by Nicole Dykes
I point at the street sign across the road, “Wow, it’s really not far from us.”
She shakes her head, “Nope. Just one block down after crossing the street, is what Travis said.”
There are a lot of people out walking tonight. When we cross the street, I notice there are a lot of houses with people sitting out on the porches with obvious parties going on. When we reach the correct address, I can see people are out in the backyard of the house and through the front window I see it’s full of people. I take a deep breath, feeling nervous about my first college party.
Dani is clearly not feeling nervous as she bounces up to the front porch, calling back at me, “Cassie, come on!”
I reluctantly walk up with her and we go inside. The first room we go into is the living room and there are people everywhere. I look around, “Shit, there are a lot of people here. I thought it was a small party.”
She shrugs, “That’s what Travis said. It’s not like it’s a frat house or anything. Relax. Let’s go get a drink.”
I should say no. That would be the smart thing, but of course I don’t go with the smart decision. I follow her to the kitchen where the table is covered with assorted alcohol and drinks to mix them, cups and a keg. “Wow.”
She laughs, “Welcome to college.” She picks up a bottle of Jack Daniels, “Jack and Coke?”
I shake my head, “Whiskey kicks my ass.”
She laughs and holds up a bottle of Captain Morgan Rum, “How about the Captain?”
I smile at her excitement, “Okay, but don’t mix it too strong.”
She scoffs at me and then mixes us both our own rum and Coke. She hands me mine and I take a drink, “Damn, I said not strong.”
She shrugs drinking hers, “Just sip it. Soon you’ll feel good. Besides we are only a couple of blocks away from our dorm, what could happen?”
I don’t even want to think about that, but I take another drink. Dani smiles triumphantly and then shrieks when a large guy comes up behind her and wraps his arms around her, “You made it!”
She turns around, putting on her most flirtatious tone. “We wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
The guy that she introduces to me as Travis, is a good-looking guy. He’s tall, with an athletic build, which every guy here seems to have. We make our way into the living room where we manage to find a spot in a really cute nook in the corner. There is a window seat and two chairs. Travis and Dani take the window seat and like the awkward third wheel I am tonight, I sit in one of the chairs.
A cute, blonde haired guy with the same aforementioned build comes up and says, “Hey, Trav. You better take it easy on the beer. Coach will kick your ass if you get flabby!”
Travis greets his friend, “Hey, Jake. Don’t you worry, my body is in tip top shape.”
Coach? I look over at the new guy. “Coach. Are you guys football players?”
Jake laughs at that, like it’s a crazy question. “Hell yeah we are. Pretty much every guy here is on the team.”
I look around. The football team. Shit. They probably know Hunter and Cam. Hell, they may even know my brother. Dani notices my panic, “What’s wrong?”
I look over at her. I know she’s having fun and I don’t want to ruin that, but I say, “I think we should go.”
“What? We just got here!”
“I know.” My eyes dart around the room. They don’t find Hunter, but then I see Cam and he sees me. Dammit. He walks over with a big grin, “Well, well. If it isn’t Little Monroe.”
I stand up. My drink is almost empty, but I still try to hide it behind my back. Like that’s going to matter. I know my cheeks are flushed already, it always happens even if I have the smallest amount of alcohol. “Cam, hi.”
He seems more amused than angry, “Hey. What are you doing here?”
I point to Travis, “We were invited.”
Cam nods to Travis and he nods back. I guess that’s all the conversation they need. Cam looks back at me, “Hunt, know you’re here?”
I shake my head, “No. Is he not here?”
“Nah, he’s at the gym.”
“Really? Still?” When I had lunch with him earlier he said that he was heading to the gym after.
That intrigues Dani and Cam. I never told Dani about lunch and I guess Cam didn’t know either. Of course, why would he? I’m sure for Hunter it was nothing. He grins, but doesn’t ask. “Again. He’s not too happy about the party, so he headed out when it started.”
“Okay. Well, we were just leaving.”
Dani pipes up, “No, we weren’t. I’m not going anywhere.” Her hand strokes Travis’ thigh.
Cam laughs at that and then focuses on me, “Look, you know I don’t care if you’re here. Just stay out of trouble and maybe leave before Hunter gets back. Should give ya a solid hour. The more pissed off he is the longer he stays at the gym.”
Dani looks at me with pleading eyes, “Okay. We’ll stay for an hour.”
Some girl comes over and drags Cam to dance in the middle of the living room and Jake takes the seat next to me. After some small talk, I notice Travis and Dani are now sucking face on the window seat. Awesome.
Jake laughs, “He works fast.”
“I can see that.”
He gives me a reassuring smile, “Wanna go get a drink? I noticed yours is empty.”
I nod my head and stand up. Anything to get away from the groping and moaning couple. We walk into the kitchen again, “So what are you having?”
I look at the alcohol in front of me, “Rum and Coke, but I’ll make it.”
He grins, “Smart.” He then adds, “Not like I would roofy you, but since you don’t know that. I mean, that’s a smart move at a party. Shit. All of that came out wrong.”
I laugh at his rambling. He really is kind of cute. I mix my drink and we stand in the kitchen and drink for a bit. I finish my second rum and Coke and make a third, already feeling the effects of the strong liquor.
We make our way back to where Dani and Travis were and I don’t see them anywhere. “Shit. Where could they be?”
Jake looks around and then asks another guy that’s standing nearby, “You see, Pearson?”
The guy grins, “Yeah, he took that smokin’ hot chick out the front door.”
What? Dani left me here? No way. I look at the stranger, my head spinning. “Are you sure they left?”
He nodded, “Oh yeah, from the looks of it, they won’t be back.”
“Shit.”
Jake wraps one arm around my waist, I think to steady me. “I can call Trav. Make sure your friend is okay, but he’s a good guy. Known him for a couple of years.”
I nod, “That would be great.”
He calls and confirms that they are on their way to his house. I can hear Dani in the background yelling to tell me sorry and she will see me in the morning. I’m going to kick her ass when I see her.
Jake hangs up and I sit on the window seat that was empty. He sits next to me. “I’m sorry about your friend.”
I wave it off, “It’s okay. She’s going through a weird time.”
I’ve already forgiven her. What a pansy. She’s been my best friend for a long time though. Still we are going to have it out tomorrow.
I take a sip from my drink and Jake wraps his arm around me, “I’ll walk you home when you are ready, but I hope you aren’t ready just yet.”
He gives me a sweet smile and I smile back.
Maybe Dani’s philosophy is right.
Chapter 9
Hunter
After a strenuous workout and a shower at the gym I’m finally calmed down enough to head back home. I hope.
Why the hell Cam feels the need to throw a party I have no idea. It was fine when a few guys from the team came over, but then people I’ve never seen before in my life were there and our house was full. Instead of losing it, I went to the gym.
I park my truck in the driveway and see several people hanging out on the porch, including a couple making
out on the steps. Great. I walk past them all and go inside.
I go to the kitchen and see Cam talking to a few girls and walk over to him. He grins, “Hey, man.”
“This isn’t over yet?”
He laughs and hands me a beer, “It’s your birthday, Hunt. Enjoy it!”
I take a sip of the beer and then a bubbly, drunk girl hops over to me from her group of friends. Cam and his girls seem to slide away, leaving me alone with this overzealous girl who wraps her arms around my neck, “Holy shit! You are Hunter Thompson, aren’t you?”
Thankfully she releases my neck and starts twirling her hair. No joke. She’s actually twirling her hair. “I am.”
“Oh my God, I knew it! You are why I went to this school!”
I look at her, confused, “Huh?”
“Well, I mean not the only reason. It’s a great school and all that, but so is KU. So, when it came down to it I was like you know what K-state has that KU doesn’t? Hunter Fucking Thompson.”
Holy shit. Please tell me Cam put her up to this or something. This chick can’t be for real. I have no idea what to say, “Um, okay.”
She giggles, a really shrill annoying giggle that grates on me. “Wow, Hunter Thompson.” Please stop saying my name. “It wasn’t that long ago that my high school friends and I were talking about what we would do if we ever ran into you at school. Usually we landed on something like lick you all over. All over.”
She licks her lips and I think it’s supposed to be sexy, but I look right past her. “What the hell?”
She puts her hand on my chest, “What’s wrong?”
I put my hand on her hand and she brightens for a second before I use it to remove her hand, “I have to go.”
I don’t wait for her to pout and make my way to the living room nook. I have to be seeing things. This sure as hell can’t be real.
It looks like, Cassie Monroe is making out with one of my teammates right in front of my eyes. He’s almost fully on top of her. His hand is up her shirt and his lips are fucking everywhere. “Cassie?”
This startles them both and she looks up at me. I can tell instantly she’s been drinking. “Hunter? Oh, shit, has it been an hour already?”
I don’t know what that means. I look at Jake, the fury showing in my eyes, “Get off of her.”
He finally removes his hand from under her shirt and stands up, “I’m sorry, Thompson. I didn’t know she was taken. I swear she didn’t say anything.”
“Now you know. She’s off limits. Spread the word.” I growl and he leaves. “Cassie, what the hell are doing here?”
She stands up and then must decide it’s safer to sit because her butt is instantly back on the window seat. “Don’t be mad at Jake. I wanted it.”
I flinch at that and then repeat, “What are you doing here?”
“I didn’t know it was your party. Dani got invited and I had to go with her to keep her safe.”
“And where is Dani?”
Cassie throws her hands up exaggeratedly, “She left! Can you believe that? I’m gonna kick her ass.”
I don’t think she’s in the state to kick anyone’s ass. “So, you just decided to let some stranger grope you in my living room?”
“He’s not a stranger. He’s Jake. You know him. And Cam seemed…”
“Cam knows you are here?”
She smacks her forehead, “Oh yeah, I don’t think he wanted you to know that he knows that I’m here.”
“Alright, let’s go.”
She attempts standing up again, but nearly falls forward. This time I catch her and wrap her arm around my neck. “Where are we going?”
I start toward the door, “I’m taking you home to sleep it off.”
She tries to pull away, but stumbles again and I hold on tighter. I try like hell not to notice the way her body is pressed against mine. “No. I don’t want to go home.”
“Well, too bad.” I pass Cam on the way out and put my hand on his shoulder turning him toward me, “You knew about this shit?”
He looks at Cassie and then back at me, “Fuck.”
“Yeah, she’s drunk off her ass and making out with Jake Barns.”
He laughs, “Oh shit, she’s just having a little fun.”
I’m not amused. “Get everyone out of here by the time I get back or so help me, Cam.”
He nods and I don’t wait for an answer. He knows I’m pissed. I guide Cassie outside and to the passenger side of my truck. “We can just walk, Hunter. It’s only two blocks.”
I unlock the truck and open her door. “You can barely stand, let alone walk.”
“Good point.” She looks up at my truck, “I don’t know if I can get up there though.”
If I wasn’t so pissed I would have laughed. I place a hand on each of her hips and lift her small body up and into the seat of the truck, bringing our bodies ridiculously close in the process. She’s so drunk she actually makes a “wee” sound and laughs.
I make sure she’s buckled and then close the door before climbing into my side and starting the short drive to campus.
She stares over at me, “You shouldn’t be mad at Jake. I totally wanted it.”
I don’t know why she’s so concerned about Jake. And I really don’t want to hear about how she wanted it again. “I’m not mad.”
She leans back in her seat. “Good. I just missed it, you know? Being kissed, having a warm body on top of me.”
I groan trying not to picture either of those things. “Cassie.”
“What? We can talk about this. You said we were friends. Maybe it hasn’t been that long since you’ve had lips on yours, but it’s been a little bit for me.”
She has no idea. “We are friends, but we don’t talk about stuff like this.”
“Why not?” Then she just continues, “Kissing is my favorite part. Well, it’s one of my favorite parts. What’s yours?”
I shake my head turning into the dorm parking lot. Thank God. “We’re here.”
She folds her arms and pouts. “You didn’t answer.”
“I’m not going to.” I get out and close the door, going around to her side. I open the door and help her out.
We walk inside and wait for the elevator. “What, you aren’t going to carry me up the stairs?” She jokes.
That gets a quick laugh from me, “Funny.”
The elevator opens and we ride up to the sixth floor. When we get to the door I ask, “Okay, where are your keys?”
Her face looks worried, “Oh no.”
“What?”
“Dani has them. Along with everything else, my phone, my wallet.”
I look at her frustrated, “Why the hell does she have all of your stuff, Cassie?”
“I didn’t want to bring my purse, but she has this cool crossover purse that,” She makes a motion that goes across her chest. I try not to look, but my eyes drift there anyway and linger longer than I’m proud of as Cassie continues, “goes over her chest and stays on. I don’t have one. I should get one.”
I grip her shoulders, trying like hell to get her to focus, “So you have no way to get into your room? No cellphone to call your friend. Nothing?”
She shakes her head, “Oh no. This is bad.” She looks at the lounge area. It has a television and a couple of couches. “I guess I could just sleep out here until Dani gets back.”
I close my eyes for a couple of seconds. I can’t leave her here. “No, you can stay with me.”
She looks up at me, doe eyed. Her voice is quiet, almost a whisper. “With you?”
Fuck. I swallow hard, “At my house.”
She nods, “Okay.”
This is a bad idea.
Chapter 10
Hunter
We make our way down to my truck again and repeat the previous steps of getting her into my truck. When she’s secure and I’m behind the wheel, I start driving.
“You never answered my question.”
Christ. She is so fucking stubborn. “Cassie, I alre
ady told you. I’m not answering.”
“Why not? I don’t get it. We’re friends. I guarantee you talk to Luke and Cam about what you like. I’m sure you’ve all sat around and talked about everything from tit size and shape to the best blowjob you ever got.”
I can’t help it my head snaps over to her when she says that and then back on the road. She’s not wrong, but I still can’t believe that came out of her mouth. She’s drunk. “That may be true, but we aren’t that kind of friends.”
I can see her bottom lip go out in a pout from the corner of my eye. Damn. She’s cute. If this were any other girl, I would probably find this behavior annoying as fuck. There is just something about Cassie Monroe. “So you really just take care of me because you feel obligated. Like Jax looking after me for Dylan, you look after me for Luke.”
I wish that were true. It would be easier. “That’s not what I meant, Cassie. I just mean I’m not talking about sex with you. We can talk about anything else. Algebra, football, the weather.”
She rolls her eyes, “So anything boring.” She looks around, “Hey, we didn’t go to your house.”
“No, we are going to get you something to eat first. Soak up some of that alcohol.”
She nods her head, “Ah, yeah we used to do that in high school after a party. Helps with the hangover too. Oh shit, you really think I’m an alcoholic, don’t you?”
I laugh and shake my head, “No, I don’t.”
“Good because I’m not. Of course, they do call you choir boy so you probably didn’t go to a lot of parties in high school, huh?”
“I went to plenty.”
I don’t give her an opportunity to ask any more questions because we pull up to the drive thru window. She tells me what she wants and it doesn’t take long before she has a hamburger and fries on our way back to my house.
She starts to eat and then opens her mouth again. Here comes another question. “You really do curse a lot.”
I let out a laugh, “What?”
“Today at lunch you said that you curse. A lot actually. And you do. I’m glad you do because I just don’t trust people that don’t curse, you know?”