I open my mouth and let the cool liquid drown away the cottony dryness in my mouth. I end up drinking the whole damn bottle in several gulps. She tosses the empty bottle to the ground then wipes away the water that dribbled down the sides of my mouth. “Can you get up?”
I don’t say a word and come to a sitting position. My vision is blurry, and I feel sick to my stomach. I bring my knees up and rest my elbows on my knees, letting my head drop between my legs.
“Take all the time you need.” Ava massages my shoulders then rubs her hands up and down my back. It feels so good that I can fall asleep. She remains seated behind me after minutes have passed. Mondo and everyone else who just witnessed my near-death experience have returned to the birthday festivities.
“Do you want me to call your sister or Clay? There’s no way I’m letting you drive home.”
“No,” I croak.
“Then I’ll take you home. You can leave your car here. I’ll make sure no one touches it.”
I shake my head. “I can’t go home like this.” I come to my feet and wrap my arm around Ava’s neck for support.
“Fine, you’re going home with me.”
She drags my ass to her car and helps me inside. As soon as my head lulls back against the leather headrest, I fall asleep.
“Bryce, wake up.” Sweet peppermint wafts up my nose. I open my eyes and am face-to-face with Ava.
As she talks, my eyes drop to her lips, watching them part, twist, and curve with each word.
“Bryce,” she snaps in front of my face several times, “repeat what I just said.”
I continue to stare at her lips, wanting another taste.
“Damn it.” She taps my face. “I need you to listen to me, Bryce. I’m breaking all kinds of rules by bringing you home with me. I need you to be very quiet. I’ve already checked and my parents are asleep.”
I pull my gaze away from her lips to find that we’re parked inside of her garage.
“I need to walk you through my house then out the back to the pool house. I’ve already taken it upon myself to put clean sheets and a comforter on the pullout couch, and there’s fresh towels in the bathroom so you can shower. I can wash your clothes and have them back to you tomorrow morning.
“No need to wash my clothes.” My eyes become hypnotized by her hazel ones.
“Fine. Let’s go.”
We make it through her house and to the pool house without being caught.
When Ava opens the door and flicks the lights on, nausea suddenly hits me all that I rush across the small living room and into the kitchen to puke into the sink. I’d never had a bad reaction before to drugs, pills to be exact. From now on, I’ll just stick with the weed, but I sure as hell wasn’t buying it from Ava’s cousin again. I turn the faucet on to rinse my mouth and the puke away. I brace my hands against the counter and look up in time to see Ava coming out of a small room, a bathroom, maybe, carrying a small trashcan and hands it to me.
“In case you get sick again.”.”
“Thanks,” I say and take the trashcan from her.
“You’re welcome. Do you need anything before I leave?”
I look around and take in the comfy setting. Fluffy couch, TV mounted over the fireplace, and a refrigerator. “I think I’m good.” Maybe a good night kiss? I stare at her lips once more. Fuck that. Not with my puke breath.
“Okay, I have an early morning. If you need anything just text me.”
“I will.”
Ava turns to leave.
“Hey, Ava!”
“Yeah?” She faces me.
“Thanks again,” I clear my throat, “for everything.”
She smiles. “You’re welcome. Now, get some sleep.”
Then she leaves.
That night I had the most inappropriate dream that one could about a preacher’s daughter. I woke up to an intense case of blue balls and an appetite so intense for Ava that if I ever got a taste of her, I knew I would have hell to pay for my sinful actions.
Chapter 15
Ava
“Ok, on the count of three, smile!” the photographer says then snaps away. Bright lights flash, blinding my view of the gold and black streamers dangling from the high ceilings that are also draping along the wall. Hollywood was the theme of this year’s prom.
“Ladies, we’re going to have so much fuckin’ fun tonight!” Hunter yells to me and Morgan over the live band playing in the ballroom of the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center. I embrace Hunter’s arm while Morgan embraces the other. Each year, Hunter has been my prom date. Morgan was a new addition this year, but tonight, I can’t help but to want to be here with someone else. Even after he pushed me away with the ugly things he said to me. I still felt and witnessed Bryce’s stares, and each time, I broke eye contact from his intense fixation. At one point, I swear I felt him caress my hand when walking by me in class. Other than that, he kept his distance and didn’t say a word to me.
Hunter, Morgan, and I walk further into the ballroom packed with dancing bodies dressed in overpriced formal attire. Heads turn in our direction as we make our way in. There is no doubt that we look stunning in our outfits. I chose a beautiful, mid-thigh, lace dress in strawberry wine with specs of sequin all over, delicate skinny straps that crisscross in several directions across my shoulder blades, down to the small of my back. My dad almost forbade me from coming because of the way the triangle bodice dips low on my chest. The only things he approved of were the French manicure decorating my nails, my makeup that was minimal and natural, and how curly strands flow freely around my bare shoulders to cover up my “overexposed” skin.
Morgan looks fabulous in a shimmering blue two-piece dress that I loaned her. I’d only worn the dress one time and that was when I was nominated for homecoming queen two years ago. Her auburn tresses are pinned up in a chignon while Hunter looks like he came straight off the runway in a champagne-colored tux with a matching shirt, shoes, and bow tie. If he wasn’t gay, every girl in here would be on him.
“I say we hang out here for a while then head up to the suite to start the after-party,” Hunter declares. He made it clear earlier that he was going to party his ass off tonight and into the early morning. Morgan and I were instructed to forget about going home because he already swiped his dad’s black card on the most expensive room the hotel has, which happens to be a four-bedroom suite with all the amenities and an open bar.
“I’m not sure about the after par—“ I begin, only to be cut off by Hunter raising a finger, gesturing for me to shut up. He slides his phone out the inside pocket of his jacket and swipes his thumb across the screen. His brows lift and his eyes light up.
“Um, Ava, go find us a table.” He hastily shoos me away. “Morgan and I need to take care of something,” he explains while staring down at his phone screen. Before I can ask them what they’re both up to, they rush off, disappearing into a sea of our classmates.
I look around the room, pretending to look for a table but instead, I’m looking for Bryce. I can’t help it.
Since every table inside is occupied, I walk through the propped open glass doors of the nearest exit and out into the clear and starry, warm night, making my way over to the concrete balcony. I look out over the golf course of the hotel that’s illuminated by timed, in-ground light fixtures. I take in the sounds of the dripping water coming from a nearby fountain, the smell of fresh-cut grass, and the giggling sounds of couples scattered around on the terrace talking quietly amongst themselves. The sound of the live band inside blares from where I’m standing. The makeshift screen mounted against the building is playing a movie beneath a canopy of white lights. Though the volume is muted, the music playing inside seems to coincide with the actors’ every move.
I turn my head and, through the open doors, I see Bryce standing several feet away in a black-on-black tux and a fresh haircut, holding a long stem red rose in his right hand. He’s alone and looking around the ballroom. Probably looking for Hope. I lo
ok away and brace my hands against the low concrete wall of the balcony. I want to yell out into the night, but instead, I close my eyes and take several breaths to calm my jealous nerves. I’ll just stay for a couple of more minutes then come up with an excuse to give to Hunter and Morgan as to why I can’t stay and watch Bryce and Hope together. Of course, I’ll leave that last tidbit of information out.
My body stiffens from the touch of warm fingertips caressing down the spine of my back.
“Turn around so that I can see all of you,” Bryce hums against the shell of my ear.
I turn around and become weak in the knees at the sight of him up close.
His eyes take in every inch of me before moving back up to my face. “Ava, you look so fuckin’ beautiful,” he says.
“Thank you.” I look away from him in search of his date.
Bryce reaches for my hands and I pull away.
“Where’s Hope?”
“My sister and Hunter are inside keeping her occupied while I came out here to give this to you,” he extends the hand holding the rose my way, “and to tell you how fuckin’ sorry I am.”
I stare at the rose, making no move to accept it. “Why did you make me wait this long to hear those words?” I glance up at him.
“Because I’m new at this.”
I laugh then turn away and spot Meadow standing in the open doorway, looking at us with her mouth agape.
Bryce wraps his arms around me, and I don’t put up a fight. Meadow’s surprised expression hardens into a glare, and I don’t blame her. After I told her that things weren’t going to work between us, she repeatedly asked why. I used every excuse in the book to give her except the actual truth: I’d fallen for Bryce. Now, she knows. Bryce’s soft lips skim across my temple. I close my eyes to break eye contact with Meadow. My guilty conscience won’t let me be. “You treated me like shit after everything that I’ve done for you,” I remind Bryce.
“I know.” His thumb rubs lazily against my lower back. “Being with someone who makes me happy scares the shit out of me. I’ve watched my parents' relationship crumble to shit. That’s not what I want. The last thing I want to do is hurt you, Ava.”
I pull out of his grasp. “That’s the thing; you’ve already hurt me.”
Bryce steps forward and I step back until my back touches the balcony wall. His body presses against mine, “Ava, please—“
I push him away. “Don’t. Your date is coming.”
And on cue, Hope’s voice crashes the mood. “What’s going on over here? I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“Nothing,” Bryce says calmly. “Ava and I were just discussing some last-minute details that I needed to correct on my portion of the project before it’s turned in on Monday.”
“Oh, okay.” Hope steps forward and threads her fingers through his. “Your sister dragged me into the bathroom so I could help touch up her makeup, and when I came out of the bathroom, you were gone,” she pouts then looks down and sees the rose. My rose. “Bryce!” She gushes, snatches the rose from his hand, and brings it to her nose. “I love it!”
I look up at Bryce to find him still staring at me. The muscles in both his jaws tighten.
Hope grips Bryce’s arm possessively. “We should let everyone else know about this cozy space, and hang out here for the rest of the night.” She rises in her already high heels and pecks Bryce on the lips.
I swallow hard to keep the bile from rising from my throat. “Well, I won’t hold too much of your time,” I say through gritted teeth as calmly as I can. “I hope the two of you enjoy the rest of your night.”
“Hey, Ava, wait.” Hope holds her hand out to stop me.
What?!? “Yes?” I plaster on a smile.
“Are we still meeting at your house around three tomorrow to finish up our project?” she chirps.
I finger my cross pendant. “Yes.”
She wraps her arms around Bryce’s waist. “Great; that means we can sleep in tomorrow morning,” she says seductively to Bryce.
They got a room...together? Tears sting my eyes, but I continue to smile anyway. “Have fun,” I announce then storm past them.
I bypass Morgan and Hunter doing some country line dance that’s supposedly the new craze. I hear Morgan call out to me, but I pretend not to hear her. I move fast along the sleek hotel lobby floors that I almost slip in my heels. I stop for a brief second and take off my shoes then continue to walk through this maze of a hotel until I find the elevators. When the doors open, I step inside, thankful to find it empty. I press the button to my floor and when the doors close, I close my eyes and brace the rails. The sudden jerk of the elevator ascending doesn’t help the nauseous feeling in my stomach. The elevator dings and the doors slide open. I step off and curse to myself when I realize that I never got my keycard from Hunter who has my purse because I didn’t want to carry it around all night.
I lean against the walls adjacent to the elevator, feeling defeated. I’m not going back down there. I slide to the floor and begin to cry. Several minutes later the elevator doors open, and Bryce steps out, holding a flask in his right hand. His bow tie is untied and hanging loosely around his neck; the top few buttons of his shirt are unbuttoned, and his hair is a sexy ruffled mess as if he’s been running a frustrated hand through it. I stand up and wipe away the tears and snot decorating my face.
I move around Bryce to catch the doors before they close, but he side-steps me.
“I’ve been up and down this whole fuckin’ hotel looking for you.” The strong stench of whiskey heats the side of my face and creeps into my nostrils.
I swallow hard and just stare up into his bloodshot eyes. He grips my chin then rests his forehead against mine. “I left my date downstairs to be up here with you. Does that count for anything?” His lips brush over mine. “I don’t chase girls, Ava, but here I am chasing after you.” His hand leaves my chin and travels down my neck, chest, and stomach then wraps around my waist. “Tell me what I have to do to make things right between us again.”
I shake my head. “Why won’t you just let me go?”
His face hardens. “Is that what you want?”
The elevator dings. Bryce grabs my hand and pulls me the short distance down the hall, stopping at the door of the hotel suite that Hunter got for us tonight. I look over my shoulder to see a family of four step off the elevator. The clicking sound of a door unlocking brings my attention back to Bryce. He pulls the keycard from the slot then opens it. “Morgan figured we would need this.” He tilts his head toward the inside of the suite. “After you.”
I step through the doorway, turning my body at an angle so that I can squeeze past Bryce’s large frame. My entire backside of rubs against every hard angle of his front, and I swear I hear a soft moan leave his lips. My bare feet pad along the expensive carpet and through the open space of floor-to-ceiling windows with minimal top-of-the-line furnishings. The clanking noise the flask makes whenever Bryce takes a swig from it echoes close behind me as he follows me inside my room. My unmade plush, cream-colored comforter lays strewn off the bed from a nap I enjoyed earlier today.
I toss my shoes on the floor then turn around to face Bryce who’s leaning against the closed door, studying me with his flask dangling between his fingers. His intense gaze wanders over my face. “Do you want me to let you go?” He pushes away from the door and strides confidently my way.
I take several tentative steps back. “What?”
“At the elevator, you asked me why I won’t let you go. Do you want me to leave you alone?”
I take another step and stumble on top of my bed. I scramble back, but I don’t get too far. Bryce grabs my ankle and pulls me back to the edge of the bed.
“Stop running from me, Ava, and answer the damn question!” he growls.
I smack his chest. “Don’t you dare.” I jab my finger into his chest. “You’re the one who keeps pushing me away.” I smack his chest repeatedly. “You messed this up.” I lean back on my elbo
ws, which brings my face close to his.
His intense sage eyes soften. “I know,” his thumb brushes along my cheekbones, “and I need you to forgive me.”
“What if I won’t?”
“Then I’ll leave right now.”
Thump.Thump.Thump.Thump goes my heart rate. “I don’t want you here,” I lie. “Leave.”
He smiles down at me. “You don’t mean it, or you wouldn’t be gripping the front of my shirt.”
I let go of his shirt and lower myself back to the bed. Bryce lets go of my ankle and shifts on top of me. “Now, tell me that you forgive me.” His lips press into the crook of my neck.
“I forgive you,” I say shakily.
His lips travel up the side of my neck. “Good.” He kisses the spot beneath my earlobe. “No more games. I’m yours and you’re mine. Do you hear me?”
I nod. “Yes,” I whisper.
“That means I’m the only one who can kiss and taste you in places that would make your dad want to kill me if he knew of all the things I’ve already done to his sweet, virgin daughter.“
My nipples harden to tight buds, and my pussy begins to ache for his mouth.
“I haven’t been with another girl since we kissed in the library, and as long as we’re together, I won’t. You’ll be the only one who gets to fuck me.” I become hot from his declaration. “That’s if you’ll have me, fucked-up and all.”
I reach up and pull his head down, crashing my lips onto his. We slowly suck on each other’s lips and let our tongues tangle for God knows how long. We pull away, panting when we hear loud music and several voices.
Bryce shifts off of me and gets out of bed.
“What are you doing?”
“Locking the door,” he says over his shoulder.
Bryce locks the door and turns the lights off. The lights glowing from surrounding buildings shine through the window of my room, softly illuminating the space. Bryce stands before me then pulls out his phone. After several swipes across the screen, the soulful sounds of Al Green’s “Simply Beautiful, “plays from the phone’s speaker. Al Green’s music is before my time, but this song is one of my favorites, and Bryce knows this. He tosses his phone on the bed then extends his hand out to me. “You promised me a dance.”
F*ck Perfect (MindF*ck Book 2) Page 10