by E. M. Abel
“Thanks, man. Just remember, if you want to keep skating, you have to let your fears go. It’ll mess with your mind,” Marcus said as he patted the kid on the back.
It was good advice. It was easier said than done though. I knew that from experience.
When we finally made it to the ramp, Marcus seemed to know everyone there. They all greeted him with big smiles as they smacked each other’s hands. Some even gave him hugs. I stood there in shock as I recognized some of their faces. They weren’t just random skaters from the area. They were pros—all of them. I knew because I had spent hours drooling over them whenever I would watch the X Games with my brothers. After making his way down the line, Marcus came back to stand next to me.
“Hey, guys, this is my friend, Asia.”
I smiled so big that I felt like my cheeks might burst. They got hot when I noticed some of them checking me out.
“Hey, what’s up, Asia?”
“Hey, how’s it goin’?”
Oh. My. God! I cannot believe that I’m here right now!
Marcus smiled down at me with amusement in his eyes as he saw me become totally giddy. After watching a few skaters take their runs, we made our way to the street course. This was Marcus’s turf. When we got there, Marcus got an even warmer welcome from a different group of skaters. They all hugged him and smacked the top of his hat as he smiled and hugged them back.
Marcus had to miss this. It was more like a brotherhood than just a sport. Just like he did before, Marcus headed back to me and introduced me to his friends.
“Wow, Marcus. You finally found a girl who could hold you down, huh?” one of the skaters asked as his eyes moved over my body.
Marcus just smiled and leaned over to smack someone else’s hand.
“So, when are you going to skate?” I asked, looking up at Marcus.
He shrugged. “Let me go see what’s going on.”
He walked away, and I moved toward the crowd standing around the course to watch the other skaters.
Since this wasn’t a competition, the course was open to everyone, but only three people could skate at a time. There was a line of skaters waiting around the course to go next. Some had their helmets and knee pads on as they held on to their boards. People clapped when a pro started to skate, and they oohed and aahed when the skater landed a trick. I was clapping and cheering some of them on when Marcus came and stood next to me. He took off his hat and slid it backward on his head.
“Looks like I’m next.” He smiled and winked at me.
Grabbing my hand, he pulled me up to the front of the crowd. After he let go, he dropped his board down in front of him.
I stood there, watching, as he gracefully skated to the other side of the course. Everyone clapped and yelled his name when he landed his first tre flip. I couldn’t help but feel giddy as I watched him bust out trick after trick, landing each one perfectly. I had never been more turned-on in my life.
My eyes grew wide, and I started clapping with the rest of the crowd as Marcus broadslided down a rail. After skating for about fifteen more minutes, he walked back over to me, out of breath and sweaty. Some of his friends came over, smacking him on his shoulders and complimenting him on his run. I smiled up at him, unable to hide my adoration.
“You’re going next, right?” he asked, grinning at me.
I hadn’t skated in over a year, and I wasn’t nearly as good as the guys out there, not even the amateurs, but I never backed down from a challenge. I knew Marcus expected me to, so I grabbed his board and dropped it in front of me.
“Okay.” I smirked at him before I turned around and skated off down the course.
My adrenaline was pumping, and I could feel everyone staring at me as I made my way past them. I was the only girl to skate the course. I tried to ignore their stares and comments. Focus, Asia. You’ve got this.
I pushed my way up toward the first ramp, positioned my feet on the board as I approached the slope, and kickflipped the board under me, landing on it perfectly.
“Ooohhh!” the crowd yelled as I rolled down the rest of the ramp on Marcus’s board.
I smiled big and pumped my fist in the air, feeding off the energy around me, as I skated back toward Marcus. I stopped in front of him and handed him his board. He had the widest grin I had ever seen on his face.
“You’re done already?”
“Yeah. There’s no way I’ll ever be able to do that again,” I confessed, laughing.
He reached over, pulling me into a hug, and kissed the top of my head.
“Damn, Marcus! I think I just fell in love with your girl!”
My eyes widened when I recognized the guy standing in front of me. He was the skater from a poster I had hung in my old dorm room. I had stared at his picture as I fantasized about being his girlfriend and about…other things. Ryan McCoy. He was drop-dead gorgeous. I mean, drop-your-jaw-and-drool-on-yourself gorgeous, and he was standing across from us, talking about me!
“I’m not his—”
“You better back the fuck off, shithead,” Marcus joked as he pushed Ryan’s shoulder.
I snapped my mouth shut, wondering if anyone had heard me. It didn’t seem like they had. Oh my god! Suddenly, it occurred to me that Marcus had never corrected anyone when it was assumed we were a couple. He might not want a relationship with me, but he was also preventing me from finding one with someone else. Maybe he wants more. I quickly dismissed that thought and reminded myself that things with Marcus were only temporary.
After watching a few more guys skate, Marcus and I made our way around the field and saw some bands play their sets. Marcus bought me a T-shirt to mark the occasion, and then he handed me a Sharpie. When I looked up at him, confused, he gave me his devilish grin. Grabbing my hand, he pulled me toward the end of the field where the stages were setup. We walked around the side of the left stage and stopped behind the biggest one in the middle.
A large guy was standing at the bottom of a wooden staircase with his arms crossed. Marcus flashed him the VIP pass, and the guy nodded and moved to the side, letting us both up. Marcus pushed the black curtain to the side, and there they were, Anarchy—my favorite punk band. I stopped in my tracks with my mouth hanging open as I squeezed Marcus’s arm.
“Ooouch!” he whispered out of the side of his mouth.
I apologized and eased my grip on him as I followed him around backstage. He was so calm and relaxed as he introduced himself to the band. Some of them knew who he was.
“This is my friend, Asia. She’s a big fan,” he announced, smiling down at me as I blushed.
“Hi,” I squeaked, waving and giggling like a schoolgirl.
“Hi, Asia!” they all said in unison.
Holy shit! They just said my name!
After talking to them a little while longer, I got them to sign my new shirt. Then, Marcus and I made our way down the stairs, hand in hand.
“Oh my god! That was awesome!” I yelled, jumping up and down after we got to the bottom of the stairs.
Marcus laughed while he watched me bounce around as I clapped my hands in front of me.
Just as I turned to thank him, Marcus grabbed my hips and pulled me against his body. Kissing me hard, his tongue grazed my bottom lip, and I opened my mouth to control my heavy breathing. He took advantage and slid his tongue inside. When he moved one of his hands down to my butt, I pushed back, separating our lips. Marcus held on tight with his arms, refusing to let go, as he stared down at me with his wicked grin.
“I thought we agreed. No PDA,” I objected, cocking an eyebrow.
Marcus glanced over each of his shoulders. “No one’s looking.”
I smiled and rested my forehead on his chest. “Why don’t we just go home?”
Leaning down, he slowly kissed my neck and then licked a path up to my ear. “I thought you’d never ask,” he whispered.
Before I could respond, he threw me over his shoulder, picked up his board, and walked fast toward the parking lot. I cou
ld only see legs moving around me as I kicked and squealed.
He smacked my butt. “Be good, or I’ll punish you again,” he said as he headed to his car.
I couldn’t stop laughing. This day was one of the best days of my life, and it would be one I would always remember.
After our day at Warped Tour, we made it home, and I got into the shower. When I came out of my bathroom in my robe, I found Marcus lounging on my bed. With a joint in his hand, he asked me if I had a lighter. Before I could answer, he reached for the drawer on my nightstand.
“No! Don’t—”
He opened the drawer—where I kept my vibrator. Shit!
His head snapped up, and when he looked at me, a seriously devious grin appeared on his lips. Instantly, my face was on fire. Just when I thought I couldn’t be more mortified, he reached in and pulled the vibrator out, waving it in front of him.
“What’s this?” he asked, still smiling wryly.
He knew damn well what it was. I put a knee on the bed and tried to grab it, but he swiped it away.
“Marcus! Put it back!” I shouted.
He started laughing as I lunged toward him, still trying to take my vibrator but missing every time.
“Give it to me!” I pleaded through a giggle.
“You’re more kinky than I thought,” he said, still laughing as he moved the vibrator back and forth over his head.
I stopped laughing. Crossing my arms over my chest, I glared at him. This had no effect whatsoever.
“What? Am I not enough for you, babe? Are you a nympho or something?”
“Shut up, Marcus.”
“Oh, don’t be embarrassed, Puffy. I like it.”
I rolled my eyes and then continued glaring at him. “I’m not embarrassed.”
“Then, why is your face so red?”
“You’re such an asshole,” I muttered as I continued glaring. “For your information, I haven’t used it in a while, okay? Now, put. It. Back.”
“You’re so sexy when you’re mad,” he told me before inspecting my vibrator.
While he was distracted, I quickly snatched it out of his hand, stood up, shoved it back into my drawer, and slammed it shut. He just chuckled as he tucked his joint behind his ear and leaned back against my headboard.
“So, how long has it been?”
“What?”
“How long has it been since you used it?”
I stood by my nightstand and crossed my arms again. “That’s none of your business.”
“Just trying to size up my competition.” He shrugged, smirking at me.
God, his charm is infuriating.
“Why? Are you worried?” I accused, raising my eyebrow.
“No.”
He was cocky, too.
“Then, why do you want to know?”
“Just curious.”
“Well, unlike the girls you’re used to fucking, I’m not a slut. I chose to use that,” I said, motioning toward my drawer, “instead of going out and opening my legs for every guy who showed interest.”
“So, how many guys have you slept with?”
I went back to glaring at him. “Now, that is definitely none of your business.”
“I’m fucking you, Asia. It is my business.”
“Oh, really? You gonna tell me how many girls you’ve been with?”
“I could give you an estimate,” he answered, giving me his sexy smile.
“An estimate?”
“Yeah. I’d say I’m somewhere around fifty or sixty.”
“Fifty or sixty?” I yelled as my eyebrows shot up, my arms flew out to my sides, and my mouth hung open.
Marcus found my reaction hilarious. He started laughing again as he sat up. “It isn’t that bad, babe. I’ve been havin’ sex for like ten years, so that means I average about five or six a year.”
“Sixty?” I asked again, still in shock.
“What? How many guys have you been with?”
“Two,” I snapped back.
Now, it was his turn for his eyebrows to shoot up.
“Two?” he asked, narrowing his eyes at me. “Is that like woman code for twenty?”
“No, Marcus. I’ve slept with two guys—you and Jay,” I said, crossing my arms again.
“Are you telling me you didn’t have sex with anyone when you were in college? No one?”
“No one,” I confirmed.
Marcus shook his head and rubbed his hand through his messy hair. “Now, I see why you needed the vibrator,” he muttered to himself.
“Yeah, and now, I know you’re a total slut!”
When he looked up at me, his wicked grin was back. Before I could say anything else, I was being carried to his room.
Marcus and I had frantic desperate sex on his bed. We devoured each other as if it were our last night on earth, like we had no time to waste and every moment counted.
Although I found my single-digit number humiliating, I came to the conclusion that Marcus liked it—a lot.
The next morning, I woke up in Marcus’s bed. This was the first time we had actually slept together, and at first, it felt nice. It felt right. That was, until I started to feel it in my chest. My heart was fighting the walls I’d built around it, and it scared the shit out of me.
Marcus had an arm around my waist, and his front was curled to my back. We were spooning. I was spooning with Marcus Avery—Marcus who didn’t do relationships, Marcus who I loved since high school, Marcus who didn’t bring girls home, meaning he didn’t allow them to sleep in his bed.
I had to get out before he woke up and realized his mistake and then spent the next week distancing himself from me again. This time, I would be the one initiating that distance. Things were getting out of hand, and I had to stop it before it was too late.
I lightly wrapped my fingers around Marcus’s tattooed wrist, and when I started to slowly lift his arm off of me, he pulled it back down, wrapping it tightly around me.
“Where you goin’?” he grumbled into my ear with his raspy voice.
“Bathroom.”
That wasn’t why I was leaving, but I did have to pee, so it worked. Marcus kissed my shoulder before releasing my waist, and I slid out of his bed. I grabbed my robe off of his floor and scrambled away as fast as I could, heading back to my room.
After using the bathroom, I stood in front of the mirror.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I whispered to myself.
Those blondes at work were right.
You would think you would have learned your lesson from Jay, but here you are, setting yourself up to get hurt all over again.
Shit.
After brushing my teeth and my hair, I made my way into my bedroom to get dressed. I decided to go for a run. It would give me time to think and a chance to get away from Marcus. I pulled on a pair of running shorts and a tank top with a built-in sports bra. After I grabbed a pair of socks and my running shoes, I sat on the end of my bed to put them on. Once I got my socks on, I heard a knock at my bedroom door.
“Yeah?” I called toward it as I slipped on one shoe.
Marcus pushed open the door. He was leaning on the door frame, wearing only a pair of black boxers, with his arms crossed over his broad chest. “What are you doing?”
I pulled on my other shoe. “Going for a run.”
“Why?”
I couldn’t tell him why, so I struggled for a reason. “Um…because I want to?”
Marcus’s eyes flicked down to my hands that were now tying my shoes. “I’m telling Shaun.”
I stopped tying and tilted my head up to look at him as my eyebrows furrowed. “What?”
“I’m telling Shaun. Today.”
“Telling him what? That I’m going for a run?”
Marcus smiled and glanced down at the floor in front of his bare feet before his eyes connected with mine. “No, Asia. I’m telling him about us.”
My back went straight, and I stared at him. Why the hell would he do that? Is he insane?
“Are you crazy? What…why the hell would you do that?”
“Because he’s my best friend, he’s your brother, and he deserves to hear it from me first.”
I sat there in shock. What? “He doesn’t need to know, Marcus. It’s none of his business, and it’s not like he would find out anyway.”
Marcus didn’t say anything he just stared at me, his eyes fixed to mine.
“What?” I asked when I grew tired of the silence.
Marcus’s jaw clenched. “Things are different now, babe, and you know it.”
My eyebrows drew together again. “What?”
Marcus took two steps into my room, so he was standing directly in front of me. I leaned back and lifted my chin to look at him. Realization swept over his features, and then his jaw clenched again.
“You’re running.”
Is it me or is this conversation just getting weirder by the second? I glanced to the left of Marcus and then back to meet his eyes. “Uh, yeah. I thought we established that already.”
Marcus sighed and shook his head before squatting down in front of me. My eyes followed him until we were face-to-face. He’s so beautiful.
“No, babe. You’re runnin’ from this,” he clarified as he motioned between the two of us.
I took in a deep breath through my nose and bit my bottom lip.
“I get it. I know you don’t trust me, but you’re gonna have to learn how.”
Okay, so now, I was really confused. “You don’t do relationships,” I whispered as I studied his face.
Marcus reached up and tucked my hair behind my ear. “Well I do now, babe,” he whispered back.
I shook my head as I felt my heart beginning to thump harder in my chest. I gazed down at my lap. “I can’t, Marcus. I can’t go through that again. This was supposed to be just sex. Just. Sex.”
“Look at me, Asia,” Marcus ordered.
And I did.
“I’m sorry, babe. I’m sorry I hurt you. I was stupid. I fucked up. I thought I was doing you a favor by keeping things light. I thought I was helping you when I left. But now, I see…it was the biggest mistake of my life. You gave me something precious, you gave yourself to me, and I threw it away. I’m not makin’ that mistake again, babe. Never again.”