"I'm eighteen in a few days, asshole." As soon as Gus slides the glass towards me, I grab it and walk back to meet Nate.
"I'm pretty sure Alec is going to spill the beans shortly so you might as well hear it from me. I'm underage, turning eighteen on the twentieth."
He chokes a little, "S-seventeen?"
I roll my eyes, "Yep, seventeen. Sorry I didn't tell you, nothing happened though. I also really don't want to fuck up having a place to drink."
Nate still seems speechless, "You uh, you sure as hell don't look seventeen."
I know that, I've looked older pretty much ever since I hit puberty. My curves came earlier than all my friends, and I'd never really been lacking in the upper and lower regions.
"Yeah, I know. How old are you anyway?" I ask him.
"Nineteen." He smiles.
"Oh, so you're a minor too. I guess Gus is pretty lenient."
"And him?" I gesture to Alec.
"Just turned twenty a few weeks ago."
Interesting. I wonder why he's still living under his dad's roof.
"So, what's his story? Has he always been such a peach?"
I can tell my question makes Nate uncomfortable.
"Sorry, I know he's your friend. I'm just trying to figure out what his problem is. He's been a total dick to me since he figured out who I am."
"Who are you...?"
Oh shit, I'd left that out too.
"My mom is marrying his dad."
His mouth drops open. "Fuck, you are the step-sister?"
Every time someone acknowledges that simple fact it makes me feel dirty for what we almost did.
"That's me, or at least I will be in a few weeks."
Nate takes my hand and leads me out the door and into the parking lot. The sun is beginning to set, and a few more people are trickling into the bar.
"Look, I don't know how much you know about Alec but he's not a bad guy. He's just been through some shit in the last few years. His mom dying really fucked him up. Don't take it personal."
Don't take it personal?
"That's easier said than done, Nate."
He nods, "Yeah I know, just- try?"
I laugh, "Sure, I'll try. Hey, you wanna get out of here? I'm starving."
"Absolutely. How's pizza sound?" he asks.
"Pizza sounds great." Alec's voice surprises me, again. This is becoming a thing between us, and I'd had enough of it.
"You weren't invited, and for the love of God please announce yourself next time." My hands are on my hips, and he just laughs.
"Actually, Jo... I think it's time for you to go home." The smirk on his face infuriates me.
"Come on, Alec. Don't be a dick." Nate speaks up, but the look Alec shoots him turns my blood cold.
"Get in my car, Jo. Now." He barks.
"Excuse me, how about-"
"Get in my fucking car, or I'll call Mommy and let he know her little girl is at a bar." The look in his eyes screams that he's won this round.
Nate goes to say something, but Alec holds up his hand, “Stay out of it."
I stomp over to the black Lexus Alec had been pointing to and slam the door. I can see them get into a heated discussion, but eventually Nate throws his hands up in defeat and heads back inside.
As he walks towards the car, the corners of his mouth pull into the biggest shit-eating grin I've ever seen.
I am in so much trouble with this one.
Chapter Six
"I wasn't ready to leave," I pout.
"You were about to leave with Nate." He responds quickly.
"Yeah, to get pizza. Then drink more. I'm not ready to go home."
"Order a pizza from the house and stop whining." I wasn't trying to whine, but damn he’s infuriating. Why did he fucking care if I hung out with Nate?
"Whatever, now I'm going to be stuck with a brutal headache because you made me stop drinking. Though, I'm sure that amuses you." I cross my arms, completely aware that I am acting like a child.
"There’s booze at the house, Jesus, just shut up." He growls, and my breath catches in my throat.
"Fine."
When we pull back up to the house Alec gets out of the car and walks towards the front door. "Go to the boat house."
I knew there was a smaller building built off the pier that rested right next to the water, but I hadn't been inside yet. Without responding I trek down the concrete pathway towards it. There are lounge chairs and small tables scattered around the deck, and when I try for the door it's locked.
Plopping down on one of the lounge chairs, I wait for him to return. It's quiet, save for the sound of various insects performing their closing numbers for the night. The only light remaining is the large beam reflecting off the water from the moon. It’s so peaceful, and relaxing.
The sound of harsh footsteps against the wooden pier remind me that my company for the night is probably about to ruin the mood.
He saunters past me and pulls a single key from his back pocket, sliding it into the knob. It's dark inside, but Alec's fingers find the switch quickly. When the room illuminates, I realize this is essentially a party room. It's equipped with a flat screen TV, pool table, futon, and full bar.
"Holy shit, this is great."
A room like this is any teenagers dream come true. If I'd had something like this back home, the parties would’ve always been at my place.
"Sure." He mutters.
Mr. Personality, that's Alec Miller for you.
He gestures over to the bar, "Pick your poison, kid."
Kid? I’m going to end up punching him before the night is over.
"You didn't seem to think I was a kid when you were in between my legs." I mutter under my breath.
That got his attention.
"Not many seventeen-year-old girls are hanging out in bars batting their come fuck me eyes at strangers either." he spits back at me.
"Touché." He's got a point.
"What? You’re agreeing with me?" He seems confused, which makes me giggle.
"I mean you’re right. If you’re used to picking up girls at a bar you'd probably assume they were of age, or at least close." I shrug, "Anyways, as for the poison. Got whiskey? I'd prefer not to swap up."
Still eyeing me incredulously, he hands me a glass and a bottle of Jack Daniels from the cabinet.
"Let's play a game." I say to him.
His eyebrow shoots up, and I can tell he's intrigued. "What kind of game?"
I roll my eyes, "What other option is there for two people getting to know one another? Never Have I Ever, of course."
He's chewing on the inside of his lip, so I know he’s conflicted on whether to partake or not.
"Come on, you afraid of me finding out all your secrets?" I may not know him well, but from what I’ve seen so far, playing at his pride is the best way to get what I want.
I can tell by the look in his eyes I've won. "Trust me, I'm not worried about you at all. You first."
This is going to be fun.
"Alright, never have I ever done drugs." I decide to start out with a milder question and am not surprised when Alec brings the glass to his lips and takes a long sip.
He refills the glass and then turns his attention to me. "Never have I ever fucked a guy."
"Really, Alec?" I answer before downing what remains in my glass.
He smirks, "I knew you weren't a virgin. You sure as hell didn't act like one in that bathroom."
I wasn't a virgin. I'd lost it to my ex-boyfriend junior year after prom. It was probably the most predictable and basic experience on the planet. It was horrible, but to be honest I was just happy to get it over with. Since then I'd slept with one other guy pretty casually, Drake. He was my neighbor back in Florida.
My turn. "Never have I ever had a one-night stand." He drinks again but looks like he wants to call bullshit.
"I don't buy that." He says flatly.
"I really don't care what you buy. That day with you would’ve been the fir
st, however it never happened." Something flashes in his eyes at the memory. I ignore it and pour the Jack in my glass.
"Never have I ever faked an orgasm." He surveys me intently waiting on my reaction. When the glass touches my lips a wicked smile reaches his. My cheeks flush, and I am positive the pink tinge is giving away my embarrassment.
"Sounds like you haven't been with a man who knew what he was doing." That low, gravelly tone in his voice makes me stiffen.
"Next question," I say quickly, attempting to break the intense eye contact happening between us. "Never have I ever cheated in a relationship."
He doesn't drink, "I don't do relationships. My turn." He leans towards me until our faces are less than a foot apart. "Never have I ever been fucked on a pool table."
Jesus Christ. What is he doing? I can't help but to turn and look at the pool table to my right. I know the look on my face is giving away my shock. I don't drink, and the mischievous smirk on his face makes it hard to keep my breathing steady.
He inches even closer to me and speaks again, "Never have I ever wanted to be touched by someone in this room." That low, almost growl-like voice makes something stir deep within me, something primal.
"It-it's not your turn." I stammer.
"Answer the question."
He is making me weak. "No, because you're lying. You can only ask questions that you haven't done." I try to make myself sound confident, much more confident than I’m feeling on the inside. On the inside I am reeling. "I know you've wanted to touch me; in fact I think you still do. I think that's why you were watching me in my bedroom, and why you wouldn't let me leave with Nate."
The air around us seems to fill with static, crackling around our bodies signaling the thick tension. The shudder that ripples over his body makes my stomach quicken, and I instantly grow wet. I don't want to want him. I know it's wrong. I know he's an insufferable prick, and that if I give in now, he’ll likely make me regret it every day after this.
His jaw tenses, flexing as he fights the carnal urges at war in his mind. "I don't want you."
His words should wound me, but it has the opposite effect. I can see him physically restraining himself from touching me. I let my hand lightly graze his forearm, "Are you sure about that?"
The moment our skin connects all bets are off. He rushes me, picking me up and my legs instinctively wrap around his waist. His fingers explore my body furiously, kneading and clawing at every inch. I let out a soft moan into his ear which does little more than ignite the flames within him even more intensely.
"I won’t fuck you," I’m barely able to get the words out.
His teeth nip at my neck as he makes his way up to my ear. "That's fine, I'll just make you come."
I never knew it was possible to almost come by words alone, but Alec Miller seems to be tapping into a part of me I didn't even know existed. His fingers tear open the button holding my pants and in one swift motion he has them on the floor.
"Fuck." I moan.
When his rough, calloused fingers meet my entrance I open for him. It doesn't take him long to have me falling apart at the seams. "Do you like that?" he asks, and I nod, unable to speak. The orgasm builds rapidly, and when it releases, I collapse into him.
Effortlessly, he totes my limp body over to the futon and lies me down, surprising me when he sits down beside me. Neither of us speak, instead the sound of my labored breathing fills the room. My eyelids grow heavy.
I can blame what just happened on the alcohol... on the inevitable sexual tension that ensues when people our age have too much to drink and are left alone to our own devices. However, my last thought as I drift to sleep is that this felt like something more... and that terrified me.
Chapter Seven
When I wake up in my room, there are immediately a series of questions racing through my mind. How did I get here? Was that all a dream... a very realistic dream? No, it wasn't a dream. I can still feel his hands on my skin, and his breath against my neck. Definitely not a dream.
A light knock at my door brings me away from my thoughts. "Josephine, Honey?"
"Yeah, come in mom."
I still haven't gotten used to how happy she looks here. The lines around her eyes seem to show more now, but that's only because she's always smiling.
"Alec told us about the car, that the battery died on you. He went to jump it off this morning. It looks like you left a light on, so everything should be good to go now. Oh, and your room looks great! I love the purple."
He'd lied for me, and my mother seemed clueless about my escapades from the night before.
"Oh, okay, Whoops, I'll try to... remember to turn the lights off." I mutter.
A few more pleasantries are shared, and she leaves my room, no doubt heading out for another full day of wedding planning with Sean.
My head is swimming with a mixture of a hangover headache and thoughts about Alec. How did we go from hot to cold so quickly? I pick up my phone and slide my finger over to unlock it. The new message notification catches my eye.
Drake: I sure am missing our little rendezvous.
I can't help but smile. Drake had been one of my best friends, but one drunken night things took a turn in a different direction. We'd both been ridiculously single with no interest in that changing any time soon. We wanted that physical connection, but with no strings attached. People always say that it isn't possible to have that type of relationship, but we were living proof that it was.
Jo: Ditto. Visit soon?
The three dots to signify he was typing pop up almost immediately.
Drake: This weekend too short notice? It's lame as hell around here without you. Plus, I want to spend your birthday with you!
I would love for him to visit. I need an escape from whatever the hell is happening with Alec, and what better way than with one of my closest friends.
Jo: No, that would be great.
We text back and forth a few more times, catching up and ironing out our plans before saying our goodbyes. I know mom won't care about him coming here, she'd known his family for years.
I don't mean to think about it, in fact as soon as the thought rears its ugly head in my mind I try to shove it out. I hate that my excitement over seeing Drake is almost instantaneously overshadowed by my worry over what Alec will think. Will he be angry? Will he be jealous? More importantly, why the fuck did I care?
∞∞∞
The weather outside was too perfect to pass up, and when Allie offered to spend the day with me on the beach it was an easy decision. The drive to the public access beach wasn't too far. I'd settled on a deep purple bikini and black sheer cover-up. Clearly, my color pallet didn't have too much variation.
Allie, on the other hand, is my polar opposite. She’s dressed in a baby pink one piece with cut-outs above her ribs. A floppy straw hat ties it together seamlessly. She looks adorable, and a small part of me envies her innocent, yet mature appeal.
I couldn't look innocent if I tried, my curvy figure ensured that. My hazel, almond-shaped eyes were upturned- mimicking that stereotypical Disney princess look. When I was little, my Nana joked that I had eyes like Princess Jasmine from Aladdin, full of secrets and mischief. My lips were full and had a natural pout to them that seemed to drive guys crazy.
Allie's appeal was different though. While she didn't look like the girl on the cover of Playboy, she’s beautiful, nonetheless. Her beauty is more of that CoverGirl beauty, natural and simplistic.
When we pull up to the beach, Allie explains this is where everyone hangs out on hot summer days, and that she wants to introduce me to her friends. I smile, trying to push away my antisocial tendencies. I want to be friends with her, and I want an ally here... even if that means playing nice with her friends so be it.
"This is Jo, my new step-sister." I receive hugs from the small group of girls who all regard me kindly. They introduce themselves as Kelly, Janie, and Steph.
"Nice to meet you." I say, playing the role of graciou
s guest.
We stretch out our towels and get comfortable on the sand, soaking up the rays and salty ocean air. When I left Florida one of the main things I was the most upset about was leaving the water. I’d been so relieved when Mom told me they lived a few miles from the beach, and that the house rested on the bay. This was my happy place.
"Hey there, stranger." A familiar voice beckons me, and I look up to see Nate standing over me holding a football.
"Nate, hey. You following me?" I tease, earning a smile.
"Guilty as charged, pretty lady. Hey Al." He turns and gives Allie a quick wave. "What are you guys up to this afternoon?"
Allie sits up on her towel, "The plan was to hang out here while the sun was out. Why?"
Nate crouches down near my towel like what he intends to tell us is deeply classified information. "If you tell Miller I told you I'll deny, deny, deny. There is a party tonight, at the old docks." He flashes me a wink.
"You know I can't go, Nate." Allie groans. "Alec would drag me home in a heartbeat."
That didn't surprise me in the least.
Nate shrugs and turns his attention back to me, "What about you, new girl? It's time you met everyone."
I should say no. I have no business being anywhere near Alec after what we let happen last night. "I don't know, I'm not really in the partying mood."
Nate scoffs, "Not taking no for an answer. You can ride with Alec, he's-"
I cut him off, "Not happening. I'd rather walk."
A smirk pulls at his lips, "Or I could pick you up?"
I consider his offer for a few seconds. "Fine, but when I want to leave you'll take me home. No questions asked."
Nate nods and hops up from where he was kneeling. "Bye, ladies. See you tonight, Jo."
When he’s gone I turn to face the girls and they’re all eyeing me with surprise. Kelly speaks up first, "You know Nate? Already?"
"Uh, yeah. I met him last night."
Then Steph pipes in, "We've lived here our whole lives and he's never even spoken to us. You've been here for a few days and are already partying with the in-crowd. Life is so unfair."
Torn to Pieces Page 3