by M. N. Forgy
“Thank you so much for rushing us here,” she says softly, putting her seatbelt on.
“I can’t believe I hit your dog.” I still feel like an asshole, which doesn’t happen often. I mean, I know I can be an asshole, but don’t usually care. I care right now.
Her hand rests on my shoulder in an intimate way causing my dick to twitch in my jersey shorts.
“It’s fine. He’s going to be fine.” She nods with a carefree smile. Looking down, I try and bite through the smirk cutting through my moody scowl I usually have in place, the one that most girls love to hate, but there’s something about River that has me smiling like a fucking schoolboy.
Starting the truck ready to back out, she jerks her head toward me. “Oh, I’m sorry for slapping you.” Her face winces, but I just chuckle. She’s feisty and cute. I like it.
“Nah, it’s fine. It won’t be the last girl to slap me.” I wink, and she blushes before shaking her head and looking out her window.
Driving back to our street I pull into my driveway and turn the engine off. It’s dark and the only sounds to be heard is our breathing. My eyes land on the headband hanging around my rearview mirror. The one the girl left behind in the tent that night. I grab it. River sucks in a tight breath at the sight of it. Turning in my seat, I hold the braided headband in my hand, that night replaying over and over in my mind. The heat of the bonfire, the way she felt pressed up against me, the smell of her still on my skin the next day. The way her eyes flick from my hands to my face, I can tell she’s thinking the same thing but doesn’t confirm it’s hers. It dawns on me there’s only one way to find out. Reaching out, I slowly place it over her head, she doesn’t move. Her cat eyes boring into mine as I place it atop her head like a crown. My fingers grazing her silky hair, it’s just like I remember.
It’s a perfect fit. The final piece to the puzzle of the girl in the tent I met on spring break.
“River,” I whisper, finally knowing the girl that got away.
Teeth graze her bottom lip and she takes in a deep breath.
“What you must think of me,” she half laughs, hiding her face with her hand. Her bracelets of different colors clinking down her forearm.
“Why did you give your virginity to me?” My eyes squint with the question. She doesn’t seem like the type of girl who is fast or easy. I can’t figure her out. She shrugs before beautiful fierce eyes strike me.
“It just felt… right, I guess?”
I smirk and look out the windshield. We were all over each other that night. We danced in the moonlight to country music, the pull between us was so electric, nobody has compared to her since.
A clicking noise has my head snap in her direction, she’s getting out.
“Night!” I holler. Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she hit me with those eyes, as she walks away. The moon painting her with light in just the right way.
Yeah, I’m fucked.
5
River
“They seemed just like normal kids to me.” – Dr. Mark
It’s day two of school and my throat is just as dry as yesterday. I climb out of the SUV, everyone looking at me as I do so. I should really think about getting my license now that we’re in such a small town. Every time I pull up somewhere with my driver escorting me, it turns heads. It’s unneeded attention at this point.
Stepping out, I pull my bag close and head toward the front door. My yellow nomad midi skirt tickles my calves, and the way everyone is staring at me, I can’t help but adjust my choker and necklace anxiously. Looking down, I pull at my blouse that is tied in a knot at my belly button, making sure I’m not showing any skin.
Inside the school, everyone is congregating in their cliques talking before school starts, so I decide to head to the cafeteria and finishing drawing my sunset I’ve been working on.
Huffing, I throw my bag on the table and pull out my pencils.
A waft of Old Spice has my nipples perking beneath my top, and my spine straighten. A large palm caresses my back and Warner suddenly appears at my side. His spotless letterman jacket, blue polo, and ripped jeans has him looking really good.
“You okay this morning?” he asks. Inhaling a large breath, I think about last night’s events. How he hit my dog and rushed us to his vet. It was an intense situation on its own, throw in the draw between us and it was almost unbearable.
“My parents weren’t happy that I didn’t call them when it happened, but everyone’s just happy Huey is alive,” I inform. My parents were both standing on the front porch when I got back, their faces dropping when they saw blood all over my clothes. First they were terrified, then mad, then understanding.
“You’re drawing this early in the morning?” His blue steel eyes meet mine and a grin that stretches more to the right crosses his face. He nervously runs his hand through his golden locks, and for some reason, I have the urge to push the strays that fall back into his eyes to the side.
Looking down, I try to fight back my smile and I look at my work in progress.
“Trying, I guess,” I half laugh. I want to color in what I outlined last night, but I can’t get my mind off the fact he kept my headband all this time. The thought has cursed me all night and morning. I tossed and turned all night wondering what it meant.
He picks up the pencils looking them over.
“What’s your favorite color?” I ask, trying to bring my mind from the thoughts that were plaguing my mind all night.
His eyes pop over the sharp lead, the normal baby blues becoming heated.
“You.”
“Me?” I flinch.
“Yeah, whatever color you are… that’s my favorite color.”
Pursing my lips, I snatch my pencils from him.
“That’s a good one,” I chuckle, laying my colors flat on the table.
“Good what?”
“A good line.”
He tucks a hair behind my ear, and the entire touch sends tingles down my neck.
“Oh, it’s not a line. You are your own color, and if I could tell you what it was, I would. I would fucking wear it every day just to have a piece of River Addington.”
I swallow, my breathing becoming shallow, I slowly bring my gaze to his. A smug smile crosses his face just before he stands.
“Besides, it doesn’t take any lines to get in your pants if I remember.” Hot breath sticks to the shell of my ear, causing my whole body to rise with one large inhale. “Or in your case… you weren’t wearing any…”
I can’t help the liquid heat flushing in my cheeks, and I bite my lip.
“See you after school,” he says, walking away.
“Wait, what?”
He turns to look at me, walking backward. “To pick up Huey.”
I open my mouth to object, but he doesn’t give me a chance before leaving me in a pool of lost words and a colorless sketch of paper.
6
River
“River is not innocent! The day I saw her I knew she was too fast for our town. She probably put some voodoo on Warner!” -Kellie
Only two more classes before I get to meet up with Warner to get Huey. It’s been on my mind all day. In biology class, he took the wobbly desk again and stared at me the entire time. The way he chewed on that pencil, his eyes hooded. I can’t get those damn blue eyes out of my head. Every time we pass each other in the hall we both smile, everything in slow motion as we pass by with our eyes glued to one another through a sea of meaningless people.
My heart pounds with excitement thinking about hanging out with him tonight. My brows furrow at the thought of sex. No, I won’t have sex. It’s bad enough I had sex with him after knowing him only a couple of hours.
The girls hoot and holler, their voices echoing in the locker room dragging me from my thoughts. Pulling off my sweaty gym clothes, I shove them inside a black scratched up locker, the smell of mildew and perfume making me nauseous. Girls giggle behind me. I pop a glance over my shoulder, Kellie and her crew stop laugh
ing and scowl in my direction as if I’m the reoccurring spider they keep trying to kill, and miss.
“It’s so… brave of you not to wear… panties,” Kellie says in an unapproving tone. Her squad all nodding behind her like they really commend me for not wearing underwear. Meanwhile, they all are wearing matching lace bras and thongs, their slender bodies sexy and appealing.
One of the girls behind Kellie has her left hand behind her back. My brows furrow, but she just smiles at me, eyeing me.
I could wear those things if I wanted to, but they’re uncomfortable and over the top. I can’t stand padded or underwire bras squeezing into my chest. I’m more of a bralette kind of girl, and I wear panties sometimes, I just hate how they leave lines in my clothes and cause me to sweat.
I don’t respond to their obvious faux compliment and turn around to grab my regular clothes and get dressed quickly. I hate that there are no private curtains in this damn locker room. They continue to giggle and whisper, and I try and keep my shit together.
Heading up the concrete stairs, away from the locker room and run smack into Warner.
“Shit, sorry!” I lift my chin, shoving the hair out of my face. His brows scrunch together, and he looks me over.
“You okay?”
Taking in a deep breath, I nod. “Yeah, fine.” I’m not fine though, Kellie has me so damn mad.
He looks over my shoulder, and a heat rushes up my spine.
“Hey Warner,” Kellie flirts. I grind my teeth and reposition my bag. “Coming to get me for another photo room session?” she winks, and I notice Warner’s shoulders tense. Nice.
The bell rings, and I give a tight-lipped smile to Warner. “I’d love to stay and talk about hooking up in closets, but that’s the bell.” I sneer.
“River, wait!” Warner tries to grab after me, but I jerk my arm just out of his reach. If he thinks I’m some girl who will hook up in the closet with him whenever his cock gets hard, he’s fucked up more than I thought.
Warner
The bell for my last class rings, but my eyes don’t move off Kellie. Coach can go off on me for being late, something is going on between River and Kellie.
Kellie whispers to one of her girls before sashaying over to me. Gripping her arm, I drag her out of the gym and into the photo room. It’s dark, photos hanging up from the class’s latest project.
“What is going on with you and River?” I snap.
“I knew you couldn’t resist,” she giggles, wrapping her arms around my neck.
My nostrils flare, and I remove her arms, placing them by her side. The smell of her perfume once made my dick stiff, but next to River, it smells like a cheap hooker.
“I didn’t drag you in here to put you on your knees today. I want you to tell me what is going on between you and River.” I glare at her.
“You mean when I welcomed her to the class and she elbow checked me?” She purses her glossy lips, looking at me like I need to have her back but I don’t. I’ve seen Kellie target new kids. She’s fucking brutal.
“Stay away from her. For me.” I try and play whatever card I got. I don’t want her fucking shit up with River and me.
Her cheeks turn red, her face taking an ignorant look.
“Excuse me?” she hisses.
“I just, I know her and she’s –”
“Sure, I’ll look out for her.” Kellie smiles, and I swear horns just spiked through her blonde hair.
Biting my lip, I know I fucked up asking her to stay away.
“I mean it,” I warn, she gives a scout’s honor salute and jerks the door open before walking out.
Waiting my two minutes, I think about warning River about Kellie, but maybe I should just stay the fuck out of it.
Stepping out of the room, Coach is walking out of the office.
“You!” he points at me, and I freeze. “You’re missing my class. Why?”
Shaking my head, I stride toward the locker room. Knowing I’m about to do laps.
River
After last class, I head to my locker finding Warner leaning against it waiting for me. His arms are crossed, and his legs are stretched out in front of him. He juts his head at everyone that passes by and you can tell just by looking at him he’s a big deal in this school, it confuses me why he’s so nice to me when everyone else in this town clearly doesn’t like me and my family.
“I see you found my locker.” I fumble with the combination, a playful smile tugging at my lips. The smell of his spicy body wash has me suddenly aware of everything touching my skin. My nipples ache, and my thighs squeeze together. That night in the tent tries to push to the front of my brain and I remember how hard his chest is, and his chiseled ass.
“I have my ways.” He turns where he stands, throwing his arm over the top of my locker.
Strands of my hair fall loose and I realize he’s running a finger over the headband I’m wearing. The one he gave back to me last night. My eyes flicker up to his in knowing and heat spreads across my face. I grab books I need for the night, and give him an annoyed look, trying to replace my desire with something else.
“Warner,” Kellie’s voice comes up behind me, and it’s like nails on a chalkboard. “The girls and I were going to get together tonight, any chance you and the boys will be out?” Her eyes snap to mine, and I can’t help but give her a sympathetic look. She seems so desperate.
“Sorry, got other things going on,” his tone bored. He looks behind him at the kids walking the hall. I can’t tell if he’s acting like he’s busy for my benefit or if he’s genuinely not interested in her.
“No worries, we are supposed to get bad weather anyway, maybe we’ll stay in.” She shrugs, batting her lashes. “See you around.” She waves before sashaying away.
“You don’t have to come with me to get Huey—”
“River, I hit your dog. Of course I’m coming with you.” His fierce blue eyes turn a shade darker, the vindication in his voice causing me to slow my movements.
“She your girlfriend, or ex-girlfriend?” I can’t help but ask. I need to know, I’m not a homewrecker.
He scoffs. “Neither. I’ve never had a girlfriend,” he says with a disgusted look, and I instantly get the impression he’s scared of commitment. Maybe I shouldn’t be so ecstatic he’s chasing me after all.
Reaching out, his finger trails down my cheek in a sentimental way, and my lips part to allow the sudden harsh breathing to escape. The simple touch making my cheek blaze with memories of the night we were connected, lost in each other in a tent.
“Yeah, I can see that.” My words coming out in a mere whisper. I want to be bold and independent, but when he looks at me like that, touches me like that. I melt like a chocolate bar in the middle of July. I’m an idiot.
Warner
The ride to pick up Huey was quiet with a lot of side looks from one another, and me trying to hide my hard cock. I can’t keep my eyes off her for some reason. The way she walks, talks, hell the way her throat moves when she swallows even. It all affects me in some way.
“His purple cast is so cute,” she laughs, rubbing her finger over the cast that claims Huey’s leg. I smile, but deep down I still feel like an asshole for running over her dog. The way Huey looks at me, he thinks I’m an asshole too.
River leans down reaching for something in her backpack. In her hand is a black marker. Pulling the cap off with her teeth she begins to draw on Huey’s cast. A cute little wrinkle forms between her eyebrows as she focuses on drawing. Moving her arm to the side, I spot a little flower outlined on the purple cast. But in true River fashion, it looks like something that would belong on a gypsy’s dress. The petals curl and the heart of the flower swirls delicately.
“You’re a really good artist,” I compliment.
Ivy eyes peer through black lashes as her hand still on the pen. Pushing the cap to the side of her mouth she says, “Thank you, I love anything artsy.” She glances back down and begins to shade the petals, getting lost in her wor
k.
The way she bloomed with when I said how skilled she was, it’s almost as if nobody tells her how amazing she is at it. Makes me wonder if her family is as fucked up as mine.
Pulling up to her house, which is way bigger than my place, I turn the engine off and throw my arm over the back of the seat. I try and keep my distance though, I don’t want her to think I’m only after her for sex. I’m not. This… I don’t know. There’s just more to us than that.
Just as she puts the lid on the cap, I snatch the pen from her grip and lean over the middle seat to sign my name on Huey’s cast. I mean, I hit her dog. I should sign the cast, right?
“Nine?” River asks, observing my penmanship.
“Yeah, it’s my last name, and lucky number.”
River smiles, running the pad of her finger over my last name.
“Warner Nine,” she whispers my full name. “Why is it your lucky number?”
“Well, it’s my jersey number, locker number, how many tickets I’ve had, how many girls I’ve—”
Her eyes jerk to mine, and I clear my throat and glance anywhere but her way. Sweat builds on the nape of my neck, and I exhale a breath. Why the fuck did I just say that?
“Was I number nine?” she asks softly. My chest tightens, and my dick twitches from the memory of her silky thighs straddling my legs.
“Yeah.” My voice husky as those sultry eyes hit me where it hurts. She’s my lucky number nine.
“Hey, you want to go out - hang out or—?” River looks up at me and I second-guess myself when emerald eyes stare back at me so innocently. “I mean—” Fuck, why am I so nervous.
“Yeah, let me go put Huey inside and I’d love to hang out.” I relax a little, and smirk. “I mean, you did hit my dog, the least you could do is show me a good time.” She winks, and my dick twitches. I want to show her a good time alright, I’m just trying to be a good guy and not grab her by the hair and shut her feisty mouth up with mine like I’ve been dying to all day.
7
River
“River needed to stay away from Warner, he was too good for her! I knew it, everyone did!”