Stripped Love (Guys Next Door Book 1)

by Baylin Crow

  We were minutes from the house, and I forced myself to watch the scenery pass by instead of ogling Phoenix. It was difficult, but unless I wanted to walk into a house full of people with my dick hard, I had to. The neighborhoods grew further apart until we entered a stretch of road with single houses built on full acres and set back from the main road by long driveways.

  "The next house on the right." I pointed to where he should pull in.

  I'd been to their place many times before, but as Phoenix turned and steered us along the driveway, the house was almost unrecognizable. The yard had been turned into a parking lot, and the two story house made of red brick and thick white pillars was overflowing with people as dance music poured into the night.

  "Well, this is more than I was expecting," Phoenix commented as he found a spot to park behind a red truck.

  "Me too, though I'm not sure why I'm surprised. Caleb probably invited the entire university."

  I used the mirror to check the damage to my hair. Since I never styled it, it pretty much looked the same as always. After a quick finger comb through the messy loose curls, I climbed out, meeting Phoenix in front of the car. Grass crunched beneath our shoes as we wove between cars and people toward the front door.

  "How did you meet your friends?" he asked.

  "Freshman year, they were rooming together in the dorm across from mine. CJ and I connected first, and they pretty much come as a packaged deal. Caleb grew on me. They'd both been held back a grade in middle school so we also shared a few core classes." A quiet laugh shook my shoulders as I recalled how we'd grown closer. "It wasn't long until CJ invited himself to move into my single room, because the no-girls policy meant nothing to Caleb."

  As I filled him in on the details, I laughed again at the memory of CJ showing up with arms weighed down from packed bags that he dumped in the middle of my room. And then there was the mattress and box spring set he'd dragged across the hall as a frameless bed. The resident advisor was well aware of the situation, but with Caleb and CJ being stars on the basketball team and him being a huge fan, he'd looked the other way.

  Phoenix laughed. "Sounds like you have interesting friends. What about next year?"

  "We plan to keep the same situation, officially this time.” The conversation dropped as we climbed the steps. There were so many faces, but because I'd mostly kept to myself, I recognized no one, aside from a few guys from the twins' basketball team.

  The house was lit with black lights and a flashing strobe that made me dizzy, so I focused on Phoenix's back as he led the way.

  We pushed through the crush of people in the packed living room. With a quick glance, I noticed all the photos had been taken down, nothing of value left out, and brown leather furniture was pushed against the wall to make room for the writhing bodies that swarmed the center of the spacious room.

  Phoenix stopped when we found an unoccupied corner.

  "Well, they know how to throw a party," Phoenix observed over the noise.

  A big guy barreled through, with a girl tossed over his shoulder, straight toward me, and Phoenix gripped my elbow, yanking me out of the way just before I was trampled. The guy whooped and disappeared into the crowd.

  Phoenix leaned in close to my ear. "Where are your friends?"

  "I'll text them." I fished my phone from my pocket and found the group text. "You want a drink?"

  He nodded, and I pointed toward the kitchen. I typed as we walked, Phoenix guiding me through the house.

  Me: We're here. Where are you?

  The reply came shortly after we crossed into the kitchen and stopped next to the granite counter loaded with beer and liquor.

  Caleb: Did you bring the striper?

  CJ: Stripper*

  I snorted and Phoenix cocked a brow when my eyes flicked up. "My friends are…"

  "Unique?" he supplied.

  My brow furrowed. "They're twins so they can't be that unique."

  "Smartass." He grinned and I matched it, thinking about how my uncle never knew when I was joking. Phoenix understood me.

  I refocused on my phone.

  Me: Yes, Phoenix is with me and we are grabbing drinks.

  CJ: On our way.

  Phoenix turned the bottles, reading the labels. "What's your poison? Vodka? Tequila?"

  My nose scrunched as the phantom taste of vodka hit my tongue. "Just a beer, please."

  He dug two beer bottles out of the cooler and handed me one. The glass was cold, and melted ice dripped down my fingers making me grimace.

  "Arch!" CJ ran for me, lifting me a foot off the ground in a bear hug and spun me around.

  I tapped his shoulder. "How drunk are you?"

  He set me down with a grin. "Not near as drunk as my idiot other half."

  "Where's—" I groaned as I glanced around CJ and found Caleb with his arms crossed standing in front of Phoenix. "Here we go."

  CJ laughed but quickly turned on his heels and claimed the space next to Caleb, assuming the same stance. Though the twins stood several inches taller than Phoenix, an outsider looking in might find Phoenix the bigger threat. None of the three looked menacing to me.

  Sighing, I made my way over, curled against Phoenix's side and tilted my head. "They giving you a hard time?"

  "Depends on what you consider a hard time." Appearing unbothered, Phoenix grinned down at me. "So far, I've answered about five questions, and I think you just interrupted the interrogation."

  I pinched my nose and glanced at the twins. "You guys, leave him alone."

  Caleb, stubborn when he'd been drinking, narrowed his eyes. "Just tell me what your intentions are with Arch and I'll stop. Probably."

  "Maybe," CJ agreed.

  Phoenix tangled his fingers with mine between us and they both looked down at him holding my hand.

  "Well, this is interesting," CJ said with raised brows. "So you really like our Archer then?"

  Phoenix nodded and his hand tightened around mine. "I do."

  Caleb glared. "But you're still going to get naked and grind—"

  "Caleb," I snapped, dragging his attention to me. "Stop."

  "I just want to make sure he's the right guy for you. That so bad?" His words slurred slightly.

  "That's my decision, okay?" I held his stare, and he huffed in annoyance.

  The twins exchanged a look before CJ waved his fingers for us to follow him. "This killed my buzz. Let's go party."

  Having heard him, a group standing near him cheered and held up their Solo cups.

  As CJ led us out to the backyard, Phoenix leaned in. "Think I passed the test?"

  I rolled my eyes but grinned. "They are pretty easygoing but for some reason decided to assume the big brother roles when we first met. I've never really dated so…you're unexpected. I'm not sure they know what to do."

  “Their baby brother is all grown up," he teased and I bumped him with my shoulder.

  We went out the back door and I wasn't at all surprised when CJ continued on to the driveway that had been expanded to fit a mini basketball court.

  Three guys were already playing when Caleb ran in, stole the ball and sank a shot.

  "Nothing but net," he bragged with a cocky smile flashed to the onlookers.

  Folding chairs had been set up to the side, so I led Phoenix to them, and we claimed a pair. We watched the guys play and sipped on our drinks, listening to the echo of the music and beat of the basketball against the concrete.

  "So, did you get any more work done on your book today?" he asked.

  "No. I set it aside, because I still don't know what happens next." This afternoon I'd obsessed over the story and had even briefly considered trashing the whole thing. The thought of so much work being carried out with garbage made my stomach turn.

  "You know you can always talk to me about it. Maybe we can figure it out together."

  Warmth bloomed in my chest. "I know. I wasn't up to it the other night, but it might help."

  "Whenever you're ready." He tilted
his bottle in the air and finished off the beer.

  "Want another?" I asked.

  "I'm driving," he reminded me as he set the empty bottle on the ground and then took my hand in his, absently toying with my fingers, a move that made my stomach flutter. I wondered if a simple touch from him would ever stop making me feel that way.

  "What about you? Any more lyrics you plan on showing me?" I carried the note he'd left for me folded in my pocket, though I hadn’t told him about the new habit. I wasn't sure if that was normal, but I couldn't seem to part with it.

  His lips twitched, and his eyes lit with amusement. "I might have written a few, and I might show you. For the right price."

  His gaze dropped to my lips, and I was tempted to crawl into his lap and drop a deposit as a promise for the full payment. As if following my train of thought, his eyes grew heated.

  While I had no problem visualizing Phoenix on a stage, standing behind a mic and singing songs he wrote, it was clear his draw was to the words themselves. Not only because he told me, but it showed in his expression.

  As we settled into silence, contentment washed over me. I found myself twisting his rings around his fingers. His gaze was glued to the motion, and his hand flexed repeatedly.

  "Why do you wear so many rings?" I pointed at a ring that caught my attention the most. It was dark red with black speckles, lined in silver.

  "Don't like them?" He chuckled, knowing that I did, before shrugging. "No deep reason, I'm afraid. Why get the tattoos? Why do the things we do to make ourselves comfortable in our own skin? Every one of my rings came from a different city. I won't buy from the same city twice. Weird, huh?"

  I snorted. "We’re all a little weird."

  He shot me a broad grin and tugged me forward by my shirt. Gripping my chin, he dipped forward and nipped my bottom lip with his teeth. "I like your weird."

  His eyes were intense, locked on mine like he never wanted to look away. I went in for another kiss, but a sudden rush of chaos broke our connection. I jerked back as shouts rang out. Some guys were shoving at each other and a fist was thrown, cracking into the nose of a fit guy with short brown hair.

  "What the fuck?" Phoenix growled and jumped to his feet so fast it knocked his chair back. "Stay here. I'll be back."

  "Do you know those guys?" I asked as worry made me gnaw on my lip.

  "Unfortunately, I know one of them, but I have no idea what he's doing here. Be right back." He turned to leave but paused and dropped another kiss to my lips.

  I glanced over his shoulder, not understanding what had happened. Caleb and CJ were holding back two guys from their team, talking rapidly while trying to calm them down.

  On the other side, Phoenix was stomping toward the guy holding his nose and clearly intoxicated as he swayed on his feet. He watched Phoenix approach with narrowed eyes, and the way he scanned his body made me sick. The guy gave him no problems as Phoenix grabbed his arm and led him toward the lawn where they disappeared between cars.

  Wide-eyed, I scanned the scene that was calming down. What just happened?

  The chair next to me was flipped upright and squeaked as CJ dropped down beside me. "How does your boyfriend know Aiden?"

  "I have no idea who Aiden is." What was going on? Confusion had completely clouded my thoughts, and I was worried about Phoenix. "Should we go check on them?"

  "Better not. Caleb and a few of the guys not involved are headed that way anyway." CJ had a Solo cup filled with something that smelled a lot stronger than beer. "Aiden is Evan's cousin." At my blank look, he explained. "You've met Evan before. He's on the team.”

  "What happened?" I finally asked aloud as I once again searched for a sign of Phoenix. "Why was there a fight?"

  "Not sure what the fuck happened." He scowled and then downed the contents of his cup. "I was playing ball and saw the guy charging forward too late. Next thing I know, I was pushed into Caleb and then someone jumped in, yelling at the guy.

  "I don't even think the douche meant to hit anyone, to be honest. But he pushed some of the guys and ended up starting shit. He took a fist to the face for it. Evan says he doesn't know what his problem is." His eyes darkened and he shot me a furious look, not meant for me. "Looked like he was heading over to you and Phoenix."

  I swallowed hard. "Phoenix said he knows him."

  CJ crushed the cup in his hand and muttered something under his breath.

  Unease made my stomach clench because I was even more confused, and Phoenix had just walked off with him.

  11

  Phoenix

  "What are you doing here?" I eyed Aiden as he paced back and forth, running his fingers through his disheveled hair. The scent of rum clung heavily to him, and his steps were clunky and uncoordinated. At best, he was already hammered.

  He came to a stop in front of me. "My cousin said his friends were throwing a party, so I loaded up with some of the guys after we hit the bar to come see if it was worth it. Didn't expect to see you." His bloodshot light green eyes narrowed. "You seemed really fucking cozy for a guy who isn't looking for anything serious," he spat, words slurred, and he stumbled forward.

  Ignoring the venomous glare, I stepped back. "Who's with you?"

  "Why? Jealous?" His sloppy smirk quickly turned into a frown as he scanned his surroundings as if realizing he was alone for the first time.

  Crossing my arms over my chest, I leveled him with a look I hoped would end this shit once and for all. "Aiden, I'm not jealous. I'm wondering who to go find to take you home. You're wasted and started a fight at my boyfriend's friends' house. You need to go home. Or anywhere that's not here."

  "I didn't start a fight. I was pissed when I saw you with that guy. Someone fucking punched me." He waved his hand back toward the house and then flinched. "Wait, did you just say your fucking boyfriend?"

  I paused as I ran back over what I'd said and realized I had referred to Archer as my boyfriend. Something we hadn't even discussed, but it felt right. But Aiden had missed the point, and I wanted him to leave, not make things worse.

  Keeping my tone steady, I attempted to keep my frustration at bay. "I can't help that you're pissed, Aiden. But I have told you repeatedly that this"—I pointed to him and then myself—"isn't going to happen. From the beginning, we both discussed and agreed nothing serious would come from it. You need to let it go. It's not worth it."

  "And that guy is worth it? He's different?" His expression twisted with disdain. "Does he have a giant dick or something?"

  Nausea curled my stomach just hearing him talk about Archer that way. I lowered my voice and spoke through clenched teeth. "He's none of your business."

  "For fuck’s sake. He looks like a preppy reject barely out of high school." Aiden scoffed and broke out in a disbelieving laugh as he ran his hands through his hair again. "Why him?"

  My spine stiffened as I suffocated the urge to reopen the bleeding wound already crusting over his lip. "That's enough. Leave him out of this."

  I pulled my phone from my pocket and texted Archer.

  Me: Can you send Caleb or CJ out toward the road. You stay put.

  The last thing I needed was Archer getting verbally attacked by what was clearly my worst mistake.

  My phone buzzed immediately.

  Arch: Caleb's already on his way. Are you okay?

  Me: Yeah. I'll be back in just a min.

  I pocketed the phone and found Aiden scowling. "Was that him?"

  "None of your business."

  Right on time, Caleb came from behind an old truck. A guy who bore a striking resemblance to Aiden walked with him.

  "You good?" Caleb asked me.

  I nodded. "Yeah, I'm good, but he needs to go."

  The guy next to Caleb glared at Aiden. "What the fuck, A? The hell was that?"

  "Aiden is Evan's cousin," Caleb supplied, jerking his chin toward the guy at his side. He darted his gaze from me to Aiden and then back. "How do you two know each other?"

  "We work togethe
r," Aiden offered and my hands fisted at my sides. His smirk came back. "Among other things."

  "A, shut the fuck up," Evan snapped. "Where are your friends?"

  Aiden shrugged, and when I glanced at Caleb, his eyes were narrowed to slits aimed at me. "You are going to have to tell Arch, and I swear, if I see one tear—"

  "I didn't invite him, Caleb." I narrowed mine back because the last thing I'd ever do is hurt Archer on purpose, for fuck’s sake. "I had no clue he was going to be here, or trust me, I wouldn't have come."

  "Arch?" Aiden's pissed off voice cut through the tension and both of us swung our glares at him. "Is that the guy you're fucking?"

  Evan got in Aiden's face. "That was a jealous fit? Are you fucking kidding—?"

  "Can we just get this guy out of here?" Caleb spoke over him and then gave me a subtle shove toward the party. "Archer's going to be freaking out. We have this handled. You go handle your shit and he better—"

  "I know, all right?" Like I didn't feel bad enough. After staring me down for a moment, he finally gave a nod.

  Evan had his phone out, and I had to assume they had it covered. The most important thing was Archer. I had no idea what was going on in his head. I was going to be honest about the situation, and I'd never set out to upset him. Aiden was like a bad cold you couldn't get rid of no matter how much medicine you took. It was exhausting.

  I dragged my hand over my face as I strode back to where I'd left Archer. As soon as he spotted me, he jumped up from the chair. "Hey, everything okay?"

  I pulled him to my chest and wrapped an arm around his shoulder, holding him there. "Everything's fine."

  "Who is Aiden?" he asked as he tipped his head back to look up at me, and my stomach clenched tight as I peered back down into his brown eyes so deep I could get lost in them. I hated that name coming from his mouth.

  Telling Archer about Aiden made me feel like shit. The idea of Archer being with someone else would be bad enough, but seeing them together and watching him walk off with the imagined guy…

  Putting myself in his shoes, I didn't like the picture it created. At all. Not that I could control what Aiden did.