by J. D. Rivera
“I know.” Kristin began belting out the lyrics, and I wished I had my guitar on me. Better yet, I wished I had my drum kit so I could show Kristin another one of my many talents. Why the hell do I want to show Kristin my talents? I’m being a douche.
After the song stopped, she chose Justin Moore’s You Look Like I Need a Drink. Obviously Kristin was just as eclectic in her musical tastes as I was. I already knew this, but within the last week it was as if I was seeing her and all her quirks and likes for the first time. And good God, seeing her body for the first time was slowly killing me. KILLING ME. Kristin had the hottest body I had ever seen. Beautiful face with big, brown eyes, killer rack, flat stomach, nice flare to her hips, and long legs—perfection.
“Why do you keep looking at me?”
Her voice broke me from my thoughts. “What? I was looking at you?” Oh, darlin’, I wasn’t just looking at you, I was doing a whole lot more.
“Yeah, and you need to concentrate on driving.” She lifted a brow, giving me a stern look.
“Yes, ma’am.” I kept my eyes on the road the rest of the time, trying my hardest not to think about what the body sitting next to me would look like without clothes on. I pulled into the parking lot of the grocery store and parked. “We’re here.”
“Yep,” she replied before getting out and slamming her door.
I followed suit, and we walked into the store and grabbed a cart. I had to chuckle to myself. We looked very domestic.
“Do you need some of that protein stuff?”
“I get it at the gym. I just need some meat and veggies. And apples.” I strolled over to the apple bin and began picking out a few good ones. Once I had as many as I wanted, I asked, “Do you want some?”
“I can get some in a minute.”
Rolling my eyes, I picked a few more out for Kristin, tied the bag I had shoved them into, and placed them in the cart. We continued this process for a while and then began going up and down the aisles, picking out random things.
“I made a huge mistake the other night,” Kristin blurted.
“With the shithead?” I asked, throwing some peanut butter into the cart.
“Yeah,” she whispered as she strolled down the aisle, pushing the cart and looking at nothing on the shelves. “I-I…we slept together. You already knew that, but Adam…it’s like he thinks we can be like friends with benefits or something.”
“Not what you want?” I asked, hoping against hope she didn’t.
“No.” She swallowed hard. “I don’t want that. I barely wanted to be his friend. I knew sleeping with him was a mistake as soon as I did it. That’s why I bailed when he left the room.”
I barked out a laugh. “If that doesn’t show him you don’t want him, nothing will. I almost want to feel sorry for him. Almost.”
“I just don’t know what to do now.”
“Tell him to fuck off—or I can,” I told her, and I wasn’t lying. I could make sure he never bothered her again with one visit to his apartment, or house, or wherever the fuck the rich douche lived.
“I don’t want you involved.” She pushed the cart into the next aisle. “I just needed to tell someone and Holly would never let me hear the end of it. She hates Adam.”
“She’s a smart girl.”
That got her to laugh. “That is stretching it.”
We continued shopping and I tried to throw her in the cart, but she protested so loudly, everyone in the store began staring at us. I didn’t mind, but her face was beet red with embarrassment. Later, I tried running, then jumping on the back of the cart to see how far down the aisle I would roll, but she didn’t like that either. Kristin wasn’t in a playful mood. She was in a sullen mood over Adam, but I planned on fixing that.
After what felt like forever, we paid for everything and drove home. I had just put away the last of the items when I hollered down the hallway, “You ready to go?”
“Go where?” Kristin yelled back from her bedroom.
“It’s a surprise.”
“The last time you dragged me out, I fell down a snow-covered hill.”
I laughed at the memory. Still funny as shit. “I promise that won’t happen this time.”
“Okay,” she said, walking down the hallway. “Let me grab my jacket.”
“Maybe put your hair up,” I suggested as I walked toward my room to grab my keys.
When I returned to the living room, Kristin was leaning against the door, jacket on, hair up, and eyes closed. So fucking gorgeous, I thought before stopping myself.
“Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
I opened the door and motioned for her to go first. She walked to the passenger side of my truck as I strolled toward my bike. “Over here.”
“What?” she asked, confused.
“This is the surprise.”
She walked closer, her eyebrows pulled in. “This is your bike?”
“Yep,” I said, pulling her closer to me. “You nailed it, flower girl, when you said the owner was probably hot. Damn right he is.”
Her full lips parted and her eyes widened. I wanted to wrap my arms around her and never let go. I hated to admit it, but I was falling for Kristin in a completely non-friendship way. I wanted her to be my girl. Kristin is sexy, smart, fun, and kind—perfect. But I couldn’t let that happen. I couldn’t chance it.
“Where is your Santa hat?”
“What?” I asked, genuinely confused.
“You said the owner might have a Santa beard...” she huffed. “Never mind.” She rolled her eyes.
I chuckled and shook my head as I reached behind me and grabbed the helmet. “Let’s go have some fun.” I placed the helmet on her head, then turned away. I had to before I kissed her.
Straddling the bike, I helped her get on the back and her arms wrapped around me. “Ready?”
“Yep,” she said, and I could hear the smile in her voice. She wanted to have fun.
“Okay.” I kicked the stand back and started the engine. A moment later, we were rolling out of the lot and pulling into traffic. I couldn’t go very fast with the cars everywhere, but I could still feel her arms tightening around me. I hated—hated—to admit how much I loved the feel of her.
We pulled up to a stoplight. “You okay?” I hollered. The day was turning to night and the air was beginning to chill. To me, it felt perfect.
“Yep. I’m great.”
“Good,” I said just as the light turned green again. We began moving and her head fell onto my shoulder, almost nuzzling me. A part of me wondered if she was beginning to feel the same way about me. The other part wanted to go find a random girl to screw so Kristin wouldn’t have those feelings for me. The thought of a random girl suddenly made me feel ill. I want Kristin. I was so damn confused and I was thankful we were nearing the interstate. It would lead me to the outskirts of town and down a back road. I’d be able to free my head of all the jumbled thoughts and just feel cold night air on my face.
I turned right, then yelled back toward Kristin, “Now, the fun really begins.”
Chapter Nine
Kristin
I couldn’t believe the bike belonged to Carson. I had no idea where it had come from, but I didn’t care. The cold air was hitting my face and I was having one of the best nights I could remember. Plus, I had wrapped myself as close as I possibly could around Carson. I loved the way he felt. I loved it too much.
While he was driving down the interstate, I let the air zip over my face and closed my eyes. It was an exhilarating sensation, not seeing anything but feeling everything. And I loved that I was experiencing it with Carson.
He finally drove down some back roads, nobody but the two cars we passed and us. Well, maybe some cows. We weren’t going very fast because of all the potholes and loose pavement, but it still felt thrilling, like I was leaving all my worries over Adam in the wind behind us.
“You still doing okay back there?” I could barely hear him over the roar of the motor, but
he was loud enough I didn’t have to yell “Huh?” and “What?” every time he spoke.
“Yeah.”
He slowed the bike down and pulled over on top of a hill. Once he killed the engine, I unwrapped myself from his body and climbed off, unclasping the helmet. My legs felt stiff and my hair was a tangled mess.
“I thought you might need a break,” Carson said as he stood up, took his helmet off, and shook his brown hair into a sexy look. Goodness, he looked like every girl’s fantasy—facial scruff, beautiful blue eyes, muscles, all standing next to a Harley. The only thing that could’ve made it better was if his sleeve of tattoos had been visible.
“Did you just buy this?” I asked, bringing my attention back to the bike.
“No. I bought it the summer after I graduated high school.” He turned and looked at it. “I worked my ass off working for my dad as much as I possibly could to pay for it. They bought my old SUV, but I had to work for the bike.”
“What does your dad do?” Why had he never told me about his bike, and why do I not know what his dad does? We talk about everything.
“He’s an accountant.” He leaned his head back to look at the starry sky. “And I’m pretty sure I mentioned I have a bike before.”
“I guess it just never clicked that it was like a real motorcycle.”
He glanced over at me, his brows pulled in. “You thought I was talking about a bicycle? You thought I rode around town picking up girls on a bicycle?”
“I don’t know.”
He looked like he wanted to say something else, but didn’t. He leaned back against the bike, sitting on the seat. “You feeling better?”
“I really do,” I said. “Thanks, Carson.”
“You’re welcome. That’s what friends do. They make each other feel better. Although, I already planned to take you on a ride.” I hated the way he said friends. I knew that’s what we were and I loved it, but I hated that he also meant there would never be an option for anything more.
“When did you go get it?” I asked as I wrapped my arms around my torso.
“Wednesday. That’s where I went—back home.”
“Oh.”
He was silent for a few more minutes before he asked, “What is your favorite flower?”
“Pink lily.”
He just nodded and we both became lost in our thoughts.
We stayed parked for another fifteen minutes before we rode back to the apartment. I went to my room and he went to his for the rest of the night. Carson seemed distant and I couldn’t figure out why.
***
It had been a week and a couple days since our bike ride. Carson had gone back to his witty self, but he still kept his distance from me. I was fine with that since I was starting to develop stronger feelings for him.
I stepped out of the shower and toweled off before slipping on a pair of shorts and a tank top. It was Sunday, Valentine’s Day, and I planned on staying home and painting my toenails.
I wandered into the hallway, then the living room, and finally the kitchen, looking for something to eat. I stopped short when I glanced at the counter. A big cupcake sat next to a bouquet of pink lilies. My breath caught and my hand went to my chest. He remembered. I took the card out and read it.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Flower Girl.
Be ready for our date at 7.
-Carson
Oh my gosh, I had forgotten he was taking me out. A small giggle escaped as I looked at the vase full of lilies. I glanced down at the chocolate cupcake with coconut—another favorite of mine—covered icing. I really wanted to eat it, but it was only ten a.m.
Five minutes later, I sat on the couch watching House Hunters eating my cupcake. I was an adult, damn it. If I wanted to eat cupcakes for breakfast, it was my right.
Just as I finished the last crumb, my phone rang from the coffee table in front of me. I peered at the screen and saw it was Holly.
“Hey,” I answered.
“What are we doing tonight? Renting a few romantic comedies?”
“Um,” I started. “I’m actually going out. I mean—”
“On a date? With who?”
“It’s not—”
She interrupted me again. “It better not be with Adam.”
“Holly!” I shouted into the phone. “Quit interrupting and listen to me,” I huffed. She was really beginning to irritate me. “It’s not a real date. Carson is taking me out, but it’s just two friends going to dinner.”
“Right…two friends going to dinner.”
“Exactly.” I really hoped she would accept this for the truth it was. I had no idea why she was so obsessed with me dating Carson.
“What time?”
“Seven.”
“I’ll be over around five.” She disconnected the call before I could protest. I rolled my eyes and tossed my phone beside me on the cushion.
“I’m telling you I’m not upset,” I heard as the door opened, and in walked Carson and some other guy. “I’m telling you Hayes and Luke will be upset.” Carson looked down to see me sitting on the couch with barely any clothes on. He let his eyes roam over me. “Hey, flower girl.”
“Um, hey.” I grabbed a pillow and placed it in front of my chest.
“This is Kurt. Kurt, this is Kristin.”
“Nice to meet you.”
His eyes traveled very slowly down my body then back up, stopping a beat too long on the pillow. I lifted my lip in disgust. “Pleasure is all mine, sweetheart.”
“Don’t even fuckin’ think about it,” Carson stated, his voice threatening.
I pointed down the hall, and said, “I’m just, um…I’m just going to go to my room. Yeah. My room.” I stood and hot-tailed it down the hallway. I didn’t want to spend one more second with them while braless. Well, I had with Carson because we lived together, but not the other guy.
Shutting the door, I went in search of a bra and settled on a plain, comfortable white one. I’d change later before I went out, or maybe I wouldn’t, but for now, comfort won over style. Once I was completely dressed, I pulled out my Literature textbook and headphones, then lay on the bed to study.
“Hey, I’m here,” Holly said, breezing into the room without knocking.
“What?” I glanced at my phone. It was five o’clock. “Shit. I had no idea it was this late. I was studying and lost track of time.”
“Well, it’s time now. You wanna go for a goth look? I think you would look really good.” If she were any other person, I’d think she was joking.
“No, I think I’ll just go with my regular look,” I said as I stretched my arms over my head and yawned.
She scrunched up her nose as she placed her makeup bag on the bed. “What do you mean? Like your ripped up jeans and a t-shirt?”
“Yeah,” I replied. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“Well, at least let me do your makeup.”
“I’m fine there, too.” Holly was the type of person who could pull off any look or color. I was not. I was a very plain color person.
“Ugh! You are so frustrating!”
“Fine,” I conceded. I could always wash it off if it was too much.
“Yay,” she yelled, jumping up and down.
I pointed my finger at her. “Nothing crazy!”
“Move to the side of the bed.” I crawled to the side and sat down as she rolled my chair to sit in front of me. After she plopped down, she began digging in her bag, taking different colors and brushes out.
“I’ll start with foundation. I’ll go get yours so it’s a match.” She left, and a minute later, she was back, rubbing the makeup all over my face. Next came powder. “Okay, now close your eyes and let me work my magic.”
“You make me feel so pretty. Work your magic?”
“Shhh, now close them.” I huffed but complied.
What seemed like fifty coats of whatever she was using and an hour later, she finally finished. “Open.” I slowly opened my eyes. They felt ten times heavier than
normal. “You look stunning! Carson is going to be over the moon when he sees you.”
“Let me see,” I said, standing. I walked to the bathroom and couldn’t believe my eyes when I looked in the mirror. I wanted to scream. Or maybe cry. Or laugh. Laughter is what won. I looked like a cat-clown. A clown with cat eyes. I looked hideous! “What the fuck?” I asked through my laughter.
“Why are you laughing? You look amazing!”
“If I were part of the circus or the paid clown at a child’s birthday party.”
“I can’t believe you don’t like it.” Her mouth pulled down into a frown and I immediately felt like shit. I hadn’t meant to hurt her feelings.
“I’m sorry. You’re right, it looks great. I just don’t think it’s me. That’s all.”
“If you don’t like it, you can wash it off and go with your boring look.” She cracked a smile.
I pulled her in for a hug. “Only you can look fantastic in anything, Holly. The rest of us just have to look plain. Thank you, though.”
She hugged me back. “I just wanted you to look good for Mr. Hot Stuff. Make sure you got laid.”
I stepped back and shook my head. “Let it go! We are just friends!”
“Whatever you say,” she said with a smirk as she left the bathroom and sat down in the chair in my room.
I closed the door and tied my hair up into a knot. It was going to take a lot of work to get all the makeup off my face. Not wanting to make a mess, I stripped off my clothes, got into the shower, and let the warm suds rush over my body as I smiled to myself. Carson was taking me out. I knew it wasn’t a real date, but it still made me smile.
A few minutes later, I stepped out and dried off before going into my closet to find something to wear. I was not going to dress up—I didn’t want Carson to think I thought this night was something more than it was—but I didn’t want to look like a slob either.
I pulled back a couple shirts and my eyes landed on the perfect one. I knew I’d look hot in it, but casual. Hot-cas. I chuckled to myself and got ready.