“True.”
“Let’s go eat.” He scanned the area. “I’ll put the canvas in my place, so nothing will happen to it.”
“And the brushes, easel, and paint?”
“Saka will handle it.”
“The way she left earlier, I doubt she would be happy about that.”
He winked at me. “Once she spots the art, her pussy will quiver, and she’ll be happy to be my lap dog again.”
“You have the same problem I have.”
“What’s that?”
“You’re incapable of being humble.”
He blinked several times. “Humble? What is that word?”
“Exactly.”
He got behind the painting, picked it up, and carried the huge thing into his place. “Give me two minutes and we’ll eat. I know you’re starving.”
I groaned.
Evie would love this guy, just for the fact that he annoys me.
Chapter Eleven
Jay
Evie and I arrived at our hotel, grabbed different keys, and separated.
It would’ve been nice to have her next to me. Her body against mine. We didn’t need to have sex. I just ached for the warmth of her.
Evie’s room was next to mine. Our balconies connected. I doubted she’d figure that out until tomorrow. The hotel named it the family suite. The manager had explained while Evie went to check on our bags.
“We thought it was a fascinating idea.” The short man typed into the computer and handed me back my credit card. “We keep the rooms private but allow people to go back and forth by the balcony. We figured parents would love that. They could have their kids next door, and they get a little private time that evening. “He winked at me. “You get what I’m saying?”
“Yeah.” I yawned.
I just wanted the guy to make my keys, so I could go too. I’d lucked up on a nice spot for a reasonable price. When I checked in, they refunded the full amount because I promised to tweet and post my hotel experience on Facebook.
Fame did that.
It was the biggest thing that triggered anxiety to roar through me. Fame opened closed doors, got me in the best seat in booked restaurants, and had every female over eighteen flirting with me. Any other person would’ve loved it. For me, the perks were hard to swallow. I always took a long shower, after receiving one. I had to wash off all the filth.
“Well, to my surprise, the family suite didn’t go over well. Parents didn’t like the fact that the only way their kids could come to them was by the balcony. Most figured they’d slip and fall off. These people think up the craziest things.” He set both of our key cards in front of me. “One woman tells me this.”
He gestured for me to come in closer.
I leaned his way. “What did she say?”
“She said, ‘Sir, I could never relax long enough to orgasm, knowing that my little Timmy could just venture out on his own and drop several feet to his death.’” He shrugged. “I told her to lock the balcony door. She told me I was a monster. They left and went to another place.”
“Hmmm.” I picked up the cards. “Well, the family suite is fine with me.”
The manager gazed at Evie for too long as she headed back to us. “Yes. It should be just fine indeed.”
That night, I sat in my huge tub, contemplated the next days, and drank a whole lot of beer that the front desk receptionist snuck to my room. Pipe still refused to answer his phone. That scared me more than the faded blood stains in his suite. Pipe always had to run his mouth and go on about this or that. But when he drowned, when he sank into those feelings of nothingness and dreary perceptions, he hid.
I didn’t think Pipe was suicidal, but then I didn’t think he would add knife play to his sexual adventures either. Wasn’t that suicidal in itself?
I can’t go to another funeral. I can’t fucking lose someone else. Not right now.
Death made life an unsteady game. Some people played to win. Others gave up before they even got to roll the dice. So many poor struggled to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table, and here I sat in a free room. So many rich kids rose to do amazing things for humankind, and somewhere off in Miami, Pipe probably lay in the fetal position and questioned his existence.
Nothing went the way it should have with us three.
But, back to power. I had my publicist get me in touch with a private investigator that kept his mouth closed to the media. If Evie had known that I’d gotten one, she would’ve suggested that we have the person search for Pipe first. But my anger guided the plan. Instead, I asked the man to look for Malcolm Ward.
“I want his schedule for the next few days if you can get it.” I kept the phone next to my face.
“I can get it,” the guy said. “Malcolm Ward’s a clean guy with not much of a publicized life. He puts a lot of effort in maintaining a wall of privacy, but there’s always cracks in boundaries. I start work once you transfer me the advance.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll email the schedule as soon as I can.”
“Thanks.” I hung up the phone.
Hours later and on my second six-pack of beer, warm, soapy water rippled around me. I’d been boiling in the bath minutes ago. Now, the tub finally stopped cooking me. I dragged my washcloth over my face, sat back, sipped a cold beer, and played the one mental video I’d been watching in my head more and more each night.
Evie and I lay on the beach with our eyes closed. Wind whipped through my hair. Waves crashed off in the distance. Warmth massaged my skin while my cool towel maintained balance. Evie’s flowery scent road the salty breeze, and in that moment, all I had to do was whisper “Kiss me,” and she would. She would never stop, and I would get as hard as a rock and beg to take her right in front of everybody on the beach, right there on the sand.
First, I fix this stuff with Pipe, and then I get Evie back.
Another hour had passed. I stayed in the bath until the water went cold. From unpacking and getting into the bath, I finished the last beer. My head buzzed. My steps staggered a little.
I’d planned on heading straight to bed, but then a noise came from the balcony.
Laughter.
Evie’s laughter.
Naked, I tiptoed to the glass door, undid the lock, and slipped it open. No sound came, just wind and more of her giggles.
Is she talking to Pipe? Please let her be talking to him.
I stumbled out onto our balcony. It was about twenty feet long with five black chairs and a glass table between both of our rooms’ balcony entrances. A large vase of roses sat in the center. Surprisingly, it held dying ones. They didn’t have a fresh color anymore. The petals had browned and hardened around the tips. If I grabbed one, I knew it would crumble in my hands.
I should get some fresh ones. Evie loves roses.
I moved past the table. From here, I could see that she’d left her door open. Long, baby blue curtains waved in and out of her suite, swaying out to the balcony and then disappearing back in.
The sun had just begun to set. Violets replaced bright blue. Lights came on in buildings. More cars traveled Ocean Drive. I hoped shadows hid my nakedness from the people who traveled below. We were up on the eighth floor. I had a bit of an advantage.
Maybe I should’ve put on a towel.
Shivers ran over my skin.
No. I’m fine. I’ll be in and out.
If Evie looked outside, she’d probably spot me. But if her room had the same layout as mine, her computer desk would be in front of the balcony entrance, facing in the other direction. I could get a good view of her screen, and she’d have her back to me.
A male voice drifted onto the balcony. “Did you enjoy it?”
“I did,” Evie said.
I cringed. I could tell she smiled as she said it. Her voice always lightened when her cheeks rose. I should’ve turned around and gone back inside to my own suite, but I didn’t.
It’s not Pipe. Is it Lamm?
I crept
closer.
“You’re talented,” Evie said.
How many times had she told me the same thing? Granted, I wasn’t the only skilled man to walk the earth, but she didn’t have to tell him that.
The guy’s voice came next. “Thank you. And you’re looking beautiful as usual today.”
They’re on fucking Skype? I lick you like that on the plane, and you sit in front of the computer and talk to this piece of shit right after?
What had I expected? Instant love once my tongue touched her flesh? Maybe I imagined it? I sure wouldn’t have ruined my knees because of it if I’d know that she’d jump to talk to Mary’s Little Lamb after I finished.
Who am I kidding? I still would’ve licked her.
I walked over some more. With each step, I told myself that I should turn around. I just had to see what the idiot looked like. Could I get a quick glance of him on the screen?
“Thank you,” she said. “And you’re looking good yourself.”
“Enough about me. How’s your emergency trip?” Lamm asked. “Is everything okay?”
“Well, I’m fine. I don’t know about everyone else.” She sighed. “And my trip? It’s going.”
Even worse, I got an erection. Perhaps it was in the way she sounded. Just like the Evie that I remembered long ago, before I messed with her heart. My dick grew, pointing out in front of me.
“How’s your friend?” he asked.
“Not sure yet. I hope to know soon.”
His voice lowered. “Ev?”
Ev? That’s not her fucking name douchebag.
“I’m fine, Lamm. Trust me when I tell you this. You can’t help me with this situation. But it will all be fine. I think so.”
“It will.”
“I hope so.”
I arrived at her opened door. The curtains brushed against the tip of my cock. Although horny, my head rang. Blood boiled in my heart. I had to get a good look at this piece of shit bastard. I needed more time to get Evie back, and this asshole was sending her videos of him playing piano.
He probably reads her poetry too. Probably writes it. He’s so awesome. I wonder how awesome he would be with my hands around his neck.
“What’s that?” the guy asked.
I leaned in to hear the conversation further.
“What’s what?” Evie replied.
“What’s that huge thing behind you? Holy shit! Is that a man?”
Evie screamed.
Someone’s in there? Some man’s behind Evie! What the fuck?
I barreled through the room, taking down the curtains and rod with me. Evie shrieked as I bumped into her. I shoved the curtains off my arms. “You okay? What guy?”
“Ah!” Evie screamed.
“Where is he?”
“Jesus, Jay!”
“Where is he?”
“He’s right here, dickhead.” She pointed to me.
“What?”
“You are the man in my room!” Evie hit my arm. “And why are you naked?”
“Me?” I touched my chest.
“You’re the guy, dick weed. What the hell were you doing?”
“Why is he naked?” Lamm asked from the computer screen.
Evie lowered her gaze to my cock, blushed, and then turned around. But she’d fucked up with that quick look. She let me see how much I could still get to her.
I scanned the room. “No guy is in here.”
“You’ve been drinking?” She kept her back to me.
“You’re in enough trouble with me.” I pointed my finger at her. “Answer my question first.”
“What do you mean I’m in trouble with you?” She spun around and did her best not to look down at my cock, but in all honesty, she did a shitty job. And that just fueled the erection.
“I didn’t do anything to you,” she countered. “And put some clothes on.”
“Put them on for me.”
“You’re drunk.”
Someone cleared their throat. I turned in that direction and remembered that the idiot still sat on the computer, watching us and monitoring how everything unfolded.
I glared at him. “Are you taking notes, buddy? Or just checking out my dick?”
“You know this guy, Evie?” Lamm kept his focus on me.
“Umm...yes.” She stepped in front of me as if to shield my nudity from him. “This is my friend for a long time. We grew up together.”
“And dated,” I added.
She cleared her throat. “And then we broke up, although we’re very close.”
I wagged my cock at the screen. “Very close.”
“Fuck you, Jay.” She turned back to the screen. “Lamm, remember? I sort of told you about my two best friends, Jay and Pipe.”
“Yeah.” Lamm had blonde hair and blue eyes. No muscle at all. Slim shoulders, but not skinny. His type got the gentle girls, the ones that didn’t want a protector. The kind that wanted a friend to fall in love with. If I was an alpha, he was beta or something like that.
All I knew is that I could break his arm in seconds. I hoped he understood that in my gaze. “This is what you like now, Evie?”
“You’re drunk. Get out of here.” Evie rushed over to the computer and bent over to grab the mouse. “Lamm, I’m so sorry. This is Jay. We can talk later—”
“After we’re done making love of course,” I added.
“Get out of here, please,” she said through clenched teeth and returned to the douche. “Can I call you right back? I should make sure he gets to bed okay.”
“Yeah. Help me to bed, Evie.” I nodded. “That sounds like the best idea all night.”
She blew out a long breath.
I had to admit. Lamm maintained his cool and never even turned to her. His attention rested on me. If he could’ve come through the screen, he probably would’ve.
“You think you’re my competition, huh?” I flipped him off. “Evie’s boyfriends come and go. Every time. I’ve seen many of you around her. None stay.”
“So, I will talk to you later.” Evie tried to get his attention. “Lamm?”
On the screen, he set his hands on his desk and knitted his fingers together. “It must be very hard for you to lose, Jay.”
“You talking to me?” I marched over to the screen. “What did you say?”
“Nothing.” Evie blocked out my view. “Okay, I’m ending this video call—”
“I hope not.” Lamm smiled. “I was just getting to know him, and I’m really worried. I think you should call hotel security. He’s beyond out of control.”
“He’s fine.” She pushed me away, but I never budged. “I’m just going to walk him back to his room—”
“Like a child?” Lamm asked.
“A child, huh? You’re a piano player and a comedian?” I leaned down in front of the webcam dot. “Let’s hope your funny jokes don’t get those fingers broken.”
“Really, Jay?” She closed the laptop and ended the call. “Just really?”
“Oh, he’s not innocent.”
“Get out of my room. What are you doing in here anyway? How did you get on my balcony?”
“They’re attached.”
“That doesn’t mean you get to walk over naked.”
“I thought somebody was in here bothering you.”
“No, you didn’t.”
I crossed my arms across my chest. “I heard you talking to him and wanted to get a good look. Then you both said something about a guy. If I’d known it was me, I would’ve ducked and hid. But my dumb ass is drunk right now. I get it. I freaking ran in here like a moron. Love makes you do crazy things.”
“This isn’t love. This is your ego,” she countered.
“How’s that?” I closed the small distance between us, my cock pushing against her thigh.
“You’re disgusting,” she whispered.
“Then why don’t you move away?” I slid it closer on her thigh. “Evie, I miss you so much. I dream about your naked body, wet and soft.”
She trembled against me. “Go to your room. You call this love? This is your ego. You’re just upset that someone else is...”
It was at that moment I realized my hands were fisted, and I’d leaned forward and pressed my forehead against hers. “That someone else is doing what? Fucking you?”
I had to calm down.
“Back up, Jay.”
I did. “That someone else is doing what? Have you met each other face to face?”
“Not yet.”
“But he wants to?”
“Yes.”
“And what’s going to happen, when you see him?”
“I have no idea. Lamm is a nice guy, but I barely know him. We talk, but we don’t divulge. We’re both being careful. We both have just broken up with someone we really loved.”
“I don’t like you saying ‘we’ and referring to you and him.”
An exasperated breath escaped her lips. “You could’ve just asked to see a picture. Don’t ever sneak in my room like this. And, at all times, wear clothes around me.”
“I was walking in the moment and not thinking.”
“You weren’t thinking. That was embarrassing. You enjoy doing that to me, don’t you?”
I raised my hands in surrender. “Will you ever let me live the Heisman ceremony down?”
And then, she did the unexpected. She rapped that stupid song that had my name in it.
“Get it in, all day, I pimp like Jay. Got the Heisman, in ruining bitches’ hymens. I be on my quarterback hustle. These haters defense, flexing no muscle. Quarterback!”
“That doesn’t answer my question. “When are you going to forgive me for that?”
She placed her index finger to her forehead and tapped her feet. “Hmmm. Let me think about that. Maybe next year. We’ve still got some months left.”
“Fine.”
“Goodnight.”
I frowned. “Come sleep with me, please.”
“Are you kidding me?”
I grabbed the sides of my head and exhaled. “Please.”
She opened her mouth but said nothing.
I released my head, dropped my hands to the side, and slumped my shoulders. She might’ve felt sorry for me, if not for the erection. Now I just looked like a pervert in her room when in the end, I was just crumbling on the inside.
The COMPLETE Coventon Campus Series: Books I, II, & III Page 42