I can tell by his face that there is something he wasn’t saying; I’m not getting the whole story. “What aren’t you telling me?”
He looks up at me and I know I caught him. “I found an envelope with a lot of money in it, and I mean a lot. It is in his underwear drawer under a bunch of clothes.” I’m shocked. Shawn doesn’t work so I have no idea where he would get that kind of money, and why he wouldn’t be keeping it in a bank.
“Could it be something that his family sent him?”
“No. His dad has a construction company, but it isn’t doing very well right now. There is no way he gave him that kind of money. I don’t want to believe it, but whatever he is into, I know it can’t be good and I seriously doubt that it is legal.”
I have no idea how to respond at this point. Everything I thought I knew about Shawn is slowly fading away. I can’t even imagine how Jason and Carter feel; they have known each other for years. We all end up leaving shortly after, because no one is really in the mood to sing and have a good time.
Carter and Jason go back to his apartment. They want to wait and try to get through to Shawn or at least figure out what is going on. I take Maddy home so we can hang out because we hadn’t really had that much girl time lately. We decide to make some popcorn and just hang out for the night.
“So, how are things with Jason?”
“They are so good, Mads. He seems like he is getting more comfortable with the whole relationship thing, and the sex is phenomenal. I umm…I think I’m in love with him.” I can’t believe I just said that out loud. I know Mads will never say anything, but it feels so much more real now that I have said it to someone.
“I can see that you love him. I think he does too. He won’t admit it for a very long time, though. He may not even know that is what he is feeling right now, but I see it when he looks at you.”
She thinks that Jason is in love with me? I don’t think there is any way in hell that is true. He likes me, and he is definitely attracted to me, but I don’t think love has crossed his mind at all.
“Stop overanalyzing it, girl. That boy has fallen and fallen hard for you.”
We spend the next couple hours catching up and I realize that I need to make girl time more because I really miss it. When I get back home, Christen and Holly are hanging out on the couch. It still amazes me how much Holly and Carter look alike; you would almost think they are twins.
“Hey, Nic! I can’t believe we are seeing you come home without crazy sex hair. Did Jason not feel up to it tonight?”
I sit down and throw a pillow at her. “Shut up, Christen! Don’t be jealous because Shawn hasn’t been around enough for you to make your move!” Christen has a huge crush on Shawn, but with the way he is lately, I don’t know if that is a good thing.
Holly stands up and starts walking toward the stairs. “Thank the Lord you are home, Nic. If I had to hear her talk about that boy for one more minute, I swear my ears might start bleeding. Goodnight, bitches.”
We all start to laugh as Holly makes her way upstairs. I am so glad that Mads had told me they were looking for a roommate. We all click really well, and the house that Christen’s dad rented is amazing. “So, what’s up, chick? Are you really trying to get with Shawn?”
“I don’t know, Nic. I mean, he barely gives me the time of day. Not only that, but my dad would flip, you know how he is.”
Christens dad is some big business tycoon, and is concerned with having the best of everything. Unfortunately, in Christen’s case, this means the perfect daughter, who has the perfect job, and the perfect relationship. “Screw your dad, Chris. You deserve to be happy and do what you want. You can’t always live your life for someone else. If you do, then it’s not your life anymore.”
“I know you’re right. It doesn’t even matter, though. Shawn is not interested in me. If he were, I feel like something would have happened already.”
If this makes me a bad friend then so be it, but I am glad Shawn isn’t giving her the time of day. Whatever he is into right now is not something she needs to get dragged into.
Chapter Seventeen
Jason
Two weeks later
Tonight is the last night of Nicole’s play, and I have been going to every single one. It does not get any easier to understand the language, though. Half of the time, I just zone out and stare at her, thinking about what we will be doing when we get home. Having to sit here and watch her kiss Aaron on a daily basis for the last week has really been getting to me.
That asshole knows exactly how to push my buttons, and he is about to get another reminder of why that is a bad idea. Most guys would go away after getting humiliated and punched in the face, but not him. He still has this crazy idea that Nicole actually wants him. I am all for being confident and cocky, but he is straight up delusional.
I love all of the costumes Nic wears in this play. Every dress she has on seems to make her tits look even better than they normally do. I asked her about it the other night and she said it was because of something called a corset. I want to invest in one for her to wear seven days a week.
I start to get anxious, because I know the part where they are going to kiss will be coming up soon. Thank God this is going to be the last night that I will have to watch this shit. When he presses his lips to hers, I grip the armrest so hard that it hurts. And don’t relax until he backs off.
How do actors do this on a regular basis? Sometimes their girls need to get in bed and roll around with a guy. Why can’t Nicole want to be an accountant or something?
After the play ends, the cast lines up to take their bows and stuff. Just as everyone is walking away, that dickhead grabs Nicole and kisses her. I can’t see what happens next, because they shut the curtain. I am up and running backstage before it is all the way shut. When I get to the stage, I see Aaron lying on the floor clutching his dick and moaning. I start laughing, and then go to look for my girl. It takes me a few minutes before I finally catch sight of her.
“Jason!”
When I look behind me, she has gotten changed and has the biggest smile on her face. “Hey, babe. Congratulations on your last show. Also, good work laying Aaron out. You saved me the trouble.”
She laughs and leans up to kiss me. I don’t think it will ever be possible for me to get tired of her. I always thought being tied to the same girl would be boring, but with her it is anything but. “Listen, I planned a girls’ night since we are going to my dad’s house tomorrow and then to yours for winter break. We all wanted to get together for one last night.”
“I thought I was going to have you to myself for tonight.” I have basically been living alone since everything went down with Shawn and Maddy. He comes in after I’m in bed and leaves before I wake up.
“Do not pout at me J, I’m sure you will survive for one night. Besides, you will have me all to yourself for the next month.”
She starts walking out of the theater and I follow her. I can’t wait to get away for winter break. I think I might finally be able to tell her I love her. It scares the shit out of me to even think about it, but it scares me more to know it is true.
Nicole
I am going to miss hanging out with Jason tonight, but I need a girls’ night before we leave for winter break tomorrow. He isn’t helping much either. It is taking me twice as long to get ready with him here. I finally get my dress and heels on. When I walk out of the bathroom, he is sitting on the bed where I left him, still pouting. “So…how do I look?”
He lifts up his head and just stares at me.
“What?”
“Please tell me that what you have on is like the lingerie for the real dress you are wearing out.” I can’t help but laugh. Yes, the dress I have on is short, but it is far from lingerie. Jason walks over to my closet and starts to look through what I have. “Here, wear this instead.” He throws something at me. I hold it up and look at him like he is crazy.
“This is a fucking turtleneck that my grandmother ga
ve me at Christmas. The only reason I still have it, is because she expects to at least see it around the holidays.”
“Well, I think your grandmother has great taste!”
“It has a fucking reindeer on it! You know what? I can’t do this right now.” I throw the turtleneck back at him. “I’m leaving. If you can manage to get your head out of your ass and act normal, I’ll see you when I get back.”
Damn, he is so frustrating. I know he worries and everything, but sometimes it is way over the top.
Holly wants to go to this new club tonight, and it is packed. I don’t care. I’m not here to hook up or get drunk out of my mind. I just love to go out with my friends, dance, and have fun.
I am so lost in the music, I barely notice someone behind me. I turn around, give him the ‘I’m not interested’ wave, and keep dancing. He doesn’t leave, though. He puts his hands on my hips and pulls me back against him. At this point, I can feel how ‘excited’ he is to be dancing with me, and I need him to leave. I turn around and lean close to his ear so he can hear me over the music. “I’m sorry, I have a boyfriend.”
“Yeah, and I have a fucking cat at home.”
“Um…okay.”
“I thought we were talking about things that didn’t matter.”
Is he serious? “He does matter. Now, please get off of me.” I go to remove his hands, but he only digs them in deeper. Now he is hurting me and I am starting to panic. Holly and Christen are making their way back from the bar and I shoot them the ‘save me please’ look. Holly tries to take my hand and pull me over to her, but Mr. Grabby hands won’t let go.
I reach my hands down again to take them off of me, but he moves quickly and traps mine under his. Now I can’t move them at all. Before I know what is happening, Christen is walking up with one of the bouncers, who thankfully gets him away from me.
“You okay, mama?”
“Yeah, Chris thanks.”
After another half hour, I need to pee and text Jason. I just want to let him know I am fine and that I will see him soon. I tell the girls I’ll be back and make my way down the hallway toward the bathroom. I am just about to go in, when I am pulled into another room, which judging by the looks of it is a storage room.
Before I can say anything, a hand is clamped over my mouth and I am backed against the wall. In the dim light, I can make out the guy from the dance floor. Fuck. He leans in and runs his nose up and down my neck. My heart races and I instantly break out in a nervous sweat. The panic inside me is rising rapidly.
“You smell delicious.”
All of the alarms in my head are blaring and I don’t know what to do. I do the first thing I can think of and bite down on his hand that is holding my mouth closed. He yelps in pain and I try to move around him. His hand catches me around my throat and slams me back against the wall.
“You little bitch!” He backhands me in the face and I can feel blood dripping from my lip, into my mouth. He grabs both of my hands and holds them above my head with one of his. He is rubbing his hands all over me and I felt like I am going to be sick. “You dance like a little whore. Let’s see if you feel like one.”
He starts to kiss my neck and I can smell the mix of alcohol on his breath. His free hand starts sliding down my side, and making its way in between my legs. He starts inching up my dress. Please, God, no. Just then, the door flies open and I see someone standing in the doorway.
Jason.
Chapter Nineteen
Jason
When I walk in and see some guy with Nicole my heart stops. “Get your fucking hands off of her, now!” I scream as I charge at him.
The asshole turns around and looks at me. “Don’t worry, pal, I’m sure this one will be up for two rounds.” He turns back to her and I reach him, pulling him off of her and throwing him to the ground. Then, I get on top of him and start hitting him wherever I can. I hear bones cracking and he is begging me to stop, but I can’t.
Then I feel a hand on my arm, trying to pull me off. “Please, Jason, stop!” I turn around and Nicole is standing there looking petrified. That’s when I see her lip. It is split open and dripping blood. That motherfucker hit her. I turn back to him, but Nicole grabs me again. “J, stop! You won’t be any good to me in jail.”
I know she is right, but I can’t stay in this room and not kill him. I grab her hand and start to lead her out of the club. When we pass the door, I nod to my friend Max. He works as a bouncer here and called me when he had to get that animal off Nicole the first time. When we get to my car, I feel like I can finally breathe.
I pull her over to me and stand in front of her so she is pressed against the car. I bring my hand up to her face and brush my finger over her lip. She winces with pain and it takes every inch of self-control I have not to go back in there and find the bastard.
“Are you okay?” She nods her head at me, but I can tell she isn’t. Her eyes won’t meet mine, almost as if she is ashamed. “Let’s get you home.” We don’t talk the whole way home, and I really don’t know what to say. I can’t think straight with all the anger rolling through me and I’m not good with emotional situations when I do have my head on straight.
I bring Nicole right up to my room and grab her one of my shirts to sleep in. When she takes off her dress, I see tiny little bruises on her hips. As soon as she sees them, she looks at me and confirms my suspicions. That asshole bruised her.
“Fuck!” I can’t do anything but scream right now. I am so damn frustrated. I turn around and punch the closest thing near me, which ends up being the wall. Shit, that hurt.
I freeze when I hear her start to cry. Here I am acting like a raging maniac and I don’t even stop to think how it is affecting her. I go over to her and wrap my arms around her.
“I need to take a shower.” She pulls away from me, and starts to make her way to the bathroom. I take my jeans and shirt off, and move to follow her. She stops, turns around, and puts her hand on my chest. “I, um…I kind of just want to shower alone right now.”
Shit, is she pissed at me? I sit on the bed and listen to the sounds of the shower. I hate myself for not being there to protect her. It’s my job and I fucking failed at it tonight. Once I hear the water turn off, I know she will be out soon. When she emerges, I go up to her and wrap her in my arms. Then I shut off the light, and lead her to the bed.
“I’m sorry I was being a dick, babe.” I lie down, hold her close to me, and she starts to cry again. When she stops, I lift her chin up so that she is looking at me.
“I’m here, babe, and I’m not going to let anyone hurt you, okay?” She nods her head. Is it okay to kiss girls after stuff like this, or is there like a waiting period? Fuck it. I never second-guessed myself before and I’m not going to start now. I lean my head down and kiss her softly and slowly. It isn’t one of those ‘let me rip your clothes off and fuck you’ kisses, it is an ‘I’m going to take care of you’ kind of kiss.
“Jason, I want you. I want you to erase every moment of tonight and replace them with you.”
I realize that tonight is going to be the first time that we will be doing more than just having sex. Tonight, I am going to make love to her. I slowly pull off the shirt she is wearing and ease down her underwear before taking off my own.
We keep kissing and touching each other as I ease my way on top of her. This time, when I slide inside of her, it isn’t rushed and rough. I make sure to be gentle and I take my time. Each time I slide in and out of her feels like heaven. I have never had a girl like this before. I have never had sex mean anything, until Nicole. I want it to matter and I want to show her how I feel, even if I’m not ready to say it.
“I’m close, J.”
“Me too, baby.” I lean down and kiss her mouth. “You are so fucking gorgeous.” We come together at that moment. Even then, it isn’t the loud screaming; it is a content and peaceful moment of pure happiness.
When we are lying there, Nicole turns to me. “How did you know to come looking for
me?”
She isn’t going to like this, but I’m also not going to apologize for it either. “One of my friends from class works there. I told him that you were going to be there and asked him to keep an eye on you. He called me when he had to pull the asshole off of you the first time.”
She leans up to kiss me, and then rests her head on my chest. “Thank you for caring so much. I know I might get on you for it sometimes, but you are amazing.” Within a few minutes, her breathing evens out and she falls asleep on me.
* * *
As we are pulling into Nicole’s driveway, I start to get nervous. I have never had a girlfriend before, so I have never needed to go through the whole meet the parents thing. At least she said that her dad and stepmom aren’t getting home until tomorrow.
“Come on,” she says, grabbing my hand and leading me through the house. Jesus, this house is big. I was never wealthy growing up, so this all seems surreal to me. “I have been living in the pool house since senior year. I wanted my own space and my dad saw this as a compromise.”
When we get into the pool house, my mouth drops open further, if that is even possible. It must be as big as the first floor of my house. You can immediately tell that Nicole lives here. Every decoration is pink, or some form of animal print. “Nic, this is really…nice.”
She drops her bags on the floor and turns around to look at me. Then she reaches up and wraps her arms around my neck. “Thank you for coming home with me. I know this isn’t something that you are really comfortable with.” She leans up and kisses me.
“Baby, you have me so goddamn whipped that I would do anything for you.” I want to tell her I love her. Maybe I will tonight. I know that I do with all of my heart and that she feel the same. However, knowing it and saying it out loud are two different things. She takes my hand and leads me over to her couch.
When I sit down, she straddles my lap. “Thank God my dad will be gone until tomorrow. I have plans for you, Tarzan.” She starts kissing me again, but this time there is a blazing fire between us. We have this amazing chemistry together. Whenever we touch my whole body springs to life.
Wait For Me Page 9