by Toni Aleo
“Oh, well, that sucks. Can’t blow it off?”
I shake my head. “No.”
“Well, shit, all right,” he says, visibly disappointed. And then he’s gone, trotting along and leaving me behind. For some reason, it bothers me that I turned him down.
Why does that bother me?
Wiping sweat out of my eyes, I pick up speed because I want this to be over. I’m done with this team-building exercise, and I’m done with running. Trudging along, I suck in a deep breath, letting it out through my nose as my legs burn. Sometimes, I feel like the devil made running. He sends all his little demons to eat away at your legs and make you feel like you’re dying.
At least that’s how I see it.
“Move it, princess, you’re gonna lose.”
Whipping my head to the left, Jayden is beside me, grinning and looking extremely sexy instead of on the verge of dying like I’m sure I look. His hair is slicked to the side, sweat running down his neck and wetting his back. He’s taken off his shirt, it’s wrapped around his neck, and I’m pretty sure his running shorts are illegal. I can see the outline of his cock. Seriously. That’s just dirty and mean.
“Suck it, Sinclair, and hide your dick. It’s showing,” I say before picking up speed.
He laughs as he catches up with me. “Aw, Moore, you looking at my dick?”
“It’s very distracting,” I mutter, and he continues to laugh.
“It’s so big, it has that effect on innocent girls.”
Glancing over at him, I flash him what I hope is a sinful grin. “I’m far from innocent.”
His grin grows, but before he can say anything, I’m running faster.
But he catches up with me again.
“Whoa Nelly, you got some speed on ya, princess,” he says, and I flash him a dirty look, all playfulness gone.
“What’s up with the princess?”
He laughs. How is he laughing?
“I thought of the one thing that would drive you the craziest and what is furthest from the truth. Princess is just that.”
“So I’m not delicate and sweet? Singing to birds and shit?”
He laughs. “The fact you just said shit at the end of that tells you the answer. You are as delicate as a momma bear discovering someone beating her baby cubs with a bat.”
I scoff. “You don’t know me.”
“Not for lack of trying.”
“Don’t know why. Won’t do ya any good.”
“I think you should let me be the judge of that.”
Rolling my eyes, I try to speed up, but I’m dying. I let out an annoyed breath since apparently he is gonna be my running buddy for the rest of this hill, and he says, “You look like you’re dying.”
“What every girl loves to hear,” I mutter, wiping sweat out of my face. “It’s hotter than Satan’s asshole, and demons are eating away at my legs. How am I supposed to look?”
He grins. “Like a delicate flower on her throne?” he suggests and then chuckles. “But it’s cool. Enjoy my dust because I’m gone, sweetheart.”
And then the asshole takes off. And I’m sorry, but someone that big shouldn’t be able to run that fast. Glaring, I dig in and push myself to the point of puking, but he isn’t gonna beat me. As I catch up to him, he looks over at me. I can tell he’s surprised that I caught up, but that just makes him go faster. I don’t admit weakness lightly. I hate it, but even I know he’s gonna win.
When we get to the top, I watch as he passes the ending of the trail. As he turns to look at me, I want to scream in frustration. I don’t get beat much and when I do, it sucks. But it sucks extra bad when he does it. There is something about that grin that not only makes me want to grin and congratulate him but also kiss the living shit out of him and kick him.
I don’t like the way he makes me feel. It weirds me out and I would say that maybe it’s because I’m attracted to him, but I never felt like this with Seth. Never. And I loved that idiot. Or at least I think I did. Who the hell knows? Shaking my head to get rid of the thoughts of my failed relationship with Seth the douche, I look up to notice that Jayden’s coming toward me. When he reaches me, I pause, but he keeps running, smacking at my thigh.
“Good run,” he says, and then I turn.
“Where are you going?”
He turns, still jogging as he goes backward.
This guy.
Hooking his thumb behind him, he says, “Shane and Justin hate running. They need me to motivate them.”
He’s not even out of breath! Plus, our goalies were basically walking. He’s gonna run back down and back up? Is he insane?
“So you’re gonna go back down there?”
He nods. “Yeah, team building, remember?”
“Good call, Sinclair.”
Whipping my head to my dad, I throw daggers at him. But thankfully, he isn’t looking at me but at Jayden. I don’t like him praising Jayden. It makes my blood boil, and holy shit, I’m jealous.
Oh my God, I need help because then I’m yelping out, “No, it’s cool. I’ll go.”
When I trot toward him, he laughs. “You’re dying.”
I scoff. “Please, I could go forever.”
Total. Lie.
Rolling his eyes, he says, “It’s okay, I got this. Go get some water, princess. Sit under a tree.”
“You shut up and get water. Let me take care of my team,” I snap, and that has him scowling.
“You would have never even gone if I hadn’t said anything.”
“Because I forgot. We are currently in Satan’s asshole, remember? Jeez, just go get water and maybe pull your shorts down or up or whatever,” I yell, and his scowl deepens.
“You’re pathetic,” he says, and then he turns, running back down the hill. Since I refuse to allow him to win, and maybe I am a bit pathetic, I follow after him. When ten minutes pass, I am convinced I am dying.
But Jayden is just trotting. Like a damn gazelle.
Looking back at me, he calls, “You can sit down. I’ll come back and carry you back.”
“Cold day in hell,” I wheeze back, trying to find some gas to catch up with him.
Turning and jogging backward, I scowl even more as he says, “You know, you should be nicer to the guys.”
Raising an eyebrow, I say, “I am nice.”
He laughs. “Says the black widow before she kills you.”
Ignoring that, I say, “I’m not here to make friends.”
“You should try. Being a pariah will do nothing but hurt you in the end. We are family here, and right now you’re like a distant cousin who thinks she is too good for us.”
I shrug. “Again, not here to make friends. Here to play hockey and get—”
“Into the NHL, yeah, heard that and completely believe in you. But when you’re there, do you think you’ll make friends? Because if you’re as prickly as you are now, you won’t.”
Prickly? I’m not fucking prickly!
Frowning angrily at him, I say, “If I’m so damn prickly, then why do you keep talking to me?”
He smiles, his hands coming up and lacing together behind his head. His abs all constrict in, his biceps large as the veins in his arms start to show. Sweat is dripping down his chest, his skin is splotchy, and still I think he is the hottest thing since cornbread. “See, the thing is, I knew you before you decided you hated life, and I like that girl I knew. Maybe I’m hoping she’ll come back.”
“You never knew me.”
He laughs. “Sure, I didn’t.”
“You didn’t,” I say again childishly, and he nods his head.
“Whatever helps you sleep, princess,” he says before righting himself and running with his back to me. He then calls out, “You can admit something to me later tonight, at the party.”
“I’m not going,” I say, and then I stick my tongue out. Because that’s what classy, non-immature girls do to the guys who piss them off.
“Yeah, you are.”
“Excuse me?”
Sending me one last grin, he takes off and I’m left speechless.
Again.
Because he’s right.
And damn it, it’s driving me insane!
Stepping inside the room that will be mine in the Bullies house, I hit answer on my phone.
“Hey, Ma. What’s up?”
“Hey, honey. I know y’all’s party just started, but I need a favor.”
Sitting on my bed, I turn the volume up on my phone. The party did just start, and it’s already hopping. The music is blaring and people are filing in. It’s awesome to be with my boys, living it up the way I have for the last two years. I can always be sure to let loose at these kind of parties. It’s just me and my boys. It’s gonna be a great night.
But first, I gotta see what my momma needs.
“Sure, what’s up?”
She hesitates, and my heart sinks; I know this isn’t going to be good. “So Jude sent the money for the taxes on the house, but I gave him the wrong amount. With the wedding and all, I really don’t want to ask for more. Can I take it from your account? I’ll pay you back. I promise.”
Closing my eyes, I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Sure, how much?”
“Four hundred.”
“Yeah, that’s fine, and don’t worry about paying me back,” I say before opening my eyes. “Once I sign my contract, that will be chump change. No worries, I’ll make sure everything is paid off then.”
“No,” she says quickly. “I’ll pay you back, and you know it’s not your job to take care of me.”
I scoff. “Yeah, but I will.”
“Jayden Mitchell, you know I hate asking you. Don’t make this hard.”
“I’m not trying to. I’m just telling you that it’s not a big deal. Take what you need; that’s why I’m here.”
“You’re not supposed to be though,” she says sadly, and I’m not sure what she wants here.
“Okay? What do you want me to say?”
Letting out an annoyed breath, she says, “I don’t know, honey. I’m sorry. I just hate asking you boys for anything.”
“It’s fine, Mom. You’ve always taken care of us.”
“I know, but I just hate it. I feel so helpless. I don’t know what I’d do without you kids. I just wish this divorce was over, and I could get my money.”
Shaking my head, I stand, reaching for the door handle. It’s time to get off the phone because I am not going to talk about my dad and their divorce. “Yeah, okay, well I’ll talk to you later.”
“All right. Thank you, honey,” she says and I smile.
“Sure, Mom. Love you.”
“Love you.”
I open the door just as I hit end, and when I look up, Jace is there. “What happened? Mom okay?”
I nod. “Yeah, she needed some money for the house taxes.”
“I thought Jude took care of those,” he says, perplexed, and I nod.
“She told him the wrong amount.”
“Are you going to tell him?”
“No,” I say with a shake of my head. “I had the money.”
“Oh, okay. Maybe call Dad for it?”
I scoff. “I’d rather put my dick in a meat grinder.” He makes a painful grimace as I laugh, smacking him on the back. “Come on, bro. Let’s go party.”
I put my arm across his shoulders as we walk together up the stairs to the kitchen where everyone is hanging out. There is a broomball game going on in the dining room, beer pong in the kitchen, and dancing in the living room. Outside, we have a fire going and people are everywhere. The Bullies throw the best parties and everyone shows up. Tonight is no different. With the last day of camp Monday, we plan to live it up. And man, looking around, the girls couldn’t get hotter.
But I’m only looking for one.
“I’m so getting laid tonight,” Jace says, pumping his fist in the air. Often, I think he belongs in an episode of Jersey Shore. He’s a total meathead sometimes, but then other times, he’s a kid. A good kid, my kid brother.
“Wrap it up,” I remind him, and he nods.
“For sure.”
“I wonder where Baylor is?”
“She isn’t coming,” he says, taking a beer from Shane.
“Yeah, she is. I told her she is,” I say, and Shane laughs.
“You two are weird. I can’t decide if I think y’all are hot for each other or ready to murder each other,” he says and I shrug.
“Or both,” Jace says, and I roll my eyes.
“None of the above. We are a team; we should all be here together.”
“True, but she is a bitch, dude. No one likes her,” he says, and I know this. That’s why I had to get her here. Get some Jack in her, and she’ll be Baylor from the beach. I know it. And then everyone will love her. I just wish she’d let go a bit and enjoy life. She’s so obsessed with winning, it’s insane.
“Give her a chance. She’s just driven, that’s all,” I say before taking a pull of my beer. “She’s a good person.”
He looks at me like I’m crazy and asks, “How do you know?”
“Well, we—”
Before Jace can finish, I punch him in the arm as I say, “I just do.”
“Whatever, dude,” Shane laughs. “But you’re my cap, so I’ll take your word on it.”
“Not yet,” I remind him. “Find out Monday.”
“It’s in the bag, Jay. You know that,” he says, and I smile.
I like that they all think it’s mine. It actually cures my uneasiness about it all. Baylor can beat me, but I’ve been working my ass off to make sure that doesn’t happen. I nod as he walks away, and when I glance over at Jace, he’s glaring at me as he rubs his arm. “You’ve got to quit hitting me, man.”
“Keep your mouth shut then.”
“Whatever.”
And then he’s gone.
His arm is forgotten because he found some girl to fuss over him. I wouldn’t expect anything else; he’s a cute little shit. Looking out at the party, I lean back against the sink while I nurse my beer. From where I am standing, I can see every entrance, so I’ll know when she gets here. I haven’t been able to shake the image of those short shorts all day. She is so determined and so fucking stubborn. It was insane and pathetic watching her trudge up and down that hill today. She was obviously dying, but she wasn’t going to let anyone else know that. She was resilient and beautiful and didn’t quit. She ran the whole time. Yes, she was slower than a herd of turtles through peanut butter, but she ran and I was bursting with pride.
As much as I wanted to wrap my arms around her and kiss her once we got back to the top with Shane and Justin, I also wanted to scream at her. As soon as we reached the top, she started puking, along with Justin and Shane. Shaking my head, I could only watch and pass out more water. If she weren’t so fucking stubborn, she wouldn’t have pushed herself, but I’m noticing that she is dead set on beating me.
Not sure how she is going to take it when I get my position on Monday.
Might have to sleep with one eye open.
As the night goes on, I don’t move from my spot, and I find myself looking at my phone every ten minutes or so, checking the time. I don’t know where she is, and a part of me thinks she’s bailed. She may be hell-bent on beating me, but she is also hell-bent on not getting to know anyone and keeping everyone behind the wall that she’s built around herself. I don’t understand it, and I want to know why she does that. I want to know everything. She intrigues me but also drives me wild.
That’s why I have to know her. That’s why I keep pushing and hoping that maybe she’ll open up a bit. I pray I didn’t glue that door shut with what I said. I just really need her to forgive me and for us to get along. It would be so much easier. But with Baylor, I don’t think there is any other way but hard. Which will make getting inside her head so much sweeter once
I do it.
And I will.
When a text vibrates my phone, I look down to see that it’s from Jude.
Jude: How much you give Mom?
With my brow furrowed, I type back.
Me: Why?
Jude: I just got off the phone with Lucy because she didn’t have the money for it, and I thought she’d call me, but Lucy said she called you.
Me: Yeah, she did. No big deal.
Jude: It is. How much?
Me: Don’t worry about it.
When my phone starts to ring, I ignore the call and tuck it back in my pocket. I know that I should answer it, but I don’t think Jude should have to be the only one to carry the weight of this family on his back. I can help and I will. There were so many times I gave Mom money this summer and Jude never knew about it. He shouldn’t be the only one doing it. She has three other kids, and I want to help her. I have to help her. While it would be ideal for my dad to do what he needs to do, I know it won’t happen, so we kids will step up and be the support my mom needs. Lord knows she’s been the perfect mom to us, so it’s only fair that we support her the way she has us.
When the side door opens, I push away my thoughts of my family drama and watch as Baylor walks in. She’s holding a box, but that doesn’t hold my attention for long. It can’t. Not with the way she looks. Her hair is down in a wavy mess of curls, and she’s wearing more makeup than normal, like she had on the beach. And within seconds, I can hear the ocean waves. She does that to me, takes me back to that moment… Or maybe it’s the beer, but man, she is gorgeous.
Coming in, she looks around, and when she sees me, she bites into her lip and heat courses through my body immediately. I push off the sink as she comes toward me. But before I can reach for the box or even welcome her, Jace is stepping in front of me, taking the box.
“Hey, you came!”
She shrugs. “Yeah, decided to take your advice.”
What advice?
“Cool!” he says, pulling out the bottles upon bottles of Jack she’s brought. “Damn! You brought a lot! How did you buy this?”
Meeting his gaze, she smiles. “With money.”
“But you aren’t twenty-one,” I say then, both of them looking at me.