Unavoidable

by Yara Greathouse

  Ciara shakes her hand in a ‘don’t worry’ gesture. “You, practice? Girl, you don’t need practice. You were naturally born awesome!” Then she smiles at me.

  “Ciara, you are not playing fair… How am I supposed to be mad at you when you say nice things like that about me?”

  “I know!” She scrunches her nose and smiles. “Now, let’s go take a look at that closet and decide what you are going to wear for your big night!” I follow her in silence shaking my head the entire time. Unbelievable.

  Colton

  “You know you don’t have to go, don’t you?” I tell Traxx and Notso the same thing once again.

  “We know. It’s lame as shit if you ask me. You don’t even need the money.” Traxx says with a bored voice.

  “It’s easy money. How many of these have I won before?”

  Notso looks at me and says “Five or six that I can remember.”

  “And haven’t you guys had fun during those other times?”

  “Yeah… girls always think that we are some kind of band. It’s easy to get girls there. They normally throw themselves at us.” He smiles then.

  “I know Karaoke is not the highlight of anybody’s night, but we go, do the deed, and then we can go somewhere else, and I tell you what, the first round will be on me!” I wink at them.

  Traxx and Notso get up to go get ready. Traxx asks “Do you know what you will be singing?”

  “Nah, I’m going to play it by ear. Check out the crowd first to get me some ideas.” I go to one of the corners in my room, next to my desk, and grab my guitar. I need to make sure it’s properly tuned.

  “Alright, then. See y’all in the living room in a few minutes.” I sit on the bed as they leave the room and I take out my old guitar. This guitar kept me company during all those times that I wanted to be with my family but they thought it was more important to fulfill their social commitments. It was a gift from my grandmother. The only one who really cared about me. When she died, my childhood died with her and I had to grow up really quick. I named the guitar after her - Alice. I learned to play it by ear, spending many hours in my room alone practicing. I guess it kept me out of trouble and from running the streets. Now when something bothers me and I need to work it out in my head, I come to Alice.

  I start to play a melody and close my eyes to concentrate. Blue-green eyes stare back at me. Brianna. I see her smiling. I see her laughing, swimming and then later eating a huge burger. It makes me smile. She didn’t even know that I would look for her at any chance I got, just to see what she was doing. I wonder what she is doing now… I need more time. I don’t want her to shoot me down quite yet. I really don’t know what I am doing. She is out of my league – Damn! I can’t believe I just said that! She is different from all of the other girls I’ve met and dated. What I don’t understand is that if she doesn’t want a relationship, and I’m not a guy who is into relationships, why can’t we hang out? Have a few dates and call it a day.

  As the melody becomes faster, my mind races on - hell, I can be her friend with benefits. Why does she think that I would want more? Then I recall the moment when that guy in the car wash was barely going to touch her shoulder and I remembered how I felt when I saw him. I wanted to extinguish him. I wanted her all to myself. I wanted to be the one and only man touching her. Is that what being jealous is like? Shit. Now I know. Maybe she is right. Now I understand what she means about me wanting more. I like Brianna so much more than I care to admit. And it is in this very moment when I realize that I have never felt like this for anyone else. Also, in this very moment, I realize that I’m not willing to let her go.

  Brianna

  I’m still trying to figure out why I agreed to do this. It’s not making a lot of sense right now. The place is packed. So much for not being a popular hangout. I really think Ciara was playing me big time.

  We go in and it’s free entry because Ciara already has me signed up for the karaoke showcase. We decided to come a bit early so we can let loose, drink a little and dance a lot. Right now “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” by Randy Houser is playing. We work our way through the crowd to the bar. Guys are just looking at us from top to bottom. I like the attention, but there’s not a man in here that can compare to the one who’s inside my head.

  “What do you want to drink?” Ciara asks bringing me back to the moment.

  “I need a shot of something strong to calm my nerves. How about some Patron?”

  “Sounds like a winner!!! Patron shots coming up! Woo Hoo!!!” Ciara is certainly more excited than I am.

  We squeeze up to the counter, ask the bartender for the shooters, plus lime wedges and salt. He serves the shots, Ciara and I lick the back of our hands, sprinkle the salt and at the count of three, we simultaneously lick the salt, drink the shots and suck on the lime wedges. We repeat for a second round, then decide to go do a little dancing before the actions starts.

  We hit the dance floor and it doesn’t take long before we are pretty much surrounded by guys dancing. I decide to let go and enjoy myself. I have nothing to fear. There is no danger here. My weapons of choice for the night are actually two of my favorites. A thin brown leather necklace is holding a pointed grooved grip kubotan, and inside my small crossbody purse, I have a wildcat keychain. Always be prepared for anything. You never know when something or someone is gonna get in your way.

  It’s really hard to keep your personal space open when you have a bunch of guys trying to grind on you. I’m looking around the dance floor trying to find one friendly face that interests me. Nothing. I look away, past the dance floor, and scan the crowd. My eyes stop cold when I see a pair of gray eyes that I have gotten to know too well these past few days. His square jaw tenses, and I can see from here how his pecs tighten against the dark gray short sleeved t-shirt he is wearing tonight. Oooh, fuckety fuck! I try to signal Ciara to look, but she is too busy making gooey eyes to a guy next to her. I look back to where Colton was, but I don’t see him. Did I imagine it? Am I losing my mind?

  Three seconds later, I feel the heat and the energy behind me. I don’t need to look, I already know who it is. I make myself look over my shoulder to catch him giving the stink eye to all the guys around me. He smells great, and looks good enough to lick every single inch of his body. I gently smile and simply mouth the word “Hi.”

  Colton gets closer until his hard body is perfectly aligned with mine. He gently removes my hair from the side of my face angled toward him and pulls it onto my other shoulder in order to uncover my ear, and then he gets closer and whispers… “You are a sight to see, Brianna. I’m taking a mental picture of the way you are looking so that I can use it later on to satisfy my… thirst. And girl, you smell like heaven. This is exactly where I want to be, nestled against my heaven.” I feel his hands grab my hips and he pulls me even closer to him. I hate to admit it to myself - It feels great!

  He buries his nose on my neck and inhales deeply, moving his lips up my neck while breathing in through his nose and out through his mouth so I can feel the warm air, his warm air, against my very receptive, sensitive skin. His lips move ever so slowly until he places them, barely touching, lightly against the bottom part of my earlobe. This tame gesture makes me feel like a wild animal. There is a fire being ignited down there. Adrenaline is flowing through my body from top to bottom, causing the heat to rise up. I just know my cheeks are cherry red. Then I hear him breathing hard – his lips are still next to my ear – and that’s when he moves in for the kill: his teeth wrap the bottom of my earlobe and he pulls on it ever so gently. I close my eyes and give in to the sensation. His lips take over where his teeth had been and slowly move up my earlobe, his warm breath is intoxicating and I feel his tongue tracing a thin line around the edge of my ear.

  When I can’t take it anymore, my eyes open wide and I start to peel my body away from his, away from him. He uses his large hands in an attempt to pull me back in, but I am stronger than the girls he is used to dealing with, and albeit he mak
es a good attempt, I pry loose from his grip. When I start to walk away, his hand grabs mine and pulls me in, like a well rehearsed dance move. Dear God! We are now face to face and I’m straddling his thigh. Giving me a sideway smile, that beautiful smile with the slight crooked tooth in the bottom row, all my senses are on full alert. I can smell his minty breath mixed with a sweet, cinnamon scent. He winks at me, and places his cheek next to mine, one of his hands is still holding my hand and his other arm is around me, they are such a sweet torturing device.

  Since he is holding my right hand, I slowly move my left one from the top of his shoulder down to his pec, I stop at his nipple, and I graze it with the tip of my index finger, then flick it with my nail. It responds to my touch immediately, getting hard and taut. Two can play this game. I look at him and lick my top lip. I see him inhale deeply, closing his eyes and grunting. Smiling, I continue my south-bound exploration. As my hand moves, my fingertips can feel every ridge, every line of his well-defined abs. On the left side of my pelvis, I feel every inch of his most precious weapon. It is long, thick and it is strong. I want to look down so bad, but I don’t. Instead, I look up at him, and find that he’s looking at me with a tight jaw and stormy eyes. Oh-oh, I think I may have gotten myself in a deep, sweet mess. That’s when mercifully for me, the music set ends, and everyone stops dancing and leaves the dance floor.

  He chuckles in my ear, and says “There is never a good time for this type of situation.” He looks down at me and continues “I’m going to need your help – can you cover me until we get to the table?”

  “Sure thing. Just walk behind me.” I smile sympathetically at him, batting my eyelashes a little while wrapping his arm around my neck leading him away from the dance floor. Silently I wonder how I let myself fall into this situation, and yet I smile inside my head because I loved every second of it.

  Chapter 7

  Colton

  After a few minutes, I manage to calm myself from the overwhelming feelings I experienced on the dance floor. Yeah, this girl is going to be my damnation. As I’m going to get a drink, Traxx catches up with me. He slaps me on the back pretty hard and stares me down.

  “What? What’s that look for?”

  “You are completely and utterly fucked.” He says to me and I really do not care for the sarcastic undertone of his comment.

  “What are you talking about? Give it to me straight Traxx, I ain’t got time for bullshit and games.”

  “You like her. I mean you really, REALLY, like her. I saw you on the dance floor. You got it bad. As a matter of fact, let me buy you a drink, my brother, because today is a day to remember. I believe I am witnessing Colton Hensley falling for the first time.” He gestures to the bartender for two beers.

  I decide to play it off. “You are dreaming, Traxx. There is nothing like that going on.”

  “Oh yeah? Is that the best you’ve got? ‘Cause that was lame. Very, very lame.” He hands me the cold, sweaty beer and we take a long swig. “Look, Colton. You are my very best friend. I know that for years you have been going from girl to girl because you don’t want to be ‘controlled.’ I have entertained that and never said anything because I knew those girls you have been with in the past were meaningless flings, but this… this girl… it is not the same. She is not the same as the others, Colton. This one can actually get to you. She has a special something and I can tell you feel differently for her than you have felt for the others. You can continue to deny it, but I’m giving you a heads up. Now is the time to cut your losses, man. Now is the time to let go. Keep it up and you’ll be gone too far.”

  I look at him and realize he is really concerned. I know he is telling me the truth. I don’t want to hear it, but he is telling me what I need to know. What I am avoiding to see. Cutting my losses? I am barely breaking through. There is so much promise, but I don’t know… I don’t know that I can let go right now, without knowing for sure what it is that we have or could have together. Those few minutes that she was in my arms and close, oh, so close. It was good. Really, really good. I want more. I can’t do it. I want more of Brianna. I want all of her. No regrets.

  “Sorry man. I have to find out what we could be together.” I shrug my shoulders and give him an ‘I’m screwed’ look, then smile sadly. “I don’t know if I will be able to make it happen because she is very resistant to have anything to do with me. But every day we spend time together, I feel the walls cracking and giving in just a little. I have to keep at it, because I really believe it’s going to be an experience that will shake me to the core, and as scared as that statement makes me, it also gives me an excitement and motivation that I never felt before. This girl has something good to offer, and I want her to offer it to me. To me, Traxx. Nobody else but me. I want her like I have never wanted anyone ever. But I have to play it smart. I have to make her realize I am worth the risk. Together we can be… amazing. She is amazing, and I will figure out how to make it happen. I just need more time. Do you think I can get through to her, Traxx?” As I’m pouring my feelings to my best friend, I turn to look at her. As if she is feeling me staring at her, she turns and smiles, showing me that cute dimple. Her friend Ciara is making signals that I believe mean for me to get them something to drink. I turn around to Traxx and sighing, I tell him we need to get some pitchers for the table and quietly try to decide what would be my next move.

  Brianna

  When I looked towards the bar, I notice that Colton was staring at me. I like that he is, but he looks so… sad? What is going on? I turn toward Ciara, “Hey Ciara, does Colton look sad to you? What do you think is going through his mind?”

  “Girl, after looking at the two of you getting ready to rip each other’s clothes off in front of everyone on the dance floor, I’d be a little sad that it was over before we got started, know what I mean?”

  “Yeah, I guess so. Now that you put it that way, maybe I am a little frustrated about it, too. I thought we had a great time but maybe I misread the signals. Aw, naw… There is no freaking way I misread the tree trunk I felt down there.” We both started to laugh at this.

  “Don’t you like him? I believe I remember you saying something about really liking him.” Ciara asks me straight up. There’s no beating around the bush when it comes to Ciara. She should have been a CIA interrogator – she can be that intimidating and then some.

  “Yeah, I really do…” I smile shyly at her.

  “Then what is the problem? Remember, you made a promise to yourself to enjoy life to the fullest.”

  I pout my bottom lip, just a little. “Yeah, I remember. There is no problem… yet. And that’s what I am afraid of. I am afraid he… I mean we can’t get too involved. You know how I feel about serious relationships or coupledoom.”

  “After seeing the two of you together with all that chemistry, I don’t know how you can resist him. It’s unnatural. Remember what I told you before, one day at a time. You are young, just have fun.” She gestures to let me know the guys are coming back to the table. “Don’t let him slip by. He can be really special for you.” She winks at me, and I feel a hand rub my back. Colton sits down next to me and plays with my long hair with the same hand. He looks at me wantonly.

  “Brianna,” he says softly to get my attention, I look at him, “Where would you like to go?” I look at him incredulously, my eyes popping out of their sockets.

  “Down boy, what do you mean ‘where do I want to go?’ I know things were getting a little heavy when we were dancing, but it doesn’t mean I’m gonna hit that…” I gesture towards his lap, “…in a broom closet or inside a vehicle. Is that what you are thinking?”

  “Whoa, down girl!” He smiles at me, “I mean on a date, where would you like to go on a date. With me. Out. You know what I am talking about – right? A date where you get dressed up, I come by your place and pick you up, we go somewhere to hang out for a while. Talk. Share. Make memories. All that shit that girls love.”

  “Okay, after that spiel, you are real
ly making me wish we were talking about the broom closet instead.” I make a gagging gesture. He laughs. “I don’t do dates Colton. I have no idea where to go from here. Or if I even want to do anything with you. Sometimes I am really tempted. Then I think about your record with the girls, and it feels like I’m setting myself up for some hurting.”

  “But I thought that you didn’t want anything serious, and I have never had anything serious with anybody, so it seems we want the same things. Don’t we?”