The next thing I knew, clothes were flung everywhere, and I was on the brink of an orgasm of a lifetime. He barely had touched me, and I went off like the Fourth of July. Of course, then I wanted to take the edge off for Drew, and he was more than willing to let me. I’ll never forget how his jaw dropped or how dark his eyes turned when I dropped to my knees in full appreciation.
I lost count of the orgasms and drifted off into a dreamless state, feeling both boneless and like I was floating in the air. The last thing I remember was him pulling me close and kissing me one last time.
When his alarm went off at five a.m., I hadn’t even realized I’d stayed the night. He woke me in the most memorable way, with that wicked mouth of his. Somehow, we managed leave his house so he could drop me off and still get to the gym on time.
No. This is most definitely not a walk of shame.
There’s nothing shameful about Drew Jacobs. In fact, with the languid state he has left me in, I’m dying to return.
When I enter my apartment, it’s still silent. I make my way to my room and gather what I’ll need to take a shower to start my day. Just as I finish my breakfast, my phone vibrates with an incoming text.
Drew: Hey, Angel, just got done with the gym. Have time for breakfast?
Me: I just ate. But I can make you something.
Drew: No worries. I’ll grab something on campus.
Me: I really don’t mind.
Drew: Nah. It’s okay. Are you leaving for campus soon? I can swing by and pick you up.
Me: I’d planned on walking to campus in the next thirty min. If it’s not too much trouble, I’ll take the ride.
Let’s be real. I just want more time with Drew. The thought alone has goose bumps running up my spine.
Drew: See you in five. I’m at the light near your apartment.
Instead of replying, I quickly put my dish in the dishwasher and rush to the bathroom to brush my teeth again. By the time he knocks lightly on my door, I’m grabbing my backpack and ready to leave.
When I open the door, Drew takes my breath away. His hair is wet from the shower, and his masculine scent mixed with his cologne makes my stomach somersault. What does it for me is the way his dark-blue eyes heat when they land on mine. As if he can read my mind, he pulls me in for a searing kiss.
Holy hell, Drew can kiss.
When he pulls back all too soon, he huskily whispers, “How can I miss you already?” Then he shakes his head as if to clear his thoughts. “You ready?”
I step out and pull the door behind me. “Yep. Since you’re driving me, mind if we stop by the coffee shop? Somebody wore me out last night and if I’m going to make it through the day, I need a caffeine fix.”
Drew’s eyes widen at my accusation, and his grin makes him even sexier. “Um… I didn’t hear any complaints.”
I shake my head dismissively. “Nope,” I draw out. “I certainly am not complaining.” But I pin him with a stare to show my seriousness. “But I do need caffeine.”
This earns me a light chuckle. “Oh, Angel. What am I going to do with you?”
Though I’m sure he meant it as a rhetorical question, I give him a wicked grin and turn on the sass. “Just about anything you damn well please.”
When Drew’s lips form the perfect ‘O,’ I quickly run down the stairs to feign waiting patiently by his car.
Though I make it through the day with ease, by the time I get home that evening, I’m exhausted. Living on barely any sleep will do that to you. I still need to finish a paper, but I’ve worked on it between classes, so it shouldn’t take me too long.
When I walk in the door to my apartment, I spot Sydney lounging on the couch watching TV. She’s curled up in a blanket, and her hair is pulled in a messy bun. “How was your day?” she asks as I plop down beside her.
“Long,” I groan. “I’m glad I don’t have much to do before bed, or I’d be screwed.”
“I take it you and Drew enjoyed yourself last night,” she accuses and instantly, I feel heat in my cheeks.
There’s no point in denying it, so I simply nod in agreement.
“I could’ve sworn you didn’t come home until early this morning, but I heard him knock on the door this morning. Was I wrong?”
“No, you heard right. He had to work out with the team this morning, so he dropped me off at the ass-crack of dawn, then he picked me up for class when he was finished.”
“Interesting,” she draws out.
“What?” I ask, wondering why I feel defensive suddenly.
Syd shakes her head as if she’s clearing her thoughts away, “It’s nothing… just making an observation, Abs. He seems pretty into you. How do you feel about him?”
I sigh heavily and play with the silver bracelet I was given for high school graduation. “He’s pretty special,” I admit. “But I’m still concerned about the timing of things. For all I know, we could end up on opposite sides of the country in a mere matter of months. Is it worth the risk to get invested like this?”
Syd pats me on the thigh and shakes her head. “I can’t answer that for you. But I will say, more people regret the things they didn’t do in life, than the things they have. Do you really want to walk away from a guy you’re really connecting with? I saw the way he looks at you. Hell, you even went away for the weekend with him, twice.”
“The first time was simply because he needed me,” I say in defense. She’s making this sound way more serious than it is.
Sydney’s eyes roll to the back of her head. “Girl, you’re so stubborn. It’s perfectly okay to like him. Even if you don’t know where you’ll be next year. Hell. For all you know, you could end up at the same school, and all this worry will be for nothing.”
I level her with a glare. “Syd. The odds are extremely stacked against us that two people from the undergrad program will be selected to the same med school.”
“Why don’t you just take a page out of my book and enjoy the moment?” Sydney suggests as a consolation. “Drew’s one of the good guys.”
Yes. He sure is.
“Have you seen Chloe today?” I ask to change the subject. Syd eyes me knowingly, but lets me get away with it.
“No. I think she may be avoiding me. I was studying in my room when she came home last night, and she didn’t bother to stop by like usual.”
“Well, can you blame her? You all but gave her a flat out warning against DeShawn. What is it you have against him, anyway?”
“He’s quite the player off the court. I just don’t want her getting hurt.”
“Uh, last I checked, I’m sure that decision’s up to Chloe. You and I both know she usually has her head screwed on straight, so if DeShawn’s interested in her… I say let her be,” I warn. “Besides, it’s not like he’s been known to be a cheater or anything. He’s young, virile, and at the top of his game. What single guy wouldn’t want to play the field? If you were in his shoes, I’m sure you’d probably do the same.”
“I’m not slut shaming him. There’s nothing wrong with casual hookups. I just want to make sure Chloe keeps her heart off her sleeve and see him for what he is.” Sydney shrugs as if that should explain everything.
But I shake my head, protesting her point. “I still say we stay out of it. Weren’t you just telling me to have fun and let things happen?”
When I raise an eyebrow in her direction, she simply rolls her eyes and states, “You’re different.”
I pull a face telling her she’s crazy—let’s face it—she makes zero sense.
Syd lets out an exasperated sigh. “You’re always taking the safe bet. You have everything planned out to a T, and never let loose to just let life take you where it may.”
“I’m not that predictable,” I scoff and of course, Syd raises that damn eyebrow and says nothing in return.
“What?” I ask defensively. “I know how to have fun.”
“Come on, Abs. You know I’m right.” But then, she pauses as she lifts her finger to her chin and loo
ks to the ceiling as if it has some hidden answer.
I wait to see what’s going on in that head of hers.
“Well…” she draws out. “I guess you could say going to the beach with Drew was spontaneous. Hell. Most of what you’ve done since you’ve met, you’ve had little control over… Maybe you are loosening up.”
Rolling my eyes. “Gee. Thanks. You know I don’t have a lot of time, and my track record with guys hasn’t been stellar lately. But give me a break. I’m flexible and don’t have to have everything planned.”
“If you say so…” Syd sing-songs, then recovers. “It’s okay, Abs. I love you anyway.”
“Gee… I love you, too.” Sarcasm drips off my tongue, which only causes her to laugh.
What a brat.
I ignore her, and we return to the program on TV. After a few minutes of watching the hero make a fool of himself to win the girl back, Syd changes the subject. “So now that you and Drew are a thing, you’re coming to all the home basketball games with me, right?”
Catching me off guard, I only manage, “Uhhh…” as I contemplate my options. “Sure, I love watching Drew play, but there’s no way I can attend every home game. Drew must know that, right?”
“Oh, come on, Abs. You can’t seriously be contemplating this?”
“We’ll see,” I commit. But when I think about Drew in his sexy uniform running up and down the court with pure determination spread across his face, I know the answer plain as day. I’m not going to miss one single game if I can help it.
30
Drew
It feels like forever since Abby and I spent the weekend at my aunt’s cabin. These past few weeks have been extremely hectic, but I wouldn’t change them for the world. Having never had to juggle basketball, school, and dating into my already packed schedule, I’m doing my best to find a balance.
Thank God, Abby proved me right when it comes to being studious. We’re set to meet after her shift at the library to study in a private room. As I make my way across campus, I pop into the convenience store and pick up some snacks to sneak into the library. I’ve noticed the few times I’ve shopped with Abby, she typically picks up a Symphony bar, so I grab one and a bag of Nibs for myself. I’m in the mood for some licorice, and I might as well get her a sugar fix, too.
As usual, I arrive early and wait for Abby in the corridor near the study rooms. She had never returned my text to tell me which room she reserved, so I drop my bag to the floor and lean against the wall to wait.
When a study room opens, a girl I recognize but can’t quite place steps out. Her face is in her phone, so she doesn’t see me. Before I can say anything to warn her, she bumps into me and nearly falls backward.
“Whoa,” I say as I steady her. “You okay?” I offer as I reach out an arm.
“Oh…” she says in surprise. “Drew. I didn’t see you.”
Shit. I wish I could remember her name. She’s a friend of a girl Grey used to date, but I can’t for the life of me remember her name. Shelby… Shawna…Cheryl…
I don’t know. And it doesn’t really matter. It’s not like I’ve talked to her again since Grey asked DeShawn and me to go on a group date with her and her friends our freshman year.
“It’s so great to see you again, Drew.” She reaches out and places a hand on my arm, but she holds on for much longer than I’m comfortable with. “I was wondering when I’d see you again. It seems like ages ago since we all went out together. What are you up to these days?”
I shrug and politely step back to put some space between us as she eyes me up and down appreciatively. Sure, there was a time I enjoyed my ego being stroked, but now it feels wrong in all sorts of ways. Mainly because she’s not Abby. “Oh, you know… basketball and school.”
“Yeah, I’ve watched you play a few times this season. We have a real chance of going to the playoffs again, thanks to you.”
I shrug it off. “Yeah. It’s a team effort, and we’re making every game count.”
“So…” She eyes me up and down once more. “Do you still have that rule about not dating during the season?”
Thankfully, before I have the chance to respond, Abby comes around the corner, and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face as I take her in. Her long hair is piled into a knot on the top of her head, and she’s wearing the sweatshirt she bought at the beach. She couldn’t look sexier if she tried.
“Drew?” the girl before me asks, regaining my attention.
“Sorry.” I clear my throat, and it takes everything in me not to eat up the space between Abby and me. “Uh… what did you ask?”
She lets out a huff in exasperation. “I asked,” she says a little louder than necessary, “if you still have that rule of no dating during the season.”
“Nope,” Abby exaggerates from behind the girl, whom I still can’t remember the name of, then gives me a devilish smile. “Drew’s most certainly given up that rule.”
The girl before me gasps then turns to look at Abby. I’m not sure if it’s due to being startled or Abby’s announcement. But I absolutely love how Abby just stakes her claim on me. Damn, feistiness makes me want to kiss that grin off her beautiful face.
The girl asks in disbelief, “And you are?”
Abby holds out her hand to shake. “I’m Abby,” as if that should explain everything. Well, to me it does. The girl between us—not so much.
The girl looks back and forth, and her mouth hangs slightly ajar, not quite jaw dropping, but nowhere near stoic either. If it wouldn’t be considered rude, I’d almost laugh at her fish impression. “Uh,” she huffs. “I thought you said you didn’t date during the season.” She looks back and forth between me and Abby.
I just shrug. There’s no reason I must explain myself in this situation. Obviously, things have changed, but before I can say so, I’m interrupted, “What’s she got that I didn’t?” she asks, and I’m not certain she meant to say it aloud.
So that there can be no uncertainty, I reach my hand out to Abby and pull her near me, like the Neanderthal I am and boldly state, “Me.”
The girl doesn’t say another word but swivels on her heels and storms off in the opposite direction, leaving Abby and me to stare at her retreating back.
“What the hell was that all about?” Abby asks when the girl walks around the corner.
I shake my head in disbelief of the whole scene. “I have no freaking idea. I met her freshman year, and we hung out in a group one time. I honestly don’t even remember her name. All we did was talk one night in a restaurant during dinner. I haven’t seen her since. Why in the world would she think I would suddenly be interested in her is beyond me.”
“I saw the entire thing as I approached. Does this happen to you often?” Abby sounds almost playful, and I’m glad she knows without a doubt nothing was going on.
“Uh, I can’t say that experience… or whatever you’d call it… has happened. I’m glad you showed up when you did.”
“Awww.” Abby pretends to pout like a small child. “Is Drew afraid of a little ole’ girl hitting on him?”
Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. “Okay, Angel, that’s enough. Are you ready to study, or what?” Having no desire to continue this conversation, I grab my backpack, throw it over my shoulder, and reach for Abby’s hand. “Point me to our study room, and let’s get to it.”
Yeah, I don’t miss the exaggerated eye roll, but thankfully, Abby leads us three doors down to the left. Damn, she’s adorable. When she’s on a mission, it’s like her legs move in hyper speed. Once inside, I choose the chair furthest in the room, and Abby sits at the table across from me. She gets right to work on pulling out her material and spreading them out on the desk, so she can be the most productive.
I go through the process of pulling out my laptop and notebook I’ve been using to conduct my research for my paper that’s due later this week. We finished our chem assignment yesterday, but not wanting to lose any time I can spend with her, we’ve made i
t a routine to study a few times a week on campus after she gets off work.
Before she gets too into her studies, I reach into my bag and pull out the candy I bought for her. Sliding the bar across the table, I capture Abby’s attention. At first, her shocked expression simply stares at my contraband.
“Drew…” she draws out, “you know we’re not supposed to eat in here. I’m supposed to enforce these things, not break them myself.” Her mortified expression is almost comical.
“Awww… Come on, Angel, I’m not trying to cause trouble. You can save it for later if you like.”
Abby lets out a loud huff but quickly snags the Symphony bar and stashes it in her bag. “Thank you for thinking of me. Let’s finish studying, so I can eat it later. No thanks to you, now I’m craving chocolate.”
This earns her a laugh from me. “Sorry to be such a bad influence,” I tease.
Abby says nothing but blows out an exasperated sigh, making me want to reach across the table and kiss that look off her face.
FUCCKKK! Now that’s all I want to do. Does she have to be so sexy?
Somehow, I manage to turn my attention to my paper. I spend the next few minutes reading over my notes. But when Abby reaches up to take her hair out of her messy bun, she completely holds my attention. Even though I’ve seen her do this a million times while studying, the scent of citrus and pear has my mouth watering. I try not to stare, but it’s nearly impossible.
“What?” she asks defensively.
So much for subtlety, Jacobs, I chastise myself. Though let’s be honest, I could stare at her all day, if I could get away with it.
Geez, man, get it together.
I shake my head to clear my thoughts. “It’s nothing.”
Abby squints her eyes as if she’s trying to figure out a difficult puzzle. “What were you looking at? Do I have something on my face?”
Drew: Book One of the Perfectly Independent Series Page 23