by J. D. Rivera
Chapter Ten
Carson
After Kurt left and dropped the huge fucking bomb he was seeing Hayes and Luke’s little sister, Lacey, I went back to the gym for a while to meet a client. I was genuinely scared for Kurt’s safety.
The client was a guy in his thirties who was going out on a first date with a girl he met online. He was my worst client, but I had agreed to the training session even though it was a Sunday and technically a holiday, because he worked with Brad and Miranda begged me to.
“I don’t know, man,” he started, pulling in his eyebrows, “that looks really hard.”
I crossed my arms and leveled my gaze at him. “That’s kinda the point. You have to push yourself, but I promise I won’t ask you to do anything I don’t think you can do.” This was our conversation every fucking time I asked him to do something. I honestly had no clue why he bothered with personal training. I guess he knew he needed the push.
“Are you sure?”
I looked him up and down. “Just try it.”
“O-Okay.” He picked up the bar I had placed weights on and began doing bicep curls. “Oh gosh!”
“You’re doing great,” I muttered as I looked at my watch. I had a couple hours before I told Kristin to be ready. I had no clue if I was making a mistake by taking her out, but I had promised and we were friends. Actually, she was more like my best friend. She had unknowingly pushed herself into my brain and heart and I had no intentions of pushing her away. I could feel myself slipping when it came to my stance of her only being my friend. The truth was, I knew Kristin and she could never be a Sam. She didn’t toy with people for kicks. The shithead had done the same thing to her. The only problem was I wasn’t sure if she felt the same way toward me and I wasn’t really thrilled with the idea of being rejected. I loved our friendship and I didn’t want to mess it up.
“Am I finished yet?” the guy grunted toward me.
“Give me five more.” I counted them off for him. “You did great,” I congratulated as I took the bar from him. I placed it on its spot and removed the weights from each end.
I glanced over to see him flexing. “I can really see a difference in my biceps after that workout.”
“Yeah,” I agreed, rolling my eyes as I turned away from him. It was a lie, but I wasn’t going to be an asshole to the guy paying me.
“Thanks. See you next time.”
“Next time. I hope the date goes well.” He walked away and I strolled toward the front desk where Shannon was sitting. She had a game of solitaire open on her computer screen and looked bored as hell. The place was empty.
“Are you winning?” I asked as I sat on the stool next to her.
She turned to look at me. “Yep.” Shannon was a cute, shy girl with short red hair. She was very sweet, but wasn’t my type at all.
“Big plans for tonight?”
She shook her head sadly and turned back to the computer. “Nope. I’m here until eight and then I’m studying the rest of the night, you?”
“Just taking my roommate out.”
“Oh,” she said, her eyes round. “I didn’t know you were gay. With the way you flirt with girls, I just assumed…”
“What?” I asked, seriously confused. My eyebrows dipped while I thought back to what I could have said to make her think I was gay. She stared at me, looking just as confused as I felt. “I’m not—why…? Oooh, my roommate,” I said, the realization dawning on me. “I see what you did there. I’m not gay, I live with a girl.”
Her face turned red and she glanced down at her hands. “I’m sorry, Carson. I just figured you lived with a guy. You know…”
I chuckled. “It’s okay. You didn’t offend me or anything. But,” I continued, “my roommate happens to be a very beautiful woman.”
“Well, she’s a very lucky girl.” She sounded sad.
“Eh, I don’t know about that. She does have to live with me.” We both laughed and I glanced at the clock on the wall. “I better get going. I’ll see you on campus or the next time I work.”
“Have a good night, Carson.”
“You, too,” I said, although I really had no idea how good of a night she could possibly have working and doing homework.
I drove home and walked inside the apartment. As I padded down the hallway, I could hear voices coming from Kristin’s room. “I just wanted you to look good for Mr. Hot Stuff. Make sure you got laid.” The voice sounded like Kristin’s friend Polly. I leaned closer to the door, but couldn’t hear Kristin’s reply. Damn it!
I shook my head at myself for trying to spy on her conversation and headed for my room. I stripped out of my clothes once I reached the bathroom and jumped in the shower. I’d worked out before meeting with my client and didn’t want to smell like ass and sweat tonight.
After the shower, I dressed and went to the living room to wait on Kristin. I could still hear her loud friend, but nothing from her. I grabbed my laptop off the table and sat down on the couch, checking in on Facebook. Nothing was happening besides people talking about their plans for the night. Most made me gag. Others made me want to throat punch them. It wasn’t jealousy—it was just that sappiness was seriously stupid.
A handful of minutes went by before Kristin’s door opened and out came her weird friend with the blondest hair I’d ever seen. Then out stepped Kristin behind her, but I couldn’t really see her. Her friend had a wide smile on her face as they padded into the living room. She moved and my breath fucking caught in my throat.
Fucking gorgeous.
I had no other thoughts as I drank her in from head to toe. Her long, brown hair was curled at the ends, eyes smoky, lips pouty, and tits on full display through a sheer purple shirt. She was wearing a black tank top under it, but it was tight and perfect. The look continued down with ripped skinny jeans that showed off every single beautiful curve of her hips. Fuck…me.
I tossed my laptop to the side and stood. “You look,” I stammered, “you look beautiful.”
Kristin cocked her head to the side and arched a brow. “Are you saying I’m normally not?”
“Wiseass.” I laughed. “You know you always look beautiful.” I walked closer to her, stopping only inches apart. Leaning in, I whispered in a low voice, “Sexy, in fact.”
She sucked in her breath as her friend yelled, “Oh my gosh!”
I didn’t look away from Kristin. “You ready?”
“Yeah,” she replied, then bit her lip.
“What?”
“Can we take the bike?”
I barked out a laugh and wrapped my finger around one of her curls. “What about your hair?”
She stuck her wrist up, revealing a band around it. “I’ll just put it up.”
“If that’s what you want, we sure can.”
I took her hand, led her across the room, grabbed the key from the counter, then walked out the door. “You’re sure?”
“Yes, I loved being on the back of it.” I loved you being on the back of it, sweetheart.
“Okay.” When we reached my Harley, I grabbed a helmet, placed it on her head, then strapped it. I did the same with mine as I straddled the bike. She followed and got on, immediately wrapping her arms around me and scooting as far forward as she could. Grinning to myself, I turned the ignition and took off out of the lot.
As we drove through traffic, she tipped her head back and let the air hit her face. I loved how relaxed she was, just enjoying the moment.
We finally made it to the bar I’d planned to take her to. It was twenty-one to enter, but I knew the bartender and bouncer well since I’d filled in for a performer a couple times.
I parked and removed my helmet. “I hope this is okay.”
She looked at the sign on the side of the building: The Bar. “You’re taking me to a bar for Valentine’s Day?”
“Is that a problem?” I thought she’d know I wasn’t going to take her someplace romantic. I wasn’t that type of guy, and this was not a real date.
“Nope.” She grinne
d. “I think it’s perfect. Unexpected, but perfect.” She had no idea I thought the same thing about her.
“Good.”
She removed her helmet then got off, and I followed. “I hope they have cheese fries.”
I put the helmets away, then took her hand. “They do and they are really good.”
After saying hello to Jimmy, the bouncer, we made our way inside and found a booth. I let her slide in and sat down next to her.
“Oh fuck,” she muttered under her breath.
“What?” I had no idea what could’ve happened in the two minutes since we arrived.
“Adam’s here.” She turned her head toward me, trying to shield her face. “I guess he got a fake ID or something, because he is definitely not twenty-one.”
I glanced around, looking for the shithead I had seen only once before. My eyes finally found him and he was staring at us. Very deliberately, I draped my arm over her shoulder, pulling her closer as I locked eyes with the asshole. I smirked and his eyes narrowed. She might not have been mine, but I wanted him to know she sure as shit wasn’t his.
To prove my point, I let my lips find Kristin’s forehead. When I pulled away, I let my eyes travel back in his direction. He was seething and I couldn’t help but laugh under my breath. I fucking hated him. He’d treated Kristin like shit during their relationship. In fact, I really wanted to get up and kick his ass.
“What can I get y’all to drink? Oh, hey, Carson,” the waitress said as she came to a stop in front of us.
I couldn’t remember her name, so I checked her tag. “Hey, Missy. How are you?”
“I’m good. It’s kinda busy, which is great for tips.”
“I’m sure it is. I’ll have a Dr Pepper.” I couldn’t actually whip out my fake ID since they knew me.
“And I’ll have the same,” Kristin said, letting her eyes bounce between Missy and her ex.
“I’ll be right back.”
Once Missy left, Kristin turned to me. “So, how do you know all the workers here?”
I let my fingers stroke over her shoulder as I replied, “I’ve performed here a couple times when they needed someone.”
“Oh. Why haven’t you ever told me?”
I shrugged. “It’s not something I tell everyone about. It’s not like I want to have a music career or anything. It’s just a hobby. No big deal.”
“Will you sing for me?”
I grinned. “If you’re a good girl, maybe when we get home.”
That put a smile on her face. Missy came back with the drinks and we ordered some cheese fries. “Did you get my gifts this morning? I forgot to check.”
“I did. That was very thoughtful.” She took a sip of her drink. “I can’t believe you remembered my favorite flowers.”
“I remember a lot of things.”
She looked down at the table and let her finger trail over the wood grain. “I, uh…I didn’t get you anything.”
“You can give me a BJ when we get home.” My voice was even.
Her head snapped up to meet mine. “What?”
“I’m kidding,” I said, laughing. “Although, if you really want to, I won’t stop you.”
“I can’t believe you!”
“Yes you can.” Missy delivered the cheese fries and we both dug in.
“Oh my gosh! These are so good.”
“Mmmhmm,” I replied, stuffing my face.
We stayed for a few hours, listening to the band playing and making fun of our friends and the asshole sitting in the booth across the room. A couple times, I kissed her hair or interlocked our hands just to piss him off. It finally worked and he left, staring at us the entire way out the door.
Yeah, fuck off, stupid ass.
Chapter Eleven
Kristin
After Adam left, Carson and I sat and ate our cheese fries while listening to the band play for hours. It was nice to sit there with him, relax, and have fun. Well, it always was, but there was something wonderful about our “date”. It was…perfect.
Once we arrived home, instead of distance like the last time he took me out on his bike, he came into my room with his guitar. After sitting down on my bed and scooting up to the headboard, he said, “I promised you a song. What do you want to hear?”
He strummed the guitar while I thought it over. “Warrant’s Cherry Pie.”
“Okay.” He smirked and started to play, coming in with vocals at the right time. And he looked so fucking good doing it. A tingle raced up my spine as I watched him sing with rapt attention—beautifully, I might add—and work the guitar with his fingers.
After a few minutes, the song came to a close and he gave me a knowing look. He knew he looked sexy while playing. I bet he ate it up when he played at the bar. “Next,” he said.
I thought it over and smiled. “Outlaw Women.”
“Hank Williams Jr. Good choice.”
“You know it?” I asked, shocked. I honestly didn’t take him for an older country music fan and figured I would stump him.
“Sweetheart, not a lot I don’t know.” He strummed the guitar. “The song suits you. Very fitting.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Then sing it.”
He laughed, then began to play, singing, “…make love to her kind of man.” He winked and began singing the chorus. I continued to watch and couldn’t help the feeling of wanting to jump him right then and there. I was in trouble when it came to my feelings for Carson and I wasn’t positive I could stop them from growing at this point.
He finished the song and set the guitar against the wall, running his fingers through his hair at the same time. Thankfully, I caught myself from hissing out a “fuck” at the sight. I had no idea why that innocent act had affected me, but it had.
I glanced over at my desk and the gift bag I had left there caught my eye. “I almost forgot.” I got up from the bed and walked to my desk. “I got you something.”
“You got me something?” he asked, puzzled. “Why? Wait, I thought you said you didn't.”
“It's not for Valentine's.” I had actually found it a couple days ago and had no idea when I planned to give it to him, but since he had given me something, it seemed fitting to give it to him now. I tossed him the bag, then returned to the bed. “Open it.”
He gave me a dubious glance and dug into the bag. When he pulled out the DVD, he laughed. “Forrest Gump?”
I lifted a shoulder. “You once told me it was your favorite.”
“It is,” he said, standing and gesturing to the door. “Come on, let’s go watch it.”
I followed closely behind him into the living room. “I’m going to make some popcorn. Do you want some?”
“No, I’m good.” He popped the movie into the DVD player and turned the TV on. Then he plopped down on the couch and grabbed the blanket.
Popcorn in hand, I returned to the living room and Carson scooted over. “Here,” he said, gesturing to the space beside him. I sat down as the movie began to play and Carson slung his arm over me. I snuggled in closer, getting comfortable, and we both watched the movie in silence. When the credits began to play, Carson said, “This has been one of the best nights I’ve had in a long time.”
“Me, too. Thank you.”
“Anything for you, flower girl.” And then we both went to our separate rooms, where I laid in bed for over an hour, smiling to myself as I thought about my night.
***
It had almost been a week since our Valentine’s date and things were great. We talked every night and had eaten dinner together a few times. A couple nights after Carson got off work, he’d also come into my room and watched TV with me while he ate his dinner.
Now it was Friday and I was trying to decide if I wanted to go to some college party with Holly. She had been begging, but I wasn’t sure. I mean, I loved to party, but I just wasn’t feeling it. It may have had something to do with wanting to spend time with my roommate. Although, the possibility of Carson not staying home and going to a party
was high.
“Fine, if you’ll quit calling me, I’ll meet you for dinner,” Carson said into his phone as he walked down the hallway. It was only nine in the morning and he was already pissed.
I finished off my coffee before rinsing the mug and placing it in the dishwasher. I hated that I was listening to his conversation, but I really didn’t have a choice.
Silence filled the air and I assumed he had finished his conversation. “Holy shit! I didn’t know you were up,” Carson said a second later as he came into view.
“You didn’t hear me turn on the faucet or open and close the dishwasher?” I cocked a brow.
“No,” he replied, shaking his head and then sighing. “Why are you up so early?”
“I wanted to run by the library before class.” I gave him a tight smile. “I’m sorry, I hope I didn’t interrupt your conversation or anything.”
“You didn’t.” He grabbed his bag from the chair. “It was just Sam.”
He said her name so nonchalantly, my heart slammed into my chest then stopped beating altogether. He was having dinner with Sam and I hated how jealous I felt in that moment. She was the reason he couldn’t commit. She was the reason I would never be anything more than a friend to him. “Okay,” I finally said, regaining my breath.
“Yeah.” He walked toward the door. “I’ll see ya around.”
I hated how defeated I felt. I knew it was crazy. Carson had never led me on, but I still felt that way. With a huff, I went back to my room and gathered the stuff I would need for the day.
After arriving on campus, I strolled to the library, deciding not to think about Carson or the bitch he was meeting for dinner. What if he decided to take her back? She had gotten her way each time before. The thought made my stomach roll and my anger boil.
Pulling out a chair, I sat down at a table and dug my laptop out of my bag. I had just turned it on when I heard, “Hey!” whisper-shouted at me.
I turned to see Holly approaching. “Hi,” I said, faking a smile. I just couldn’t muster one up.
“So,” she said, sliding into the chair next to me, “are you coming with me or not?”
As soon as she asked, I knew my answer. “Yes. I need to get drunk. Drunk out of my fucking mind.”