“Damn Petra...”
“I’m just saying, if you’re going to be stubborn about this, then I don’t wan to hear about your broken heart any more. And don’t get me involved in any more stupid schemes you come up with to find the perfect boyfriend. Because there’s no such thing. But a guy who’s pretty freakin’ close was sleeping outside our door when I came home last night because he’s worried sick about you.”
“What?” Reagan shook her head as she tried to wrap her mind around this new information. “Ian slept outside our door all night?”
“Well, until about four o’clock, yeah.” Petra nodded enthusiastically. “I had to convince him you weren’t dead in an alley somewhere because you weren’t answering his calls before I kicked up him back to his own apartment.” Then she put up her hands. “But that’s not love.”
“That’s just guilt.”
“Seriously?”
Reagan opened her mouth again, but nothing came out. She looked to Katie for help, but Katie just shrugged. “I’m with her on this one.” She admitted.
“Thanks.” Reagan said sarcastically.
Petra walked back into the living room with her juice, but instead of sitting down, she just stood over them. “Look just hear the guy out. What harm is listening for a few minutes gonna do? You can always hang up the phone if you don’t like what he has to say.”
“True.” She said thoughtfully. “But now I’m nervous.”
“Why?”
“Because I have a confession, and I don’t want to admit it to Ian.” Reagan breathed deeply, preparing to reveal her secret. “I kissed Brett last night.”
“What?” Petra all but dropped her cup in astonishment. Instead, she flopped onto the pillows and grabbed Reagan’s shoulders, shaking her a little at the revelation. “When did this happen?”
“After I saw Ian and Isabella. Brett was standing by the door on the way out, and I just had to know if there was anything there. So I kissed him.”
“And?” Every fiber of her being was begging for the detail that Reagan was so enjoying withholding from her.
“It was like kissing my brother.”
Petra groaned in disgust. “So nothing at all? Not even one little spark?”
Reagan shook her head in disappointment, but she was glad at least that part was over with.
“Then don’t even mention it.” Petra decided for her. “If there’s absolutely no chance anything will come of it, I’d say it’s a wash, considering the circumstances.” Katie was shrugging her agreement.
“So now what?” She asked her panel of advisors.
“Call him.” Petra said firmly as she stood to leave the room. “I’m serious about this.”
Reagan merely glanced at her phone, trying to summon the courage.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
But Reagan hadn’t called Ian. Whether the call would end up in them breaking up for good, just staying friends or working it all out, she was scared senseless of the unknown. Of the having to move forward from this strange spot she’d worked them into. And she was scared that no matter which way they went, it would never be the same again. Never be as strong or as perfect, and that was almost worse than if it never became anything at all.
She’d decided a fun night out with more than one strong drink was in order to help build up her courage, and she figured she owed it to Katie after the horrible greeting she’d supplied that morning. So, the three girls had gone downtown to the Blue Nickel café, where they’d spent hours laughing and forgetting about all the men in their lives. Petra had pulled strings with her connections, and the restaurant had provided a beautifully lit birthday cake before leading the entire room in song in her honor. In a way, Reagan felt like it’d repaired a little of the damage she might have caused by bailing on the party. And it’d been a nice break.
Still, Reagan couldn’t shake the plaguing feeling that Ian might show up at any minute. That he would just walk through the door and scoot into the booth next to them. It was exactly where he should be, which made her wonder where he actually was. What he was doing, and who he was with. A little prickle of jealousy worked its way into the curiosity, but she had to remind herself she was the one at fault. She could’ve answered his calls, worked it out, invited him to tag along. But she hadn’t. And when he didn’t just randomly show up, she forced herself to swallow her disappointment and further determined she was going to have to make the next move. And soon.
Once Petra had gone to bed and Katie was tucked in on the couch, Reagan laid awake just staring up at her ceiling fan. The alcohol was swimming nicely in her head, but not so much that it was helping her rest. In fact, she almost felt a surge of anxious energy that she needed to work out. Making up her mind, she grabbed a light sweater and snuck out her door. After peeking over at Katie and deciding a quick walk was safe enough, she crept out the front and locked it softly behind her.
She glanced up at Ian’s apartment, half wondering what would happen if she were to knock on his door. Would he invite her in, or slam it shut in her face? Would there be someone else with him on the other side already, or would he pull her in and show her what making up was supposed to feel like? The latter intrigued her, then she decided it was just the alcohol at work. The lights were off anyway, and considering the time, she really didn’t want to wake him up. Instead, she tiptoed down the stairs and crossed the street to stroll across campus.
Reagan hadn’t had any particular destination in mind, and she wasn’t exactly sure where she was heading when she’d first started out. So it surprised her when she found herself standing in front of the stadium, looking up at the tall iron gates with an enormous curiosity plaguing her mind. She slid one hand up the cool iron rod, wondering to herself if she had the courage to go in by herself. If it’s open, I’m going for it. Giving it a gentle nudge, she found it had only been pulled closed, and wasn’t actually locked. Creaking as it gave way, there was enough room to slip her body through, and she quickly disappeared into the shadows of the large structure.
She hadn’t been sure if she could remember the way up to Ian’s secret spot, but her body seemed to remember the direction, and she quickly found herself about to step out onto the rows of seats to finish climbing up. Taking a deep breath, she summoned her courage and relied on the alcohol to numb her initial anxiety about the height. Then she thought about Ian, and how safe he’d made her feel that night, and she held on to that feeling as she wound her way up.
Before she knew it, she’d stepped into the alcove and a blanket of twinkling stars spread out above her. It was no less magical the second time she’d seen it, but she couldn’t help the little twinge in her stomach that something was missing.
No, not something, she reminded herself. Someone. There was a little part of her that half expected to find him here, and she imagined that it was her subconscious desire to see him that had led her to this spot. She felt closer to him here, to the memory of what they’d shared here, without having to make herself vulnerable to him completely.
As she spent several long minutes breathing deeply of the cool night air, and allowing it to clear her mind, she made the decision to call Ian first thing in the morning. There was no reason why a friendship as special as theirs, and a love as strong as theirs could be, should be ruined over one misunderstanding. It wasn’t that she needed him, she didn’t need any man really. But she very much wanted him to be in her life. And she was being ridiculous and scared and had blamed him for the faults of so many other people. It was time to stop all that and be a different person.
Her resolution firm, Reagan stood to start making her way back, but she stopped dead in her tracks when a shadow moved in front of her.
“You’re the last person I thought I’d find here.”
Her breath caught in her throat as Ian stepped from the shadows, his broad shoulders slumped in what could only be uncertainty as he gauged her reaction, looking over every inch of her. No doubt he was waiting for her to yell, to cry, to
have some sort of dramatic reaction. But he was there. And he was alone. And she’d never been quite so happy to see anyone as she was in that moment.
“Where you expecting to see anyone at all?” She could barely force the whisper from her lips.
“No.” He was half smirking, half laughing as he uttered the word. It seemed to relax him, and he thrust his hands deep into his pocket before stepping forward. “No one knows about this place except you. But I didn’t think you’d ever come here again.”
There it was, that tilt of his chin that she’d always found so damn appealing. “Why not?” She still couldn’t move, and the closer he came to her, the more frozen she felt. Not because she was rigid with anger or fear or uncertainty. Rather, it seemed to be her only way of stopping herself from falling into his arms now that they were so close.
“I thought you were still mad at me. You haven’t been answering my calls.” He stepped forward again, and now she could feel the heat radiating from his body. It warmed the center of her, and she closed her eyes, breathing deeply before speaking again. She didn’t want to have this conversation. She just wanted to fast-forward through the awkwardness, to the part where he was holding her again, kissing her again.
“No, I’m not mad. Petra told me what really happened.”
“Then what’s going on?”
“I guess I’ve been scared. And a little embarrassed. And I’m not really sure what to do with all that.”
“Look, Reagan.” He was standing right next to her now, his hand gliding casually up and down her arm in soothing strokes. “It was a mistake for me to even talk to her last night, I’ll own that. But I learn from my mistakes, and I don’t repeat them. I promise nothing like that will ever happen again.” He was laughing to himself at the memory now. “I think I made it pretty clear to everyone in the room that you’re the only one I’m interested in anyway. I doubt anyone else would try something like that. Not for a long time.”
Reagan found herself smiling as well, she couldn’t help it. But she also knew he was right. She could feel it in her gut that she could trust him, that it had all been a misunderstanding. Hell, even Petra had vouched for him, and she was as fiercely loyal as a friend could be.
“I love you Reagan. I’ve never felt like this with anyone before,” He cupped the side of her face gently with his hand, stroking the side of her cheek with his thumb until she felt her insides all but melt. “and I don’t want to lose you over something so stupid.”
“You won’t.” She reassured. “You haven’t.” And she pulled at his hand until it was wrapped around her waist, until their bodies were pressed together and their foreheads met in a simple acknowledgement. What passed between their eyes under the intensity of their gaze spoke more than their words would ever be able to convey, but somehow they understood each other in those moments and there was nothing more that needed to be said.
With lips just barely apart, Reagan’s breath was coming as fast as her heartbeat until she was dizzy with the sensation and could no longer think. But she could feel her center warming, burning as his grip tightened around her body, as his hands began to search. Then his mouth crushed over hers, and every emotion flooded through her. She met his force, no longer able to hold back, as she nipped at his lip and took them deeper. By the time they resurfaced, they were both breathless with need, but the top of the stadium wasn’t exactly the ideal place. Not when it meant this much to her.
Instead, she pushed him back in a teasing sort of way and laughed. “Come on, let’s go.”
“Think I can get you back into my apartment this time?”
She turned back on him, mouth open in feigned insult, to see a mischievous glimmer alighting his entire face. “Don’t count on it buddy. You’re going to have to try a little harder than that!”
“Is that a dare?” Though he was laughing, there was a depth to his voice that suggested his intent. It trembled inside her, anticipation rising until it all but paralyzed at her again. Before she could answer, he’d swung her up into his arms, cradling her against his chest. She let out a little squeal despite herself. “I’d do anything for you. You know that, right?”
Reagan smiled up at him, and threw her arms around his neck. “Maybe.” She teased, but everything about her expression was a confident yes.
“Good.” Then he gave her a gentle peck on the tip of her nose, and placed her on her feet again. Intertwining his fingers with hers, he lead her out of the stadium, and across the lawn, where he went about attempting to win that dare...
IF YOU ENJOYED READING THIS BOOK...
I would love for you to help other readers enjoy it as well! Please RECOMMEND it to your friends and social media contacts, or REVIEW it on the site from which you purchased it. If you do happen to write a review, please email me at [email protected], and I’ll send you a personal thank you email.
Other titles available by R.S Novelle/ Renee Novelle
Calculated, Discovered Series Book #1
Driven, Discovered Series Book #2
Reflections
Upcoming titles by R.S. Novelle/Renee Novelle
Thrillers-
Speak of the Devil (2014)
Avenged, Discovered Series Book #3 (2014)
The Amulet (2014)
White Butterflies (2014)
The Seventh Second (2014)
Women’s Fiction/New Adult-
Go With It (2014)
Paradise Coast (2014)
The Decoy (2014)
The Game (2014)
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Formerly a freelance journalist, Novelle has found placement of her pieces in both online and print publications since 2008. Additionally, she has written multiple screenplays, and contributed her writing to many non-profit and for profit organizations. She has launched several blogs over the years, which garnered international attention.
In 2013, Novelle returned to her first love – fiction. Writing under the names Renee Novelle and R.S. Novelle, she has a publication schedule that includes Psychological Thrillers, Suspense, Paranormal Fiction, Contemporary Women’s fiction, Chick Lit, and New Adult.
Though she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Communication, summa cum laude, she considers herself a constant student of the written word. She’s an avid reader, an enthusiastic quote poster, and rarely takes “no” as a final answer. She has an unhealthy obsession for theater, dance, music and art, and strongly believes that wine is simultaneously the beginning of, and resolution to, all of life’s problems. She believes in following dreams, and that in the end, you always end up where you meant to be.
You can find out more about her books and connect with her here:
Website: www.RSNovelle.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/RSNovelle
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReneeNovelle
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RS_Novelle
The Boyfriend List Page 18