Surrendering

by Ahren Sanders

  “What’s going on? How?”

  He grabs me by my waist and pulls me to him tightly. “Surprise, Sparkle.”

  “You did this for me? How did you do it?”

  “With a lot of help and weeks of planning.”

  I look around and see Abbi, Ella, and Will laughing at me from the doorway.

  “Y’all knew? How did I let this slide by?”

  Abbi shakes her head at me, “I got lucky that you had to pee because the whole way over here I was trying to figure out how to get you out of the car and up to the door.”

  “So the whole ‘Steamroom’ thing was fake?”

  “Yes, baby, we’ve been working on this for awhile. The only reasonable thing I could think of to tell you was that we were doing a special show tonight. Then you wouldn’t be curious about what everyone was doing because you’d think they were meeting you there.”

  I look around at the whole crowd “I can’t believe you all were able to keep this a secret. Even Charlie.”

  Harper cracks up and slaps me on the back. “That’s because we didn’t tell her until last Tuesday. We wanted you to be surprised and she would have ruined it.”

  Charlie slaps Harper in return on the shoulder. “Bitch, I can keep a secret.”

  “No you can’t,” we all yell together. She rolls her eyes and laughs. I look around and see that the whole room has been cleared of furniture and the band is in the back of the room near a bar. The bar looks fully stocked. In the front corner, there’s a DJ station set up. I raise my eyebrow at Declan.

  “I told you this took a lot of planning. Kendall got Adam for the night.”

  “Oh my gosh, you’re kidding!!”

  “Nope, I knew he was your friend and I wanted there to be music. So, we worked out a small deal for tonight and he agreed.”

  “There are at least twenty people here- where are all the cars?”

  “Most people carpooled. The others parked around the neighborhood and my neighbors’ driveways.”

  “You thought of everything.”

  “I tried, baby. I aim for this to be the best birthday you ever had. Sorry your parents couldn’t be here.”

  “That’s okay; I’m taking all the pictures for Jenna and James. I’ve already texted the picture of when she walked in,” Charlie says from beside me. She’s pointing her phone at us to smile.

  “Your parents insisted on doing something so they actually catered the party. I tried to stop them, but your dad can be very convincing.”

  “Do I even want to know?”

  He grins and shakes his head at me.

  “God, I love you.”

  He gives me a quick kiss and I hold on. I don’t let him go until I hear the insistent click of Charlie’s phone.

  “That’s hot! Should I send that to James?”

  “Not if you want to live.” I smile over at her.

  A little while later, Blake, Cooper, and Nate wave me over and serve up shots. I yell for the girls to join me, but only Charlie and Kendall come over. Before I can pour the salt on my wrist, Declan grabs my hand. He licks his own wrist and shakes salt on it. He puts the lime in his mouth, pulp side out, and hands me the shot glass. We all lick and take the shot at the same time. I have to lift up on my toes to get to my lime. Declan bends down and releases the lime, but licks my lips as he pulls away.

  “Seriously, there’s a house full of people here. Can’t you two stop for a little while?” Charlie says a little too loudly. Heads turn in our direction, but I laugh and roll my eyes.

  On the other side of the room, I see a few of my classmates including Brent. I excuse myself to talk to them. There are five of us working together on a group project: Mari, Brent, Kyle, Anna, and me. Besides Brent, this is the first time I have seen them outside of school since we started our project.

  “Hey, guys, nice to see you? How’d you know about this?”

  “Your roommate, Abbi; I ran into her last week and she asked me to come. She told me to invite our little group.” Anna answers.

  “I’m glad we came; this is a phat shindig. There’s more man candy in this room than at ladies’ night. Which one is your boyfriend?” Mari asks.

  I point to the crowd at the bar, “He’s the one in the black Henley and grey jeans. I would describe him as the one with the tattoos and piercings, but that wouldn’t separate him from that group.”

  “Holy shit, he’s hot. Are those his friends?”

  “Yeah, that’s his band Sayge. They play around town, mostly at The Steamroom on Thursday and Saturday nights.”

  “Sweet baby Joseph, he’s in a band too? You hit the jackpot.”

  “Thanks, I think so.”

  “Enough about that, tell me about the girls. I’m not picky because this room is filled with beauties.” Kyle breaks in.

  I laugh at him, “Well, to be specific, none of them are involved, but I think my roommate Abbi is off-limits. The three you haven’t met before are my besties. They live in Atlanta now for school, but we’re all from here. They’re home for the holiday.”

  Brent still hasn’t said anything, but I can see him sizing up Harper.

  I feel Declan’s hands grasp my hips as he situates himself behind me. I look up at him and smile; he looks so happy.

  “Baby, these are my friends from class. These are the guys I’ll be spending most of my time with until the end of the semester. Y’all, this is Declan Collins.”

  Everyone introduces themselves and shakes his hand. He doesn’t say anything at all when Brent reintroduces himself. Maybe he forgot about meeting him at the concert.

  “I’m so glad you guys could come. I wanted to meet the people Raven’s doing the school project with. Please help yourselves. The food is in the kitchen and the bar is fully stocked. Our DJ will be here shortly and then the real fun will begin. Don’t be surprised if we don’t have a microphone set up by the end of the night.”

  Everyone laughs, but I know he’s serious.

  I take his hand and we make our way to the food table. My parents went all out. All my favorites are here: shrimp and goat cheese bruschetta, spinach and artichoke dip, buffalo chicken pinwheels, and homemade pepperoni pizza bites.

  “Declan, this is awesome.”

  “I had a lot of help. Abbi and Ella had the job of getting you here and we couldn’t think of any reason for you to come over before the show so we made up the story about the guitar. I started freaking out last night when Will came into the picture and told everyone you couldn’t go to the bar for two nights. That’s when I took him in the kitchen and told him the real plans. Finn and Robbie said something about already checking out everyone on the guest list so he agreed. The whole elaborate drama thing last night was a set up too. But most of it was ad-libbed. When I talked to your mom and dad, they mentioned providing this food. It seems like a weird combination to me, but she assured me you’d love all of it. So she contacted the restaurants and arranged for it to be delivered. All I had to do was set it up.”

  “I can’t believe this; I’ve never had a big birthday party.”

  “That’s exactly why I did it. It didn’t sit well with me that your birthday weekend was always overshadowed. You should have a celebration. Hell, in my opinion, everyone should celebrate the day you were born. I know I will from now on.”

  “You really are too good to me.”

  I wrap my arms around his neck and lean into him for a kiss. I push against him trying to show him exactly how appreciative I am. He clutches my thigh and lifts it around his waist. I feel his hardness and I wish I’d worn a skirt with much easier access. With his hand still on my thigh, he adjusts so his fingers are grazing against my core.

  “Jesus H. Christ! Get a room!” Charlie yells at us as she comes over to the table to get a plate. I reluctantly move back. He drops my leg, but turns me so I cover the bulge in his pants. He quietly curses in my ear.

  “On no, Romeo, Raven can’t hide what you’ve got going on down there,” she waves her hands at h
is pants. “I could see that thing from the other room. I must admit, I’m even more jealous of RJ now. She finally decides to give up her V-card and she gets that- lucky bitch.”

  “Charlie, I can’t believe you just said that! And lower your voice, people can hear you.”

  “Why do you think I’m here? People are hungry and everyone’s scared to come in here and interrupt whatever’s going on. So I volunteered. As soon as I say the coast is clear, this room will be filled.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me. Please tell me you’re kidding me,” I say as Declan starts laughing behind me.

  “Not at all. And let me tell you, it was priceless to see Robbie’s face when he realized his baby sister was no longer a virgin. I think Finn was equally as upset.”

  “How in the world would that even come up in conversation? Who told them?”

  “Kendall may have let it slip without realizing they had joined the conversation.”

  OH MY GOSH! This was terrible. Declan has not stopped laughing and now Charlie is laughing with him. “I don’t know what’s so funny. This is more than a little awkward for me.”

  “Well, get over it because that cat’s outta the bag.”

  I don’t get to say anything else because the crowd must have heard the laughter and felt safe to come and get food. I load my plate and make my way towards the back porch to eat. Declan follows, but before we could get out the door, I catch Robbie watching us and his eyes are shooting daggers at Declan. I smile his way and he shakes his head. Finally, he smiles back and nods at me.

  I make my rounds throughout the night, making sure to spend some time with everyone. The music has started and Adam is keeping everyone on the makeshift dance floor. Harper, Ken, and I have already done a few of our dances from back in the day and the room went wild. I forgot how much fun this is. My glass is never empty and I have a good buzz going. Adam starts playing nineties throw back music and mixing it with newer hip-hop artists. I grab Abbi and Ella and we shift over to where the other girls are dancing. We dance around in a circle and sing at the top of our lungs. I’m sure we look like fools, but I don’t care.

  Adam switches to Flo Rida and I feel an arm on my waist. Declan pulls me out of the circle and into him. He sings in my ear. My body leans closer to his and my mind fills with erotic thoughts. Before I can say anything, the song ends and he kisses the tip of my nose.

  “You just wait, baby. I have another surprise for you later. And the way you’re looking at me right now, tells me you’re going to like it. But for now, I need to go set up.”

  “Set up what?”

  “Well, part of the deal with Adam was to have him do the music for part of the night and then he could enjoy himself. So he brought a Karaoke Machine to set up for the rest of the night. I personally think it’s a great idea. I plan on videotaping as much as possible and posting it on YouTube. There’s a reason Blake and Nate don’t sing in our band.”

  “You’re kidding me! This is going to be awesome. We have to set Charlie up- she can’t carry a tune in a bucket, but she doesn’t know that. If we get her on video, I may have blackmail leverage for the next time she opens her mouth.”

  “You got it, babe. Be back later.”

  Declan tells everyone about the Karaoke and Adam throws a book out with all the songs. People start to crowd around the songbook and picking their selections. I want a front row seat to this so I go to the kitchen to get a chair. When I get there, I’m so surprised that I squeal. Jimi and Abbi are going at it against the back wall. Their mouths are sealed together and they both have their hands running through the other’s hair. Her leg is hitched around him and it reminds me of what Charlie walked in on earlier with me and Declan. They hear me and break apart. Abbi looks at me with shocked eyes.

  “Hey, guys, don’t stop on my account. I came to get a chair. Declan’s setting up a Karaoke machine and I want a good seat. But let me warn you both now, you should go clean up before joining in. You both have lipstick everywhere and I’m pretty sure Jimi needs a cold shower.” I walk away with Jimi laughing behind me.

  There’s nothing funnier than a bunch of drunks trying to sing. I’ve been laughing so hard I can’t believe I haven’t peed in my pants yet. Tripp and Gabe sang their own rendition of “Scream and Shout” with Tripp playing the part of Britney Spears. Nate and Blake had the crowd rolling with their rendition of “Baby Got Back”. Charlie gave an earsplitting performance of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer”. Everyone got up to dance when Cooper and Harper chose the B52’s “Love Shack”.

  I turn to see who’s up next and see Anna and Mari looking at the book while Declan takes the microphone.

  “I’m glad everyone could come tonight! I can honestly say that Raven was surprised. This party was a group effort and I’m so glad it worked out. Since it’s officially midnight and Raven’s birthday, I want everyone to raise their glasses and toast- Happy birthday, babe!”

  The whole room erupts in cheers and ‘Happy Birthdays’ to me. I’m engulfed in hugs and kisses and a glass of champagne is shoved in my hand. All my girlfriends are surrounding me as the intro to one of my favorite songs of all time starts playing. Declan hasn’t moved and he winks at me as he takes over the song. The whole room goes silent as he sings “Tiny Dancer”. His voice is a perfect mix of sexy and sultry as he sings directly to me. I can’t move; I’m mesmerized by him. It’s like the room has disappeared and it’s just me and him. On the chorus, everyone breaks in to sing along. I instantly have memories of our first date night when we watched Almost Famous. That’s the night I told him this was one of my favorite songs.

  When he finishes, the whole room erupts into cheers and I run to him. He bends down and picks me up.

  “Happy birthday, Sparkle.”

  As my other surprise, Declan and Robbie talked to my dad and Will has the rest of the night off. He’s going back to Finn’s to spend the night so Declan and I can have some privacy. I’m not sure exactly how he talked my dad into it, but I think Robbie had some influence as well. We promised Will I would be home tomorrow by lunchtime.

  Declan and I say good-bye to the last guest around two a.m. Thankfully, someone cleaned up the kitchen earlier. The bars a mess, but we decide to clean it up tomorrow.

  Declan wraps his arms around me from behind and nuzzles in my ear. “Did you have fun?”

  “Honey, this was my best birthday ever. Thank you so much.”

  “You still have a whole lot more time left to the weekend. Anything come to mind that you want to do?”

  I turn to him with a wicked grin and remember our first dance at The Steamroom. “I seem to remember a certain someone telling me exactly what they wanted one night and I think it’s high time we get to it. Do you remember telling me- and I quote, ‘I want to lift your ass up, carry you back to the room, and strip you bare. Then I want to finger fuck you until you scream my name. When I know you’re wet enough, I want to slam my dick into you until you can feel me in your chest. I want you to see exactly why I have an apa while you ride me bareback. Then, when you can’t take it anymore, I’ll take over until you can’t move. I won’t let myself go until I see you come at least three times. Then I’ll explode in you and you’ll see stars’.”

  He grins widely at me and his eyes don’t leave mine as he bends and lifts me up. “Thank God you have such a good memory.”

  I lean in and kiss him as he leads us to his bedroom.

  *****

  When I wake, I can hardly move. Everything hurts. My whole body is sore from dancing, drinking, and the marathon sex I instigated. I must have worked all the alcohol out of my system because I don’t feel hung-over. I smell like sex, sweat, and alcohol. My mouth tastes like cotton and I desperately want a shower. The bed is empty beside me so I head to the bathroom and try to get myself together.

  The hot stream of the shower is luxurious. I wash my hair and lather up my body to shave. Declan jumps in beside me. He tugs me to him and kisses me until I can’t breathe.
r />   “Good morning.”

  “You too. Where were you?”

  “I was trying to make you breakfast in bed, but when I heard the shower, I knew I had a better place to be.”

  “Umm, breakfast sounds nice, but I like you right here.”

  I move over so he can shower while I shave my legs. It seems so domestic, us being so comfortable together. I think about what it would be like to live together and how it would feel to do this every day.

  When I put the razor down he pins me against the tile wall.

  “You have no idea how excited I get watching you bend over like that while you shave. Your ass was almost touching my cock and all I wanted to do was slide into you.”

  “I wouldn’t have stopped you. All I can think about is how awesome last night was.”

  “Babe, we gotta get dressed and get you home. I promised Will we’d be there around noon and when I jumped in here, it was almost 11:00. We’ll have a lot more time next weekend when you aren’t under bodyguard watch.”

  “Promises, promises.”

  “We’ll need to stay at your place tonight since Will is officially back on duty. But we have no plans tomorrow. Maybe we can see your dad when he gets back in town and figure out what’s happening.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  *****

  When we get back to my house, Robbie, Finn, and Will are already setting up for a day of football in the living room. I guess Robbie had talked my dad out of having a bodyguard on him since he’s staying close to me and Will. I still have no doubts that they all have their pieces hidden somewhere.

  Declan joins the boys in the living room while I start my laundry and clean my room. Abbi and Ella are out running errands, so I join the guys for awhile. I get bored of football really quick and decided to pop in a yoga DVD and get some exercise.

  I’m halfway through my routine when I bend backwards and find Declan standing in my doorway watching me. He has an unreadable look on his face.

  We stare at each other for a minute before he breaks the silence.