Man Up Party Boy

by Danielle Sibarium

  "Hello, beautiful."

  Great it's my father. At least the man who lives across the country and likes to call himself my father. Sperm donor would be more accurate. He hasn't acted like a father since he left us when I was ten. He's the last person I want to deal with right now. I'd rather hang up and pick back up where Noah and I left off.

  "Lexi, are you there?"

  "Yes, I'm here."

  "I'd like to see you."

  "Hey, is that Cooper," Noah asks. "If it is, let me talk to that prick."

  Hearing Noah in the background my father asks, "Is that your brother? We could all go out to dinner tonight."

  "No. It's not Cooper." I answer both men at the same time.

  "Oh." Disappointment rings out on both ends.

  "Tonight's not good."

  Noah's eyes are narrowed, his lips drawn into a tight line. "Who is that?" he mouths.

  I ignore Noah and turn my back to him. I can't look at him and deal with my loser father at the same time.

  "Feel free to invite your boyfriend."

  "My boyfriend." I repeat my father's words, not bothering to clarify that Noah isn't my boyfriend. It's none of his damn business anyway. "Listen, thanks for the gesture, but I'm not home, I'm sort of on vacation."

  "I'm sorry to hear that, Lexi. I came to celebrate your graduation."

  "My graduation?" I can't tamp down my anger anymore, between him and Noah, and the spread of emotions I'm feeling, I'm going to explode any second now. "Are you kidding me? My graduation was three weeks ago. If you were a half way decent father you would've been there," I yell into the phone.

  Before I could stop him, Noah is at my side, pulling the phone from my shaking hands.

  "Hi, Mr. Sutton?"

  I throw daggers of death at Noah. "Give me my phone." I order through clenched teeth.

  He holds up his hand.

  "Yes, I'd say she's quite upset. Maybe tonight isn't the best time to see her. How long will you be here for?"

  Noah flashes me his dimples, and winks one of his blue eyes at me.

  "Give me my phone right now," I order.

  "I don't think coming here would be a good idea. Seeing how Lexi doesn't want to see you at all. Maybe we can agree to a cup of coffee somewhere neutral? There's a diner nearby."

  "No. I will not see him!" I yell at Noah.

  "I understand, sir. Again, I can't make any promises."

  I shake my head violently. Why the hell is he doing this?

  "Any means necessary. Hmm." He looks me over with a dangerous gleam in his eye. Dangerous because as much as I want to punch him in the face right now, the look he's giving me is hot. It's so hot my hormones are overriding my emotions. "Yes. I'll tell Lexi you encouraged me to get her there using any means necessary."

  The son of a bitch is enjoying this. The blue of his eyes looks deeper, brighter as he flashes his dimples at me.

  "I'm not going!" I yell as he gives my father his phone number so they could keep in contact.

  Noah extends his hand with my phone in it after ending the call. His eyes lock on mine, and the amusement clear in his eyes a minute ago is gone.

  "I know you're probably mad at me."

  "You think? Wow you really are a genius."

  "Hear me out." He takes a baby step toward me, still holding my phone out to me, like a peace offering, or a white flag of surrender.

  "We could always cancel. Right up until we walk in, you can change your mind."

  "We?"

  He nods. "He thinks I'm your boyfriend, and he said there's something important he needs to tell you. He wants me to come along for moral support." His lips dip at the corners as his brows pull together. Not quite a frown, but not a happy look either. "Unless you'd rather talk to him alone. Then I could wait for you in the car."

  "You'd really come with me?"

  "Of course I would." He nods and flashes a warm smile at me. This one is different than the flirty smiles he's been giving me; this one is somber, muted. As I look at him I see a hint of the seventeen year old boy I once had a secret crush on. I see the lump in his throat bob as he swallows. "If you want my opinion, I think you should go. If you don't hear him out and something happens, you won't forgive yourself."

  I smirk. "Then you don't know me that well. I guarantee, I won't lose any sleep over it."

  "You don't know that."

  "Yeah, I pretty much do. Because I hate him. He showed me what men are really like, and how I should never depend on him, or any other man to stick around. But, I'll give you this. I am considering going just to put the screws to you. It might be worth it just to make your night miserable."

  "You know what you don't understand, Lexi?" he says, his hand on my shoulder, "I can't be miserable if I'm with you." Silence falls between us. "Come on. Finish your breakfast. Then maybe we could go spend some time on the beach together."

  I settle back into my seat and watch as he sits back down next to me, pulls his plate over to his spot and eats. How did, in the last twenty-four hours, my life become consumed by Noah?

  *

  The idea forms in my head while I shower. Instead of focusing on how I wish his hands are moving over my body lathering me up, I think of ways to get even with Noah. He needs to pay for stealing my phone and making plans with my father. I know just what to do.

  Excitement surges through me. I can't wait to put my plan in action. I just need to run to the grocery store. And I have the perfect excuse. I dress quickly and sweep my towel dried hair into a ponytail.

  "Hey, party boy. I'm going out. Want some coffee?"

  "I was just about to put a pot on."

  "Too late. Besides, I want to do something nice to thank you for breakfast."

  I can tell by the skeptical look in his eye he's on to me.

  "You sure you're not really going to just run off and never come back?"

  "Would it bother you if I did?"

  His hands find my waist, I didn't expect that, and now my heart's acting all fluttery. Shit. I suck at playing these games.

  "Yes," he says straight faced and serious. "It would bother me a lot."

  "Because my brother would be mad at you?" Please say no. Please say that's not the reason.

  "Yeah." His eyes move away from mine. "I promised Cooper I'd play nice."

  "Okay then." I do my best to sound upbeat and act like he didn't just wreck my morning even more. "I promise I'll be back. Just going to get my green tea smoothie."

  "Eww. That sounds gross."

  I shrug. "Maybe you should give things a chance before you make decisions about them. I turn and take only one step away before he grabs my arm. I turn and our eyes lock on each other.

  "Lexi." There's something in the way he said my name, something that causes my stomach to clench with expectation and anxiety. He hesitates. I wait, holding my breath. His eyes leave mine, and I know he changed course. Whatever he's going to say now isn't what he wanted to say a moment ago.

  "Surprise me with something."

  "Sure thing."

  *

  "Noah," I call when I return. No answer. "Noah." I try once again, this time louder as I place his mocha latte on the kitchen table. Again, no answer.

  I look out the window and spot him sitting in the sand. He isn't in the house. Perfect. This makes what I'm about to do a piece of cake. I place my hand over my front pocket to make sure my secret weapon is there. Yep. It's there, safe and sound. I listen to the surrounding silence carefully as I sneak into his bathroom.

  I close my eyes and draw in a breath. It smells clean, of soap and of him. His aftershave scents the small room. It's not overpowering, just strong enough to make my insides tingle. Trying not to make a sound in case he returns before I'm done, I reach into the stall shower and pull out his bar of soap. This way, I get a small dose of revenge, and even if he's pissed enough to leave me and head to the local bar, he won't be picking up any girls tonight.

  *

  "Lexi!"

&nb
sp; I startle at the figure standing beside me, and pull my ear buds out. I didn't hear him come in. My heart's leaping and bounding from both fear and excitement.

  "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I called, and you didn't answer."

  "It's fine," I say clutching my chest. "I have a good strong heart."

  "Glad to hear that," he says with a wicked twinkle in his eye as he holds his coffee up and takes a sip. "Thanks. It's delicious."

  "Huh?" I shrug realizing he means the coffee. "Glad you like it."

  "How'd you know what to get me?"

  "I didn't. I thought you might like to try something a bit decadent."

  "Chocolate is decadent?"

  "Mmm. For me it is. Very."

  His eyes run down my body. He takes his time trailing them down my legs before meeting my stare once again. He does so with a cocky grin, and closes the distance between us. I don't want him to realize I'm flustered, but the bathroom is small and the heat in his eyes is making my heart race. The room is full of him; his body, his heat, his scent. I need to get a grip.

  "Let's do something together. Get reacquainted."

  "Sorry, I can't. I told Drake I'd go watch him in the volleyball tournament."

  "Drake?" His face is blank. I can't read him. I want him to be disappointed, but I can't help thinking he asked just to be nice and now he might be relieved.

  I nod. "The guy I was talking to in the bar last night."

  "The ass-hat," he mutters under his breath.

  "I'm sorry, what was that?" I couldn't have heard right.

  "Nothing." Noah gives me a big, fake, cheesy smile. "Do you mind if I tag along? I mean if there are guys playing, I'm sure there'll be girls watching."

  His stare is intense as he brings the cup to his lips again.

  "Sure. Come along."

  He nods and leaves the small room. I feel his absence. It's almost painful; almost as if someone cut off my oxygen supply.

  Chapter 9

  Noah

  I can't tell what game she's playing, one minute she's fired up and giving me hell, the next she's kissing me, or using that mouth of hers to tease me in ways a girl shouldn't unless she's willing to follow up the insinuation.

  One minute I think we're friends, the next she reminds me we're not. I think she wants me, but then she's headed off to see Drake. She has my mind spinning like a roundabout, and I can't help but think it all goes back to her believing I'm all about partying and getting laid. Not that I haven't enjoyed myself when I do it, but that's Coop's scene. I just go along for the ride. And what a ride it is.

  But, here and now, with Lexi, I want more than that. I want to grab her and kiss her again so we can reignite the flames burning last night, but I don't. I can't touch her. She's not a casual hook up. Besides I'm ready for something more. I want a relationship; someone I can have in my life for more than a night or two. Someone I could hold and wrap myself around under the sheets, not just when we're getting tangled in them.

  Should I chance it with her? I'm not sure. For one thing, half the time she doesn't seem to like me all that much. But, it's the other half that's making me want her with a desperation I've never felt before. It's like my body knows it can never be satisfied until I have her; until I've touched and kissed every inch of her skin, until she screams my name so loud the windows rattle and the earth shakes. It's like my body knows she's a disease, a poison running through my veins, and the only way to survive her, is to have more of her; to have all of her. That's the part that thinks I should go for it. Besides, what do I have to lose?

  A lot.

  I can lose my best friend.

  I think about contacting Cooper, just to make sure he's okay with it, but hesitate. As long as he doesn't suspect I have any sort of interest in Lexi, he can't do anything to sabotage it. I'm not worried about him coming after me, I can hold my own against him. I'm worried about what other untruths he might pass to Lexi that I won't be able to shatter.

  I'm sitting on the bed staring at my laptop when I hear a soft knock at my door.

  "Ready?"

  I'm not expecting the tug on my heart when my eyes meet hers. Her hair is up in a bun, and I have to control the urge to pull it down and thread my fingers through it. Her make-up is simple. Maybe she isn't even wearing make-up, maybe her skin naturally glows.

  Fuck!

  I want Lexi.

  I fucking want all of her.

  *

  "Why don't you want to see your father?" I ask making small talk as Lexi leads the way down the boardwalk.

  "None of your business."

  "I think it's at least a little bit of my business since I am your boyfriend and I'm in charge of getting you there."

  "Not my boyfriend, more like delusional, and I'm not going."

  She's going. If I have to carry her there. I have no allegiance to the man, but he freaking begged me to get her there, so I know it's important.

  "I'm begging you. Please, I need to see my daughter. I need to tell her things. She has no idea and it has to come from me, or I'm afraid she won't understand. I need to tell her or she'll never allow herself to fall in love and be happy. Neither of my kids will until they understand."

  Guys don't do that unless they're desperate.

  "If your father is off limits for now, tell me about Drake. You into him?"

  "I'm spending my afternoon watching him play, what does that tell you, party boy?"

  That stupid fucking nick name again. It wouldn't bother me so much if I didn't know she means it to be derogatory. Then again, maybe it's the party boy persona that she's into.

  "Yeah, you're going to watch him play, but you're going with me. And, I'm going to be watching you."

  "I thought you were going to check out the girls."

  I smirk at her, "Last I checked, you're a girl." I allow my eyes to drop and I swear as they roam over her tits they fucking dilate. My eyes, not her tits. I wouldn't want them any bigger, already I have a hard time keeping my eyes off them. Besides, they look like a perfect fit for my hands just as they are.

  "Hello?"

  "Huh?" Shit she caught me staring. I force my eyes back up to her face. Pink color tinges her cheeks. She looks so damn adorable right now, I can't help but laugh.

  "Sorry. What can I say, you have some pretty nice party favors I'd like to get my hands on."

  Lexi opens her mouth. She wants to say something. I can see the fire in her eyes, she wants to unleash on me. I'm preparing myself for the insult I know is coming. Maybe she'll even throw a punch in my direction. Instead she closes her mouth and turns toward the ocean without saying a word.

  We don't speak anymore before arriving at the tournament area. Six different games are going on. A crowd has gathered around each of the matches. Girls mostly. I don't bother looking at them. I'm more interested in Lexi; in studying her and how she's doing everything possible to avoid me. She won't even glance at me.

  Lexi seeks out the spot she wants to settle into. I notice some of the people are sitting in beach chairs; others on towels. We didn't bring anything with us. We're not here thirty seconds before the bare chested ass-hat spots her. He waves and tosses her a smile. Lexi drops down into the sand, and I sit beside her. Not too close. I don't want her to up and move just to prove we're not together. Still, I think if I can keep in close proximity to her, it'll keep his hands and lips from touching her. I'm sitting close enough that someone looking at us wouldn't know for sure if we're together or not.

  We watch in silence as the game continues. Drake and his partner score. The idiot he's paired with celebrates the point by hooting while thrusting his hips forward and pretend spanking the air in front of him. Drake slaps his buddy on the chest to get him refocused on the game. After winning another few points Drake jogs over.

  "I knew you were my good luck charm. With you here, I'll win the championship for sure."

  I want to punch him in the face and tell him to keep his distance from Lexi, but I can't, I have no ri
ght to. I can play the 'she's my best friend's sister, and that gives me the right card,' but I want to forget that fact. And I want her to forget it, too.

  Drake's team is about to win, and she still hasn't looked my way. She's not talking to me either. All I get are grunts and one word answers.

  "Sorry if I was out of line."

  "Um hmm."

  "Are you mad?"

  "No."

  "Maybe I should go swim in the ocean and get eaten by a shark?"

  "Whatever."

  She's not even listening to me right now. I'm freaking white noise, static. How can she be so into dick-face over here that I don't even register? I stand up and walk away hoping she'll come after me. She doesn't. She doesn't even turn to see where I'm going. Fuck!

  There's a concession stand on the boardwalk I head over there for a couple of bottles of water. I'll bring her one as a peace offering, but knowing Lexi, she won't take it. Before I have a chance to pay the girl at the register, a body flies over the counter to the inside. Arms wrap around the pretty girl and the couple shares a quick peck on the lips. He reaches under the cabinet and pulls out an energy bar and bottle of water, before he acknowledges my presence.

  Now for real I want to lay this prick out. He's got a girl but he's leading Lexi on. I take my change, grab the water, and turn to head back.

  "Oh, hey," Drake addresses me before hopping back over the counter. "What's the deal with you and Lexi? You exclusive? Looking for a threesome? You swingers?"

  I'm a hair away from clocking him.

  "I don't know what you're talking about."

  "Last night, she's coming on to me while you're chatting some chick up, then you and Lexi lip lock before leaving together, so it's pretty fucking clear you're together. Now you both show up to watch me. I'm trying to figure shit out."

  "There's nothing to figure out. And why are you thinking about Lexi when it's clear you've got something going on here?" I motion to the girl he just kissed.

  "Look dude, if Lexi's part of the deal it's all good. You need to understand, if we do this, we take turns. Or else we're on separate ends. I'm just gonna lay it out there. Guys don't do it for me. As long as we understand each other, we can make it work."

  What a fucking douchebag! My fists are clenched tight as I struggle with my self-control. Instinct says deck him, but I'm smarter than that. I inch forward not sure I can keep my hands from wrapping around his neck. I have no doubt I can take him. Even if I couldn't I have enough adrenaline shooting through my veins right now I can overturn a tank.