TRIPPED

by Jacob Chance

  “I’ve had time to mull over my decision, and regret is a bitch.” His words follow me.

  I’m going to pretend he didn’t say that. Sex isn’t on the table and it never was. He’s the only one who seemed to think that’s where we were headed. Jeez. Can’t a girl have a little fun? Why does it have to be all or nothing?

  “Should we place a friendly wager?” Donovan questions.

  “What are you thinking?”

  “If I win, I want a kiss,” he states.

  “Okay,” I agree.

  He raises a brow as if he’s surprised I agreed. “I don’t mean a peck on the cheek either. I want tongue sushi.”

  I’m confident I can beat him, but even if I lose, one kiss isn’t going to be life altering. “Okay. And if I win, I want you to do two hundred push ups.”

  “Piece of cake.” He snaps his fingers.

  “We’ll see.”

  I start out strong in game three, scoring the first two goals. I’m pumped and ready for whatever he sends my way. But when I block one of his shots, the side of my hand touches the puck, incurring a palming foul. That moment seems to signify the turning of the tide—Donovan scores the next three goals.

  Shit. Shit. Shit. Get it together.

  I don’t want to lose to him, and it has less to do with having to kiss him and more to do with having my pride bruised. But as the saying goes--pride goeth before a fall. I zig when I should zag and the puck passes into my goal. I drop my paddle on the table, groaning, and cover my face with both hands. Fuck me. I can’t believe I lost by one stinking point. If only I could get that last play back and redo my reaction.

  Donovan is noticeably quiet while I make my unhappiness known. I’m surprised he’s not celebrating and rubbing my loss in my face. I would be if I had won.

  Hands catch hold of my wrists and peel my hands from my face, revealing Donovan standing before me. Releasing his hold on my wrists, he draws me into an unexpected hug. “Come on, it’s not all that bad. It was a close game.”

  “We can agree to disagree,” I mumble against his chest, and he chuckles. The deep rumble reverberates underneath my cheek before I draw back.

  Donovan catches hold of my shoulders, preventing me from placing more distance between us. Is he going to kiss me now? My stomach tumbles with anticipation at the thought.

  “There you guys are.” Jeremy bounds into the rec room with Rachel on his heels.

  Donovan’s hands fall to his sides at the same time I step backward and turn to face our friends.

  “Where have you been?” I ask.

  “Doug made us do a shit ton of calisthenics,” Jeremy replies.

  “My legs legit feel like jelly.” Rachel rubs her thighs.

  Donovan reclines against the air hockey table. “When we didn’t see you behind us at all, we thought you might’ve gotten lost or went the wrong way.”

  Jeremy shakes his head. “No one went the wrong way, but a few of us threw up.” He shrugs.

  Donovan laughs. “Dude, I knew that was gonna happen. You shouldn’t drink an entire bottle of water right before running.”

  “Now you tell me,” Jeremy says.

  “You know that. Don’t blame me. Maybe this will be the kick in the ass you need to start running regularly.”

  “Honestly, it makes me want to run even less, but I know I need to start,” Jeremy confesses.

  “Is anyone else as hungry as I am?” Rachel asks.

  I raise my hand. “I’m starving. Running always makes me hungry.”

  “I need a quick shower,” Jeremy says.

  “Yeah, you smell,” Rachel agrees, a teasing giggle popping from her mouth.

  “You’re pretty ripe yourself,” Jeremy replies.

  Rachel sniffs her shirt. “Ew, you’re right. I’m gonna shower too.” She looks at me. “I’ll meet you in the cafeteria.”

  I nod. “Sounds good.”

  Donovan and I remain in place until they disappear out the rec room doorway. He turns to me. “Do you want to wait for them or grab dinner now?”

  My stomach quietly rumbles its reply. “Let’s eat.”

  Once we’re in the hallway, Donovan clasps our hands together. What’s with all the hand holding? Does he think we’re going to pick up where we left off the other night? That’s not happening.

  I’ve always made a point of learning lessons quickly. Once I make a mistake, I never repeat it. Why should he be the exception to my rule?

  “Have you heard from your family at all?” I ask, trying to keep a steady stream of innocent conversation going.

  Donovan grunts and takes a sip of his water.

  “Was that supposed to be a yes?” I ask.

  “You couldn’t tell?” he jokes. “Yeah, I’ve texted a couple of times with my brother and I spoke to my parents once.”

  “Is your brother older or younger?” I’m curious. This is the first time I’ve heard him mentioned.

  “Nolan is a year older than me.”

  “You guys have great names. They’re not common.”

  “And Piper is?” he retorts.

  “You got me there. Piper isn’t common at all, but I wouldn’t say it’s cool either.”

  “I don’t know, I think it’s cute. It fits you perfectly,” he says.

  “Are you saying I’m cute?” I blurt out without thinking.

  He shakes his head. “I don’t think you’re cute.”

  Ouch. Why don’t you stab me in the heart. It would be less painful.

  He leans forward, his gaze locked on mine. “I think you’re beautiful.”

  “You do?” Gulp. “I mean, thank you.” Way to sound like an insecure teenager. I scold myself. Wait a minute, I am an insecure teenager. I’m eighteen years old with a control-freak mother and limited experience with boys. I am who I am and I’m not about to change—not even for Donovan. No matter how tempting he is.

  “I can't be the only guy who’s told you that,” he says.

  “Actually, you are. I’m a little too intense for most guys.”

  He looks surprised. “What do you mean?”

  “I’m really focused on what I need to do to have the future I want. I kind of have tunnel vision about my goals and I don’t have much of a social life. Going to parties has never been my thing.”

  “I can see that. But your focus doesn’t detract from your attractiveness—it only adds to it. At least, for me it does.”

  I snort. “You’re in the minority then.”

  “I think the guys in Boston must have their heads up their asses if they’re not chasing after you.” He smirks.

  “That might be a problem for them. They’d have to catch me first,” I gloat.

  “Hell yeah,” he says.

  I slap my palm against his upheld hand. “Our running was pretty impressive. Is it wrong of me to say that?”

  “No way. We crushed those three miles,” he states, oozing confidence.

  We’re both done eating before Jeremy and Rachel make an appearance. “Let’s get out of here,” he suggests. “It’s not our fault they’re taking so long.”

  I pause just outside the cafeteria. “Have a good night.”

  “Are you trying to get rid of me?” he asks.

  “Is it that obvious?” I jest. I’ve never been good at the flirtatious banter thing with guys, but I seem to be rapidly improving.

  He takes my hand and we progress toward my room. Every person we pass on the way says hello to him. Some of the girls throw dirty looks toward me and beaming smiles at Donovan. He squeezes my hand as if he’s trying to reassure me. It’s a nice gesture but it’s unnecessary. He can talk to whoever he wants. A few girls being catty isn’t going to affect me.

  The hallway is deserted when we reach my room. I push my key into the lock and I’m spun around to face Donovan. He edges forward, caging me in with my back against the door.

  “I’m collecting my kiss,” he whispers huskily. Numbly, I nod, watching his full lips move lower and lower. He brus
hes his mouth against mine and then repeats the motion, keeping the contact whisper soft. Sucking the fullness of my bottom lip between his, he licks the slick flesh. The tip of my tongue meets his and our kiss flips from slow and gentle to fast and passionate. We stay here with my back pressed to the door, our mouths joined together, where anyone can see.

  Both of us have completely lost touch with the world around us. Every time our lips meet, everything else fades away.

  A male throat clears next to us accompanied by a female giggle. We draw apart and find Jeremy’s face about an inch away from ours. Rachel stands off to the side with her hand over her mouth, her body shaking from laughter.

  “Get the fuck out of here.” Donovan shoves Jeremy back with a laugh.

  Jeremy looks between Donovan and me. “Looks like you guys have kissed and made up.”

  “Okay, captain obvious,” Donovan says. “What are you doing here anyway?”

  “We came to see if you guys wanted to head to dinner with us.” He rubs his flat stomach. “I’m starving.”

  Donovan glances at me and we laugh. “We already ate,” he says.

  I nod. “You guys took too long to join us.”

  He catches hold of my hand. “We could have dessert.”

  We end up hanging out with Rachel and Jeremy while they eat dinner. After that we all indulge in dessert before Donovan and I head back to my room.

  It’s been a crazy day and it’s ending much differently than I imagined. Donovan and I lie in my bed, cuddled against each other. Rachel agreed to sleep in his bed, so we have the room to ourselves.

  “This is nice,” he says, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

  “How many girls have you slept with?” I blindside him with my question.

  “I wasn’t expecting that,” he says, confirming it.

  “I’m sure you weren’t, but I’d like to know.”

  “It’s not like I keep a running tally going,” he replies.

  “Are there so many you can’t remember them all?”

  “No, not at all.” He pauses and I study his face. He better be accurate. “My number is five,” he reveals.

  “It’s not great, but it’s less than I imagined,” I say.

  “I’ve been safe every single time, if that helps.”

  I wrap an arm across his stomach. “I’m glad you’re responsible, at least.”

  His fingertips stroke my bare arm. “I don’t want you to feel pressured in any way. I’m not planning on us having sex. At least not during this camp.”

  “What if I want to have sex with you?” I ask.

  He adjusts himself under the covers. Apparently his dick likes my question.

  “I think we should hold off until we’ve been a couple for a longer amount of time,” he says.

  “Sounds like you’re assuming I want to be your girlfriend,” I sass.

  “Will you be my girlfriend, Piper?” he asks.

  “That’s more like it. And yes, I will.”

  He pulls me onto his chest and stares down at me. “I didn’t mean to assume we were already a couple, even though it feels that way to me. When we kissed earlier it felt like our status solidified.”

  “It’s the same for me, but I wanted to be sure you were on board. How are we going to make this work? Any ideas?”

  He rubs his palm over my back in a soothing manner. “I don't have the answers you’re looking for. All I know is that I’ve never met anyone like you. I don’t want our relationship to end just because we’ll be a few hours apart.”

  “Me either.”

  “Let’s get some shut-eye. From what I remember from past camps we’re going to get our asses handed to us tomorrow.”

  Chapter Eight

  Piper

  “How am I going to say goodbye to him tomorrow?” I ask.

  “It’s not the end of the world, Piper. You guys only live a few hours apart,” Rachel reassures me.

  I know the distance could be worse, but any distance between us is too much. We’ve spent every free moment together the past two days, and I’m crazy about him. I’m pretty sure I’m in love. The thought of not seeing him in the near future is gutting me.

  “My mom is never going to let me drive to Vermont. Especially to see a boy.”

  “We’ll figure something out. Maybe you can tell her you’re visiting me?” Rachel suggests.

  “You live in New Hampshire,” I say.

  Rachels tips her head back and groans at the ceiling before looking at me. “Duh. She doesn’t know where I live.”

  “Oh, yeah.” I laugh.

  “See, it’s not hopeless. Somehow you guys will find a way to make it work.”

  “We have to. I don’t think I could handle the alternative.”

  “What’s the plan for tonight?” she asks.

  “I’m supposed to meet him outside soon. We’re going to have a dinner picnic. He said he’s taking care of everything. All I have to do is show up.”

  “That sounds romantic.”

  “Right?” I can’t believe he’s putting so much effort into making our last dinner together special.

  “What about later? Should I plan on staying with Jeremy?”

  “Yes, please,” I sing the words out.

  “Are you going to have sex with him?” Rachel never holds back from asking the blunt questions.

  “He said we should wait, but I don’t want to. This is my last chance before we leave.”

  “I doubt he’s going to refuse if you grab his dick,” Rachel says with a snort of laughter.

  “You’re probably right. I’ll keep that in mind and pull it out as a last resort.” I giggle.

  “It’ll probably be ‘out’ already,” she says.

  “I’m gonna go meet up with him. Wish me luck.”

  “Good luck and be safe, if you know what I mean.” Rachel wiggles her fingers in a wave.

  Donovan passes me another slice of pizza. “Are you looking forward to returning home?”

  “If I say no, will you think I’m a horrible person?” I sink my teeth into the gooey cheese and take a bite.

  “Why would I think that? I love my parents and our home, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to miss things about being here.”

  “Am I one of those things you’ll miss?” I ask.

  The side of his mouth quirks. “Maybe.” He takes a sip of water while I silently battle with myself over whether I should be brutally honest or hold back.

  I make the decision to put it all out there so I won’t have any regrets. “I’m going to miss you too.”

  “You should sign up for the hockey camp in July. It’s held in Amherst,” he suggests.

  “I’ll check it out and see what I can do.” I’d have to pay for it myself. My mom wouldn’t be able to swing it, that's for sure. Maybe I can get another job. I’ll be finishing up school in another month.

  “I went last summer and it was intense,” he adds.

  It would be a surefire way to see him without my mom knowing. And it’s not like it wouldn’t be beneficial to my skills.

  “You’ve already sold me on it. I just have to convince my mom, and that’s not particularly easy to do.” I glance around at the beauty surrounding us. We’re on a blanket well into the wooded area surrounding the school. It feels like we’re in our own little paradise. I’m sure this goes against the camp rules, but neither of us seems bothered by breaking them.

  “What time are you getting picked up tomorrow?” he asks.

  “In the morning. My mom wants to avoid hitting traffic with it being the end of school break and all. What about you?”

  “Same. My brother’s picking me up.”

  “Maybe I’ll get to meet him. Do you guys look alike?”

  “There’s a resemblance, for sure, but I’m better looking.”

  Why do I find his cockiness to be so attractive? Is this some internal flaw of mine that makes cocky bad boys my weakness?

  “He probably says the same thing,” I
reply.

  “You wouldn’t say that if you knew my brother. He’s kind of shy and nerdy.”

  “A shy, nerdy jock?” I ask. He nods his confirmation. “He sounds hot.” Donovan wraps his arms around me, tackling me down to the blanket. He comes down to hover over me.

  “So, you think my brother sounds hot?” His fingertips dig into my sides, tickling me relentlessly. I squeal and kick, but I can’t budge him. His lips cover mine and all thought of escaping flees. His warm tongue slowly circles mine like a sensual dance. My fingers thread into his thick hair, twining the strands around them. He presses his chest into mine, brushing against my taut nipples, and I wish our clothes would disappear. I want to feel his naked body against mine.

  My hands leave his brown locks to grip the hem of his t-shirt. I scroll the material upward until he yanks it over his head. His fingers land on my t-shirt, pulling it free before dropping it on the blanket.

  We continue removing items until there’s nothing left and he’s lying between my legs.

  “I want you,” I whisper.

  “You already have me.” He caresses my cheek.

  I catch hold of his wrist. “I want you to be my first.”

  “Piper, I can be, but it doesn’t have to be tonight.”

  “I want you now,” I clearly state. He can’t possibly misunderstand.

  “Are you sure?” His forehead crinkles between his brows. “I don't want you to regret anything.”

  I smile up at him. “How could I ever regret you?”

  He fumbles around for the condom in his wallet before slipping it on. “I’ll be as gentle as I can.” He looks worried. I rub the frown away and run a finger over his chiseled lips.

  “Make me yours.”

  He closes his eyes, a harsh sound of tempered restraint slipping from his throat. His Adam’s apple bobs in his throat. When his eyelids raise, the unshuttered passion is revealed. He rubs the tip of his nose to mine as he guides the head of his cock to my entrance. I hear the sounds of my own breaths and feel the thunder of my racing heart as I wait for the pivotal moment that will brand me as his forever.