Lost & Found

by E B Brooks

  “Heaven help me, I’m trying to be a good boy.” Closing his eyes, Ryder rolled his head back and forth against the shower wall.

  When he opened his eyes, her heart skipped a beat. He looked dangerous, his pupils blown wide, his eyes fixed on her with a hunger she’d never seen before. Lightning fast, he grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her toward him. This time, it was no gentle kiss as they went at each other. Losing herself in the kiss, she climbed Ryder and wrapped her legs around his waist.

  He growled into her mouth, his hard length inches away from her entrance. Needing to catch their breath, he pulled away from her to rest their foreheads together. “I want you so damn bad right now, but I don’t want this to be like every other time I’ve been with a girl. Do you trust me?”

  Damn, she wanted him. She knew she could get him to have sex with her in the blink of an eye, but she had a feeling it would damage this budding relationship. She prayed she hadn’t gone too far with this shower.

  As for trusting him, of course, she did.

  Her eyes must have given Ryder the answer he was looking for. Setting her down, he turned her to face the wall. He soaped up his hands, then ran them along her inner thighs before pulling back. She glanced over her shoulder to find Ryder slowly stroking his dick, and she realized what he planned. Holy hell.

  He slid his hard cock between her thighs. He whispered in her ear, sending shivers through her body. “Close your legs, Silk, as much as possible, and clench your thigh muscles.”

  Ryder thrust his hard dick back and forth between her thighs as he grabbed her breast, teasing her nipples until she was a writhing mess. His powerful, calloused hand caressed down her stomach to her warm slit. Her body shuddered with a desire she’d never felt before.

  With each thrust, his dick rubbed her clit, and with what his finger was doing, she wasn’t going to last long. Moaning out loud, she ground against his fingers as hard as she could.

  “Come for me. Hmm, come all over my fingers, Silk,” he whispered into her ear. “That’s it, baby, I can feel it.”

  Ryder double attacked her, pinching her nipple and clit. Maddy screamed out Ryder’s name as she came harder than she ever had before. Ryder wrapped his arm around her, making sure there was no space between them as he plowed himself between her thighs.

  “Ah, shit! Beautiful… I’m coming,” he moaned out.

  Maddy clenched her thighs as tight as she could, and Ryder groaned her name as warm fluid ran down her legs.

  Once they caught their breaths, Ryder made sure they were clean before he turned off the now cold water and wrapped a towel around her.

  He removed some wet strands of hair from her face and smiled down at her. “Are you all right?”

  Maddy laid her head on his chest and nodded. He sat her on the toilet while he dried her off, and while he was drying himself, she brushed her hair.

  “You must be exhausted. You didn’t sleep much last night, then did all that shopping. Ready for bed?” Then, he straightened the towel around his waist. “If you’re not comfortable with me staying, I’ll go home.”

  She tilted her head and raised her eyebrows. “Really?”

  He chuckled. “I had to ask.”

  They got comfortable in bed, and she rested her head on his chest, running her fingers through his chest hair. “Did I just screw things up with the shower thing?”

  He wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her closer. “No, Silk, not even close. I kinda figured the slow part would be tossed out the window as soon as I got in that shower with you. You’re too damn sexy for your own good. I’d still like to hold off having sex for as long as possible, though. So, relax and let’s go to sleep.”

  “Okay,” she mumbled, half-asleep already as she snuggled closer with a big smile on her face.

  24

  Maddy

  Monday morning, the sun beat down on her head and sweat dripped down her face, leaving Maddy regretting her decision to wear makeup. She woke up early this morning to curl her hair, too, but the second she stepped outside, poof, it frizzed up.

  She’d wanted to look nice for the first day, and now she probably looked like a drowned, frizzy raccoon who’d been to hell and back. Who knew it would be this hot at seven-thirty in the morning? She was only halfway to school and felt ready to collapse.

  A Jeep rolled up next to her. “Hey, gorgeous, want a ride?”

  Maddy was in no mood to be nice; it was way too hot for that.

  When she turned, though, Jace was there smiling at her, and she relaxed. “Hell, yeah. I’m melting out here.”

  She hopped into his truck, leaned her head back, and let the cooled air run over her.

  “You left early. I planned on surprising you by picking you up,” Jace stated.

  She hit him in the arm. “You should have told me, then it would have saved me from looking like this. Is it always this hot?”

  He smirked. “You’ll get used to it.”

  She let out a huff of disbelief, then pulled down the passenger visor to check her makeup and hair. “So much for looking nice on my first day.”

  Jace leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You’re still gorgeous. A little sticky, but gorgeous.” He laughed.

  She gave him the evil eye before she looked back in the mirror to fix her makeup. Once she was done, she leaned back again the seat.

  She rubbed her sweaty hand down the seat. “Are you ready for this?”

  He glanced over. “School? That’s easy.”

  “No, seeing Skylar. I’m nervous about seeing him again. I thought about it all night. I can’t decide if I should yell at him or ignore him.”

  “I won’t lie, I’m a bit nervous, too. I’ve been trying not to think about it.” Jace took a hand from the steering wheel and put it on her lap. “So, what are your plans for the day?”

  “This is one of my long days. After our two classes, I still have work. I’ll have to grab something to eat in between. So, my dear Jace, what are your plans?”

  “Well, I get to spend the next two-and-a-half hours with a crazy, beautiful girl. I’m excited about that. Do you think we might see you outside of school this week?”

  “You’re such a goofball. It’s two hours of school with other people. I’m still planning on having dinner for you all, but because this is the first week of school and work, I think we need to see how it goes.” She pursed her lips.

  Pulling into a parking spot, Jace shut off the engine. “I figured you’d say something like that. Since I have to share you with our classmates, how about a kiss before we go in?” He cocked one black eyebrow.

  Before she could answer, he reached behind her neck and pulled her toward him. This was no quick kiss like she expected. He put everything into his kiss. When he pulled away, he caught her bottom lip between his teeth.

  She panted, wanting more than just one kiss, and let out a groan of disappointment.

  His eyes went from glazed over to concerned, and he sat up straighter. “Did I hurt you?”

  “No.” She rubbed her thumb over her swollen lips. “I was just expecting a quick kiss, and that sure as hell wasn’t one.” His face turned beet-red. “Now I have to go to our first class all turned on. Thanks.”

  He readjusted himself. “You’re not the only one, and we better head in before I decide to do more.”

  Getting out of his Jeep, Jace held her hand as they walked toward the building where their class was held.

  They didn’t even get inside the room before a paper was shoved in her face. Maddy took it and one for Jace before they were allowed to enter.

  The classroom was like the auditorium but a smaller version. Jace and Maddy found a seat about halfway up and settled in to face the front of the room. One large desk sat empty, and two smaller desks already held two older looking students.

  A tall guy with medium-length gray hair dressed in a suit came strolling in, placing a briefcase on the large desk. He opened it and set a stack of paper and a few other
things on the desk.

  “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Professor Sullivan, and these are your two student aides, Greg and Paul. If you have any questions, they will be more than happy to help you. This is Principle of Sociology. Now, if you please, open the syllabus that Greg handed you when you first walked in…”

  25

  Jace

  Jace couldn’t stop glancing at the clock that hung on the back wall. Time was moving way too slowly. Every so often, Maddy reached over and squeezed his hand. That was what made her so special. She was so in tune with him, just like Skylar was.

  His hands were sweaty, and he kept running them up and down his legs. He was about to jump out of his skin. He looked over at Maddy. She wouldn’t have a bottom lip if she kept biting it like that.

  The professor finally let the class go, and they strolled over to the next building.

  His heart pounded harder the closer they got, his breaths growing faster, and Jace pulled Maddy away from the building.

  He grabbed his chest. “I can’t breathe.”

  Gasping for his next breath, his vision grew hazy.

  Hands cupped the sides of his face. “Jace, look at me.”

  He couldn’t. He was trying to take his next breath, but nothing was there.

  Her warm body pushed up against him. “Jace, feel my body. In and out… You can do this. Breathe in and out. That’s it, feel my body breathing in and out. Good.”

  He ran his hand through his hair. “Thank you, babe, I couldn’t breathe there. That hasn’t happened in a while.”

  She smiled. “Do you think you can make it to the classroom? Or do you not want to go?”

  “No, I’m okay. I need to get a drink of water and sit down.”

  He slipped his arm around Maddy as they headed to the classroom.

  Picking their seats, Maddy set her book bag on the seat beside her for Skylar.

  “I’ll go run and get you some water,” she said.

  “No need. I have a bottle in my bookbag.” He pointed to it.

  She gave him the of course, you do look he was very familiar with and stayed quiet for a while.

  It embarrassed him he’d had a panic attack in front of her. “I’m sorry about earlier. I spent all of Principles of Psychology worrying about this one…”

  Her warm hand touched his. “Jace, don’t worry. Don’t forget I had one not that long ago, I know what you’re going through. We’re in this together, okay? Whatever happens, I’m here for you.”

  “And I’m here for you.”

  “Have you talked to him at all?” Maddy asked.

  Jace picked at his desk and shook his head. “I’ve tried, but he keeps telling me he’s not ready.”

  Maddy leaned over and ran her fingers through the back of his hair. “This is hurting you, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah. We’ve been friends for as long as I can remember. I can look at Skylar and know exactly what he’s thinking. He wanted you; we talked about it. He was worried about how he would react if he saw you with Cody or Ryder, but he said he was all in. I don’t know what happened. We tell each other everything. At least, I thought we did. Something’s going on with him, and it’s killing me he won’t talk to me about it.”

  She rubbed her thumb over the back of his neck. “I’m sorry, Jace. I never meant for this to happen. It’s killing me that I’ve destroyed a lifelong friendship.” She let out a huff.

  He could see how this was hurting her just as much as it was hurting him, but it was nobody’s fault other than Skylar’s. “Stop right there, Maddy. You didn’t do this. This is on him; all he has to do is talk to us. I wouldn’t change anything. If he’s stupid enough to throw this away, then I didn’t know him as well as I thought I did.”

  She smiled at him, but he could still see it was affecting her. The smile didn’t reach her eyes.

  It was getting close to twelve-thirty, and the class was going to start.

  Maddy looked around. “Jace, where is he? Do you think he changed classes?”

  When the aid shut the door, she started biting her fingernails.

  The second the door closed, it slammed back open, and Skylar slid across the floor.

  “Don’t worry people, Skylar is here!” He had his arms out wide, taking a bow.

  The class went nuts until an overweight guy walked in. Then, the whole class quieted.

  Skylar turned around and stopped goofing off, well sort of. He gave the man two thumbs-up. “Floor is all yours, dude.”

  “Remember that, Mr. Skylar, or you’ll find yourself bowing your way out of this door. Now, go find a seat.”

  Skylar’s eyes widened, and he looked around. When he saw Maddy and Jace, his sparkling blue eyes faded, and his walls slammed down.

  Jace thought his heart would stop when Skylar took a seat in the second row.

  Maddy’s whole body deflated.

  When class ended, Skylar bolted for the door.

  Jace pointed after him. “That is not my Skylar. I have to talk to him, find out what’s going on.”

  After class, Jace hung out with Maddy on one of the benches under an old oak tree.

  She had to work tonight, and he didn’t feel like leaving her by herself, but after she finally convinced him she needed to catch up on her homework since she’d passed out last night and that she’d be fine.

  Telling her to text him when she got home tonight, he kissed her goodbye.

  The drive back to the house was weirdly quiet. He was used to having Skylar either talking or singing in the car. He couldn’t figure out what was going on with his best friend. None of his actions were making sense. The night of orientation, they’d stayed up for hours talking about how they felt about Maddy. Skylar was so into her, then the party happened, and everything went to shit. Something wasn’t adding up, and Jace needed to find out what was happening.

  When he got home, he made a quick sandwich and grabbed a pop, then headed up to Skylar’s room. Glancing around, it didn’t look like anything had been disturbed since the last time Jace was in there.

  Sitting in a chair in the corner of the room, he waited for his best friend to come home.

  His fingers tapped on the arm of the chair, and his leg kept bouncing up and down.

  Footsteps stomped up the stairs, and Jace sat up straighter in the chair, eyes piercing the door, waiting for it to open.

  It slammed open, and Skylar stepped in and shut the door before he noticed Jace.

  “Fuck.” He rummaged through his clothes. “What the hell do you want, Jace?”

  Jace stood and crossed his arms over his chest. “To talk to you, Skylar.”

  Jace’s plan was to slowly get in front of the door, so Skylar would have to talk to him. As he moved closer, though, he saw bruises on Skylar’s face. His eyes shot to Skylar’s hands, where his bruised knuckles showed signs he’d been fighting.

  Jace grabbed Skylar’s hand. “What is this?”

  Skylar just pulled his hand away.

  Jace pulled Skylar’s shirt up, getting it halfway before Skylar’s hands were pushing it back down.

  “Back off, Jace.” Angry eyes glared at him before Skylar went back to packing.

  “You’re fighting?” He grabbed both of Skylar’s arms, forcing him to look at him. “Skylar, talk to me. What the hell is going on with you?” he pleaded.

  He wanted to shake Skylar until he talked to him. Where was he fighting? Cody forbade him from fighting in the underground.

  Skylar broke away from his hold. “For the first time, I’m free. I’m out from under my brother. No one knows who Cody is. I’m no longer Cody’s younger brother. I’m Skylar Mayhem Anderson. I’m crushing my opponents. I haven’t lost yet. And you won’t believe the money I’m making, and the parties. Oh, boy, you don’t know what you’re missing.”

  Jace couldn’t believe the shit coming out of Skylar’s mouth. Skylar always told him they weren’t in it for the money. And if he was fighting in the underground, why wouldn’
t they know who Cody was?

  “Who are you? Are you doing drugs, again?” He tried to get a peek at Skylar’s eyes.

  Skylar shot him an angry glare, threw the top he held onto the bed, and faced him squarely. “Fuck you! Just because I’m doing something you disapprove of, you think I’m back on drugs? Out of everyone, I thought you would understand me. Get out of my way, Jace. Amber’s waiting for me outside.” He started picking up his clothes again and shoving them into a bag.

  “No, I’m not done yet. I thought you didn’t like Amber. Why are you hanging around her? What about Maddy? I thought you wanted to be with her? Stop packing and talk to me, dammit!”

  His shoulders slumped, and he stopped packing. “Tell Maddy I’m sorry.” His voice was heavy with regret. Zipping his bag up, his voice returned to normal. “You know what? Don’t tell her. I’m sure you three are keeping her busy. I’m with Amber now. It’s something you need to get used to. I can’t stay here. There are things I need to get done, and I can’t do that if I’m here having you up my ass.”

  Holding his bag in one hand, he took a deep breath and looked up at Jace. “Move out of my way, or I’ll move you, Jace.”

  He searched his best friend’s eyes for some idea of what was going on with him. Skylar’s icy-blue eyes held so much torment in them. Jace had never seen them like that.

  Opening the door, he stepped aside, and his best friend walked through.

  “Skylar!”

  He stopped but didn’t turn around.

  “I’m always here to talk, and I’ll be here when you’re ready to come back home.”

  It was the hardest thing he’d ever had to do, watching Skylar walk down the stairs and out of their lives for now. Out of everything that just happened, he got the feeling there was something Skylar needed to do, and he had to do it by himself.

  Jace just hoped, when he came back, it would be in one piece.