“She sat down and I was just catching up with her. It was nothing else until I saw your friends come back without you. Then I glance at the door, and you’ve got pretty boy drooling all over you.”
“We were just talking about our project. Then, when I saw you dancing with her, yeah, I grabbed him to make you jealous. It’s not like we ever said we were exclusive or anything. I thought maybe you were taking advantage of that.”
Shane ran his fingers through his hair and then placed his hands on his hips, looking down at the ground. “Listen, woman, do you want me to walk up to you and hand you a note asking you to check ‘yes’ or ‘no’ if you wanted to be my girlfriend? I don’t know what else you want from me. You have a key to my apartment, I came to this stupid dance, I spend almost every spare minute I have with you. Actions speak louder than words, but I’m out of actions. Please, be my girlfriend. I want to be exclusive.” He dropped down onto his knees and took my hands. “Look at this, I am down on my fucking knees, ruining this expensive suit for you. Don’t touch another man, don’t even look at another man, just be mine and we can avoid this crap in the future.”
I nodded, smiling down at him.
“Happy now?” he asked, standing up and then giving me a kiss.
“Yes. I hated seeing you with that girl. I felt myself getting physically ill and several violent actions flashed through my mind.”
“Anything good? How were you going to kill me?”
“I was going to put a dent in your car and watch you shrivel up and die of sadness.”
“Ugh,” he groaned, wrinkling his face up in devastation. “You’re a cold woman. Let’s go back inside.” He wrapped an arm around me and started steering me back to the dance. “We can go back to teaching your severely uncoordinated ass how to dance.
“No, I just want to grab my purse and leave. I made such an idiot of myself in there.”
“All right,” Shane agreed and slipped his jacket off, placing it on my shoulders. “I’ll go get your bag and tell everyone that we’re heading out to have makeup sex.” He winked at me and then began walking to the dance.
“Wait, Emma’s car is at my house and my bag is in her car. How’s she going to get back? How are we getting back?”
“The limo picked me up here, so my car is in the lot. I’m sure Emma will find some guy to give her a ride. If not, maybe Violet can drive her. I’ll set it up. Just sit there and don’t run off with another guy.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I muttered as he kissed my cheek and walked away.
Chapter 15
Shane pulled up to the street near where I was sitting. “Let’s go, Barbie,” he called.
I stood up and walked over to the car and let myself in. “So are you going to be calling me that from now on?”
“Possibly, I kinda like it.”
“Why?”
“Think about it, Barbie can do anything. Yeah, she’s pretty and may have an outfit for everything, but she can also do whatever she wants. I believe that about you.”
I stared at Shane, shocked and a little in awe. It was a beautiful statement, but the thoughts behind it were even more profound. I leaned in and kissed him, pulling his shirt toward me, unbuttoning it so I could feel the smooth muscles of his chest underneath.
Shane pulled the seat release and pushed it back all the way. I climbed on top of him, straddling him, ducking my head to keep it from hitting the roof of the car. He slid his hands up my skirt, stroking my legs.
“These windows are tinted, right?” I asked, pulling away from Shane for a second.
“Yes…”
“Good.” I pulled my straps down, exposing my breasts for him. Shane reached up for them and started to caress my nipples. I moaned loudly and leaned down to kiss him again. Breaking away again for one second, I asked, “You have a condom, right?”
“I’m a race car driver. Car sex is always on my mind.” He sat up a bit, reaching for the center console. There was an unopened box sitting there.
“Good to know that even though it’s on your mind, you haven’t gotten any before now,” I teased and kissed him again, running my fingers through his hair, pulling it until Shane let out a groan.
I slid down Shane’s body a little and pulled off his belt, frantically undoing the button and zipper. But his boxers were still in the way. Shane lifted his hips, pushing me up in the process, and slid his boxers and pants off. I laughed and grasped ahold of him, feeling how hard he was, enjoying the effect I had on him.
He reached up under my skirt and tried to slip my panties off, but I was in the wrong position for this. I couldn’t get them off and I was a little embarrassed.
“See, this is why I normally don’t wear them. They get in the way.”
Shane kissed me again and then pulled away to reach into the center console again. His hand came out with a knife.
“Shane…” I started to say, a little nervous and maybe more excited than I should be.
“Relax,” he insisted and slid my dress up, revealing the lacy tan thong I was wearing. He pulled the band away from my skin and quickly cut it with two different swipes. The panties fell down and I quickly ripped into the condom box, covering Shane as fast as I could. He closed the knife and tossed it back in the center console.
We haven’t had sex since the time in the field, and I was craving it like a drug. As he slid inside me, I felt a release flow through my system that was quickly followed by a flowing sensation as my muscles tensed with pleasure. I started riding Shane, holding his arms down so he could do nothing but watch as I ground against him, tilting my hips forward to reach my deepest spot.
Gasps began to force their way out of my mouth as I felt him pulsing inside me, getting ready to find his release. Shane quickly swallowed my moans as he fought my hold and grabbed my head, pulling to a fierce and passionate kiss. But I couldn’t hold on. I broke away as the climax hit me hard, feeling Shane following me over the edge. He screamed, a lot louder than me, as we both enjoyed the aftereffects bursting through us.
We sat there for a second, just looking in each other’s eyes, almost too caught up to move.
“Did that live up to your expectations?” I asked Shane, biting my lip a little.
“Yes, but I think we need to practice some more. I’m not sure it was our best.”
I rolled my eyes and crawled off of him. “Let’s go get my bag before someone comments on the car shaking.”
“If you insist.”
***
We pulled onto my street and stopped by Emma’s car so I could quickly grab my things. She must have been thinking of me because it was unlocked.
“Should I lock her car?” I asked Shane after I grabbed my bag from her backseat.
“Yeah, go ahead. Emma can pick a lock, so if she didn’t bring her keys, then she’ll be fine.”
I smiled and climbed back into his car. “All right, let’s go.”
Shane took me back to his apartment and we spent the night making up…again. We were sitting at the breakfast bar, enjoying some pancakes, when I got a call from Violet.
“Sorry to interrupt you guys, but I have to go soon and we need to deal with Annabelle.”
“Oh, crap. I got really distracted,” I said as Shane pulled me onto his lap.
“I would be too. That’s one sexy man you’ve got there.”
“Thank you!” Shane screamed.
I shoved him and agreed to come over.
“Do I really need to drive you to see your friends? Can’t you stay with me?” he asked, nuzzling my neck before giving it a little nip.
“Yeah, we have to deal with something,” I told him, extending my neck to give him more access.
“Is everything all right?” Suddenly his voice was serious and he wasn’t teasing me anymore.
“Um, we’re not sure yet. Annabelle is having a little problem and Violet is leaving to see her parents, so she needs me.”
“Fine, I’ll let you do your girl thing and I’ll do my
guy thing with my baby.”
“I hope you mean your car?” I asked him suggestively.
“Obviously.” He kissed me on the forehead and he went to get dressed.
I watched him walk away, admiring the way his strong back muscles rippled with each step.
I texted Violet when Shane dropped me off and waited outside. She met me quickly.
“Did you say anything to her?” I asked.
“Not yet, I figured we could tag team this. Annabelle’s on her way back from Jason’s apartment. She was nice enough to let me crash in her dorm while she stayed the night at his.”
Annabelle, as if her ears were ringing, showed up then and we all went into her room.
“So, did you guys have fun last night?” she asked us and we all sat down on her bed.
“Oh, no, we’re not playing nice anymore,” Violet told Annabelle.
She whipped around and stared at us. “What are you talking about?”
“Annabelle, I saw your other pregnancy test in the bathroom. It said pregnant. We need to get to the doctor, like, right now.” I hoped I wasn’t being to firm with her, but I was afraid she’d continue pretending everything was fine.
The smile on her face faded quickly and she looked at us with shame on her face.
“I’m not going to the doctor. It’s not true. I’ve had no nausea or morning sickness. The test was wrong and I’m not pregnant,” she insisted as she started to pace around her little dorm.
“You can’t play this game,” Violet warned her. “Denial is only going to get you in even more trouble.”
“Just…enough. I don’t want to get into this. Last night was perfect and Jason was so sweet and gentle. We’ve been struggling a little lately,” she murmured, staring down at the ground. A little tear glistened in the corner of her eye but she brushed it away.
My heart broke for her. Here was someone who had a backup plan for her back up plan. Yet, when chaos hit, she was completely lost. I walked over to her and placed my hands on her shoulders, stopping the pacing so she couldn’t avoid my stare or my words.
“Is that because you’ve been super hormonal?” I asked her softly.
“No, I’ve just been stressed. That’s why my period is late. It’s the stress of it all.” She jerked away from me and moved to go to the bed. But as if the bed was too far, she just sat down on the floor and hung her head, rubbing her temples. “What if I am pregnant?” She looked up at us, tears welling up in her eyes. These she let fall.
“Then we’ll help you,” I promised her. “I love baby sitting and…”
“And I’ll be back from England, so I can take over to make sure Christie doesn’t turn your daughter into a beauty pageant queen.”
“Hey,” I whined, hitting Violet. “Some of those pageants have really big cash prizes.”
We all laughed superficially, and quickly stopped.
Violet and I just stared at Annabelle, waiting to see which way she’d go. It wasn’t long before our friend was back. She wiped her tears, adjusted her shirt, and grabbed her bag.
“Let’s go to the campus doctor,” Annabelle conceded quietly. “I don’t want this bill on my mom’s health insurance.”
We headed to the school’s urgent care, but on the way, we ran into Jason.
“Hi Vi, Christie,” he said and then kissed Annabelle on the cheek. “You left your phone.”
“Oh, thanks,” she whispered, her hand shaking a little as she took the phone from him.
“Is everything all right?” He looked concerned and confused at the same time. Jason took her hand and left a light kiss on her knuckles, but as he let go, I noticed he was shaking too. His face was pale and his eyes wide as he stared at her, waiting for her answer.
Violet and I stayed quiet, and waited for Annabelle to take the reins. Her lip quivered and she looked at Violet, begging for help. She shook her head and gave her a little push toward Jason.
“Yeah, I’m just feeling a little sick,” Annabelle finally managed to say. “I don’t want you to worry. The girls are just taking me to the doctor.”
Violet coughed and gave Annabelle’s shoulder a little shove.
She turned around and glared at her. “Well, it’s true,” Annabelle insisted.
Jason looked from Violet to Annabelle with a furrowed brow. He may not have known what was going on, but he definitely knew something was up. “I can take you,” Jason offered. “Vi needs to get to her parents’, and I’m sure Christie doesn’t want to spend her Sunday sitting in a doctor’s office.” Jason wrapped his arm around her and tried to walk toward the center.
“Yes,” I piped up, before they got too far away. He needed to know why they were going to the doctor. I was afraid if he didn’t, Annabelle would talk her way out of it. “Jason, you should take Annabelle to the doctor, but there is something you’re going to need to hear first.”
He looked over at me, and then back at Annabelle, and then at Violet. “What the hell is going on?” Jason dropped his arm from her shoulder. “The three of you are up to something and it’s bullshit. Someone just tell me already.”
“Jason,” Annabelle started, her voice shaking hard. “I’m late.”
“Well, let’s go. The doctor will probably wait for you. What time was your appointment?”
“No, my period.”
Jason fell to the bench beside where he was standing and just looked up at her.
“I’m so sorry,” she managed to say.
“No,” he said, staring at her. “We should have been more careful. It’s not just your fault.” He stood up and pulled Annabelle into a big hug. “Come on, honey, let’s go see the doctor and get this figured out. We may be worrying for nothing.”
“But it could be something huge,” she cried into his shoulder.
“Then Violet and Christie are going to fight over the role of godmother.” He let go of her and wiped her tears away gently.
“But—” she started to say but he quickly cut her off.
“It will work out one way or the other. Let’s just, uh, let’s just get to the doctor and then we can worry about the result.”
“Okay, so we’re going to let you guys deal with this,” Violet said and slowly began backing up.
“Wait,” Annabelle called. She pulled Violet into a huge hug, holding her tight. “Thanks for being a pushy bitch. I needed it.”
“Anytime. I’ll call you before I get on the plane,” she promised. “I’ll miss you.”
“Make sure Berneli takes good care of you.”
“He always does, especially in the mornings.”
“And the sweet part of the conversation is now over,” Annabelle said, laughing.
“I don’t do sweet for too long,” Violet reminded her.
Then Annabelle turned to me and gave me an equally tight hug. “And thanks for being nosey. I appreciate it.”
“Of course, I gotta get my gossip fix somehow.”
“I’ll text you both when we find out,” she assured us and then they walked off, hand in hand.
“Well, that was a lot easier than I pictured. I honestly thought I’d have to tell him myself.” Violet ran her fingers through her hair and sat down on the bench.
“She had to do it.”
“I know.” She nodded her head slowly and just stared off in the distance.
“Poor thing. She’s a frazzled mess. Do you think there is a chance she’s pregnant?”
“I don’t know. Annabelle has a crazy strong stomach, so the lack of morning sickness doesn’t surprise me. But at the same time, she worked so hard to make Homecoming great for everyone, she really could just be stressed out.”
I sat down next to her. “Yeah, I hope she’s all right. Makes me glad I’m on birth control, that’s for damn sure.”
We both snickered a little and then sat in silence for a few minutes, pondering the implications.
“I think she’ll make a great mom. Maybe she’ll hover a little, but if anyone can make school and a baby
work, it’s Annabelle,” Violet said confidently. It was true, I could picture her crazy schedule set up perfectly so she could make everything work. Her organizational skills and motivation would really be her saving grace.
“And just think, Jason as a dad. He would be the sweetest dad on the planet.”
Violet nodded at me and we returned to silence.
“I hope it isn’t true,” I said after a few more painful minutes.
“Me too.”
They’d make the best of it, but it still wasn’t ideal. I didn’t know what to say. It seemed weird to bring up Shane and how everything calmed down. I almost felt like I shouldn’t be happy while my friend was in crisis. So instead, the silence continued. I don’t know how long we both sat there, silently hoping Annabelle would come running out of urgent care with a big smile on her face. I wasn’t sure if they could do their tests immediately, but I had a feeling they needed to send out a sample. We probably wouldn’t know today and since it was the weekend, we probably wouldn’t know tomorrow, either.
“How did your night go?” Violet asked me suddenly. “Did you guys make up?”
I turned to her and sheepishly smiled. “Yeah, things are better.”
“How much better?” she asked with a sneaky grin on her face.
Well, Violet seemed to want to lighten the mood so I figured it was a good time to take her up on that. “We talked it out and had some good makeup sex.”
“Always the answer,” she said, laughing. “Did you admit that you have feelings for him yet?”
“We’re official now. I guess Shane didn’t feel like he needed to say we were a thing, because he thought it was obvious, and I needed him to confirm it, but I wasn’t going to ask.”
“Typical. But have you thought about this guy being your rebound for Rob? Or at least have you considered that Shane might be thinking that?”
I looked at her and just shook my head. I didn’t really know how to explain this. From the outside looking in, it obviously looked like a rebound. But when I was with Shane, it was anything but. I sat for a second, thinking about that. “I don’t think so,” I finally stated. “I finally feel alive again. With Shane, I don’t know what’s gonna happen, what he’ll say, or even how I’ll react. He surprises me and looks at me with this…I don’t know…this pure joy in his eyes. After Rob’s brother died in the Army, everything changed. It was like our entire relationship was on a schedule and we couldn’t deviate. We’d go to the movies on Saturday, his parents’ for dinner on Wednesdays, and brunch on Sundays at my house. It was like we were an old married couple. I tried to mix it up, but Rob became cold and standoffish. I mean, fuck, we even planned sex. Then when the wedding stuff happened, I tried to stop it, but it was like he stopped listening to my complaints and continued forward, insisting it would be fine.”
Third Wheel (Elton Hall Chronicles Book 3) Page 14