by S. Moose
“Stay with me,” he mumbles in his sleep.
Quickly I move out of his arms, covering my face with my hands, “Treston.”
“What?” He looks at me with one eye open. The blanket moves off his chest, showing off more of his chest and amazingly sexy body. Oh my. Oh my. “Peaches, are you okay?”
I nod my head. “Okay, good.” He flops back on his pillow.
“Treston?!”
“What?”
“What happened last night?”
His eyes open again, staring at my face and body. My cheeks heat up and I can’t look at him. I have to look away. “Nothing happened. I promise. I wouldn’t take advantage of you especially since you’re a virgin.”
VIRGIN!
Oh.
My.
God.
I told him I was a virgin. There’s no way in hell I can ever show him my face again. This is bad, so bad! How could I be so stupid? And how embarrassing!
"I told you I was a virgin?" I gasp, wanting to bury my head in the bed and never leave.
“Stop,” he tells me. “It’s nice to know you aren't a skank."
"Oh. Well, it's still embarrassing."
"Well," he begins to say, "Jackson may have let it slip when you guys broke up."
Yep, I'm going to kill him. I can't believe he'd let that slip! It's personal and it's not like I want people to know.
"Stop thinking and be proud of that fact." He turns his body to me and takes my hand, "Can I ask you to do something for me?” I nod. “Don’t get drunk without me. I don’t like knowing what would have happened if I wasn’t there to protect you.”
“I’m not yours to protect, so you don’t have to worry, Treston. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate that you were there for me, but don’t stop your fun so you can babysit me.” I’m not sure what else to say. Part of me feels gross being in his bed. I mean he’s The King; surely he’s had this bed used multiple times with different girls. “Why did you let me sleep in your room? I could have crashed in one of the empty rooms or something. I probably ruined your chance at hooking up with someone.”
His hand caresses my cheek. Using his forearm he sits up, sitting in front of me, and takes my hand with his other hand. “No one’s been in this room. I haven’t shared a bed with someone in a while, Peaches. And I want to protect you. You can push me away or fight me on this, but it's not going to work.”
“My name’s Zara.”
“I know.” His finger slides from my cheek down my arm. My eyes flutter closed and I let out a sigh. "Are you going to fight me on this?"
"I won't. Happy?"
"Very. So, what's the plan for today?"
I throw my arm over my head and wish I could go back to sleep. I'm not looking forward to practice today. Coach Kaler's going to murder me. “Sleep, practice, sleep."
"Sounds about right," he answers, moving to his back.
"I’m going to see Katy and Gavin. See you in a few?”
“Okay.” I watch him tuck his hand under his pillow, but his eyes are on me. I can't tear away from his penetrating eyes. His stare's making me weak. I want him to look at me like this each time.
Heading down the hall, I see Jackson’s bedroom door practically open. When I go in, there’s someone in bed with him. I let out a gasp and he opens his eyes. We look at each other, neither of us moving or saying anything. I move away from his bedroom door and run downstairs. That is not something I want to see early in the morning.
I run back to the house and up to my room. Taking off the sweatpants and white tee shirt, I go take a shower letting the warm water fall down my body. I try not to think about how I felt waking up in Treston's arms or that I'm really falling for him. The way his eyes looked at me, it seemed like he stared into my soul, and was tearing me apart just to put me back together.
Putting on shorts and a white v-neck tee, I slip on my flip flops and head back to the guys’ house. I don’t want to be alone and need Katy. There are so many things going on in my head.
Knocking on Gavin’s door, I hear Katy, “Come in.” I open the door and plop down on their bed. “Good morning sugar,” she smiles.
“Morning. So,” I flip on my stomach and see the both of them looking at me. “Care to tell me how I woke up in Treston’s bed or how Jackson’s with another girl already?”
“What?” Katy shrieks. She looks at Gavin and he shrugs, “You saw him?”
“Sure did. It's not something I want to see again," I groan.
"You’re overreacting, babe.”
"Maybe so, but it's weird.” I laugh, covering my face.
“And about Treston,” Gavin answers. “Baby girl, you got wasted last night and he took care of you.”
“Did he change my clothes?”
Katy raises her hand, “Nope, that was me. And nice pink lacy thong,” she winks at me and again I cover my face. “Didn't think virgins had those kind of undies." My eyes go wide and I'm about to kill my best friend. "He was worried about you. Kinda cute.”
“He was? Why?” I sit up on the bed and roll my eyes. “He doesn’t have to be worried.” It bothers me that Treston feels as if he has to babysit me. I’m a big girl. Sure, I got wasted last night and I threw up and ended the evening in his bed.
“Well ladies, I’ll leave you two here so you can chat.” He leans over and kisses Katy on the lips. “I’m going to check on Treston.” He winks and gets up to leave.
“You’re so lucky. He adores you.”
A smile appears on her face. Actually more of a smirk, a mocking smirk. “Stop smiling,” I mutter, pulling the covers to my face, looking at the ceiling and wishing I could take back last night. I turn back and look at Katy, “Why are you smiling?”
“What? What’s there not to smile about?”
I roll my eyes, not wanting to think about Treston. “I don’t like him, if that’s what you’re trying to hint at.”
“Mmm hmm, I’m sure,” she winks, flipping on her back. "That's why your face is all pretty and you have on cute clothes. You're so not trying to impress anyone."
“I’m not! Come on, he’s The King and he’s a man whore. I know what I’m doing and keeping him as a friend is the best thing. I don’t need girl’s hating me or anything and I definitely don’t need the distraction. There’s no way I can have feelings for him! I’d be scared that he’s going to hurt me and things will end badly. Friends, that’s all we’ll be. “I mean he probably doesn’t do relationships anyways so what’s the point?”
Saying that hurts more than it should. I know I sound crazy, but waking up next to him is something I want to always do.
“I love how you aren’t answering me!”
I hear her sigh, “I don’t know what you want me to say, babe. You know how he is, but think about it. Since the both of you have been hanging out, have you seen him with girls? Yeah they come up to him, but he tells them to leave. At parties, he's with you. Pretty much all the time he's with you, so there's nothing to worry about."
“Yeah, you're right." I think about it and see what she's saying. He's been with me and fighting off the skanks who want his attention.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you.”
“What?” I roll to my side and look at Katy, waiting for her to tell me whatever she has to tell me.
“Since the guy's are practicing a different time than us Treston’s going to keep helping Coach at least once a week so get used to it."
Do you know the feeling you get when you think your heart has stopped as well as your breathing? Like you’re dying? Because right now I am sure I’m going to die and never get to experience what it’s like to play for Duke.
Katy and I stay in Gavin’s room a little while longer before venturing downstairs for some much needed coffee. Jamie’s at the table with her hands on her head.
“Rough night?” I ask, taking the cup from her hands and sitting down.
“You have no idea. What time’s practice today?”
“Three,” Katy answ
ers with a bagel stuffed in her mouth, “Gonna be a kickass workout, so y’all better not be hungover!”
“Stop yelling,” Jamie whines, “My head feels like it’s about to explode.”
I finish the rest of her coffee and get up to get more. Waiting for the coffee to brew, I pick up an apple from the counter, but it falls out of my hands. Leaning down to pick it up I feel someone staring at me.
CHAPTER 9
TRESTON
THE MOONLIGHT SHINES through the curtains in my bedroom, illuminating the dark room, showing her perfect body. This beautiful woman lying next to me, curled up against my body, is making my heart nearly beat out of my chest. I take the time to really look at her and my mouth drops open. She’s fucking beautiful. Automatically, my hand softly brushes her face, feeling her smooth, rosy cheek against my fingers. Running my index finger down her cheek to her bottom lip, I watch her lips slowly part and her breathing slightly speeds up. Images of kissing her, taking her lips in mine, come to my mind. A small whimper flows through her soft lips. Her body inches closer to me, and it feels oddly comfortable.
It'll be easier for me to get out of my bed, run away, and never turn back. I could wake her up and make her leave, telling her never to come back. I need to get her out of my room before I do something I can’t take back. Trying to move away from her, she holds my hand tighter in hers. Fuck. I’m screwed.
I’m used to being alone, playing with the demons filling my head and reminding me who I really am – a monster. Everything I touch I destroy. I’m an arrogant asshole, not worthy of being in love or being happy. My eyes shut and I focus on my breathing so I don’t wake her up. I’m going to hurt her and she doesn’t need that shit in her life. Zara’s too good. She’s an angel and I’m the devil, waiting for someone else to hurt. But I don't want to back away.
The foreign sensation from watching her sleep is scaring the shit out of me, but is comforting in the same manner. She’s not some girl I want to sleep with and then ignore; no, she’s more. So much more. There’s something about her, a vibe of goodness that she’s sending out. A goodness that’s touching me. I realize that I'm falling for her. I relax with her in my arms and all I want is to protect her and keep her near me. I don't know if she feels the same or if she's only my friend. It's hard to tell with her. In a way we're the same person. We keep our emotions hidden until someone worth it comes into our life and opens the hidden compartment.
Here, on my bed, she's in my arms, peacefully sleeping. My bed isn't cold or unwelcoming anymore. I don't know what I'm thinking or what I'm feeling and it's okay. In my mind, we're together and I'm happy. Truly happy.
"Treston?" She mutters, holding me tighter.
"Right here, Peaches. I'm here."
I feel her body relax and it eases my mind. She's okay and will be okay as long as I'm here.
Leaning in, I gently kiss her forehead and fall asleep again.
For the first time…
I watch her walk out of my room and instantly miss her. The subtle scent she left behind is lingering in my room. My dick is hard and all I can think about is Zara back in my bed. Getting out of bed, I walk to the bathroom and look back, imagining her little body in my bed. It hits me that if she's doing this to me, the man with a cold heart, then there's probably ten guys who feel the same.
No. Peaches is mine to protect.
Mine.
Finishing my shower and getting ready, I head back to my room and find Gavin on my bed with a smirk on his face.
“Good morning.”
“What?” I snap, falling into the chair by my desk. I pick up a lacrosse ball and toss it in the air a few times.
“Oh nothing. Just sitting here, thinking about how someone came to a very pretty girl’s rescue last night." Gavin pauses and looks at me, “You could have had Audrey or Peony, but you chose to be with Zara. Why is that?"
“Clingers. Done with them.”
“Right. You’re done with two hot as hell girls. Okay, that’s fine. So, why don’t you tell me about Zara and your night?”
I grit my teeth, “There’s nothing to tell. She slept and so did I. You know, things people do when they’re tired, asshole. What are you getting at?”
“Nothing at all. Just that you smiled a whole lot last night.”
Not wanting to hear any more from Gavin, I leave my room and head downstairs. As soon as I walk into the kitchen, I about have a fucking heart attack.
Short shorts should not be allowed. My eyes travel from her low back, across her ass and down her long legs. All I can think about is slamming her against the wall, feeling her legs wrap around me and cherishing each and every part of her sexy body.
“Stop staring, perv.” I look and see Katy winking at me before she slaps my ass.
“I’m not,” I sneer, walking to the living room, not looking back. I feel her staring at me. I don’t want to turn around. I hear whispering in the kitchen and when I see the couch sink a little, I know she’s sitting next to me.
“How you feeling, Peaches?”
"Like a truck ran me over a few times. Please tell me never to drink that much again." She leans her head on my shoulder and we silently sit and watch TV. Gavin and Katy join us on the couch and from the corner of my eye I see Katy sitting on Gavin's lap, smiling. Nosy people.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. Reaching to get it, I see a text from my mom.
Come over today and spend some time with us.
"Hey I'm about to head out. See you later, Peaches."
"Okay," she says, looking at me, wondering where I'm going.
Maybe I should've asked if she wanted to come with me today. The damn girl looks like she needs to do something. Instead of asking, I walk away and drive to see my parents.
"Mom!" I yell, walking through the front door. I smell her famous cookies and rush to the kitchen. Sitting down on the bar stool at the island, I grab the cookies and eat. I don't care how old you are, you will never get bored of your mom's cookies. Never.
"Hi, honey," my mom says, kissing my cheek. "You hungry?"
"Always."
She fixes me a sandwich and puts it on a plate, handing it to me with a mischievous look on her face.
"What?"
"Your brother said he saw a picture of you dancing with some pretty girl at your party last night."
Brent is fucking dead.
"Mom, don't." I tell her. "It's nothing."
"Mmm hmm." Fuck, she doesn't believe me. "All I know is my baby, my very handsome baby, has been alone and I know what you're doing up there, Treston Jonathan Parker. So don't think you're going to be Mister Playboy your whole life."
I smile, not acknowledging her. Aside from the team, my mom knows me the best. She was the rock I needed for a while and I still do. We talk every day and sure, I guess I am a mama's boy. But everyone needs someone in their life to lean on and I'm okay with having that person be my mom.
Heading inside after spending time with my parents, I find Katy and Gavin on the couch and my feisty girl on the floor, laying on her stomach. Getting down on the floor next to her, I place my head on her shoulder. She turns her head and gives me the dirtiest look.
“Can I help you?”
“I missed you, Peaches.”
“Ugh, seriously go away. Don’t you have some skank to sleep with or something?”
Without thinking, I grab her hand and we’re outside in seconds. It pisses me off that she thinks all I do is mess around with girls. Sure, I get a little horny every now and then, but seriously, I’m a fucking guy. It happens.
I lie down on the ground and pull her down with me. I can’t look in her eyes. When I’m looking at her, I don’t think clearly and it bothers me.
We’re both on neutral ground and I can tell her like it is.
"So, are you truly disgusted with me?”
“Kinda. I mean you treat girls like they’re nothing.”
It’s the truth I have little respect for the girls I let suck me. But let�
��s recap. They are the ones to come to me and beg to suck me off. Why would a single guy turn them away? Did I make any promises? No. Did I tell them we’ll date and I’ll wine and dine them? Hell no. So what the fuck is the problem?
“Let me clear something up for you, Peaches. I do not treat girls as if they’re nothing. For instance, I love Katy and Jamie. They’re my girls and mean a lot to me. I’d do anything for them and sometimes I may purposely annoy them, but it’s only out of love. While Audrey is a slut and she knows it. The girl lives for these kinds of parties so she can show off her body and tease guys, then pick the one she wants. She’s a groupie, only wanting to be on the arm of someone with status. She deserves to be treated the way she is, since she presents herself in that way. If you don’t give a shit about how you appear, then you’ll get treated like so.”
“You’re something else, Treston.” We both turn our head at the same time.
“Yeah, I know.” She rolls her eyes and looks a little calmer.
“Where do I fall on your list of girls?”
“Pretty high up, Peaches. I let you sleep in my bed, which I’ll remind you, no one has and deep down I think you know I like being around you, even though we’ve only just met.”
"Is this your way of trying to sleep with me? Because it's not going to happen."
At first, I'm shocked, and now I'm laughing my ass off. "Just when I thought I had you figured out, you say this. No, I am not trying to sleep with you. Anyways," I stare at her, "I wouldn't have to try." I'm not sure where the hell that came from.
Her eyes slowly fall from my eyes to my lips and I see her breathing change. I'm getting to her. I want to lean over and kiss her. I want to feel her lips on mine, but I hold back.
"Tell me something that no one knows," I mutter, hoping to distract both of us.
“When I was twelve I lost my dad. It hurt me and my mom and for a while I blamed myself.”
My head jerks to her, “Why would you do that?”
“I was hungry and he ordered pizza. He said he’d be back, but he never came back. My mom said he died at the scene of the car accident. I never got to say bye and if I wasn’t hungry he’d still be here, so trust me, I know what regret feels like. My regret stays with me and has been since the night he died.”