Stay: A Shores Novella (The Shores Book 2)

by Allie York

  “Nah. Wouldn’t want to torture the poor guy like that.” Something behind Gloria caught my attention. Blair came down the steps behind Gloria in this tight little dress. Whatever Gloria was asking kind of vanished. Blair caught my eye and winked. I tipped my chin, trying to be discreet. The dress and heels showed off her toned legs. Her dark hair hung nearly to her waist, and the red lipstick on her pouty lips made me want to fuck her face.

  “Jaxon?” Gloria snapped her fingers in my face. “Is Rick coming?” Blair stopped next to Gloria, smirking like she knew what was on my mind. Her eyes started at mine then moved down over my chest then down to my jeans. The corner of her mouth turned into a smirk. It was the game we played.

  “Yeah. He’ll be here.” I cleared my throat, remembering that Gloria asked me a question. “I should get the food to the kitchen.” I tried to get away, but it wasn’t happening. Blair followed me. “You’re dressed up. Boyfriend coming?” I asked her once we got to the kitchen.

  “No, gross.” Blair took one of the bags from me and dumped it on the counter. “That’s like me asking about your girlfriend.” She crouched in the floor, to unload the case of beer into the ice. “I can’t look nice for my best friend’s baby shower?”

  “You could never take that dress off, and I’d be happy.” I made sure to use my flirting tone. “I’d fuck you in it.”

  “You’d fuck anything with a vagina if it looked at you the right way,” Blair snapped back. It was how we flirted. I didn’t have real feelings for her or any other woman, but Blair and I got each other. While the rest of the world settled down, we had fun. Sure, I cared about her, but as I said, you don’t fuck your friends.

  “How’s that guy? What’s his name?” I pretended to think. “Right, you don’t remember because you’ve screwed six guys since Tuesday.” I could take a jab too.

  Blair stood up, and her heels clicked when she took two steps to me. “Not six, only four.” She patted the side of my face roughly. “Good guess with six though.” She turned and left the kitchen, snatching the pitted olives from my hand as she went. I watched her ass sway before she turned around to glare at me. We weren’t allowed to hook up, but damn we would have a good time. All the pent-up tension and it being both our areas of expertise would have made it explosive. Oh well.

  Within ten minutes fifty people were in the house, and I barely knew any of them. Ozma was walking around talking to everyone, Harris at her side. The man was too in love to function. Even I had to say; it was endearing to watch them. Ozma worshipped her man and Harris loved his woman. Oz was so short that being pregnant had to be miserable. Only a month before the baby was due and six months before the wedding, she looked stressed as hell. She also looked as wide as she was tall. No matter how stressed and miserable she looked, she was happy and so was Harris. They were living their dream. I hung back in the corner, watching everyone talk, seeing if I noticed any more of Ozma’s friends I hadn’t met yet. I tipped back my beer and let my eyes wander back to Blair. Her wine glass was half empty, again. Some guy leaned over and whispered to her. She giggled, and he put a hand on her waist. At least someone was getting laid tonight. I hadn’t seen a single girl, other than Blair, who was worth my time. It didn’t take much to be worth my time. She only had to be attractive and not married. I did have some standards, and married women were off the table.

  The house warming turned into a baby shower, and the men went upstairs to play cards. Rick, Porter, Harris, and a few other guys turned on the game. The man getting handsy with Blair was there too, but I had no idea who he was. Harris dealt the cards, I cracked open my beer, and we let the testosterone flow. Poker, sports, and beer dominated the upstairs. Even Harris let loose to have some fun. The guy had been on high alert since finding out his woman was pregnant, and her father tried to kill his mother. He bought a house in the safest neighborhood near the coast and had a security system installed. It didn’t matter that Oz’s psycho father was dead.

  “Coming tomorrow?” Rick kicked me under the table, tipping his head for me to play my cards.

  “Where?” I threw down my hand, reaching for the chips. A series of obscenities flew around the table.

  “Bowling, tomorrow.” Porter shuffled the cards. “I told you yesterday.” I always forgot shit. “We’re all going, but please don’t bring some clingy chick this time.”

  The whole room gave me a look, and I threw my hands up. “Deal. Trust me; I didn’t want that chick there.” I didn’t even remember her last name. I met her when I stopped for gas the day before and wanted to get laid. She had this long blonde hair and a great ass. She was one of those I had to take out before I could get some, so I took her out. Out bowling with my work friends, and she was clingy as fuck from the second I picked her up.

  “Leah wasn’t your one true love?” Harris snorted a laugh.

  “I think he could be the one.” Porter batted his lashes, using a squeaky falsetto voice.

  “Fuck all you.” I picked up my cards and rearranged them. It took me nearly a month to get rid of Leah. She came by work, I had to change my number, and she had her creepy ass friends come by my apartment to see if I had other women over. It was way too much trouble for one night of okay sex.

  “Please don’t bring a girl though. It was weird. Not even Oz and Harry were as gross as you and Leah. I thought we’d have to surgically remove her from your ass; it was awkward.” Rick looked around the table for someone to agree with him.

  “It was rough,” Porter agreed. When Porter chimed in, people listened. He was the quiet one of the group, and none of us had ever seen him with a woman. Not that he was boring, he just wasn’t as boisterous as the rest of us.

  “It’s not my fault she got weird. I just wanted some ass; she took it too far. I promise not to bring anyone,” I groaned, ready for someone else to take some shit for a while.

  “Stop being so sexy, and maybe there won’t be more Leahs.” Rick took a swig of his beer.

  “Or learn to discriminate.” Harris laughed. I rolled my eyes. Porter was allergic to any sort of relationship, casual or otherwise. Harris was pussy-whipped. Rick bordered on creepy most of the time but had the occasional woman. I was the only sane man in the group. I did what I want with who I wanted. Most women understood that I didn’t do commitment, but Leah had been a mistake. Mistakes happen.

  “Whatever. I like sex, not relationships. It’s not like I have a bunch of baby mamas or drama. I just do my thing, so don’t be jealous.” I smirked at slapped my hand down. I was on a roll.

  “Damn it!” Rick slung his cards down, and I collected the chips. “I’m strongly considering firing you.” He couldn’t fire me, and we both knew it. I was the best vet tech he had and being single meant I could work whenever.

  “Don’t be jealous.” I patted Harris’s shoulder, going to grab another beer.

  “Why would I be jealous?” He held his hands out like he was showing me his accomplishments. Harris had it made. His wife was hot as hell, and from the little he disclosed was eager to please in bed. It was too much though. A baby, a fiancé, and a mortgage. It’s how he grew up, so he just wanted to make his mom proud, but it wasn’t my life, never would be. If I could get laid on the regular and not worry about strings, I might pick one woman to mess with. No woman was up for that though, they all wanted a commitment, true love, a future. At twenty-six, I only wanted to have some fun.

  We played a few more hands, I won the last one, bragging like a dick when I took all the chips. Harris ran down to check on snacks and came back up telling us all to eat. With the baby shower part over, the men all came downstairs to sober up with some food. The party was still too girlie, but no more baby talk and shit. I watched Blair check the tag on every gift from my place against the wall. She had a clipboard and a pen that she kept chewing. Her plump lower lip kept making me stare when it touched the tip of the pen. That skin-tight dress would’ve looked great bunched up around her waist while I fucked her from behind. If only I could g
et her in bed. Blair was like me, no strings, no planning the future, but we were friends. It would fuck up our dynamic to have sex with her. If things went south, friends would have to pick sides, and I didn’t want to be the cause of that, so I’d have to live with jacking off while thinking about how fucking nice it would be to unwrap her tight little package.

  Blair called it a night when the last group of guests left, leaving us to clean up because she had a date. It meant she was getting a nice meal and getting laid. I was a little jealous of both. Instead of dwelling, I helped Harris start carrying presents up to the baby’s room with Porter until he had to go back to the animal shelter to check on things. Then it was me, Harris, and his sister cleaning up. Poor Ozma crashed as soon as the last family member left. I didn’t mind helping; it was the least I could do. Harris and Oz were like siblings I never had. Unlike most vets, Harris respected my hard work, and Oz was just sweet. She didn’t judge me by all my tattoos when we met, and always had my back, always happy to see me. No matter what I did, I knew Ozma would be there if I needed her.

  Harris covered up Oz on the couch, and I put the last paper cup in the trash. Rose came down and handed me a third trash bag. Maybe it was a baby shower, but we had a damn good time: booze, the game, and good friends. After the baby came, I knew things would change; the whole game would shift to one that didn’t include single friends anymore. Once they got married, it would be worse. Harris and Ozma falling in love meant big changes for the rest of us. It would mean we lost Harris.

  “Thanks for helping.” Harris handed me the last trash bag and started the dishes. Rose went to help him. Honestly, there wasn’t too much to do other than take out all the trash and grab a few cups.

  “Yeah. Anytime.” I let Rose kiss my cheek again. “I’m gonna head out.” Harris waved a soapy hand at me, and I left. I jerked the front door open just as Blair pushed it. She fell in, I stumbled back, and Blair and I hit the wall, her pressed against me. Trash bags hit the floor, so I could catch us.

  “Fuck.” She pushed off me, looking up at me with those stormy blue eyes.

  “Hey there.” I popped my eyebrows at her.

  “Gross.” She rolled her eyes. “Can you give me a jump? Car won't start.” She smiled sweetly, adjusting the bottom of her snug dress.

  “You just called me gross.” I looked her over, if the woman asked me to carry her home, I would. She batted her lashes, tossing her dark waves over her shoulders. “Yeah. Come on, Princess.” I rolled my eyes.

  “My prince charming.” Blair smiled sweetly. I grabbed the bags from the floor and dropped them in the bin outside the garage. Blair looped her arm through mine to drag me out to her lime green chick mobile. I reached down to pop her hood, then pulled my Jeep over to charge her battery.

  “What have you been doing out here? You left twenty minutes ago.” I know she wasn’t trying to fix it herself.

  “Googling why my car wouldn’t start.” Blair bounced a little on her heels, arms crossed.

  “Cold?” I already had my jacket out of the Jeep, ready to hand it to her.

  “Yeah.” She took it. “Thanks.” Blair put my jacket on and pulled her hair out of the back, tucking her hands in the pockets. I should have told her the jumpstart would cost her a little jump of our own, but I didn’t want to get slapped.

  “You leave your lights on?” I started my car, revving the engine and she came to my side of the car, to talk to me.

  “I don’t know.” Blair shrugged, looking sad.

  “Late for a date?” I teased, holding my hands out for her keys. She dropped them in my hand, and I laughed. A tiara dangled from the wad of keys.

  “No, he canceled.” Blair huffed, stepping back for me to start her car. I put the key in her ignition, her right behind me. I turned the key, and nothing happened.

  I reached down to kick the seat back and tried again, tapping the gas a few times. Nothing. “Who cancels on Blair Smith? Does he know who he’s dealing with?” I smirked, trying again to start her car.

  “Jordan, that’s who.” She watched me pump the gas pedal. “Is something wrong? It should start right?” I huffed and ran back around to my car, pointing for her to get back in hers. I revved my engine again then shouted for her to try to start hers again. Nothing. I turned the car off. “What is it?”

  “Well, it’s not the battery unless you completely killed it.” I unhooked the cables and tossed them in the back. “You want a ride?”

  Blair groaned, tossing her head back. Without an answer, she got her keys and purse. I let her in the passenger side and ran around to the driver’s side. Her little house was halfway across town, but I wasn’t going to bother anyone else to get her home or make her pay for an Uber. I’d promised this girl, Sasha, I’d call, but she’d get over it. She was kind of boring anyway. I backed out, and we headed toward the house she shared with Ivy. Ozma had lived there with her until she and Harris moved in together. Once Ozma moved, Ivy jumped on the chance to move in. The ride was awkward without the buffer of a group around us. Blair and I never did anything alone. She stared out the window, checking her phone every few seconds. I pretty much ignored her until we passed a Taco Shed and her head turned to watch it pass.

  “Hungry?” I joked. We ate a ton of food at the party.

  “Kinda.” Blair looked at me, biting her bottom lip. “I didn’t eat because I thought I was going out,” she admitted. I got over to turn around and pulled a U-turn. “It’s late.” She looked at the clock glowing blue on my dash.

  “You’re hungry though, so let’s eat.” I don’t know why I did it. I should have told her to drink one of those gross smoothies at home, but I was going to be a good friend, and I could always eat tacos.

  “This is awkward, right?” Blair tucked her phone in her purse as we pulled into the Taco Shed lot. She had been unusually quiet and sat as far from me as possible.

  “No. Why? We do stuff all the time.” I turned the Jeep off and started to get out. Blair hesitated. “You coming?” Blair looked cute as hell all dolled up and wrapped in my jacket. Her make-up was done for a late night that ended with a well-deserved orgasm, her hair in those loose waves. If only I could go there, I’d give her that orgasm and then some. That line of thinking sent all the blood in my body straight to my cock. I need to get laid.

  “I’m coming.” She got out of the Jeep and waited for me at the front. I had to adjust my jeans before meeting her. I held the door, and we walked into the Mexican Sports Bar. The Taco Shed had damn good food, TVs to watch the games, and beer. The hostess smiled at me and seated us, glaring at Blair. I’d offer to pay and put my number on the receipt; maybe I’d get laid after all.

  Blair glanced at the menu and folded it, still looking bummed about her canceled date. “Why’d he cancel?”

  “Is this really not awkward for you?” Blair huffed and stuck out her bottom lip to pout. I wanted to drag it between my teeth.

  “No.” It was difficult, but not awkward. It was only difficult because I hadn’t seen a naked woman in a week, and I was on edge.

  “He said his mom called him to come over or some bullshit. I don’t care.” Blair rolled her eyes and picked the menu back up. “It’s awkward because we’ve never been out alone.” I shrugged. “Sorry, I’m being weird.”

  We waited in silence for the waitress, and when she started toward us, my jaw nearly hit the table. I scrambled for something, anything, to do to make the situation not suck. I looked down at Blair’s fingers drumming on the table and snatched her hand up. She tried to pull back, but I held it tight, trying to show her with my eyes why I grabbed her hand. The last thing I wanted was some scene because a girl couldn’t take rejection. If Leah saw that I’d moved on, she’d not say anything. Maybe. I hoped. Shit.

  “How are you two this evening. I’m Leah, and I’ll be your server tonight.” Her tone was not that of a perky waitress. It was more like a woman scorned. Blair looked from me to Leah then down at our hands. A grin spread across her red
lips. I hoped my eyes looked desperate enough. My heart went into panic mode; the longer Blair stayed silent. I just wanted to eat some damn tacos, not start a war with a crazy chick I banged once.

  “I’ll have the number three and a strawberry daiquiri.” Blair handed Leah the menu like she didn’t recognize her.

  “Number three and whatever is on tap” I handed Leah the menu. “Thanks,” I added when she didn’t take the menu and leave.

  “Great.” Leah snatched the menu from me and gave me a ‘go to hell’ look before she left. Blair snatched her hand from mine and tucked it in her lap.

  “Now it’s awkward. Thanks,” I groaned and ran my hands through my hair.

  “You owe me.” Blair rolled her eyes again. “You’re giving me a ride, so I’ll let it slide. Plus, I got to see you freak out a little about the clingy ex, so that was worth pretending to be your girlfriend.” I discreetly flipped her off as Leah made her way back to the table with drinks.

  “Didn’t realize you were seeing someone new,” Leah snapped, throwing napkins down for our drinks and glaring at me.

  “Uh, yeah.” I stumbled over the words.

  “I’m pretty sure Jax is my soulmate.” Blair reached for me, and I took her hand. “I’m so glad he finally decided to settle down, and with me of all people.” Blair batted her lashes and smiled. Her voice oozed with sarcastic disdain, but Leah had no way of knowing she wasn’t serious. She was playing it up big time, and I’d get so much shit for it later.

  “Yeah, who knew the love of my life was right under my nose?” I tried to sound genuine, but it came out flat and sarcastic.

  “Congratulations.” Leah rolled her eyes and stormed off.

  “Oh my god.” Blair jerked away laughing. “I am telling everyone about this tomorrow, and they will never let you live it down.” Blair dropped her head, laughing. “You just called me the love of your life.” She covered her face to hide the laughter.

  “Oh, and soulmate is so much better?” I scoffed. “Right?” We stared for a second, and both started laughing again. The couple next to us started glaring, so we quieted down, shaking with silent laughter. It suddenly wasn’t as awkward, and Blair visibly relaxed.