by Mari Brown
It seems weird that just two nights ago, I slept with Troy, and now I act as if I can’t stand him. But that’s our relationship for you. Troy and I have always had that love, hate thing going. Troy is the only other guy besides David who is allowed to tease me. David and Troy would hurt anyone else who did the things they have done to me. Troy also gets away with flirting with me in front of David. He always has. David trusts Troy to treat me with respect, I guess. It’s the only reason I can think that Troy has been allowed to get away with so many things.
Troy’s arm is slung across my shoulders while I sit and listen to the guys talk about how practice went. When I look up, I notice two guys walking towards our table. As they get closer, I can feel the tension building at our table. Amy and I give each other a WTF glance. I can’t help but notice how cute they are, but if all my guys have an issue with them, then there has to be something wrong.
“Charlie, what can we do for you?” David asks in a terse voice.
“Well, we noticed these two lovely ladies sitting with you losers, and thought we would come rescue them.” The taller of the two guys with short, spiky blond hair does all the talking. As he says this, he leans towards me, lifts my hand to his lips, and kisses it. “My name is Charlie. What is your name, Beautiful?”
Douche much? Did he just call my brother and friends losers? Seriously? I am going to have to rein in my temper before I punch this ass in the face. Not to mention, he is hitting on me with Troy obviously staking his claim.
“Aw, well, aren’t you just the sweetest. You may not be too bright, but at least you have a cute face. You’re not my type, Hunny,” I say as I jerk my hand away.
His eyes widen. “I am sure I can change your mind. You can’t be that attached to Daniels. School hasn’t even started yet,” he says, taken aback by my comment.
“Oh, you would be surprised just how attached I am to Troy. We go way back. Let me introduce myself. I am Destiny. Destiny Williams.”
Recognition crosses his face.
“Williams? What are you, his sister?” He rudely points to David.
“Wow, can’t get anything past this one. I’m sure you just have to beat the girls off with a stick,” I reply sarcastically.
Boy, he is really itching on my last nerve. I pray he is not assigned to me for any spirit activities during football season. I might have a hard time doing something nice for him.
David finally interrupts our banter.
“Keep it movin’ and leave my sister be. You are interfering with our lunch and we’re trying to enjoy it.”
Charlie looks like he may say more, then thinks better of it, nudges his silent friend, and walks off. Watching them retreat, I am not the least bit surprised when they sit at the table with Buffy and Vicky.
“David, what is with that douche?” I ask. This causes the rest of the guys at the table to crack up. Amy is smiling at me because we think so much alike.
“Just another jealous asshole. I think he’s jealous of us because we all are first string, and then let’s face it, people are always jealous when they find out who our dad is.”
I make a face to show my disgust.
Troy finally moves his arm from around my shoulders and we relax and enjoy our food. The guys have trays piled high with pizza and burgers. Amy and I have salads and fruit. I am kind of hating the guys right now, but I know better than to eat something heavy when I am going back to dance. When we finish eating, we realize that we still have an hour before any of us have to report to practice, so we decide to just sit there and talk.
A hand slides up my upper thigh, but I make no sign of acknowledgment. I want to see where he is going to take this. His hand moves up and down my thigh. When I notice Jessica and Megan entering the courtyard, I signal Amy to go grab them to come sit with us. Being the only two girls around all this testosterone gets old quick. The new additions to our table don’t deter Troy’s hand from traveling further up the inside of my thigh. I have to put a stop to it because I can feel my sex responding to his touch. As discreetly as possible, I put my hand on top of his to halt his exploration. I’m shocked by the fact that not only does he not move his hand, but also actually entwines our fingers and sits there through the rest of lunch holding my hand in secret. I am trying to forget about the way he is making me feel and just focus on talking to Jessica and Megan.
Returning to the locker room after lunch, we all get back into practice gear and dance shoes so that we can start going over routines for our first pep rally and game time performance.
I am slipping my shoes on when Amy sits down beside me.
“What was going on under the table at lunch today?” Amy whispers.
I look at her in shock and whisper back, “Please, tell me no one else noticed.”
She grins and says, “No. I just know my BFF and I could just tell something was going on”
“After practice today, let’s stop by Starbucks and I’ll fill you in. That way, there is no chance of us being overheard.”
We make our way into practice room, and following Mandy’s orders, stretch out our muscles. After running through a warm-up dance to get the blood flowing, the real work begins. She teaches us the steps for our pep rally dance as a group, which is one of the things I like about the college dance team. Each routine is learned together when it’s new, and when we all have it mastered, placements are assigned along with any special parts that might be added.
Two hours later, we have learned all of the counts for our pep rally routine, but have to wait until tomorrow to find out where we will be in the lineup for the dance. All in all, today’s dance practice has been successful for all of us.
Buffy corners me in the dressing room after practice.
“I will win Troy back, so watch your back slut.”
Nice. How am I a slut? I didn’t do a damn thing. I can’t wait to talk to Troy tonight and find out what the deal is with Buffy. This crap needs to stop.
Amy and I stop at Starbucks as planned on the way home, place our order, and go find a seat to relax for a few minutes with our lattes. Since I really want to know what my best friend thinks, I launch into my story about Troy and lunch.
She listens intently, and then asks, “Well, why did you keep holding his hand?”
Seriously, that’s all she comes up with?
I stop and think. “Hell if I know, Amy. I guess cause I liked it”
“I think my little player is falling for a guy.” She smiles at me.
“What!?” I squeak out.
Is she crazy? I am not falling for Troy. Am I?
After finishing off our coffee, we make our way home. I did promise to cook, after all. But when we get there, Ryan, Chase, Keith, and Mark are at our house watching a movie. Rethinking the whole dinner business, I look in the living room at the guys.
“Who wants pizza for dinner?” I get a loud chorus of ‘Me’, so I sit down at the kitchen counter with my laptop, and place an order for delivery.
“David, the pizza is paid for and it’s ten larges. It will be here in forty-five minutes. I’m going to take a shower.”
I make my way upstairs to my room, lay clean clothes out on the bed, and make my way into my bathroom to start the shower. As the water warms up, I grab a brush from my bag. My tight muscles ease under the hot, beating spray and I relax while I wash the sweat and grime off my tired body. When the hot water starts to run out, I reluctantly step out and wrap myself in a soft towel.
A light knock on my bedroom door catches me by surprise. I cross my room and open the door to find Troy on the other side.
“Hey, can I talk to you?” he asks.
I motion him in, close the door behind him, and lock it since I still need to get dressed. I figure there is no reason to be embarrassed with him in here while I change. After all, he has seen me naked before. Not to mention, with all those years of growing up together, he has seen me in little to no clothing many times.
Troy sits down on the edge of my bed. He
grabs my hand and tugs me closer to him as he looks up at me he begins speaking.
“I figure I should explain about Buffy.”
“That would be nice. Seeing as how you turned the captain of my dance team into my enemy.”
“Ya, I know. Sorry about that. I really didn’t mean for it to go that far.”
“Ok, so spill. What is going on with you two?” I sit down beside him, not even bothering to dress at this point.
“So, I met her at a party last year and we hooked up. After the party, I tried to take her out on a few dates and see if it could turn into somethin’. But damn, you’ve met her. She is one shallow bitch.” He scoots closer to me and grabs my hand. “I told her that things weren’t goin’ to work out between us. She didn’t want to take no for an answer. Kept sayin’ that we had to be together since we were the perfect couple. Now, she is on me like a fly on shit and decides to threaten every girl she sees me messin’ with. I knew if she saw me with you, she would freak, but you can hold your own. Thought you could put her in check for me. Finally get her off my back. I know you won’t take her shit.”
I can see where he is coming from, but really? He couldn’t have warned me first? He is lucky that I think quickly on my feet. So now, I understand the whole Buffy thing, but that still doesn’t explain the playing with my thigh and holding my hand at lunch. Do I even want to ask him about that? I am torn on what to do.
Troy is still sitting on the bed and I’m starting to feel chilled and need to get dressed. I grab my bra and panties, and head into the bathroom. As I walk back into my bedroom, Troy’s lust filled eyes rake over my body. My only thought at this moment is Oh Boy. I am in trouble. I walk over to my bed, grab the yoga pants, and slip into them, but before I can get my tank top on, Troy grabs my hips and pulls me into his lap.
He whispers, “I have to do this…” right before his lips crash into mine. He wraps one arm around my waist, holding me close to him, while the other goes up into my hair, gripping it tightly.
At first I am stunned and don’t respond to his kiss, but I quickly get over my shock and begin kissing him back. My hands wrap around his neck and I dig me nails into his hair just a bit as the kiss intensifies. Troy’s hands begin to wander around the waistline of my pants. I don’t understand what is going on between Troy and I. There has never been this kind of attraction between us before. It’s all so strange, yet right at the same time. We finally break apart, and I get up, slip on my tank top, and walk out of the bedroom, leaving a stunned Troy behind.
We spend a few hours hanging out in the living room, music playing softly in the background, and the guys chilling with beers. Amy and I sit together nursing some wine coolers. This is not a night to get drunk. We have a long week of practices ahead of us and none of us wants to be hung over for them.
The week goes by smoothly, and Troy and I still act the happy couple anywhere Buffy might see us. Holding hands, chaste kisses, and lingering hugs are all part of our little game. My brother just rolls his eyes, while Amy gives us knowing looks. The rest of the guys seem to forget it’s all an act. Hell, I am having a hard time remembering it’s an act sometimes, especially after that kiss we shared in my bedroom. Buffy has not been happy with me all week. Not only am I still with Troy, but I’m also getting front, lead positions in almost all of our dances. The drama is all around and classes haven’t even begun yet.
Friday night is finally here and we decide to hang at the house before heading out to a party that a fraternity on campus is hosting. After a week of hard work at dance practice, I think I have earned the right to party tonight.
Jessica and Megan have come over to the house to get ready with Amy and me. As we primp, we can hear all the guys in the living room. For some reason, David has decided that I can’t go to the party without the escort of him and his friends. Sometimes his overprotective, big brother junk annoys the crap out of me.
The girls and I are all ready to head out to the party. I have chosen to wear short jean shorts that mold to my bottom. The simple, off the shoulder top shows off my tan, and a pair of heels that make my legs look a mile long finishes my look. My hair cascades down my back in dark ringlets.
As I walk down the hall, Troy steps out of his bedroom door and stops to check me out. I throw a smile over my shoulder as I pass, and he just reaches out for my hand, pulling me back against him.
“You look absolutely beautiful tonight, Destiny.” He bends his head down and whispers in my ear.
“Thank you.” His words send a shiver down my spine. “You look pretty good yourself.” I can’t help but notice that he is wearing low-slung jeans and a black V-neck that fits tight across his chest. I swear every muscle is defined through the T-shirt, right down to his sculpted V. Another shiver hits me. I wonder if I should be concerned about all this flirting and touching that Troy and I have been doing, so I step back. “We better get downstairs. We got people waiting.”
David and Amy are downstairs trying to figure out who is driving and who is riding with whom. David decides he will drive in his car with Amy, Ryan, and Chase. Mark and Keith are in Mark’s car, and Jessica and Megan are riding with them. Mark is not thrilled with driving, and even tries to talk Keith in to taking his car. The way these two argue reminds me of an old married couple. They finally settle down and Mark reluctantly agrees to drive.
“That means I get my girl all to myself,” Troy impishly replies.
I snap my head to Troy, and moving my hand to caress his chest, I dryly say, “I may break up with you tonight and let Buffy have you.”
This causes everyone in the room to laugh. All but Troy, that is. I notice he isn’t laughing, but then again, neither am I. This whole pretend relationship is getting to me.
“Destiny, please don’t leave me. I will do anything you want, but don’t leave me.” Troy pouts as he issues his plea.
This makes everyone laugh more. I look at Troy as if he has lost his mind but struggle to hold in my laughter at his pleas.
Troy finally leads us to his car and even opens the door for me as a gentleman would. I wonder where he’s been hiding these manners. Although honestly, looking back, I don’t recall Troy ever having a serious girlfriend that he would treat with this kind of respect.
When I was a freshman in high school, David and Troy were juniors and the big men on campus. They were on the football team, and notorious players on and off the field. That year shaped me into who I am today. I constantly had girls trying to befriend me because I got to hang out with the football players. The girls that had been dumped always tried to get me to help them get back with the guys. It was constant drama. Amy and I were popular in our own grade because of our nature, and it didn’t hurt we were on the dance team. However, my brother and his friends had us hanging out with them before school, at lunch, and after school and that sent us straight into the middle of high school drama. I was so glad I had Amy because I never could trust other girls.
“Destiny.”
Troy’s voice brings me out of my trip down memory lane. I look at him and shake my head to clear my thoughts.
“Sorry, Troy, I was lost in my thoughts. What did you need?”
He smiles at me and says, “I was trying to thank you for this whole Buffy thing.”
“Troy, you know I’ll always do anything I can to help you.”
Suddenly, Troy pulls over on the side of the road, turns, and looks at me.
“Destiny, I know this is going to sound odd coming from me, but we have known each other our whole lives. I know many people think I look at you like a little sister, but believe me, I never have. The things I want to do to you should be illegal in 50 states, but I consider you one of my very closest friends. I want you to know that I respect you and appreciate you. Always have, always will.” He gives me a sweet kiss on the cheek.
I am shocked by Troy. Troy does not do feelings.
“Troy, we’ve always had a unique relationship, but I consider you a close friend, too. Thank yo
u much for what you said. It means the world to me. I have to admit, though, I am still a little surprised that David is lettin’ us get away with all this flirting.”
“It is a little strange, right? He hasn’t said anything about it. He’s always quick to say something when it comes to you.”
I notice that as he speaks there is a slight hesitation, but I put it to the back of my mind.
“Maybe he is finally letting me grow up.”
We both snicker at that. The more I think about it, the more I wonder what is going on with David. He is being a little too accepting of this whole fake relationship. Especially since we have no problem with making it look real.
Troy restarts the car and we head off for the party once again. We arrive at the fraternity house and I am surprised by how many students are already on campus and attending a party. This place is packed and loud bass is pumping through the windows. Troy helps me out of the car and takes my hand to lead me up the steps. It still feels strange holding hands with Troy. The boundary lines of our friendship keep getting blurred. Fake is starting to become a little too real for me. Damn.
When we walk through the house, I notice the girls are wearing even less then I am and I am not covered up. The guys all pretty much have on jeans or shorts with a T-shirt. We find our friends in a back room near the bar. I am not surprised to see them close to the alcohol. Troy asks me if I want a drink and I say yes so he makes his way to the bar while I go stand near Amy. Amy smiles as I walk up to her. She is giving me one of her ‘I know something you don’t know’ smiles.
“Amy, what is up with you?”
“Nothing, my dear, best friend. I am just happy.”
Troy comes up and hands me my drink.
“Thanks, Troy.” I drop questioning Amy any further as the music pulsates around us. I don’t think I want us to have this conversation in front of Troy.
“No problem,” he says with a smile.