by Cala Riley
“Driver picks the music,” Xavier says, reaching to turn the station.
I swat his hand. “Passenger is DJ. Road trip law. Everyone knows this.”
“So I have eight hours of country to look forward to?”
My eyes widen at the little tidbit he let slip. “Eight hours? Are we going to Corpus Christi?”
He smirks. “Maybe. Or maybe we are going to Oklahoma.”
I pretend to shudder. “Don’t even joke. Okies hate us Texans.”
“Do they really?”
I shrug. “Everything is bigger in Texas. Especially our egos.”
He shakes his head, laughing. “You’re something else.”
I feel a smile creep onto my face. “I sure am. My daddy always told me so.”
About two hours into the road trip, I turn down the music.
“Hey, I like that song,” Rebecca mumbles from the back seat.
“I know, it’s a classic.”
“I can’t take my eyes off of you,” we sing at the same time.
“Girls are weird.” Jack mumbles.
“It’s from a classic!” I protest.
“I don’t know it.” Xavier laughs.
“You’ve never watched 10 Things I Hate About You?” I ask.
“No, why should I have?”
“It’s a classic,” Rebecca says from the back.
“If you say so. It sounds like a chick flick.” Jack smirks.
“Anyway, I think we should play a game.”
“A game?” Avi asks.
“What game?” Jack says.
“Start with the license plate game?” I ask, looking at Xavier, then Jack and Rebecca in the backseat.
“Sounds good to me.” Xavier smiles.
“You’re going down this time, Davis,” Jack says, cracking his knuckles, making us laugh.
“This is going to be good.” Rebecca smirks.
I turn back around, leaning forward.
“What are you doing?” Xavier asks, laughter in his voice.
“I’m getting closer,” I deadpan, making him laugh.
“Pretty sure you leaning forward won’t help you out at all.” He reaches over, tapping my knee. “Alabama.” He nods toward the car in front of us.
“What no way! How can you read that?” I say as we approach a car that does in fact have an Alabama plate.
“I was blessed with good eyesight,” he says, rubbing his lip, trying to cover his smile.
I turn around in time and catch another car’s plate. “California.” I point at the car.
Jack groans from the back seat. “You guys can see everything before we do.”
“Maybe if you spent more time looking out the window, then at me you would have better luck,” Rebecca teases, making Xavier and I laugh.
“Idaho!” Jack calls out, ignoring her comment.
For the next hour we go back and forth calling out different states.
“Is it just me or would we have better luck calling out religious signs then finding the random non-Texas driver?” Xavier asks, tapping away at the steering wheel.
“Welcome to the Bible belt,” I quip as he pulls off the interstate to get gas.
“Thank god, I need to pee.” Rebecca sighs.
“You could have spoken up sooner and I would have stopped,” Xavier tells her as he puts the car in park at a gas pump.
“All good, city boy. I would have spoken up at some point,” she says before jumping out of the car. “Come on!” she yells at me.
I grab my purse and get out and follow her in. After doing our business and loading up on snacks, we get back on the road. I don’t know if it’s the people I’m with, but this is the best road trip I’ve ever been on.
“Cassi, wake up. We’re here.” I feel a gentle shake on my arm.
I don’t know when I fell asleep, but it always happens. There is something about being in a car that calms me to the point where I need to sleep.
Maybe my mom drove around a lot in the car with me when I was a baby.
“Where are we?” I groan and stretch.
“Open your beautiful eyes and look.”
I open my eyes and look around. It’s dark, but even in the dark, I can tell we are at the gulf. I smile big.
“Do I get another prize for guessing where we were going?”
He chuckles. “I kinda ruined the surprise, huh?”
“Not at all. I love the beach. Thank you for inviting me.”
He smiles warmly and whispers, “Anytime.”
“You two going to sit in the car all night?” Jack hollers from the door of a beautiful beach house.
“Whose house is this?” I ask as I climb out of the car.
“Jack’s parents own it. It’s their beach house. When he suggested we make a weekend trip, I thought you might want to join us.”
“Aww, you couldn’t picture spending a weekend without me, Avi?”
He shakes his head. “There’s that Texas-size ego, huh?”
I grab my bag, moving past him toward the house. I marvel at how beautiful it is.
The house is up on stilts with parking beneath. As I make my way up the stairs, I smile as I see the porch swing on the deck. I make my way over to the railing and look out over the dark ocean. Taking a deep breath, I savor the smell of fresh salt air.
Closing my eyes, I listen as the waves crash upon the shore.
“I love it,” I say as I feel Xavier come up beside me.
“I’m glad. I wasn’t sure if the beach was your thing.”
“How could it not be? Listen to the waves. Isn’t it the most calming thing you’ve ever heard?”
He’s silent for a moment. “I guess it is. I’ve never thought about it that way.”
“Cassi, this place is gorgeous. Come check out your room,” Rebecca calls from inside.
I smile at Xavier as I pass him, making my way into the house. The inside is as gorgeous as the outside.
There’s tile flooring throughout with warm beach colors painted on the walls. There are photos of Jack and his family lining the walls, but there are also paintings of the beach itself. I peek into the kitchen, smiling at the granite countertops and the hand towels embroidered with the words “Life’s A Beach.”
If I had a beach house, it would look exactly like this. I yawn again.
“Come on, you can look around in the morning. Let’s head to bed,” Xavier says, ushering me upstairs.
He stops and points to a door to my right. “That’s yours.”
“Which room is yours?”
“This one,” he says, walking backward into the room across from mine.
Interesting.
“Goodnight, Adra.” He smiles.
“‘Night, Avi,” I say, shutting the door softly.
Temptation across the hall, however, will I resist?
Xavier
I slide a plate of bacon onto the counter in front of Jack just as the girls come down the stairs.
“Be still my beating heart!” Rebecca proclaims. “Not only is he hot, but he can cook!” she teases.
“I’m more than a pretty face,” I deadpan, making everyone laugh.
Rebecca sits next to Jack while Cassi moves toward the fridge. She takes a bottle of water out and drinks half of it in one go.
“Thirsty?”
“Yeah, I didn’t drink enough water yesterday,” she says as she sets the bottle down on the counter. “This looks good, you make everything?” she asks as she looks at the food.
“All but the cinnamon rolls. Jack popped those in the oven,” I tell her, leaning against the counter.
“I’m impressed.”
“Don’t be,” I tell her, popping a piece of bacon in my mouth. “The rolls came from a can. Hardly any work.”
She leans against the counter, mimicking me, taking a bite of bacon and all. “Still impressed.”
“I aim to please.” I smirk, making her blush. “You sleep okay?”
“I did. What about you?”
“Can’t complain.”
“Jesus, the sexual tension between them is so thick you could cut it with a knife,” Rebecca mumbles shoving food into her mouth, making Jack choke on his food.
Cassi blushes again. Clearing my throat, I straighten, taking the attention off of her.
“So, what’s the plan for today?” I ask everyone.
Cassi shoots me a grateful look.
“I plan on sitting my ass in a chair in my little bikini and not moving until the sun goes down,” Rebecca says.
“Beach day all day, then tonight bonfire.”
“On the beach?” Rebecca asks.
“On the beach,” Jack agrees. “I can make a few calls and see if any of the people I usually hang out with are around or it could just be the four of us. What do you think?”
“Sounds like a plan, big man,” Rebecca says.
“Sounds good to me,” Cassi and I say in unison.
“Let’s get changed and get out there,” Jack says, slapping the counter.
Slowly, I follow the girls up the stairs and watch them break off into their room. I head into the en suite attached to my room and turn on the shower.
God, I thought Cassi was gorgeous before, but seeing her first thing in the morning? She takes my breath away. Stepping into the shower, I hiss as the water pounds onto my back.
What is she doing in her room? Is she taking a shower? Is she thinking of me?
Groaning, I fist my cock, stroking myself. Up and down. Up and down. I picture Cassi in the shower. Head tilted back, hands in her hair, nipples hard as water cascades down her body. I bite my lip as I stroke myself harder, faster. She steps closer, her breasts brushing against my chest as she drops to her knees. I swear I can feel her hands on me. Right as she takes me into her mouth, I explode, shooting my release all over my hand as the water rains down on me. Breathing hard, I lean against the wall.
Let’s hope if she ever puts her mouth on me, I don’t blow that fast.
“Come on, let’s go!” Jack bangs on the bathroom door.
I hang my head. “Give me a minute!” I yell back as I reach for the body wash. Rushing through the shower, I get out and come to a stop when I see Jack lounging on my bed.
“What are you doing?”
“Take you long enough?” he grouches.
Ignoring him, I walk over to my bag and grab my trunks. I slip them on under my towel. Turning toward Jack, I run the towel back through my hair.
“Are they ready?”
“Yeah, I heard them head downstairs.”
Tossing the towel onto the bathroom counter. “Then let’s go.”
Jack jumps off the bed and pushes me out of his way. “Ha! Beat you!”
“What are we six?”
“You ready?” Cassi says as we round the corner into the kitchen, stopping me dead in my tracks as she turns around.
She’s wearing a black bikini. The top looks like a spaghetti strap tank top that ends right below her breasts, dipping down, showing her cleavage. The bottoms are high-waisted boy shorts that go up to her belly button, covering all the fun parts.
Cassi bends down, picking up a piece of cinnamon roll that fell onto the floor.
Or maybe not, I think as I see the bottom of her butt cheeks peek out.
Jack elbows me in the side, making me grunt. “You’re drooling,” he whispers under his breath.
I look over at him and he basically has hearts jumping out of his eyes the way he’s looking at Rebecca.
“Like you’re so much better,” I mumble.
“You guys good?” Cassi asks, tilting her head.
“We’re good,” I tell her, walking toward the back door.
The girls pass by mumbling a thank you.
“I got the chairs!” Jack tells them as he walks past me. I shut the door and concentrate on breathing.
I just got off, and she has me hard all over again.
It’s going to be a long day.
The girls lay on the beach most of the day while Jack and I go between messing around in the ocean and tossing the football back and forth.
“Hey, you guys hungry?” Rebecca calls from her chair.
“What do you have in mind?” Jack yells back.
“I don’t know, how about you come help me figure that out?” she teases, making him groan.
“God, she’s beautiful,” he whispers.
“I thought you weren’t ready for the take-home type of girl,” I quip.
“Hell, as far as I know, she could be both.” He winks, running up the beach. He picks Rebecca up out of her chair, making her squeal as he carries her toward the house.
I turn back to the water, wading in slowly. Next thing I know, something hard hits my back, making me fall forward. I hear Cassi squeak right as I go under. While underwater, I move her from my back to my front as I stand back up.
“Really?” I deadpan as I walk us deeper into the water.
“I couldn’t help myself.” She shrugs as she wraps her legs around my waist.
Thank god the water is cold enough to stop me from rising to the occasion.
“How’s your day been?” I ask, trying to push away my wayward thoughts.
“I can’t complain.”
I run the pad of my thumb along her cheekbone. “You got a little sun.”
“The curse of being a blonde.”
I step back, stepping on something hard and begin to go down but catch us just in time. Cassi gasps as she falls into me, breasts pushing against my chest, lips ghosting mine.
“Hey love birds, you coming?” Jack yells from the house, making Cassi jerk back. I walk forward and as soon as we’re out of the water, I set her down.
She clears her throat. “Well, that was fun.”
“Yeah,” I say, watching her walk away. I adjust my aching cock as I follow behind.
Walking into the kitchen, I see Rebecca and Jack set out chips and sandwich stuff.
“This looks good,” Cassi tells them as she grabs what she wants.
“I figured this would be easiest for now and then later order some pizza before we have a bonfire.” Jack shrugs.
“Makes sense.” I nod as I grab a plate, helping myself.
The three of them fall into easy conversation while I eat in peace. My phone rings on the counter.
Finley.
“Hey, I have to take this,” I tell them as I grab my phone.
“Hello?” I answer as I walk up the stairs.
“Hey man, how are you?” Fin asks.
“I’m good? Everything okay?”
“What a guy can’t call another guy for the hell of it?” he jokes.
“Sure, you can call one of the Yates or even Sterling. Last I checked, we weren’t close enough to be phone buddies,” I say honestly as I shut the bedroom door.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” He sighs. “Look, I have a favor.”
“Okay, name it,” I tell him as I lean against the window frame, staring at the waves.
“You know I was into some shit last year,” he breaks off, gathering his thoughts. “I was wondering how you would feel about Tins coming and visiting sometime.”
“She’s always welcome.” I frown. “That bad?”
“Nah, everything’s good. But I know if she was here while I do what I need to do, all she will do is worry.”
“She likes to worry.” I laugh. “Look, you know she’s always welcome to visit. We’re good.”
“As long as you know she’s mine,” he jokes, lightening the mood, making us both laugh.
“Yeah, you have nothing to worry about there.”
“Oh, does Xavier have a girlfriend?” he sing-songs.
“We’re not having this conversation Fin.”
“Oh, come on, give me something!”
“Goodbye, Fin.” I laugh as I hang up.
I leave the room, walking down the stairs, making my way back outside.
“Hey, where are the girls?” I ask Jack.
; “They wanted to hit the shops down the street.” He shrugs, eyes closed as he chills in a deck chair.
“Ah.” I nod.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, why?”
“You were frowning when you saw who was calling you.”
“Nah, it was Fin. We’re not exactly friends, so it was a little random. Everything is good though.”
“Good.” Jack nods. “So, you and Ace looked pretty cozy in the water.” He teases, making me laugh.
“It’s nothing.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night.” He shrugs. “Just make sure you cover her face with a pillow when you fuck her.” He shivers. “I really don’t want to hear her moaning,” he says making me laugh.
6
Cassi
I flick between the hangers on the rack, checking out different graphic t-shirts.
“So,” Rebecca drawls, peeking between the clothes and myself.
“Spit it out,” she says, making me sigh.
“What do you want me to say?”
“I want you to tell me you’re into Xavier and won’t go back to dipshit.”
“I was never with Jared.”
“Might as well have been with the way he acts,” she scoffs. “Look, I just want you to be happy and healthy. Jared doesn’t make you happy and is toxic.”
“You just don’t understand our relationship.”
“See, that’s where you’re wrong,” she says, giving up on looking at the clothes. “I grew up with those guys too. I know your dynamic. You and Jared only hooked up out of grief. And Xavier? He could bring you back to the land of living. He could help you move on.”
“He makes me smile,” I mumble.
“See!”
“Mara put the moves on him and he turned her down.” I smile, thinking about when he met her at the bar.
“Fuck Mara,” Rebecca spits out.
“Rebecca,” I sigh.
“No, seriously, I’m so glad you finally saw her for who she really is. Between her and Jared, I don’t know who’s worse for you,” she says, angrily searching the clothing rack again.
“You know, I don’t like walking away from people. Especially now.”
“Because your loyalty knows no bounds. You can’t keep holding onto the old because of sentimentality. It’s okay to remember the good times fondly, but you don’t need to keep giving them your everything when all they do is take.” She sighs. “Look, why don’t you just give whatever it is between you and Xavier a chance. It doesn’t have to be forever but, I think it could be if you guys give it a chance.”