by Toni Aleo
He smiled as he shrugged his shoulders. She could tell he still didn’t believe that, but she did. She knew it was true and hoped that one day he would too.
“I hope you’re right,” he said before he leaned back down, kissing her long and slow as he framed her face in his hands. Parting slowly, he drew a few more kisses out of her before saying against her lips, “You are so fucking gorgeous.”
She laughed, pushing him away. “Please, I’m fugly.”
He rolled his eyes as he sat up, reaching for the bags. “Whatever, hush, I got you some presents to help make you feel better.”
She perked up some, sitting up slowly and cringing from the pain. “I like presents.”
“I figured you did,” he said, unloading a heating pad.
She about screamed as he tore the package open and plugged it in before handing it to her. “Oh my god, I am going to give you the best blow job of your life once I feel better.”
He chuckled, low and sexy as his eyes darken. “Again, I look forward to that very much.”
She moved it onto her stomach and smiled up at him. She was about in tears when the heat from the heating pad hit her belly, soothing her angry uterus.
“Thank you.”
Grinning, he said, “Oh, I’m not done.”
She watched with excitement as he pulled out a big chocolate cake from a bag and laid it down on the bed. She grinned up at him as she reached for it, but then she noticed it had writing on it.
Hope your vagina and uterus get better, I miss it.
She couldn’t help it and, despite the pain, she toppled over with laughter. Looking up at him, she giggled as she said, “How in the hell did you get the worker to write that on there?”
“Audrey loves me; she’ll do anything for me.”
Reese laughed and became more excited. Audrey may not like her, and she might not like Audrey, but that girl could bake some sweets. Placing the cake down, she watched as Phillip laid pads, tampons, Midol, two tubs of Ben and Jerry’s Chunky Monkey, and a one-pound bag of Reese Pieces down. She looked up at him and couldn’t see him through the tears that were welling up in her eyes.
“You bought me pads and tampons?”
He shrugged shyly as he looked away. “I guessed really on what you needed. I wanted to surprise you, make you feel better.”
“You did,” she said breathlessly as she laid the glorious heating pad down and got on her knees. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him long and hard as his arms came around her waist, hugging her softly. Dusting his lips, chin, and jaw with kisses, she smiled as she snuggled into his neck. “Thank you so much.”
“Anytime.”
“When do you need to leave?”
He moved his hand into her hair, cupping the back of her head before kissing her temple. “I need to leave in about an hour. I gotta catch another flight back to Anaheim before flying out to Colorado.”
She moved her fingers to the nape of his neck, kissing his jaw before looking into his bright blue eyes. She moved her nose along his, closing her eyes as his lips met hers, kissing her slowly, taking her breath away. Her heart was pounding, her throat tight with emotion. No one had ever done something so sweet for her, and she didn’t know how to handle the emotions that were coursing through her. Tightening her arms around his neck, she hugged him tightly and decided that she never wanted to let him go. Ever.
“Lay with me till you gotta go?”
He nodded. “Of course. Lay down, I’ll go put everything up.”
Tears still stung her eyes as she squeezed him again before letting him go. She lay back in her bed, placing the heating pad on her belly as she watched him move around her apartment, putting things away before coming to her bed. Phillip then kicked off his shoes before undoing his belt, laying it on the back of the couch. Moving into the bed slowly, he cuddled up against her, moving her hair out of her face before pulling her close against his chest. He moved his lips along her temple and her forehead as she slowly closed her eyes.
“So are we going to this dinner together?”
She smiled as she snuggled closer into him. “No way, that would open up a can of worms that needs to stay closed.”
He laughed. “Yeah, it probably would. I guess I need to figure out a way to tell Claire we are fooling around, huh? Just in case your family lets it slip.”
She shrugged her shoulders, pulling back a little to look him in the eyes. “That is up to you. I can tell them that Claire doesn’t know, but I’m not sure that will keep them quiet.”
“I need to tell her anyway, don’t you think? I feel like shit lying to her all the time.”
Reese thought for a moment. “I don’t know, do you think so?”
“It’s up to you. I want to tell her, but if you are uncomfortable with it, I won’t.”
Reese looked away, moving her fingers up to play with his bow tie. “I mean, what would you tell her?”
“That we are friends, but we like to have sex. She isn’t dumb; she knows I have sex.”
Reese smacked his chest. “I know that, but I don’t like her thinking that’s all it is.”
She froze when she said it, because that was exactly what it was.
Right?
Fuck. What the hell was wrong with her? Damn hormones! When she looked up, Phillip was looking down at her. His piercing blue eyes watched her as he asked, “What are you saying? That it is more?”
She looked away and shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. Blah, forget I said that. I just feel like that would freak her out, and she’d probably get pissed off.”
“Oh, she will be pissed. I’m preparing myself for that, and you should too. You’ll probably need to do damage control.”
“That’s fine.”
“So what do you want me to say?”
Closing her eyes, she took in a deep breath and said exactly what she was thinking. “I have no freaking clue.”
He chuckled against her hair, his arms coming around her a little tighter as he buried his nose in her hair. “Fine, when you know, let me know cause I have no clue either.”
“I will.”
“Good, now get some rest.”
She placed a small kiss against his jaw. She felt so safe in his arms, so complete. She was still in pain, but it didn’t matter because she was wrapped in his arms and he wanted to surprise her and make her feel better.
And he had.
“I’m glad you’re here,” she whispered, and she meant it. She had missed him terribly. It seemed like he was always there when she needed him, even when she didn’t ask him to be. It was new, and it was comforting. She couldn’t imagine not having him there. That terrified her, but what could she do about it? Leave him? Stop what they were doing? She couldn’t. She couldn’t even fathom the thought. She liked what they were doing. He made her happy, something she thought no man could do after Kevin. So why stop what she liked, what made her feel good, and what made her happy? She couldn’t, and she wouldn’t.
Snuggling her nose in his neck, she took in a deep breath. His deep, woodsy smell intoxicated her senses as he said, “I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
He said it like a promise, and it gave her chills.
Because she felt the exact same way.
“I’M SO freaking nervous.”
Reese looked over to where Claire stood with her arms crossed behind her back. Her hair was in a bun with a huge pink flower at the base. Her costume was a thing of beauty. Reese took great pride in her costume designer, and this detailed masterpiece was nothing less than perfect. The top was a white bra that was covered in glittery tulle that had flower detail all over it, with bright pink and white stonework. The bottom was a pair of white booty shorts covered with the same tulle and detail. It went perfect with Claire’s skin and brought out her ice blue eyes. Brian stood beside her in a pair of dark jeans and no shirt, his dark hair brushed to the side. Reese was going for a ‘rich girl—poor boy’ theme and to her, it worked. She just h
oped the judges thought it did too.
Wrapping an arm around Claire, she smiled as she said, “Why? You’re gonna kill it, both of you.”
Brian smiled over at her as Claire took in a deep breath. “He isn’t here yet, and I really want him here.”
Reese wanted him there too and, like Claire, she found herself looking around the room. They had been in Chicago a day. Phillip wasn’t there yet and promised her he was hauling ass to get there. He had a game the following day that Reese wished she could go to, but it wasn’t in the cards. Her whole team was performing today and tomorrow. She couldn’t let her team down by leaving for a game, no matter how much she wanted to go.
“He said he was coming right?” she said, even though she knew he was coming.
She nodded, her eyes glassy. “Yeah, he is stuck in traffic, I think.”
Reese shrugged. “So no worries. We still have fourteen numbers before you two.”
She let out a breath, looking down at her phone as she shrugged her shoulders. “I’m just nervous.”
“Don’t be. We got this,” Brian reassured her, squeezing her hand.
She looked down at her phone as she took in deep breaths. Reese knew she had to do something, and she was kind of mad at herself for putting so much on Claire. This was a huge competition, and she was preforming three times this weekend. Claire had every right to be nervous as hell. Shit, Reese was nervous too, not that she would ever say so.
Squeezing Claire into her side, she said, “Come on, let’s go stretch some more. I’ll stretch with you two.”
Claire looked up and bit into her bright pink, glossed-up lips. “Okay.”
They moved off to the side and went to the floor, stretching the way they did before each class. Reese’s eyes kept moving though. She was looking for him and hoping to God that he made it. She didn’t want Claire to be disappointed, and she also didn’t want anything else for Claire to be mad at Phillip about. Phillip still hadn’t told her about them, but she was starting to think that he would soon. Maybe on the drive home… and that made her nervous. She seriously cared for this girl and didn’t want her to hurt, but she agreed that lying to her wasn’t the right thing to do. Not with how much time they were spending with each other, and also with the fact that everyone knew but Claire. Reese just hoped she understood that it was nothing serious, and that Reese would always be in Claire’s life. The girl needed stability and with everyone that was in Claire’s life, there was no reason why she couldn’t have it.
Reaching for her feet, she closed her eyes and really reached for her toes with ease. When she opened her eyes, she saw him. Phillip was rushing through the middle of the hall, dodging around dancers and their parents as he looked around frantically. As always, he was beautiful. Fitted jeans with a plaid green shirt on. His hair was brushed to the side with a green beanie holding it in place. His eyes were shining, his nose pink from the cold air outside and man, she had missed him.
She fought the urge to jump up and wave like a crazed person to get his attention. Instead, she smiled and she said, “Claire, Phillip is here.”
Claire whipped her head behind her and then beamed before hopping up. She called out his name and when his eyes fell on her, his face broke into a grin.
Rushing over to them, he looked worried as he asked, “I didn’t miss it, did I?”
She shook her head before wrapping her arms around his middle. He did the same, hugging her tightly as she said, “Nope, you’re right on time.”
“Awesome,” he said as she pulled away. He looked her up and down, and then asked, “Where is the rest of your costume?”
She glared, and Reese wanted to hit him. “You paid for it,” Claire pointed out.
“I know but I think I need to pay better attention to these purchases.”
Claire laughed as she shook her head. He then looked over at Brian and asked, “Could your mom not afford a shirt?”
For fuck’s sake.
Reese reached out and smacked his arm. She did it before she realized what she was doing and when he grinned over at her, she glared. “Will you shut up?”
“Seriously, Phillip, jeez! It’s a dance!” Claire complained as Brian turned every shade of red possible.
“I’m just asking. Shit, I’ll buy him a shirt,” Phillip said with his hands out towards him. She wanted to laugh but knew she couldn’t, so she shook her head, looking over to make sure Brian’s mom hadn’t heard him.
“Phillip!” Claire stressed, and he shrugged his shoulders as he took in a deep breath.
He then set Brian with a look. “So you’re her dance partner?”
Brian nodded. “Yes sir.”
“Hm, couldn’t play hockey or football? Hell, even baseball?”
Doing it before thinking again, Reese smacked Phillip at the same time Claire did. “Ow!” he yelled, rubbing his arms.
“Will you leave him alone?” Reese said.
“Yeah! Jeez!” Claire yelled as Brian chuckled beside her.
“I do play hockey, sir. I love dancing more though,” Brian said with a grin.
Phillip scoffed. “I bet you do when they wear barely nothing,” he muttered under his breath. Everyone heard him but before Reese could smack him again, he dodged out the way and smiled back at her but, thankfully, Claire still got him. “Fine, one more,” he said, moving out of reach.
“No!” Claire and Reese yelled together.
“You two hush, this needs to be said,” he said, before taking a step towards Brian. “I can kill you, you know this right?”
Brian looked up, and Reese knew he was shaking in his dance shoes. Phillip was a big man. Thick in all the right spots, rugged and sexy, and he was right, he could kill Brian, with his pinky. Oh, God, she was getting turned on! Shaking her head, she took a step towards Phillip, placing her hand on his bicep as Brian muttered, “Yes, sir.”
“Good, I am on a team with a lot of guys that don’t mind beating up someone that hurts someone I love. So don’t hurt her.”
Brian nodded anxiously. “I won’t, sir.”
“That’s right, you won’t,” Phillip said and then, by the grace of God, a worker came over to say that Claire and Brian were next.
“All right, come here, give me a hug,” Reese said, hugging them tightly. She looked over at Claire and said, “You got this. This is your time to shine. Your name is on the choreography, too. Let’s win this, okay? Good luck!”
Claire smiled widely as Brian took her hand in his. Letting them go, Reese backed away as Phillip said, “Good luck.”
“Thanks,” they both said.
“You look gorgeous, Claire, and you need a shirt, but besides that, you two go win this.”
Claire shot him a true smile, one that reached her sparkling blue eyes while poor Brian looked scared. They both turned and went towards the worker that was waiting on them. Reese led Phillip to the instructor’s part of the stage, where they could see everything perfectly.
Crossing her arms behind her to keep from reaching out to touch Phillip, she said, “Did you have to scare the kid shitless before he went on stage?”
Phillip shrugged. “I don’t like him.”
“You don’t know him. He’s a good kid.”
“He’s dancing with no shirt on with my niece. I don’t like him.”
“Jeez,” Reese said, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”
“You like it,” he accused.
She laughed. “Maybe.”
She felt him looking at her, and then he whispered, “You look hot.”
She bit into her lip before turning to look at him. His eyes were shining with desire, his jaw covered in light blond hair and boy, how she wanted him. She wanted to lean into him and sink into his arms. “You aren’t too bad yourself.”
He winked right as Claire and Brian were announced.
“Here goes nothing,” she whispered, and then she felt his hand slide into hers.
“I’m nervous,” he admitted, and she smiled.
“So am I.”
When the music to Boyce Avenue’s cover of “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon blasted through the speakers, Claire stood in the perfect position as Brian moved along with the music. When it was time for her to join with him, Reese held her breath as Claire actuated the music in a way that honestly brought tears to her eyes.
They were gorgeous.
“Wow,” Phillip whispered.
“Yeah,” she said as her face broke in a grin when the music picked up and they moved like one. Checking the faces of the judges, Reese was pleased with what she saw. They were all eating up the dance. Turing her attention back to her star dancers, she watched as the song came close to the end. Claire pulled her best leg stretch before completely taking off across the stage, propelling herself in the air and into Brian’s arms. He held her, looking deep into her eyes as if she was the only one in the room, and they rocked back and forth as the song ended. The place erupted and she wasn’t sure who was louder, Phillip or her. He was whooping, hollering, and practically jumping up and down as if he had scored the winning goal during game seven of the Stanley Cup finals. She had to admit, it was cute.
Pushing into him, she said, “Let go meet them backstage.”
“That was fucking amazing.”
Reese grinned. “It was all Claire.”
He made the gesture like something was blowing out of the side of his head before saying, “Mind blowing.”
“I agree,” she said. She started following him towards the backstage, but someone took hold of her arm from the opposite side that Phillip was on. When she turned, she took in a sharp breath as she stopped dead in her tracks. Her heart jumped in her throat, all the air rushed out of her, and her head started to spin as she locked eyes with a set of big, brown eyes she used to be very familiar with. In love with actually.
Kevin Edds.
He looked exactly the same way he had when she left him what seemed like eons ago. His long, blond hair still dusted his shoulders. He had more hair on his face, and all it did was make him hotter. He wore a sleeveless shirt, showing off his toned, gorgeous arms. His legs just as toned in a pair of long shorts that came to his knees. His grin was unstoppable, his white teeth shining as his eyes ran up and down Reese’s body, making her crazy uncomfortable. Before she could say anything, he said, “Easy to say that song brings back some pretty great memories, huh?”