Impressive.
Noticing the time on the microwave, 5:35 p.m., I decide to make my way upstairs to Matt’s room where the real snooping can begin. I only have five minutes as I don’t want to get caught by his friends, so I put a little more pep in my step and take the stairs two at a time.
Each door has a dry erase board attached, with doodles and notes written across them. I laugh, seeing some of the provocative pictures drawn on the first two, but my stomach drops and my eyes almost pop from my head when I read what’s on Matt’s board.
Although the handwriting is different on both comments, and I’m sure someone else wrote the second one without Matt knowing, my stomach is doing somersaults just thinking about it. Surprisingly, it’s not anger that’s causing the movement in my stomach, but more like anxiety.
Would I ever do something like that to him?
Eww, no! Gross! I’ve never even seen a penis let alone put one in my mouth and I don’t have any desire to, either. The thought of putting my mouth over something that urinates is absolutely disgusting. Shaking my head of the thought, I take the key that Matt left in my mailbox and unlock the door.
His bed is neatly made with a navy blue comforter and two matching pillows. It’s definitely bigger than the bed I have in the dorms, but not as big as the one I have at home. There’s not an article of clothing in sight and his dresser and desk, although they have a lot of miscellaneous things on top of them, are dust free and organized.
I actually think his room is cleaner than mine.
Looking through the items on his dresser, I find a stack of DVDs next to the small TV, a few body sprays and cologne, and two packs of gum.
Hmm, don’t mind if I do.
Just as I throw the gum wrapper in the trash can, I hear the front door open and a male’s voice yell, “Hello?”
Oh crap, they’re here!
Taking a deep breath and fixing my shirt that doesn’t need fixing, I walk across the hallway and down the stairs.
The first thing I see is Collin. He’s a good looking guy with brown shaggy hair, eyes a perfect caramel, and the whitest teeth that I have ever seen.
Yeah, he’s a little too perfect for my liking.
What makes me sigh with relief, though, is the non barbie-like girl standing in front of me. Although she has the long blonde hair, she is dressed in casual jeans and a long sleeve shirt that says St. John Fisher College across the front. I smile, realizing her wardrobe selection is very similar to mine.
Reaching out my hand, I greet them. “Hi, you must be Collin and Summer.”
“Yes, you must be Leah,” Collin says, shaking my hand and giving me a warm friendly smile.
“I am. It’s very nice to meet you guys,” I respond truthfully. Seeing that they are normal is almost enough to make me jump up and down like a giddy school girl, but of course I refrain.
“We’re very excited to meet you,” Summer chimes in, giving me a sweet smile.
I’m getting the feeling from their big smiles, and excited greetings, that they know more about Matt and I than I do. I so badly would like to sit down and start a Q & A session with questions about Matt and what they know, but I refrain.
Thinking on my toes and seeing their bags at their feet, I decide I’d start with the whole ‘making them feel at home’ thing.
“So, uh, do you want me to show you where Matt’s room is? So you can put your stuff in there?”
“Yeah, that sounds great,” Summer answers with a sweet smile.
Okay. So far, so good.
After Collin picks up their things, they follow me up the stairs to Matt’s bedroom.
“Huh. Maybe you should get some pointers from your friend,” Summer jokes, glancing around the room. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen your room this clean.” She smiles at Collin.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Matt’s room this clean, either. Clearly he’s trying to gain some brownie points,” Collin responds to Summer, but winks at me with a smile.
Instead of responding to Collin’s insinuation I just smile back, confirming that I know what he’s implying.
Matt’s trying to impress me? Interesting.
I did find it kind of odd that a house full of big smelly guys would be this clean, but what the hell do I know? I’ve never been to any of these houses around here before.
“Well, although I’m not complaining about having two cute girls in a college guys bedroom, there’s absolutely nothing to do up here. Why don’t we go back downstairs?” Collin jokes before Summer playfully hits his arm.
Cute? Good try.
My heart swells seeing the obvious love between them. The way Collin looks at her, and the way she eats it up with just as much emotion, makes the butterflies that I get when I’m around Matt flap with a jealous flutter.
“Yeah, as entertaining as it would be to see Matt’s face if he found us all cuddled up on his bed watching TV together, I’m thinking I need to get to know you guys a little better before that happens,” I respond with a joking grin.
“Hmm…” Collins says with a devious grin, like he’s considering my statement.
“Um, no,” Summer cuts in, looping her arm with his and pulling him in the direction of the door.
“Hey, she said it,” he smiles as Summer drags him out the door.
Laughing at their playful argument I follow behind them, making sure to lock Matt’s door after closing it.
Once we get downstairs, I take a seat on the couch across from the one Summer has claimed and Collin finds the remote for the TV.
“I’m gonna get a drink,” Collin announces, handing Summer the channel changer. “Do you girls want one?”
Feeling a little parched, I say yes along with Summer.
“So...um, they’ve got beer, beer, and more beer. What would ya like?” Collin shouts from the kitchen.
“Sounds good,” Summer shouts back.
Okay, so I’ve never had a beer before. I know, I know–what bridge have I been living under? The truth is, my dad drinks beer so I’ve gotten a few whiffs of it before and it smells absolutely repulsive. I’ve never had the desire to try it, but I’m not about to look like a loser. “Um, yeah. I guess I’ll have a beer then.”
Summer laughs at my statement as Collin turns the corner holding three beers in his hand.
“Cheers ladies,” he says after handing them out.
“Cheers,” Summer and I respond, tilting our beers like we’re doing an air click with our bottles.
Yuck! This is just as disgusting as I always presumed it would be.
Swallowing the bitter, god-awful taste, I decide it is probably just better to hold my breath every time I take a sip. I read somewhere that as long as you don’t inhale the scent of whatever you’re eating or drinking you won’t taste it. Let’s hope that theory stands true.
Summer starts flipping through the channels and I can see Collin’s annoyance spreading across his face. After the millionth channel she surfs by, Collin grabs the remote from her hand and turns it to ESPN. Although I’m not a fan of sitting around watching sports on TV all day, it is annoying watching TV with someone that can’t stay on one channel for more than two seconds.
Sorry, Summer. I’m with Collin on this one.
“Ugh. There’s more on TV than just Sportscenter,” Summer says in an annoyed tone.
“Apparently not important enough to watch for more than three seconds,” he jokes, shooting her a grin.
“Oh, whatever. I would’ve found something.”
“Uh huh,” Collin responds, placing his hand on her leg and giving Summer a loving smile. The irritated look that is painted across her face instantly melts away, absorbed in Collin’s loving smile.
Damn their cuteness!
Two beers later, and feeling rather tipsy, the front door swings open with a bunch of sweaty loud college boys. Only one stands out for me, though. He instantly finds my stare and gives me a heart-throbbing grin.
“Hey,” he says, walking
over to me and bending over to kiss my forehead. “Look at you guys. Drinkin’ it up while I’m gone.” He makes his way over to Collin, doing some weird handshake with him, then leans over and gives Summer a quick hug.
“Well, when beer is the only option…” I say, lifting up my already half empty beer.
After holding my breath through the first one and a half beers, the others went down much smoother.
“Ah, crap. Sorry ‘bout that, guys,” Matt responds, actually sounding apologetic.
“Hey, beers fine with me,” Collin jokes.
“So uh, let me just shower quick, then we can go do something,” Matt says to us, but smiles at me.
God, he’s beautiful!
“Holy crap. Leah Bennett?” One of the football players says, sitting down next to me on the couch. He looks familiar. Maybe in one of my classes?
“Holy crap…?” I respond, waiting for him to fill in the blank with his name.
He smiles. “Landyn. Landyn Michaels. You’re in my photography class.”
Yes! Photography. Wait. A football player takes photography? Weird.
“Oh, yeah. Are you a photography major?” I ask with probably a little too shocked of a tone.
“I know, not the most manly major,” he smirks. “My mom’s a photographer, so I’ve kind of grown up around it.”
“No, that’s awesome. Different, but awesome.” I make sure I sound more genuine than last time. It really isn’t a bad thing. He just doesn’t look like the normal photography nerd, like me.
“We should go take pictures together sometime,” he says with a smile.
I smile back. “Yeah, that’d be fun.”
“Yo, Michaels! Get off my kool aid!” Matt jokingly interrupts, pulling me up off of the couch and next to him.
Whoa.
It’s been a while since I’ve stood and apparently the alcohol that I’ve consumed while sitting here is coming to my attention as my vision temporarily blurs and my legs feel a little like Jell-O. Not to mention, I’m a little unsteady from hearing Matt stake his claim on me against Landyn.
Throwing his hands up in the air to prove his innocence, Landyn responds, “just being friendly, man.”
“Yeah. Well, let’s not get too friendly,” Matt responds in a serious tone, but with a joking smile.
Holy shit. He really is claiming me as his. This is fantastic!
Getting control over my body, I smile up at Matt. He’s looking down at me with a huge goofy grin and I’m doing everything in my power to not press my lips against his. I can only imagine how wonderful it would feel to have my mouth on his.
Those lips–oh my god!
Every time he kisses my forehead, I can feel the cushion on them pressed against my skin and I can’t help but envision how they’d feel on other places of my body.
I feel an unfamiliar pulse throbbing between my legs. Oh my!
“You okay?” Matt asks. Obviously my facial expression has given away the shock in my head.
“Um, yeah. I’m fine,” I answer with a forced grin, even though my head is a sloppy mess of alcohol induced hornyness.
“So, what’s the plan tonight? I’ll pre-warn you guys, I can’t have any alcohol and our curfew tonight is 11 p.m.,” Matt says with disappointment.
“You have a curfew?” I ask, confused.
“Yup. Coach will have our asses if we’re up late drinkin’ before the game tomorrow.”
“And how will he know?” I ask with a rebellious look.
“Oh, he’ll be stoppin’ by tonight, I’m sure,” he says confidently.
“Are you shittin’ me?” I blurt out.
Laughing at my non filter, compliments of the alcohol, Matt answers, “Not at all, Ms. Drunkster.”
“What? I’m not drunk. I’ve only had a few beers!”
Total lie. I’m drunk!
“Anyway…” he says with a grin, not believing my statement at all, “wanna go bowling?” He is looking back and forth between Summer, Collin, and I as he asks it.
“As long as you don’t mind me kickin’ your ass,” I joke.
“Oh, it’s on!” Matt laughs, cupping my hips with his hands.
“I think we might have a throw-down at the bowling alley,” Collin adds to our playful fighting words.
“Oh, there’s no competition here,” I answer. “He’s going to shit his pants when he sees my skills.”
Okay, I definitely have no hold back when drinking. This could be bad.
“You’ve got skills, huh?” Matt says with a flirtatious smile.
“Ones I don’t think you’d be able to handle,” I whisper to him, feeling brave and standing on my tippy toes to make us eye level.
“We’ll see about that,” he softly says with a wink.
“Okay you love birds. Are we goin’ or what?” Collin interrupts.
Love birds! What?
I almost choke on my beer, completely shocked by Collin’s words. I plant my heels flat on the ground, and even take a step back away from Matt. Although I’ve been wishing and praying for something bigger and better to happen between Matt and I, the word love in context to Matt is like receiving a blow to the gut–not what I was expecting at all. By no means is it a bad thing–how I’d love for Matt to have feelings for me that run as deep as love! But hearing it sends a rush of nerves throughout my body that I was not expecting to happen, especially tonight.
I can see the look of confusion on Matt’s face by my sudden blank, so I replace the straight face I’m wearing with a smile, hoping he doesn’t think that the reference Collin made freaked me out. Honestly, I’m just confused as hell. Nothing between Matt and I has ever been established and up until recently we’ve only talked online. This week has been a cluster-fuck of crazy and I have no clue where it all came from. I’m definitely not complaining. I’m just a little lost.
Letting the alcohol take the wheel, I chug down the rest of my beer and loop my arm with Matt’s. “We’re ready.”
Chapter 10
Since Matt is the only one sober, he has been nominated as the designated driver. Apparently the beat up truck in the driveway is Matt’s so Collin offers his car which is totally different than Matt’s–a brand new Ford Mustang. I’m guessing Collin isn’t lacking in the money department which kind of goes with his too perfect look that he has going, so I’m not really shocked by what he drives.
I’d be lying if I said that I’m not jealous of him, with Summer, all curled up and snuggling in the back seat. Although the holy shit moment back at the house is now a distant memory, having the middle console separating Matt and I right now is definitely eating at my brain. Would I even have the guts to do anything if it was us in the back and not them? I don’t know, but I’d like to think that we’d have very little space between us. I’ve never been a big drinker, Oh yeah–I’ve never drank anything with alcohol in it, but I definitely can’t complain about the liquid courage it’s giving me.
“What’s going on in that crazy head of yours?” Matt asks, placing his hand on my thigh and giving me a questionable grin.
Feeling my heart beat a little faster from his hand touching my leg, I respond, “What do you mean?”
“You look lost in thought,” he smiles, leaving his hand where it is.
Holy shit, I can’t even think straight with his hand on me!
“Nothing in particular,” I smile back at him.
Although my answer is vague, he must have enjoyed it because I get a little leg squeeze and he shoots me another smile before returning his eyes to the road.
Breathe, Leah. Breathe!
“Are ya stickin’ with beer, Leah? Or do ya want somethin’ else?” Collin asks after we get our cute bowling shoes on.
Even though I’m enjoying the buzz, I feel bad drinking in front of Matt so I give him a questionable look to see if he minds.
“Hell, no. I’m lovin’ drunk Leah!” Matt practically shouts with a huge grin on his face.
Is it that noticeable? Oh well. App
arently I’m a good time tonight!
I wink at Collin. “I guess I’ll have another beer then.”
After picking out the perfect bowling ball, I stand next to Matt who is typing our names on the scoreboard.
“Girls against guys, huh?” I say with a smirk, seeing Summer and I on one screen and Collin and Matt on the other.
“Oh crap. Sorry, Leah. I suck really bad,” Summer chimes in from behind us.
“Eh, no worries. We’ve got this!” I joke, looking back at her with a grin.
“Someone’s a little confident, don’tcha think?” Matt says, leaning in closer to my ear.
Holy chills!
“I told ya, skills,” I flirt back, lifting my eyebrows for extra emphasis.
Moving in even closer, his breath caressing my face, he says in a deep, sexy voice, “You’re killin’ me, Sweetheart.”
Um...
Confused, and completely numb from my head down to my toes, I look at him puzzled.
“Huh?”
He laughs, obviously picking up on the effect he has over me.
“Nothin’,” he answers with his heart-throbbing grin.
By the time Collin returns with our drinks, Matt has everything set up for us to start. Collin hands me my beer and I’m pleasantly surprised with the taste. Much better than the ones at Matt’s house. Maybe because this is my fourth. Wait no, my fifth.
Ugh, I’ve lost count.
“Way better then beast, huh?” Collin says, interrupting my internal conversation.
“Beast?” I ask, confused.
“Yeah, the shit we had at Matt’s house.”
Kiss Kiss Page 286