Neveah (Society Girls #2)

by Crystal Perkins

  “You should probably answer your phone and get the hell out of my building.”

  “I’ll be watching you, Miss Ayoub,” she tells me before storming out with her troopers behind her.

  “Thank you,” I tell everyone who’s left in the room.

  “Have a seat, gentlemen. I want to hear all about this ‘fishing trip.’”

  Its two hours before I leave Reina’s office. I’ve had to apologize to Ainsley, Stella, and Darcy for taking their information and physical items, and promise to pay back the Society for the costs of what I took. Matt offered to pay while he was defending me, but I need to do it on my own.

  I’ve also had to listen to a lecture about how stupid I was to go in there alone, and then I had to hear Reina say how disappointed she is in me. Faith backed me up, and so did all the guys, but it was still touch and go there when Reina got quiet and just stared at me over her steepled hands.

  In the end, she told me that if she couldn’t fire Sierra for jumping into a mission with help, she couldn’t fire me for doing things on my own—with help. Unlike Sierra, I’ve been unofficially trained for years, so I was better equipped to go rogue, but I’ve been warned not to do it again.

  I’m still in trouble for using Society resources without permission, and I have to cover the front desk while Alex goes on vacation with Miles, but I get to resume my studies after that. Everyone says the front desk is almost worse than the most dangerous mission, but I think it’s a small price to pay for my future.

  * * *

  Dylan

  Nev isn’t answering my calls or texts, and it’s freaking me out. It’s been four hours since I left Corrigan, and I’m pretty sure I’d know if she was arrested by now. My sister would call me at least, or would she? Maybe I should call her. Or not. I don’t know. I hear a text alert before I make up my mind.

  My Heaven: I’m okay. Please stop texting and calling. I need to figure things out. I love you, Dylan, you have to know that. But I need to be alone right now.

  I want to scream at her to let me back in, but that’s not going to solve anything. I do know she loves me. If she needs time, I’ll give her time. I have this basketball game to finish planning and a new agent to find. Not to mention keeping up with my off-season training and another photo shoot next week. Plenty to keep me busy until she’s ready for me. For us. There will be an us, and then it will be forever. I just need to remind her of that.

  Me: Take whatever time you need, because next time I have you in my arms, I’m not letting you go. I love you, too.

  Game, set, and match. Yeah, I know that’s a different sport, but any sports analogy is a good one, so I’m going with it. I haven’t won anything yet, but I will. This isn’t really a game, and I can’t afford to lose.

  Chapter 23

  Dylan

  This last week has been one of the hardest in my life, but also one of the most rewarding. I signed on with Joel Cruz’s agent after Reina suggested I talk to him, confirmed the rest of the players for tomorrow’s game, took part in a fun shoot for one of my endorsement deals—it had kids and not supermodels—and saw Nev almost every day. That was the hard part.

  She smiled at me as I went to Reina’s office, or met with Camari and Matisse, who were assigned to the game. She didn’t try to initiate any conversations, and I kept my word, leaving her alone when I really just wanted to pull her into my arms.

  I don’t even know if she’ll be at the game tomorrow. Matisse asked her, but she said she wasn’t sure she should be there. I have a surprise coming for her today, and with any luck, it will tip the scales in my favor. If not, then I’ll deal with it. It’s going to suck if she’s not there, but I’ll deal. Reina is helping me do a great thing, and helping the refugee families is more important than the fragile state of my heart.

  * * *

  Neveah

  This front desk is a beast. Seriously, it’s no fucking joke. I have mad respect for Alex, because all these phone lines, deliveries, and people stopping in are enough to drive me insane. Not to mention seeing Dylan every day. I know I told him I needed space, but thinking that and then seeing him barely acknowledge me are two very different things. And one of them hurts way more than the other.

  “I’ve got a delivery for you, Nev,” the mail room guy says as he walks into the Foundation lobby.

  “What else is new?”

  “This one is specifically for you.”

  “Me? Is it internal?”

  “Nope. It says it’s from a photography studio in Chicago.”

  “Oh. Thanks,” I say as I take it from him.

  “You’re going to leave me hanging?”

  Yeah, I am. No way am I opening this in front of him. I have an idea of what it is, and I don’t need a witness to the breakdown that’s going to commence once it’s out of the envelope.

  “Yeah, sorry. I have a bunch of stuff to do before I can even think about looking at this.”

  “Fine. Catch you later.”

  Of course he will. This company is so big and powerful that one mail delivery a day isn’t adequate. The random things you learn when your punishment has you doing a job no mere mortal is capable of. With one of the alternatives being jail, I’ll happily sit in this chair and let the world know just how incompetent I am.

  I run my finger over the flap of the padded mailer, and then rip off the Band-Aid—um, I mean seal—before I can change my mind. Closing my eyes for a moment, I summon the courage to pull the picture out. A note slides out along with it, and I choose to focus on that first.

  Dylan said we couldn’t use this picture because it was too raw and personal. He said he was thinking of you, so I thought you should have a copy. Damn, because he would’ve sold billions of bottles of cologne with this shot. You’re one lucky girl!

  I put the paper down, and then the picture’s there in front of me. Dylan’s staring back at me, and I have to fight the tears, because the look on the face is the one he used to give me. It’s full of love, desire, and respect. I don’t know how he manages to convey those emotions all at once, and I don’t know how it was so accurately captured by a camera, but there it is. I could wax poetic about his abs, or his cheekbones, or yeah, his dick. Even his sexy lips. But it’s his eyes that really do it for me.

  I may not be seeing into his soul, but I see into his heart when he looks at me. Just meeting his captured gaze is enough to make my heart beat faster. I’m going to that game tomorrow, with his jersey on. Just like we talked about. I can only hope for some kisses to get blown my way.

  * * *

  Dylan

  The nerves are starting to hit me. I don’t usually have nerves before a game, but this isn’t just any game. It’s not the playing that I’m worried about, because although I’d love to win, I’ve really already won as far as the event is concerned. This sold out crowd just helped a bunch of displaced people. I know most of them came for the players, but the money’s still going for good, so I don’t really care.

  It’s the speech I have to give, and the check I’m giving to Reina that have me feeling like I’m going to throw up. Plus, I’m still wondering if Nev will show up. Seeing her in my jersey would be the icing on tonight’s cake. I don’t even know how I’d handle it, but it would be awesome.

  As I’m thinking these thoughts, she’s all of a sudden there in front of me. Not dream Nev, but the real one. She’s taking a seat courtside next to my sister. As for the jersey, yeah she’s in one, but it’s not my regular one. Somehow she has the exact replica of the special jersey I’m wearing tonight covering those curves I love so much. Cropped leggings cover her legs, and Chucks are on her feet. I look back up, and notice her long hair in a ponytail, and the bandage covering her left biceps. Damn, she looks hot, and she’s here for me, and only me.

  “You’re welcome,” Matisse says, coming up to stand next to me.

  “Thanks for getting her here.”

  “You got her here. I just got her the jersey. Don’t blow your chanc
e at taking it off her tonight.”

  “I won’t.”

  I make it through the speech I wrote—again with Audrey and Camari’s help—thanking everyone for being here. I nearly lose it when every other player hands their own check to Reina after I give her the one from the game proceeds. I gave her my own donation privately, but I never expected these guys to do anything other than come here, and help me draw a crowd as we played a game. When I look over, Nev is practically beaming as she claps hard for me. Everything’s finally alright in my world.

  * * *

  Neveah

  It’s almost half-time in the game and Dylan’s team is up by two points. He’s made five baskets, and my heart cracked a little more with each one. I thought he was happy to see me here, but I haven’t gotten even one kiss blown my way. Was I too late in realizing that nothing matters but us? Did I make him wait too long? I honestly don’t know what to do right now.

  I should probably just go, but I don’t want to do it while they’re playing. Matisse told me there’s a half-time mixer for the players and VIPs since no one is worried about using the time to work on game play. I was planning to go, but now I think it’s best if I use that time to sneak out. Or maybe I shouldn’t. This isn’t just Dylan’s game—the money he raised is going to be used by the Foundation to help Muslim refugees. People who’ve had to flee their country because of those damn bastards who make so many people fear us. I should be standing tall here, showing my support, no matter how ridiculous I feel right now.

  I make the decision to stay as the buzzer rings. I’ll stay, but I won’t go to the VIP party now, or the private one that’s taking place later at the apartments. I’ll sit here in this jersey that no less than fifty women have come to ask me about, but I’ll take it off as soon as I’m alone. Take it off and hide it in the back of my closet, along with every other piece of clothing and shoes I ever wore when I was with Dylan. Extreme, I know, but necessary.

  “Nev, aren’t you coming?” Ellie asks as everyone around us heads to the mini-party.

  “No. I wouldn’t be welcome there.”

  “What? Dylan would love for you to be there.”

  “I wish that was true, but he’s done with me.”

  “How could you know that? You haven’t even spoken to him.”

  “We talked once about me watching him play in a game. I said I’d cheer him on in his jersey, and he said…he said he’d do something. Something he hasn’t done tonight. It’s pretty obvious that he’s changed his mind about me.”

  “I don’t think he has. Maybe he forgot about what he said.”

  “Maybe, but I’m not feeling like being humiliated if I walk in there thinking he wants me, and he doesn’t.”

  “I’m sorry, Nev.”

  “It’s okay. I’m the one who kept pushing him away.”

  “You saved him.”

  “I couldn’t let my father be the only one in the family to do that, now could I?”

  “I’ll bring you some food.”

  “Thanks.”

  I watch her walk away, and also watch my parents walk arm and arm into the tunnel leading to the room where the party’s going on. It’s still weird to see them together, but they’re both happy, and I’ll get used to it eventually. My brother doesn’t walk with them, because he’s weirded out, too. He’s become good friends with Dylan, and I know he’s now somewhat reluctant to stay at his school, even though he practically begged for that a couple of weeks ago. Dylan will always be part of my life, because of my family and Ellie, but we’ll never have our own life together again.

  * * *

  Dylan

  I see everyone walk into the room, except for the one person I need to see. I’m surprised I was able to play at all, much less score, with Nev sitting in the stands cheering for me. It was so fucking awesome, and I want to tell her that. When it starts getting later, I pull my sister aside since she was sitting next to Nev.

  “Do you know where Nev is?”

  “She’s in her seat. I’m bringing her some food, if that’s okay.”

  “Of course it’s okay for you to bring her food, but why didn’t she come in here herself. Is her arm hurting, or is she sick?”

  “She didn’t think you’d want her here.”

  “What? Of course I want her here!”

  “She said something about you saying you’d do something if she watched you play, but you didn’t do it tonight. She thinks that means you’re over her.”

  “I’ll never be over her.”

  “Then maybe you should do what you said you would.”

  It takes me a moment to even recall what I said, but when I do, I want to bang my head against the nearest wall. Five fucking baskets, and I didn’t even blow her one kiss. Oh, I’m going to do what I said alright, and then I’m going to do more.

  I’m on fire once we make it back onto the court, but no matter what I do, I can’t get another basket. I’m double-teamed, triple-teamed, and just can’t keep the ball long enough to take a decent shot.

  I try to catch Nev’s eye a few times, but she won’t look at me. She ate the plate of food I made up for her, but I don’t think Ellie told her I was the one who made it. She’s barely paying attention to the game.

  The clock is winding down, and I think my time to make things up to her is over, when suddenly I’m wide open. I catch the ball as it’s thrown to me, and take the shot. It’s all net, and as I look to her, Nev is smiling and clapping.

  I blow her one kiss, and then another as I ignore what’s going on around me and walk towards her. I blow her all six kisses I owe her and a few extras before I reach her. Instead of stopping in front of her, I keep going, picking her up, and kissing her hard.

  Her arms go around my neck as we both ignore the cheers and catcalls coming from all around us. We kiss until the buzzer sounds, and I don’t even look to see who won. I just look into her eyes as I open mine.

  “I forgot. I was so excited to see you, and so worried about getting my speech right, and I forgot. I’m so sorry. I want you, Nev. I promise you, I will always want you.”

  “I will always want you, too.”

  I lean in for another kiss, before I’m physically pulled away. I turn to swing at whoever had the nerve to interrupt us, but then remember where I am and that I heard the game end. I look up to the scoreboard, and see that my team lost by two points. I smile, because I still won tonight.

  I pull Nev along with me to center court, where I present my biggest rival, and one of my best friends, with the winning trophy. He asks if he can kiss the girl, too, but I just growl at him while Nev laughs into my shoulder. Everything really is alright.

  Chapter 24

  Neveah

  “I know this is your party, but do you want to get out of here?” I ask Dylan, because I really want to be alone with him. And a bed. Or any other flat surface.

  “Let’s just go say goodbye to my family, and then you can finally show me your place.”

  “It’s not as exciting as your house.”

  “It’s got you and a bed. What else could I possibly want?”

  “A gun range, basketball court, and pool?”

  “I believe all three of those things are in this building.”

  “They are, so I guess my place is pretty impressive.”

  “You’re the impressive one. I don’t think I thanked you for saving me.”

  “You didn’t, but we have all night for that.”

  “For what?” his mom asks, finding us before we had a chance to find them.

  “Talking,” I say, nodding my head, which probably makes me look like a crazy person.

  “Talking, huh? Well don’t wear yourselves out with too much talking. I expect to see both of you for lunch tomorrow before we fly back,” Mr. Gallagher tells us, as Dylan’s brothers and their wives laugh.

  “Will do. We’re heading out for that…talking,” Dylan says.

  “Go on and get out of here,” his mom says, swatting at his arm b
efore shooing us away.

  We can’t keep our hands off each other as we ride the elevator to my floor. Mouths, either. The only reason we still have our clothes on when we get to my apartment is because I tell him about the cameras in the elevators, and hallways. Even still, the guards get a pretty good show.

  Once we’re inside my door, Dylan lifts me up and then takes his mouth off me long enough to look around. I see him smile, but he doesn’t walk to my bedroom like I’m expecting. Instead, he takes me to the large alcove Chloe Griffin made for me. It’s got mountains of pillows all over the floor, and jewel-toned sheer panels all around it.

  “This is sexy. You’re so sexy. I need to be inside of you.”

  I wrap my legs around him as he drops to his knees, laying me down on the pillows. “I want to keep this jersey on for at least a little while, but everything else needs to come off.”

  I nod as he pulls off my leggings and panties, and then reaches inside the jersey to take my bra off. He snaps the band holding up my hair up in two, and I arch up into his hard body. None of what he’s doing is gentle or sweet. It’s all built on his need for me, but I need him just as much so I don’t care. He can be tender for round two.

  After kissing, licking, and biting every inch of my exposed skin and making me come hard enough to scream his name, he pushes the jersey over my head. He pulls his shirt off next as I fumble with his jeans. He pulls a condom out of his pocket and hands it to me before taking the rest of his clothes off.

  I sheath his cock before pulling him down so he’s lying on his back. I climb on top of him, and sink all the way down as we both moan. He wastes no time thrusting up into me, and I start riding him hard enough to make us both slide across the silk pillows. I know I’m leaving marks on his shoulders and chest with my nails when I come hard, but I can’t stop trying to pull him even closer and closer as I keep coming.