could use more of a workout..."
He raised his eyebrows in question.
I mustered up all of the courage I'd ever had and glanced at the door behind Jay. The door guy wasn't looking in and there was no one else around. Sucking in a deep breath, I placed my hand between us, brushing my fingertips on the waistband of his Speedo.
"Trying to break my concentration?" he asked.
"Is that a problem?" I whispered, slowly sliding my fingers to his sensitive flesh.
The muscles of his stomach tightened. "Are you sure you want to do that?"
Chewing on my bottom lip, I looked up to meet his gaze as my fingers made their way around his length, which was pretty impressive and I could barely get my fingers around it.
Aside from never seeing a man’s erection in person, I’d also definitely never felt one in the flesh. Nothing prepared me for the hard ridges and smooth lines that came along with it.
Jay's eyes fluttered closed as my hands made my way up and down his length.
"Lia, you don't have to do this." His words came out in short gasps as he gripped onto the edge of the pool.
"I know. But I want to. I'm not exactly sure what I'm doing, but I want to do it. I want to make you happy," I murmured, leaning into him and picking up the pace as I moved my hand up and down his shaft.
"You do make me happy." His lips crashed to mine, as he pulled me closer. To the guy at the door it would have just looked like an intense make out session instead of the heavy breathing and shivering on both parts. I didn't know I could get turned on by feeling him turned on, but holy balls I wished I had that pull buoy to squeeze onto.
Jay pulled back slightly and bit my bottom lip before his head rolled back slightly and he cursed under his breath.
"Am I doing it right?" I whispered, slowing down. Crap. This was my first time ever doing this and I probably sucked.
His beautiful blue eyes met my gaze and then he put his hand on top of mine, working my hand in a slow rhythm up and down his length. "That's how I like it."
It was one of the sexiest things I'd ever seen. Watching him show me how it was done. I moved my hand with his and then picked up the pace. He moved his hand to grip onto the wall.
"Lia, I'm about to…oh…oh…OH!"
My eyes widened as the pull buoy shot out of the water and Jay moaned my name. A warm sensation filled my hands and Jay's breathing slowed down, his heart beating wildly as he pulled me closer to him and kissed me so fiercely that it took my breath away.
"Was that okay?" I asked once my lips were finally removed from his.
He laughed slightly and slid himself back in his Speedo before grabbing the pull buoy and putting it on the ground next to the pool. "Well, you did a good job at making me lose my grip. Luckily that's not an Olympic event or I might not make it for the gold."
I couldn't even think of something to say to that. I usually had a smartass comment for everything, but the guy had my speechless for once.
Jay smiled and kissed me again. "I guess this means practice is over and I should clean up."
"Uh...me too...unless chlorine kills that stuff."
He shook his head. "I don't know. I'm guessing my little swimmers are as good as I am, so you may want to get checked out."
I shoved him, even though it did nothing to move him.
"Ow," he joked. "Don't. I'm post coital and tender."
I rolled my eyes and slowly pulled myself out of the water and sat at the edge of the pool with my feet dangling in.
Jay sat next to me and bumped my shoulder. "So, are we okay?"
I nodded. "Yeah. I would think you would’ve picked that up by now."
He laughed. "You're the smart one in this relationship."
I kissed him lightly and he cupped my face, bringing me in to deepen the kiss.
Maybe I wasn't the smart one. Every part of me wanted to put walls up and separate us, yet I couldn't help but melt every single resistance I had when it came to my golden boy.
Chapter 22
I didn't want to leave California.
Okay, really I just wanted to hang out with Jay for a little bit longer.
But he had to be back home to get ready for a meet and I had to figure out how to convince my parents that California was definitely where I was supposed to be.
I still had my doubts. I didn't know if I'd end up hating USC or if I'd ever get used to being in front of the camera. But as I slept on Jay's chest during the plane ride and felt the steady beat of his heart against me, I knew it was time to tear down those emotional walls I'd been building and take a chance.
"Babe, we're home," Jay whispered, running his fingers through my hair.
I moaned slightly, hoping I didn't drool on him while we were tangled together on the sofa.
He laughed, blowing a breath onto my face. "I'd rather stay here and sleep with you too, but your parents will probably kill me if I don't have you home soon."
I sighed. "Yeah. You're probably right."
The ride from the small Rockwall airport to my parents went fast. Too fast. We seemed to hit every green light and I couldn't linger on the feeling of Jay's hand on mine in the middle console.
Pulling into my driveway the first thing I noticed was Sofie's green car parked on the side. I guess I should have called her before we left and gave her the details. She was probably worried as hell.
"I have to get back to the house and do another practice with Coach. We head out tomorrow for Charlotte." Jay ran his fingers over the bridge of my knuckles. "But, before I go..."
Reaching into the backseat, he pulled a small package out of his bag and handed it to me. "Happy Valentine's Day. It's kind of lame, but it reminded me of you and I had to get it."
It looked like a cassette case but it was made out of a thick paper material and scrawled on the outside were the words "Lia's mix". I opened it like a book and there was a USB drive in a little slot. Written above it was a list of different songs in some very sloppy handwriting.
"It's a mixtape, well a modern version. It's all of the songs that remind me of you. It's cheesy as hell, I know, but I saw it and immediately thought of you."
I ran my fingers over the words. Songs from artists that I’d never even heard of, some of my favorite songs, some crazy modern songs, and even a little bit of country. It was perfect. "This may be the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me."
Jay smiled and leaned over the seat, cupping my face in his hands before he brought his
lips to mine. I let the world melt away and felt every part of my senses that were all definitely aware of how Jay made me feel.
I was so lost that I gasped and practically flew across the car when a knock came at the passenger side window.
I turned slowly to see Sofie standing there with her arms across her chest and a scowl on her face.
Jay rolled down my window. "Hey, Sofie," he said.
"Are you ready to come in or are you two just going to keep making out in your parents’ driveway? "
Sofie had always been so nice to Jay, maybe she was still holding a grudge against him. I guess I had to rectify that.
"Uh, I was just saying goodbye," I muttered and turned toward Jay.
He had the most beautiful smile in the world and I really didn't want to leave him. If I didn't have classes, I would have begged my parents to let me go to his meet in Charlotte.
"FaceTime me later?" I asked.
He kissed me again and then again and again. "Of course."
"Okay, break it up you two. I'm sure you can suck face again later," Sofie groaned.
"Sorry," I mouthed to Jay and kissed him one last time before I grabbed my bag out of the back and got out of the car.
I waited until he was out of the driveway and his car disappeared down the street before I finally turned toward Sofie. "Hey! Things are okay with us now. We worked it out, so there's no need to give him the stink eye."
She raised her eyebrows. "How about we go inside and talk?"
"Um, okay?"
I followed Sofie inside. My parents were gone and Nonna was camped out on the couch, Capra beside her. I should have said something about it, but instead I just kissed her cheek and followed the frantic Sofie upstairs to my bedroom.
"Okay, what is so important that you've been waiting for me?" I asked, throwing my bag on the floor and plopping on my bed.
Sofie pulled her phone out of her back pocket. "Have you even been on your email or Facebook or anything remotely important in social media today?"
"Uh, no. I've been flying and other things..." I wanted to relay to her what happened in the pool and giggle and be girly about it. I wanted to tell her all of the amazing parts of my trip and all of my firsts.
But the “no-nonsense” look on her face told me that was a bad idea.
She swiped a few things on the screen then handed it to me.
Some celebrity gossip blogger's site was up and the heading was "Olympian Jay Morningstar goes for the gold with Layna Downs." There were a few out of focus pictures, but it was pretty clear that it was the two of them and her lips were definitely on his.
I shouldn't have read on. I should have just blew it off and figured it was something she did for publicity.
But I was definitely a glutton for punishment.
Jay Morningstar may have showed up at his sister's star-studded wedding with his new waitress girlfriend on his arm, but left with his ex-flame and sister's reality co-star. Wedding guests spotted the former couple together all night with a lot of laughing and even a stolen kiss. Was it just a kiss goodnight from a desperate ex or something more?
"It can't be," I whispered.
Sofie took her phone and quickly swiped it again before handing it back. "Oh that's not all that's on there. There’s also a gif of your punch heard around the world."
I stared at the screen and the grainy picture of me punching Layna over and over. Then of course I had to read on.
It's rumored that once Jay Morningstar's girlfriend, waitress Lia Conti, saw him with Layna, and confronted the reality starlet, there were heated words. Then Conti gave Downs a black eye. Downs could not be reached for comment but her agent said her lawyers would be in touch with the Conti family.
"This. This is..." I couldn't even think of what to say. All of the breath had been whooshed from my lungs.
Sofie put her phone down and sat on the bed next to me. "Hey, it's okay. Maybe it's just all a misunderstanding or maybe he's the putz that the tabloids have always made him out to be and he's been playing us all."
I sniffled, trying to hold back the tears. "I can't believe that, Sofie. He has to have some good in him."
She sighed. "Maybe he does and maybe this is all a big misunderstanding."
I wanted it to be. It had to be. I’d broken down everything for this man and now I didn't know if I could pick up the pieces.
"Do you want me to stay for a while? We can eat ice cream and watch a chick flick? Or I can even drive you over to his house and confront him. Then if you need back up, I'll have you!"
I shook my head slowly. "No. That's fine. I think I may try and take a nap. I didn't sleep well last night and with all of this swimming in my head, I feel like I'm going to drown."
Sofie put her hand on mine. "If you're drowning, you know I'll always be here with a lifesaver. That's what best friends are for."
Smiling, I squeezed her hand. "Thanks, Sof."
She stood up and sighed. "Okay. I'll leave you for now, but I'll FaceTime you in a few and if you don't answer, I'll have to break in again and this time hope Nonna doesn't try to strangle me."
"I'll make sure she doesn't."
With that, Sofie left me alone in my room.
I wanted to pass out.
To just sleep and hope this was a bad dream.
But instead I found myself scrolling through every site that mentioned Jay's name.
All pictures of him with Layna. Some of him with me and words of pity expressed for his poor girlfriend that didn't know what hit her.
I scrolled and scrolled until the pictures became blurry because my eyes filled with tears.
I chucked my phone across the room and wasn't sure where it landed.
I'd torn my walls down.
Gave this guy my heart.
Now it was breaking.
I didn't know if I fell asleep or just closed my eyes to try and block the visions of Layna and Jay out of my head, but my eyes snapped open when I heard the doorbell ringing.
I expected it to be Sofie so I dried my eyes and headed down the stairs.
Instead of Sofie's worried face, I was greeted by a very large bouquet of red and white roses with a fully bloomed blue one in the middle. The same color blue as Jay's eyes.
"Delivery for Rosalia Conti," the man said behind the flowers.
"Yeah. That's me." He handed me the roses and after some pleasantries, I shut the door behind me and brought the flowers into the kitchen.
I knew who they had to be from, but I opened up the little card anyway.
Lia,
My sister said the mixtape was a sad excuse for a gift, so I had to make it up to you. Miss you already.
LU,
Jay
I didn't know what 'LU' meant and I didn't know why he would send flowers if he did cheat. Maybe it was a guilty conscience.
A fresh new set of tears sprung from my eyes and I turned when I felt Nonna's hand on my shoulder.
"Bellissimi fiori," Nonna said, patting me gently.
They were beautiful. But that wasn't why I was crying.
I sucked in a deep breath and quickly rattled off something in Italian to Nonna, telling her I'd be gone for a bit and if Sofie came to be nice.
Nonna smiled and nodded, patting my hand.
Grabbing my keys from the hook by the door, I didn't bother putting on a coat, grabbing my purse, or searching for my phone. I just hopped in my car and made my way down the road to Jay's place, hoping that I was wrong. Hoping that was all just a bad dream.
***
I pulled into the long driveway and parked on the side of the house.
I didn't know if Jay would be there or practicing in Rockwall but I couldn't sit at home anymore. I had to know.
Without thinking on it, I got out of my car and headed for the front door.
Ringing the doorbell, I waited. Then I rang again. I almost gave up when finally the door was thrown open and Scotty stood there in a towel. "You're a persistant little thing, you
know that? Didn't you just see him?"
"Is he here?" I didn't even bother answering his other questions.
Scotty stepped back, letting me inside and closing the door behind us. "Yeah. He's upstairs in the weight room. Just don't have sex up there, okay? I don't want to lay on the work bench and think of Jay’s naked ass."
I shook my head and walked passed him, taking the stairs two at a time until I was at the top. I knew the weight room faced the pool so I had a vague idea where I was going, but it wasn't until I heard some loud punk music that I finally found the right door.
Jay was on the ground wearing nothing but a pair of thin gym shorts. He was in a planking position, with a dumb bell in each hand and lifting one side of his body up like he was rowing then he moved the other arm.
If I wasn't so pissed, I would have found it incredibly sexy the way his muscles contracted and bulged.
But not today.
Today he had some explaining to do.
"Hey, babe, I wasn't expecting you." He set down the dumb bells and then turned off the stereo before slowly standing up and sauntering over to me.
"Yeah...well..."
He grinned and wiped his face and chest with a towel from a rack on the wall. "I take it you got the flowers? Sorry if those were even cheesier, but Ashley said I had to get you something better for Valentine's Day or you were going to leave me."
"I wouldn't leave you over a mixtape," I muttered.
He laughed. "Yeah. I didn't think you were that type of girl. But, hey, I have a few more reps to do if you want to wait for me. I can take a shower then we can grab a bite for dinner. I'm sure Coach would let me off the hook since it's Valentine's Day."
I shook my head. "I can't do that."
He raised an eyebrow. "Have to work?"
Biting down hard on my bottom lip, I tapped each one of my fingers, trying to gain the courage I needed. "No."
"Just don't want to hang out with me? Sick of me already?"
"Jay..."
He took a few steps closer and put his arm out but I backed away.