Torn to Pieces

by Harper Ashley

  "Just keep your phone on you and update me on your plans, I don't want to worry all night."

  I hug her briefly before darting for the door.

  "Damnnnn, Caliente!" Veronica howls out the window as I approach the car. I shake my hips and do a twirl soaking up the compliments. There’s another girl I don't recognize sitting in the passenger seat, and V introduces her as Macy. Her deep skin is stunning, and it contrasts perfectly with the white jersey dress she is wearing.

  "So the docks?" I ask while sliding into the back seat.

  "Yeah, should be a good crowd there tonight." V responds.

  She turns up the stereo and blares music the entire ride, and when Macy passes me a wine cooler I take it without a second thought.

  Carpe Diem. That’s my motto tonight. I will not stress over Alec, I will not wonder what he is doing. I am not that girl who goes loony toons when the guy she likes goes off on his own for the night.

  "Damn, Jules looks hot tonight." Macy says as we exit the car and walk towards the crowd.

  I follow her eyes and see a girl dancing with a red solo cup in her hand. Her movements are slow and seductive, and when her eyes meet Macy's she dials it up a few extra notches.

  "Yeah, I'm on that like white on rice." She says playfully and walks over to join the dancing girl.

  V wraps an arm around me and laughs, "She has more game than any guy I know, that's for sure. Drives the ladies crazy!"

  That doesn't surprise me in the least. Macy exudes confidence, and not to mention she's gorgeous. She’s so smooth as she flirts, and Jules effectively becomes putty in her hands.

  "Damn, you’reright about that. What did that take? Three minutes?" I ask, half joking and half impressed by how quickly Macy worked. Their bodies are now grinding to the music, and I smile.

  At least one of us may get laid tonight.

  V grabs my hand and leads me towards a few kegs and pours me a beer. "So, see anything that catches your eye?" She asks mischievously.

  Anything that catches my eye? "What?"

  "Come on girl, see anything you like? Any man candy?"

  Oh, right. Now this, I hadn't thought about. Of course she'd think I'm single. I can't exactly tell her who I'm really interested in.

  I have clearly taken too long to respond and she nudges me playfully. "I mean, you are single. There are plenty of hotties around here tonight. Might as well have a little fun."

  Am I single? Alec and I hadn't exactly defined whatever it is that we are. I mean, I sure as hell hadn't thought of being with anyone else…but had he? We still hadn't slept together. Could I really expect him to not want to sleep with anyone when he wasn't getting that from me? It wasn't like I didn't want to...we just hadn't really gotten there yet.

  "Uhm, yeah. I guess I am single- I just don't really think I'm looking for anything right now." I respond, trying to sound sure of myself.

  "Hey, no pressure. Let's just see how the night goes. Deal?"

  I smile back at her, "Deal."

  ∞∞∞

  A few hours later I’m buzzed and happy. The music is still thumping loudly, and V is at my side moving and swaying with me. There’d been a few brave souls to approach me for a dance, but I'd waved them all off without interest just as quickly as they came. I couldn't help it. None of them could even hold a candle to Alec. His large frame, those hard muscles, and God those tattoos? There was no way your typical run of the mill high school boy could compare to that.

  "Hold on, it's Connor." V says holding up her ringing phone to show me the screen. She picks up and starts shoving through the crowd trying to find a quiet place to hear what he has to say. As soon as I'm alone a guy approaches me and asks if I need a refill.

  "I'm Caleb." He says with a friendly voice and a smile. He's handsome, but in a more conventional way. Not in the Rebel Without a Cause way like Alec. His blonde hair and blue eyes paired with tan skin make him look like the stereotypical jock that is the lead in every chick-flick teen romantic comedy.

  "Sure, thanks. I'm Jo." I answer back, deciding he looks nice enough. Plus, I'm thirsty. He leaves with my cup and returns a few moments later with it full to the brim.

  "Are you new? I don't recognize you." Caleb asks, and I nod.

  "I just moved here, I start school at Southside in the fall. Senior year." I reply.

  "Me too. Well, it's nice to meet you Jo. Cool name, by the way." Caleb flashes another smile and then turns around fading back into the crowd about the same time that V returns.

  "Everything okay with Connor?" I ask her when she's close enough that I don't have to yell over the music.

  "Oh, yeah! Of course. He just wanted to check in. I told him we we're having a girl's night. He says hello."

  "What are they up to?" I ask cryptically.

  "You know, the usual. Strip clubs and cheap hookers." The look on my face must convey pure horror, and she bursts out into a fit of laughter. "Kidding, only kidding. You should have seen your face, girl. They are at Billiards & Barstools. It’s a bar for playing pool, they go every so often and have tournaments. Lots of friendly competition and betting going on, I'm sure."

  I instantly feel better about Alec's plans, and can't help but smile. "Oh, well that sounds like fun."

  V shrugs, "I guess. They seem to enjoy it. It's pretty boring for me though. I've only gone a few times." I watch as she pulls out her phone again and squints at the screen. Her fingers type out a message but before she can put it away it rings again.

  "What the-" She says, clearly confused by the message.

  "What is it?" I ask, immediately concerned.

  "Well, on the phone I mentioned that you were with me at the docks. I guess Connor told the guys when he got back inside."

  "And?" I ask, not quite understanding where this is going.

  She hands me her phone so that I can read the messages.

  Connor: Missin you, have fun.

  Connor: You said Jo is with you, right?

  V: Yeah, why?

  I raise an eyebrow, still not understanding. She taps the back button to take me back to her inbox. I see Alec's name signaling an incoming message.

  Alec: You took Jo to the docks?

  Alec: Wtf is she doing?

  My stomach drops and I look up to meet V's gaze. She’s eyeing me with a mixture of confusion and amusement. V takes back the phone and begins to respond to Alec.

  V: Having a good time, what's it to you?

  She winks at me, "That'll make him stew." I can tell she thinks it's humorous that he's so worried about what I’m up to, but I'm also pretty sure that she thinks he's asking to be a dick. That he's upset with her for bringing his enemy across the battle lines. Oh, how wrong she is.

  Alec: Are you drinking?

  "Seriously? Does he think he's your dad?" V scoffs. I know she's had a good bit to drink, we both have... and it seems like the liquid courage is making her feisty.

  V: Chill out, Alec. She's in good hands. I won't let anything happen to your stepsister. You know me better than that.

  "There, I was nice. Now let's dance." She puts the phone on silent and slides it back into her pocket, and I instantly regret leaving mine in the car. I have a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that I can't place, but the more I think about it I know she's right. I am having a good time, and I'm not doing anything wrong. I down another cup of beer before falling into place with her amid the growing crowd of bodies grinding to the music.

  Chapter Eighteen

  My feet have started to hurt from all the dancing, but I’m having so much fun that I don't even care. V is having a blast too, and now Macy and Jules are at our side. We've formed a sort of circle and are all swaying and moving with each other, not even aware of the others dancing around us.

  Someone brushes against me and I turn to see Caleb, the Mr. Nice Guy from earlier. He's noticeably more intoxicated now, which means he's also much more confident in his approach with me. "Hey there again, Jo right?"

  I
nod, and he smiles. "How about another refill?" He asks, but I politely decline. The world has been spinning for a while now, so I think another beer is the last thing I need.

  V sends a wink my way and gives a nod of approval. She clearly thinks I need to be giving boy wonder here a shot, but I can't help but think of Alec. I don't want the clean-cut easy choice, I want the messy and complicated shit show with my villain. I want the chaos.

  "You sure? You look thirsty." Caleb tries again, but before I can politely reject him again a deep voice handles it for me.

  "She said no thanks, now run along."

  Caleb's eyes widen and without another word he turns and walks away. I look up and see Alec towering over me with a look on his face that I can only describe as pure possessiveness.

  "What the hell? What are you doing here?" V shrieks. About that time, Connor appears behind Alec and shrugs at her, making it obvious he has no clue why they are there either.

  We're having an entire conversation with our eyes, no words necessary. His ask me what I'm doing here, and why I didn't tell him I was coming. Mine answer that it was last minute, and that I didn't want to interrupt his guys’ night. Alec sighs and tenses his jaw. His eyes shift, and I know he’s asking me if I want to leave. I nod.

  I turn to face V and she is eyeing me intently, brows furrowed. I know there will be a conversation about this little exchange she just witnessed.

  "I'm taking Jo home." Alec announces.

  V grabs my arm and pulls me to the side. "Dude, what the heck just happened? Are you guys suddenly telepathic? That was weird. Are you sure you want to leave with him? I can take you-"

  I cut her off and wrap her in a hug. "I had so much fun tonight, but I really do need to get home. Text me tomorrow? We can talk then, okay?"

  She seems to accept this, for now. "Sure... as long as you are cool with leaving with him."

  I nod, reassuring her that I am fine.

  I follow Alec to the car and realize I couldn't care less about the confused looks on his friend's faces. Instead I feel triumphant. He wanted me, he left them to come get me. He wanted me all for himself. The thought alone gets me hot, and I count down the moments until we are finally alone.

  The car is silent as we pull away from the docks, and the lights fade into the darkness the farther we drive. I don't know what to say to break the tension.

  "So did you win?" I finally ask.

  "What?"

  "Pool. V said y'all were at a billiards club. Did you win?"

  I can see the smile on his lips, "I was doing alright, but then I was distracted."

  Oh really. "You don't say? What caused that to happen?" I ask innocently.

  His knuckles are turning white and I know he’s gripping the steering wheel for dear life. "I found out my girl was at some party, no doubt being swarmed by other men."

  My girl.

  I still, completely unable to move-to breathe.

  "I figured it was a smart decision to go scoop her up before someone better came along and made a more appealing offer." He continues, and I try to will myself to resume regular respiratory rhythms. "I'm glad I did too. There’s no reason she should look that fucking hot without me around."

  My heart is pounding, and I’m convinced he can hear it from the driver's seat.

  "She's glad you decided to come get her, too. Those other guy's offers weren't nearly as appealing...not by a long shot." I say, my voice unintentionally low and husky. The need I have for him right now is all consuming, and I need relief. "In fact, she thinks you should pull over and show her exactly how glad you are to see her."

  I am surprised by my forwardness, but at this point I’m past being embarrassed. I just need him to satisfy this ache.

  "No." He growls.

  "What?" I cry out. There’s no way he’s going to reject me right now, is there?

  "I'm not fucking you for the first time in a car. It’ll be in my bed, where I can do everything I want to do to you without being cramped or rushed."

  Oh.

  His hands tighten on the steering wheel again and I worry that he may just rip it right off. He’s aching too, I can feel it.

  ∞∞∞

  When we pull up to the house and make it inside, the tension between us is so thick I can barely stand it. There’s a slight awkwardness because we both know what’s about to happen, but the excitement overshadows it two-fold. He holds out his hand and leads me downstairs quietly, and my heart races as we get closer and closer to his bed.

  I barely have time to sit on the edge of the bed before his lips crash into mine. The kiss is reckless and full of raw passion, causing my lips to open for his instinctively. A jolt of electricity races throughout me when his hands begin to explore my body, everything within me coming alive- building and building with anticipation for what is to come.

  "God, you taste so sweet." He murmurs into my mouth, and I want to melt into the bed. Our bodies begin to move in sync with one another creating a deliciously perfect friction that leaves me wanting more, needing more.

  I move to straddle him and his impressive length strains against those tight black pants that I’ve grown to love so much. His hardness presses into me, showing me how badly he wants this. "Do you see what you do to me? Can you feel how much I want you?" He kisses me again, this time harder. I let out a moan into his mouth and he flips our position so that he’s over me, staring down at me like a starving wild animal going in for the kill.

  His hands claw feverishly at my clothing, trying to rip it from my body. I reach down to help him with my pants, and once the button is undone. he pulls them off and tosses them across the room.

  "My turn," I say quietly. I run my fingers up his hard stomach savoring each curve and contour. I slowly pull his shirt off, and then let my fingers run against his skin all the way back down until I reach his belt. I press kisses to his chest as I work to remove every single layer that separates him from me.

  "Jo, I need to be inside you." He says, voice low and gravelly.

  The primal urges I feel right now are unlike anything I have ever experienced. I need to know what it feels like for him to fill me, to be deep inside me.

  When his pants are successfully on the ground he tugs down his briefs, and I see his length spring free. He leans over me to pull a condom from his bedside table, and slides it on with ease.

  He's no amateur.

  His finger wraps around my panties and pulls them down, the cool air hitting me and causing me to shiver. Then, he’s over me again. He’s at my entrance, slowly sliding up and down- preparing me for the moment that he pushes inside. Our eyes are locked on one another, and if he doesn't put me out of my misery I may combust. Again, as if reading my mind he begins to slowly push into me. With each stroke going deeper and deeper, my moans all the reassurance he needs that it is exactly what I want. I ball my fist up and bite down on it, hard- in an attempt to stifle the pleasure-induced animalistic noises escaping from me. His mouth falls to my ear and he whispers, "I wish you didn't have to do that. I wish I could hear you scream for me."

  "I am so close, so close." I gasp, eyes rolling back. I’m consumed with how incredible this feels, with how perfectly he fits with me.

  He picks up the pace and I tighten around him. We come apart at the seams together, both covered in sweat and groaning in lust. He collapses against me and I can barely breathe, chest heaving rapidly up and down. He stays inside me for a few more seconds as he steadies himself, and then slowly pulls out of me, making me shudder.

  "That was-" I begin,

  "Everything." He finishes my thought.

  And he's right.

  Chapter Nineteen

  After what happened last night, there’s no turning back as far as I'm concerned. I'm all in. Leaving his bedroom and returning to my own is physically painful, and all I want is to stay wrapped up in his arms until the sun comes up.

  The wedding is now two weeks away and it's all hands-on deck for last minute preparations. I'v
e been put in charge of creating a spreadsheet of all the RSVP's and confirming the arrangements for the catering, venue, photographer, and band. Allie volunteered her creative expertise to put together the bouquets and tie hundreds of tiny ribbons onto little bags of birdseed to throw at the happy couple as they make their exit. Alec has stayed as far away from helping as possible, but this didn't really come as a surprise to anyone.

  "Sean, passports. Where are they? We need to make sure they are accounted for." My mom says as she frantically paces the kitchen.

  "Already taken care of, they’re sitting on my desk. Baby, relax. We have everything under control." He wraps his arms around my mother and places a kiss on her temple. "All this stress is going to drive you mad. This is a time to be happy."

  I can't help but smile at them. They really do seem to be the perfect match. He’s able to calm her crazy which is no small feat. Their honeymoon will be spent on some exotic island far away for an entire week, and while I’m bummed I won't be able to enjoy it... I can't pretend that a week alone with Alec doesn't sound like a dream come true. Sure Allie will be here, but sneaking around behind the back of one person is much easier than three.

  I work my way down the 'To Do' list and cross the items off one by one. Everything seems to be in order, which makes me let out a sigh of relief.

  "I think this may actually go off without a hitch." I say to Allie, and she smiles.

  "I think you may be right." She responds.

  Once I’m done making my calls, I shift my efforts to helping her tie up the bags of birdseed until my fingers start to go numb, then I call it quits. She waves me off, and I plop down on the sofa to relax for a bit. I check my messages and see one from Veronica.

  V: Hey Houdini, that disappearing act last night was a fun party trick. How about we grab lunch so you can explain what the hell all that was about?