“I need a fucking padlock for that door.”
“Do you think that would stop him?” I laugh, climbing from the bed. He watches me now, the same way I was watching him.
“You can’t go, I’m not finished.”
“That would really piss my father off. Especially since he’s just started liking you.”
His shoulders sag just a tad. “Come straight back after your last class.”
I lean up and kiss his lips quickly before I go to the bathroom and get changed. I feel his eyes on me the whole way, and for some reason, it makes me feel like the sexiest woman alive.
***
When I walk into class, Turner isn’t seated anywhere. Actually, I don’t see him at all. So I make my way to the back where Henry is sitting, his head is down writing fast. I nudge him when I take the seat next to him, while he smiles up at me then it drops.
“You and Taj, hey?” he asks in a serious tone.
I nod my head. “Yeah, I guess so.”
“Wouldn’t have guessed someone like you would go for someone like him?” His question takes me aback. What does he mean someone like me? That doesn’t make any sense.
“He’s good to me.”
He nods his head and turns going back to writing. “He isn’t good to many. You must be special,” he says not looking at me while he speaks. I see Turner enter the classroom, he’s pulled into a conversation straight away.
“Is this about your sister?”
He drops his pen. “They were a tornado… off and on, off and on. They cheated, they got back together. I just didn’t think that kind of thing was your type.”
“I don’t really have a type. Is that why you don’t like him?”
He looks me in the eyes now. “No, it’s because of one the girls he cheated on my sister with was my girlfriend.”
Before I have a chance to respond Turner heads in my direction. He pushes past Henry, who turns his head back down to read his book, then he sits next to me nudging me and scrunching his forehead at Henry.
“Really? You couldn’t have sat somewhere else?”
I feel Henry move in his seat.
“If you don’t like it, move.”
He looks to Henry one last time before he turns and faces the front of the class.
Chapter 19
I can’t sit next to him that long, ever again. He does little things that get on my nerves so badly that I want to smack him across the head. For two days now he’s been sitting next to me. Henry smirks trying to contain his laughter as he notices just how much he annoys me. I can handle Turner in small chunks, and that’s it. Yes, I’ve grown to like him as a friend. But gosh, I want to sucker punch him at times. Things between him and Nash have been better, and I’m glad to report I haven’t walked in on them lately in bed.
Tonight is yet another party, one I do not want to go to. Taj told me we can stay in his room all night, there’s no reason for him to stay here. His room is bigger, has a television, whereas at mine I have to use my computer.
I arrive there later than expected because I had to stop at my room to grab a few things. As I walk in people are littered everywhere. I make my way to the stairs spotting Taj straight away. He’s sitting on the top stair, looking down, and he smirks when he sees me. He waits patiently while I step up, his hand captures mine and he pulls me along to his room. When he closes the door he watches me, with intent. I want to forget about everything that Henry said that day, but it’s been eating away at me.
“You cheated on your ex-girlfriend?” I state then suck my lips in wishing I didn’t blurt in out like that, or in that way.
He scratches his head with his hand. “So you’ve been speaking to Henry?”
I don’t say anything, just nod my head. “I told you I didn’t do relationships. That was the reason. We were never really a couple, we were just comfortable. She kept the people away, I kept her company. Then it got complicated. We started to see other people, but somehow always ended back in the same bed.”
“When did it end?”
He walks to me and wraps his arms around my waist pulling me to him then kisses my lips.
“Over a year ago. But she’s not you, Skye. No one can measure to you, not one single girl.” And with those words I’m putty in his hands. He skims them over me, removing my glasses and making me come alive in his hands as they skim up my bare skin under my shirt.
“I have to go home tomorrow… Lauren’s birthday,” I tell him. My eyes are now closed. His hands are on my breasts, my bra gone thanks to his skilled hands.
“I know, I’m staying at yours. I spoke to your dad.”
I shake my head, of course he did. I bet they speak more than my father and I do. He lifts me easily after he strips me, carrying me to his bed. He does the same every time he touches me, looks at me like I’m all he sees.
We haven’t said those words yet, the three big ones. But I feel them, in every touch, every kiss, I feel his love for me. Sometimes it scares me, that I won’t be enough, that I may not be enough. Then I look into his eyes and that thought disappears straight away.
***
Turner tagged along, Nash tagged along, and before I knew it I was going home with a full entourage to a house that only ever has three people in it, not including Lauren who sleeps over once a month. When we stop at the front of the driveway, my mother and father open the door standing there watching us.
“Best behavior,” Turner swears, holding his hand over his heart. He actually listens to my father, like he is his own. It’s quite surprising.
I’m the first to leave the car carrying my bag as I go. Taj is walking close behind me. I hug my parents, the boys clasp hands with my father, Nash cuddles my mother, and then I hear the loud squeak of my friend coming from inside of my house. She runs out, barreling through everyone and into my arms. I fall backward, landing my ass to the ground while she tackles then cuddles me.
“Can you believe I’m nineteen,” she screams into my ear. I reach my hand around her and push my glasses back on my nose.
“We tried to get rid of her when they were ten. It never worked,” my father jokes talking about Lauren.
“I need to breathe, Lauren.”
She squeezes me again and lifts me up, Taj comes over to help me and I watch as she eyes him up and down.
“Hot damn, Skye, you snagged him.” Lauren hits my arm, closed fist, and laughs walking back into the house. My father shakes his head as he follows her inside. He doesn’t trust her to not eat all of his precious football food. She loves football just as much as he does. Despite how much they clash, they get along great.
“So… she is… umm… full on,” Taj says laughing. As soon as we enter I introduce everyone. Lauren looks at Turner longer than I feel comfortable with. Nash notices and steps up and places her hand in his. The tension in the room grows thick.
“So Matt agreed to have a party at his, for me,” she squeals. Clapping her hands while jumping up and down. I look over my shoulder and notice strained smiles. They aren’t sure how to take Lauren, but I like that. Because she isn’t to be taken lightly.
She walks up to touch Taj’s stomach, skims her hand along his abs and laughs as she pulls away. “I just had to make sure you’re real. Okay, now I’m stealing her. Stan has the football on, go in before I eat all the food.” Her hand clasps mine as she begins to pull me up the stairs. I grab hold of Nash’s hand as well to take her with us.
“I can’t believe you were in a fight,” Lauren says as soon as she closes the door. I notice unopened bags sitting on my bed from some of Lauren’s favorite clothes shops. “Your mother and I went shopping. She’s been complaining you don’t go enough with her, so she bought me something, as usual, as well as you of course. Plus a few extra bits and pieces.” She tips all bags open on the bed. I look to Nash to see her watching us, but not speaking. “So tell me, is he good?”
I shake my head at her. “I am not talking about that with you.”
�
�Party pooper.” She turns to look at Nash. “Were you there? When Skye displayed her boxer qualities?” Nash’s eye flick to me, guilt rides across her face. She was there, though I don’t know how long she stayed for. She nods her head.
“Turner threw Jolene off of her, then Taj grabbed Skye.”
Lauren smiles, then it drops. “There was two girls on her? Why didn’t you help?” Lauren asks.
Nash shrugs her shoulders. “I was fighting with Skye at the time. I walked away and when I turned back because of all the yelling, Turner pushed me backward and he got to her first.”
I didn’t know that. I knew they were the ones to break up the fight, I just didn’t realize Turner was involved as much, or even cared that much.
“Well, if it was me, I would burn them bitches to the ground. You do know your father taught me how to throw a nice left hook.” Lauren jumps on the bed, throwing her fist around like she’s a boxer. Nash looks to the ground and doesn’t look up. I squeeze her shoulder as I pass her walking to Lauren. I pull her arm making her get down, and she plunks down on the bed.
“Okay, so the party is themed. But don’t worry I have costumes.”
All sorts of bright colors are pulled from her bags. Then beads, lots of beads. She starts to strip down until all she has on is her panties. Then on goes an orange fluoro skirt, blue fluoro top and beads are flung around her neck. She chucks some clothes at us.
Nash looks at the clothing then back to me. I smile, not wanting to get into anything about that night. I know it still weighs her down, but tonight I don’t care.
Tonight is Lauren’s birthday, and I plan to dance all night, preferably with Taj.
Chapter 20
We look like we were just pulled from an eighties themed party. Our hair is high on our heads, colorful elastic surrounds it. Beads are over our clothes, around our necks, and on our wrists. Bright pink heels on my feet to match my tight pink dress.
When we walk down the stairs, my mother spots us and claps happily. She picked it all with the help of Lauren. She pulls out a letter, passes it to Lauren kissing her cheek then mine. Lauren opens it up to reveal money inside. A gift from both of my parents. Somehow she has become like a daughter to them, I don’t even know when that day started. But I’m glad it hasn’t changed.
Taj and Turner walk in, my father following closely behind them. They haven’t changed, except Taj has on that black jacket, the one I love so much. They start to laugh when they see us, and it makes Lauren smile even more because that was her plan—to get a reaction. She spins on the spot then starts for the door.
We say our goodbyes and all get into Taj’s car, the boys in the front, and all of us girls in the back. Lauren pulls out a flask from her purse and starts passing it between us girls. She starts talking about the man she’s sleeping with, how she invited him but he never came.
As soon as we pull up, it feels almost like the last time we were here. People are everywhere. There’s lot are high school students like we were last year. Now we’re the college students.
We all climb out, Taj stands at the door waiting for me. He helps me out and wraps an arm around my waist walking with me. When we enter, the music is loud, and everyone is dressed in bright clothes. There are beads everywhere—I’d hate to be the one cleaning this house after the party.
I walk straight to the kitchen with Lauren, and we move to the secret stash of alcohol—tequila. Matt walks in, smiling, he was the one that initially showed us where the tequila was stored many years ago. Apart from him, we’re the only ones that know about it. He says his hello’s to everyone and walks up to Lauren, tapping his cheek for a thank you kiss. She rolls her eyes and does it, then wipes her mouth when he turns away pretending to fake vomit from touching him.
The boys are called away, some of their frat brothers are here staying at Matt’s. Nash holds on to Turner and walks off with him. Leaving Lauren and me on the very same bench we got drunk at last time. She starts to pour shots, except we don’t have lime, all we have is salt. We drink too many and before I know it, she’s pulling another bottle from the cabinet. I shake my head at her telling her and furrow my brows.
“Three dares…” Lauren slurs. I can’t help the laugh that forms in my throat. She turns her head and my eyes follow to look at where he eyes are trained. Taj and Turner are standing talking to their brothers. I look him up and down and want to pinch myself. He’s just so startling, and I can’t believe he’s mine.
“First… grab his ass. Second… kiss him, and…” she taps her hand to her chin in thought then her eyes zone in on me, “…third… tell him the truth. Tell him you love him!”
I stand, my hands run over the bottom of my dress, his back is to me. I turn to look at Lauren, she gives me a big thumbs up and I laugh.
Each step vibrates through me as I make my way toward him. I stop behind him, he knows I’m there because his hand comes back to reach out for me. I land my hand on his ass giving it a tight squeeze. I hear Lauren holla with her appreciation. He turns around and a smile appears on his face when he sees me. I clutch his jacket, pulling his lips to me. His tongue sweeps mine, and I get lost in his touch and kiss.
He pulls back, his eyes twinkle with something I’m unsure of. His mouth comes down and bites my ear, my breathing is now heavy.
“I love you,” I blurt out, in not the most romantic way either.
He chuckles and pulls me even closer. His mouth still near my ear. “I know, you speak in your sleep.”
I groan and close my eyes.
“If it makes you feel any better, I say it back to you every time you tell me. I was just waiting till you had the courage to tell me in person. Because baby, I’m crazy about you.”
My heart thumps hard, it feels as if it’s beating from my chest. I pull my head back to look into his chocolate eyes.
“You love me?” I question him.
He nods his head, the smile staying firmly on his lips. “I have since you told me only friends.”
Epilogue.
We live together now and we’ve stayed with each other for five years. Each year I wonder if this will be the day he wakes and tells me it was all a lie. But he never does. Each and every day, he loves me more and more.
It still amazes me when he looks at me, like it’s the first time he’s seen me, and can’t keep his hands off of me. Each and every day I love him more and more.
We didn’t move back home, we stayed exactly where we were, close to his mother. My parents request to see us every month, though I think it’s so my father can have Taj around for sports days.
Nash and Turner never worked out. Actually, Turner ended up with Lauren, and somehow she’s calmed him, and he’s calmed her. It still surprises me to this day.
Turner has toned down his annoying traits, and now we’re closer than ever.
I still speak to Henry, despite Taj’s hate of it. He doesn’t live near us anymore, though. Once he graduated from college, he moved two states away and is thriving. He’s even engaged.
I don’t know what the future holds, but I know no matter what, as long as I have him, my world will keep on spinning, the kisses will keep on coming and taking my breath away with each one.
THE END.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to Perfect Pear Cover Creations for her beautiful work on this cover.
Thank you to Kay at Swish Editing, always a life saver.
Thank you to you, most of all for picking this book up *Kisses*
And thank you to Wander Photography for the perfect photo.
Please don’t forget to leave a review, they mean the world to us, good or bad *Kisses*
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