Exposed: An Anthology

by Brooke Cumberland

  “What’s up, my bitches?” Carissa calls out, already appearing drunk.

  Kenna and Julia roll their eyes and l laugh. Carissa is loud and obnoxious, but she’s the best.

  “So, I hear you found yourself some nice man candy?” Julia smirks, looking directly at me.

  “Ew, that’s my brother,” Kenna reminds her, displaying a disgusted look on her face.

  “Does everyone know about that?” I ask, embarrassed.

  “He won’t shut up about you, Lane. It’s annoying,” Kenna remarks, making me blush.

  “Really? I thought he was just being polite.”

  “Are you kidding? He doesn’t sit and talk to just anyone. The fact that you’re hot helps, but Alex is a genuine guy, Lane,” she says seriously, as she loads dirty glasses in the dishwasher.

  “I’m not even looking for a boyfriend, guys. You have nothing to worry about.” That wasn’t a hundred percent a lie, but the truth was I hadn’t been searching for a man in my life.

  “That’s exactly when it happens, Laney. Plus, it’s always best when you find something you weren’t even looking for in the first place,” Carissa chimes in, lecturing me as she always does.

  “I don’t know guys. I’d be a bad girlfriend anyway. Or whatever you would call it. I wouldn’t be any good.” That I knew was true. I could never be someone’s girlfriend again. Just the label itself sends shivers down my spine. I was an awful girlfriend to Jake. He gave me his whole heart when I hadn’t been able to give him any of mine.

  “Heads up!” Julia calls, throwing a bottle at me. She nods her head over to the guy sitting across from me at the bar.

  “I take it this is for you,” I say, smiling. I hand him his beer and continue washing glasses.

  “I think you’d make a wonderful girlfriend,” he says, smirking back at me.

  “Oh god, not you too,” I groan. “Sorry about that. Guess girl talk isn’t something guys want to hear.”

  “Nah, it’s okay. I grew up with three sisters. Trust me, I know too much.” I laugh back, grabbing the money he set on the bar for his beer.

  “So, tell me then. What makes a good girlfriend? You’re probably an expert by now,” I joke, crossing my arms.

  “Oh honey, I don’t have a clue. All I’ve gathered over my years is what a guy is not supposed to do.” He takes a swig of his beer and sets it back down. “Basically, don’t let past relationships affect your future ones.”

  “That won’t be a problem,” I huff. “There’s only been one relationship, and I completely screwed it up.”

  “Oh, you live and learn girl. Trust me when I tell you, you won’t have any problem finding a man.” He smiles, making me incredibly embarrassed that I’m spilling my dirty laundry to a complete stranger.

  “Hello, Beautiful.” I turn and see Alex standing nearby. My face instantly reddens, blushing from the conversations that just took place. I have only been around Alex once, but the way we connect when we talked made it seem like we’ve known each other forever.

  “Hey, what can I get ya tonight?” I place my hands flat on the bar, smiling back.

  “I’ll take whatever is on tap,” he says, handing me a few singles. “And don’t forget, first rounds on me. So, take a shot,” he reminds me, smirking back.

  “Fine. I’ll do a Cherry Tootsie Pop.” I smile, grabbing a shot glass.

  “Cherry, huh? Interesting.” He smirks, curling his lips up.

  “Shut up, Alex. Velaney is one of my best friends,” Kenna yells, storming over and pointing her finger at him. I stifle a laugh at Kenna for being my over-protective mother. She was the mother hen around here, always watching out for us girls.

  Alex puts his hands up in surrender. “I didn’t do anything, chill out.”

  “And you won’t, mister. I mean it. Vel is too sweet for you.”

  “What does that mean?” Alex and I both say at the same time. I’m too sweet for him?

  “Nothing, Velaney. Just that…you’re a sweet girl. You don’t sleep around and party.” Was that supposed to be a compliment?

  “Wow, thanks for telling Alex how boring I am!” I shrieked. With that, I fill my shot glass, and tilt my head back and feel the burn of alcohol as it flows down my throat.

  “You are not borin’,” Eric chimes in, shocking me completely. “In fact, you are the opposite of borin’.” My heart begins racing just from the raspy tone of his voice.

  “Hey, stranger,” I say, avoiding the completely awkward looks both Eric and Alex are giving me. “Been busy saving lives lately?”

  “Always.” God, his smile is breathtaking.

  “Um, Eric this is Alex. Alex this is Eric. He lives in my building.” I gesture between the two and they give head nods semi-acknowledging each other.

  “And how do you and Alex know each other?” Eric asks, and slams singles on the bar.

  “He’s Kenna’s brother,” I say vaguely, not wanting to mention the Laundromat.

  “I’ll take a Coors, please.” Eric smiles back at me, giving me his biggest grin. I had no idea what was happening. Were these two playfully bantering over me? No. There’s just no way. Plus, why would they?

  I shake the thoughts from my mind and continue working. The bar quickly fills up, leaving no time to chat with Alex or Eric. My heart feels ripped in half between them being here and the fact that I like them being here.

  This is too messed up.

  “Looks like your pussy fairy brought you two edible desserts,” Carissa whispers in my ear as I reach for a bottle.

  I groan. “Can we name it something else, please? Or hey, here’s an idea. Stop referring to it as an actual person or thing…or whatever it’s suppose to be!”

  She laughs back at me, noticing how flustered I am. “Getting to you that much, huh?” She crosses her arms, staring at me.

  “Is it that obvious?” I pout, handing the beer off to someone.

  “They haven’t taken their eyes off you, Lane.” I glance over her shoulder and see that it’s true.

  “This is so confusing, Riss. I mean, Alex is so sweet. But Eric…well, he’s Eric.” That’s all that needs to be said about Eric. She knows what I mean. Eric is a southern gentleman that makes my heart flutter every time he’s around. But the fact is, he doesn’t see me that way. However, he sees other girls that way…lots and lots of other girls.

  “Just have fun, Lane. Don’t take it too seriously. You have time. Lots and lots of time,” she grins, wagging her eyebrows at me. I know what she means by fun, but that just isn’t who I am. Or who I’m capable of being.

  An hour passes and I decide to take a break outside. It’s extremely warm inside, and every time I see Alex or Eric, the heat rises even more between my thighs.

  “Doing alright?” Alex approaches me from behind.

  “Yeah, just getting some fresh air.” I smile and watch as he sits on the curb next to me.

  “So,” he stumbles, breaking eye contact with me. “What’s the deal with this Eric guy? I mean…are you two a couple or something?” he asks, looking back up at me.

  “Eric and me? No. He’s a neighbor and friend, but we are definitely not a couple.” I don’t know why I say definitely, but it was the truth.

  “Good.” He smiles and looks relieved.

  “Would that be a problem?” I ask, feeling brave. “If we were a couple?” I lean back on my hands, getting a better view of him.

  “Well, yes. It would prevent me from being able to ask you out. So, since you and him aren’t a couple, perhaps I can ask you to dinner or something,” he asks, acting shy, but then smiles as he looks up at me. His fingers find mine on the sidewalk and he locks it with his, taking it up to his lips.

  The feel of his lips against my skin feels amazing. I don’t know how a pair of lips can feel so good against my skin, but it does. It feels wonderful.

  “Perhaps,” is all I say, waiting for him to actually ask.

  “Go out to dinner with me.”

  “That’s n
ot asking,” I tease, still linking my fingers with his.

  “I know. I figured I’d try the whole guy dominating routine and see how far it got me,” he teases, stifling his laugh.

  “It won’t get you far at all, actually,” I say back, grinning at his lame attempt.

  “Damn. Okay.” He takes inhales slowly before speaking again. “Velaney, will you please go to dinner with me tomorrow night?” He looks adorably genuine, sending intense shivers down my body and landing smack dab between my legs.

  “I would love to,” I smile, trying to hide the secret happy dance I’m doing in my head.

  “There you are! You sneaky bitch. I was worried about you!” Carissa yells, soon realizing I wasn’t alone. “Oh, shit, sorry. Didn’t see ya there, Alex.”

  “No worries.” He grabs my hand and kisses it once again. “I’ll let you get back to work now.” He flashes his incredible smile at me, only leaving me capable of nodding back at him like an idiot.

  He stands up and walks back through the employees only door. Carissa sits down next to me, examining my face.

  “What?” I ask.

  “You like him.”

  “Maybe.”

  “About damn time,” is all she says, leaving me laughing at her. I stand up and head back into the bar.

  I feel such a rush of emotions that I can barely control them. The fact that Alex makes me smile, laugh, and is genuinely sweet makes me giddy like a hormonal teenager. It wasn’t a feeling I was used to. Sure, I’ve watched chick flicks where the love is so intense and raw that you feel your own heart clench during the whole thing, but I never felt that feeling.

  Eric is so darn confusing. One minute I feel like we have this connection and then the next minute, he’s letting some girl hang all over him. I couldn’t grasp why I felt that pull toward him. It was there…there was no doubting that.

  “Be up in time for breakfast,” Eric says, smiling back at me as I clean up the mass destruction of the bar. Alex shoots him a look, and I can’t help the look that plasters on my face.

  “What?” I ask, sweeping the floor.

  “You girls need to eat after a night like this. Don’t worry, I’ll let myself in.” He smirks, finishing the last of his beer before he sets it down on the bar.

  “Can I request waffles this time?” Carissa asks, playing along.

  “You can request anything you want.” He turns and winks at me. He waves his goodbyes and heads toward the door.

  I glance over at Alex and see that he is eyeing Eric and watching him all the way, until he reaches the exit and walks out. I don’t know what the hell just happened, but I wasn’t going to try to figure it out.

  * * *

  “Good mornin’, sweetheart,” Eric welcomes in his beautiful sweet tone.

  “Why is it so bright out?” I ask, crashing my arms on the breakfast bar, laying my head down.

  “That typically happens when it’s mornin’, my dear.” His voice is sweet, and I capture every word that comes out of his mouth.

  “What are you making?” I ask, seeing a counter-filled of grocery bags.

  “Waffles, eggs, French toast, and hash browns.”

  “You remember this isn’t a frat house, right?” I smile, teasing the fact that he thinks girls eat all this in the morning. I barely eat a granola bar in the mornings. I need time to wake up.

  “You girls need your strength after working all night. Plus, I like my girls with an appetite.”

  Huh?

  “That’s not what I’ve noticed,” I spat out a little too quickly.

  He turns and glares at me. I feel the blush rising to my cheeks, immediately regretting that last statement.

  “And what does that mean exactly?” He crosses his arms across his wide, broad chest.

  Fine, let’s play this game.

  “I’ve seen you with a couple girls. They are all skinny-minis. I doubt they have an appetite.” I laugh, hoping to lighten the mood.

  Before he can answer, Carissa wags her butt in the kitchen in only a t-shirt and panties. “Yes, waffles!”

  She bends down to grab one off the plate and starts going to town. Eric and I stay silent, watching her.

  “What?” she asks with a mouthful.

  “Velaney thinks I’m a man whore.”

  “What? I never said that!” I gasp, standing up. “I never said anything even remotely close to that!”

  “Lane, chill,” Carissa says, pulling my hand to sit back down. “Dude, what did you do to my girl?” she asks Eric, now scowling at him.

  He doesn’t respond, but instead he just keeps cooking. After a long ten minutes of silence, he places the rest of the food in front of us, and then smiles.

  “Well, ladies, enjoy your breakfast and your day.” He grabs his jacket and walks to the door. I hop off the stool and try to reach for him before he leaves.

  “Eric, wait!” I call out, reaching for his arm. He turns abruptly, staring at me thru his beautiful eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s fine, Velaney.” He’s standing closer to me now, studying my face.

  “I don’t want you to leave mad,” I say quietly, unsure of what he is thinking.

  “I told you before. I could never be mad at someone as beautiful as you.” His upper lip curls up in a slight smile, making the tingles reappear.

  “Why do you say stuff like that, Eric?”

  “Because you are beautiful. Do you not like me saying it?” he asks, stepping closer once again, if there was even any space left between us.

  “I love it.” His eyes are intense, and before I can protest, he crashes his lips to mine. My hands immediately flock to his head, squeezing his hair between my fingers. His arms wrap around my waist, clenching me tight against his chest. It feels amazing to be in his built, strong arms. He squeezes lightly against my back, urging me to stand on my toes.

  His mouth covers mine, making me eager to feel every part of him. His tongue sinks into me, exploring my mouth with his. He tastes incredible, making me hungry and eager for more. He turns us around, slamming me into the door as he cups my thighs and lifts me up. My legs automatically wrap around his waist as he grounds his hips into me making me feel the fullness of his arousal.

  I completely let loose around Eric. Something I’ve never been able to do. Something I’ve never wanted to do. Yet, here we were.

  A deep, husky moan slips from his throat as he presses us firmer into the door. His lips move from my mouth down to the nape of my neck, giving me a rush of emotions that are completely uncontrollable. I tilt my head back, giving him full access to me, begging him for more. The way my body responds to him doesn’t make any sense to me, but in this moment, I don’t dare question it.

  “God, Velaney…I’ve wanted your legs wrapped ‘round me for so long,” he mumbles, dropping his lips to my collarbone, suckling it before he makes his way back up to my mouth. “You taste fucking amazin’,” he growls, bringing me back to Earth. The way he rumbled the F bomb, suddenly brought me back to when I was eight years old.

  “Stop!” I push him away, and unwrap my legs from him. “Please, just go.” I walk around him and aim for my room.

  “Velaney, wait! What did I do?”

  “I can’t be another one of your skanks. I can’t be that girl you sleep with and never call again. I just can’t.” I pause and breathe in. “Go home, Eric,” I mumble, closing my bedroom door shut. I feel like a moron. No, make that…complete moron. I can’t believe what I just did. I sink to my feet as I slide down the door, crashing my head into my hands as the wet tears drip from my eyes. They fall down my swollen, moist lips that were just assaulted by Eric. Ugh, why did he have to taste so incredible?

  I know I’m screwed up. Doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. One swear word and I completely break down. I’ve heard Carissa swear a thousand times and it’s never affected me the way it just had.

  “Laney!” Carissa shouts through the door banging with her fist. “Let me in!”

 
I scoot over to the other side and slowly turn the handle, giving her access.

  “Oh, dear lord, what happened?” She notices my bloodshot eyes and the way I’ve been chewing on my lower lip.

  “I’m a complete mess. I knew this would happen. Why did I even think I could be with anyone?”

  She stares at me a minute, clenching her lips together. I look over and see her rough eyes. “Get up. We’re going shopping.”

  Chapter Eight

  “Is this necessary?” I ask as Carissa drags me to the third store.

  “Not only is it necessary, it’s a matter of life and death, Lane.”

  “You are such a drama queen,” I tease, opening the door to another clothing store.

  “Hey, shopping makes you feel good. It gives you endorphins or something along those lines…anyway, shopping is good for you! So suck it up!” She links her arm in mind, dragging me to the back of the store.

  “If you say so,” I mumble, letting her take the lead.

  “Plus, you are hot, Lane. You just need to start feeling that way and maybe you’ll be more confident in who you are,” she says sincerely.

  “It’s not that I’m not confident, Riss. You know me. You know how screwed up my childhood was. Who’s going to want me once they find out? I mean, really. My family didn’t care to protect me, and now look at how screwed up I am.”

  “Listen to me, Velaney Rose Wills. You. Are. Not. Screwed. Up. You are perfect. Fuck your family and fuck them for allowing Aiden to hurt you. He’s a bastard and always will be. But I am your family now, and I am telling you how wonderful, sweet, and perfect you are. Don’t let what they did to you then define who you are now. They don’t deserve that. They don’t deserve any part of you.” The way she expresses herself to me is overwhelming. I begin to tear up at the way she talks to me and looks at me. She can see right through me no matter how damaged I am.

  “I love you so much, Riss.” I pull her in and squeeze her tight, letting the few tears that slip out run down my arm. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.” I pull her back just slightly. “I will try, Riss. But part of me doubts I can ever be normal. I feel like I’m going to screw everything up. I mean, look at how much I’ve already screwed up.”