A Cross to Bear
Page 5
“From where I sit, you seem like the most interesting girl I’ve ever met,” Logan replied.
Bree’s cheeks flushed with color. “You do have a way with words, especially for someone who hasn’t a clue about what he’s doing.”
“I’m full of surprises, Bree,” Logan said. “Never judge a book by its cover.”
“Oh, I’m not passing judgment.”
Logan laughed before looking behind them to see if anyone was watching.
Bree rested her chin on her knees. She couldn’t stop staring into his gorgeous green eyes, or at his soft, kissable lips. His mousy brown hair was just the right length for her to run her fingers through. So many thoughts about his well-toned arms, or his big hands that seemed so gentle, spun through her mind.
Ah! she screamed internally. What am I doing?
It was no use. She was ready to be whisked into the air and didn’t care how long she spent on cloud nine.
“So, how about tomorrow night?” Logan asked.
“That soon, huh?”
Logan smiled, his eyes were warm and intoxicating. “I don’t see why not.”
“Sure, I can do that,” Bree replied, and grinned.
They sat in silence. Bree thought about their impending date and the fact that they liked each other. It was new, refreshing, and nothing she had expected.
“So, you’re a sophomore?” Logan asked.
“I am. I was all new like you not so long ago.” Bree glanced in his direction.
“I still can’t believe I’m here. College was never on my agenda.”
“Wow, really?”
“Yeah, it’s a fairly recent thing.” Logan stretched out his arms and rested them on his knees. “This time two years ago, I was busting my ass and waiting tables, while trying to compete whenever the opportunity arose and help my mother in the process.”
“What brought you here?” Bree raised her eyebrows.
“Swimming and my father.” Logan looked down at his hands. “It’s the only thing he’s ever done for me my entire life.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m not.”
Bree got up, holding on to the handrail. She stared down at her new friend.
“I hate this place.”
“Then, why are you here?”
“Because it’s what is expected from me. I show up, I smile, and everyone knows I’ve been here. Good-time girl Bree, never a dull moment with her!” Her shoulders slumped with defeat.
“You don’t strike me as the kind of girl who bends over just to please people.”
“Remember that first night we spoke? Remember what I told you?”
“Yeah!”
“Then believe me when I say you have no idea what I’m capable of.” She focused on her feet, tears filling her eyes.
“I don’t care, Bree.” Logan moved toward her and touched her arm. “I see you, and I don’t see the monster you’re trying to make me see.”
Bree tilted her head and looked at Logan, trying hard not to cry. “I’m so stupid. I shouldn’t drink. It makes me talk like a hormonal teen.” She pushed her emotions to the back of her mind.
A thick silence descended upon them. The minutes stretched between them before the moment passed.
“I tell you what,” he said. “How about I take you back to your place, and make sure you get home all right?”
Bree giggled. “Oh my God! This will be a first.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because you’re the first guy here to actually ever give a shit,” Bree replied.
“That’s me, the guy who gives a shit.”
Bree set down her cup and strutted on ahead of Logan. She turned around to face him and smirked. “What are you waiting for? Take me home.”
Logan jogged up to join her.
The two walked side by side, chatting, laughing and growing comfortable with each other. They came to a stop at the bottom of a set of steps that led to a large house.
“Okay, this is me,” Bree said.
“Ah, you’re a sorority girl.” Logan looked at the house with its perfect curtains and white wooden window frames.
“Yup, Kappa Delta Sigma,” Bree announced. “My mom was a part of this sorority, so it kinda made sense when I was accepted last fall.”
“Wow, everybody seems to be somebody here.” Logan shuffled back onto his heels.
“Not really, Logan. It’s just another label we’re branded with.”
“It must be a pretty big deal to be a part of something like this.”
Bree glanced at the house she’d called home for the past year and sighed. “Honestly, some of the girls let the whole ‘sorority’ thing go to their heads. They kind of lose themselves, and it’s not pretty watching it.”
“Have you lost yourself along the way?” Logan asked.
“That’s a story for another time,” Bree replied, smiling at him. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Logan.”
“Goodnight, Bree,” Logan said. “I’ll stop by at five. We’ll see what we do from there.”
“Looking forward to it already.”
Bree gazed him before she ran up the stairs to the front door. Once inside, she rested against the door, her heart pounding hard in her chest.
“What’s got you all flushed?” Jet called out from her perch in the living room.
She composed herself and shook her head. “Nothing. Just relieved to be back here and away from the chaos out there.”
“Another reason I don’t bother with all that bullshit.” A scowl crinkled Jet’s pretty face. “Why everyone needs to get drunk and laid before semester begins is beyond me. They have all fucking year to get wasted and screwed over.” Jet shook her head, popped her headphones back on, and continued typing away on her laptop.
“You said it, girl,” Bree whispered, and made her way up to her room.
A wave of relief overcame her once she stepped inside. She had once lived for the booze and random hook-ups, but that had all died when she’d been made to feel unwanted and undesirable.
Bree grabbed her phone and saw three missed calls from Jack. Conflicted, she bit down on her lip. On the one hand, she had the attention of a much older man. It was an illicit affair, however. One that would have many consequences if found out. On the other hand, she had to contend with Logan, a new, intriguing young guy who was kind, generous, and everything she didn’t know she wanted.
The guilt was enough to make her cry. How she hated being the center of her own battle! If she wanted a shot with Logan, she needed to cut her ties with Jack. That was easier said than done. She dialed his number and waited for him to answer.
“I was getting worried,” Jack said upon answering the call.
“I was busy.”
“Did you get the flowers?”
“Yes, they’re gorgeous, but you didn’t have to.” Bree pulled on the petals of one of the roses.
“Of course, I did. A beautiful lady deserves beautiful things.”
“Jack!” she said, her voice a little firmer.
“Bree!”
“How long are we going to do this?”
“As long as it takes to get you out of my system,” he replied in his usual smooth tone.
“It’s unfair.” Bree’s voice softened. “I don’t want to hurt anyone. Especially those I love.”
“No one is going to get hurt, Bree. We discussed this the moment we began. I am not leaving my wife and children.” Jack sounded a little colder. “I know you don’t expect that from me. It is what it is. A casual meeting of two people who can give each other what no else can.”
“What if I don’t want to do this anymore?”
“Then, we end it. But is that what you want?”
“I’ve met someone,” Bree announced, her heart racing inside her chest. “I like him.”
“I’m glad. You need someone to see you for the wonderful young woman you are, but let me ask you something, Bree. How long will it last before you crave me?”
“You’re impossible, Jack.”
“I’m also craving you.”
“Pick me up at midnight,” she said, and ended the call, defeated by her desire yet again.
Bree didn’t have a clue as to what she was doing, but Jack was right. She had to get him out of her system.
* * * *
“Harder!” Bree cried out.
Jack drilled into her from behind, his grasp firm on her hips, not once breaking his pace.
The force of each thrust sent Bree closer and closer to the point of no return. She buried her face within the pillow as the orgasm coursed through her entire body. It gripped her tight in the stomach, like a slow-burning fire about to erupt. She moaned hard.
“Jack, oh, God! I’m…”
Before she could finish her sentence, she rode the waves of glorious pleasure.
“Jesus, Bree, I’m coming!” Jack’s face tensed.
He gasped. Ropes of hot cum shot deep inside her.
They moaned and panted in ecstasy, grinding against each other and letting the remnants of their climax subside. Tired, they fell onto the bed, dripping with sweat, the air full of the scent of their lovemaking.
Bree closed her eyes, holding on to the pillow, not wanting to meet Jack’s gaze.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, brushing her hair from her face.
“Nothing. I’m just tired.”
“You forget that I know you, Bree. Talk to me.”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” she snapped before turning over onto her side.
Bree refused to look at him. Remorse filled her. Deep down, she couldn’t resist the want of her sordid little affair. She acknowledged to herself that sometimes, bad habits died hard.
Chapter Five
I never heard the alarm go off. Sundays were days when the alarm could be ignored, but I still set it every Saturday night. Regardless of training or not, the regimental habit my grandfather had drilled into me when I had to step up my responsibilities around home remained. It had also played its part when I used to babysit my two little sisters.
As I lay there, I smiled to myself, knowing I had a date later with Bree. It wasn’t enough to make me get up and face the day. I wanted my body to relax a while longer, especially knowing what the week had in store for me.
My phone buzzed. I reached out to grab it and glanced at the screen. It was Drake.
“Hey,” I sleepily greeted him.
“Are you still in bed?” he asked, sounding surprised.
“Yup.”
“Where did you disappear to last night?”
I could hear the impending doom in his voice.
“I walked a friend home. She had one too many.” I sat up, resting my back against the headboard.
“Spence and I wondered about that. Ethan seemed very interested in your whereabouts.”
“Screw Ethan!” I muttered. “I honestly don’t get that guy’s problem.”
“Yeah, about that,” Drake began. “Rumor has it, he and that girl, Bree, were once an item.”
Drake’s words drew my attention. “What do you mean?”
“C’mon, Logan! They were fucking.”
I didn’t know how to swallow that little nugget of information. Then it dawned on me. Bree had warned me about this the whole time.
“So what?”
“I’m giving you the heads-up, just in case Ethan decides to play the jealous ex. Which, by all accounts, he’s already been,” Drake said.
Drake was right, but I refused to admit it.
“I’ll take my chances and see how things go. I like Bree. She’s a good girl.”
“I get it, man. I really do. Just don’t go losing your mind over a girl.”
“I’ve no plans to.” I glanced at Spence’s comatose body. “What about you? Did you get to sow your wild oats?”
Drake laughed. “Nope, but I’m working on it.”
“Man, I’m hungry,” I said, listening to my stomach growl. “Wanna go grab something to eat?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
“Okay. See you in the dining hall in ten minutes.”
“Cool. Catch you then.”
Drake ended the call, giving me enough time to grab a quick shower and dress.
* * * *
I saw Tommy standing near the steps, kissing his girlfriend, as I moved toward the doors leading to the dining hall.
He caught me looking at them and gestured for me to come over. “Hey there, Logan,” he greeted. “Come meet my Jenny.”
Calm and collected, I made my way over to them, wary about the fact that Ethan may or may not have been loitering about.
“Hey, man, good seeing you.”
“Jenny, this is Logan, our new all-star champion.” He introduced me to his girlfriend as if I were some prized trophy.
“Hi, Logan. Tommy has been telling me all about you,” she said, clinging onto Tommy as if her life depended on it. “Apparently, your times are amazing, not that I know much about swimming. But still, you’ve impressed Tommy, and that says a lot.”
“Thanks,” I said, unsure of what their deal was.
“Baby, go on ahead. Give me a few minutes.”
Like the obedient little puppy she was, Jenny sauntered off, happy to do as she was told.
“Nice girl.”
“Yeah, I can’t complain,” Tommy said, watching Jenny chat with a friend. “Take a walk with me.”
“Sure, but I can’t be long.”
“Oh, this will only take a few.”
It was odd seeing Tommy acting like the Alpha male. I might have respected him, but I wasn’t about to become another of his puppets. That wasn’t my style.
“What can I do for you?” I asked.
“Let’s cut the bullshit, shall we? I like you, Logan. You’re a good swimmer. Probably one of the best on the team. We haven’t even begun the season, so there will be plenty of competition coming your way. I foresee a few problems.”
“Would it be Bree, by any chance?”
“Hmm, that’s a tough one. Bree’s a good girl. She’s friends with my girl, and also happens to have some history with Ethan.” He looked at me.
“And?”
“And I don’t want anything to jeopardize the team. We have to be solid with each other. There can’t be room for nonsense or the kind of shit that went down in the locker room on Friday.”
“Hey, man, that was all Ethan, not my doing!”
“Yeah, Ethan is a bit of a sore loser. The Bree wound is still pretty fresh.” Tommy raised an eyebrow and scratched his chin. “How about we try to put that bad blood to rest?”
“Tommy, I have no bad blood. That’s not how I roll. Whatever Ethan’s problem is, it’s his alone and has jack-shit to do with me.” Anger bounced around inside me, like a wild beast desperate to break free.
“I respect that, man. I really do. I just need things to be good, for all of us. So, I was talking with a few of my brothers. We’d like to welcome you into the house. Give it a shot, and see how things go.”
I was completely taken aback. “Wait a second! You want me to move into your frat house? Become a part of your fraternity?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“I don’t know what to say,” I said, unsure of what his endgame was.
“Don’t say anything. Sleep on it. We can talk about things in a few days, but, Logan, this is a one-time only offer.” Tommy winked at me before turning around and returning to Jenny.
This was one of the weirdest moments since my arrival at OSU. I suspected things were going to continue on the crazy path I was on.
“What did he want?” Drake appeared, nudging my shoulder from behind.
“I’ve no idea, but he just
offered me a room in their frat house,” I said, still in shock from the offer.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” A surprised expression spread across Drake’s face.
“I don’t trust him. No one offers you something like that, not without knowing you first.”
“What are you going to do?”
I shook my head. “I’ve no idea. But before I make any kind of decision, I need food.”
We entered the dining hall and grabbed our trays, filling them with carbs and protein. We grabbed anything that stocked us up and filled the training-fueled hunger that was like feeding a bottomless pit.
As we ate, Drake looked at me like a wounded child.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Nothing,” he replied.
“Don’t lie. I’m not stupid.”
“It’s just… Semester hasn’t even begun, and you’ve been offered a place in one of the top frat houses on campus.” He looked at his food, then at me. “I suppose I feel left out.”
My heart ached for Drake. We hardly knew each other, yet we’d bonded quite easily. I didn’t want him to feel left out. It wasn’t right.
“Hey, don’t think that, man. I’m not going to be the kind of friend who turns his back on those who’ve been good to me, okay?” I tried to lessen the blow of the news. “Besides, I’m going to need my friends if I’m going to try out this whole dating thing?”
“Whoa, step back a minute. What?”
“Don’t sound so surprised.” I laughed.
“This, coming from the ‘I don’t do booze, parties, or women’ guy?”
“The other two I can do without. The girl thing kind of swayed my view on things.” I earned myself a look of approval from Drake. “What?”
Drake shook his head and bit into his burrito, chewing and chuckling to himself.
As we were finishing up, Spence appeared and sat down beside us. He looked like hell and didn’t smell any better.
“Jesus, man, you honk something fierce!”
“I feel worse than I look, believe me,” he replied, holding a bottle of water in his hands. “What has come out of me is unnatural.”
“Hence my opinion about booze. It’s not good for you.” I patted him on the back.