“We could always sneak out to the heated pool after everyone crashes tonight.” His lips moved to my forehead and I could feel his lips curving into a smile. “Have you talked to Jake lately? I haven’t heard you mention him lately.”
“Well…we’ve both been pretty busy lately.” Truthfully, I felt guilty for pushing Jake away. I hadn’t told him that I was dating Dylan and I was talking to him less and less. I just didn’t want to make things awkward between the two of us. I never mentioned to Dylan how Jake really felt about me and I wasn’t planning on it. Dylan was a pretty trustworthy boyfriend, but I don’t know how he would feel about my best friend being in love with me.
“Paige, I need to tell you something.” My heart dropped at his words and he turned me so his hands were resting on my shoulders so I couldn’t look away. His brown eyes darted all over my face and I could tell he was nervous about something. I was just worried about what that something was.
“Just spit it out then, Rookie, I can handle whatever it is.” Yeah, that’s a lie. Was he breaking up with me? Was there another girl? I always told him I wanted us to be honest with each other, but I didn’t know if I could handle that kind of honesty.
“Calm down, Paige. It’s nothing bad.” His hands uncurled my clenched fists that I hadn’t even noticed and he laced our hands together.
“It’s just hard…it’s hard for me to say this because, really I’ve never said it to anyone before. I swear from the first moment that I saw you, I really felt it. And then I got to know you even more and it just kept growing till my chest was about to explode. At first, I wasn’t really sure what the hell I was feeling and I thought you had put some weird hex on me or something. But then we kept spending more and more time together, and you would just give me this look that shot straight to my heart.”
“Yeah, that look right there.” His finger brushed across my cheek and he leaned down to nip at my lip before pulling back. “I am so in love with you, Paige Brinton, it fucking hurts. I didn’t know this is how love could really feel until I met you. I had never felt it before and it was so foreign, it had me so confused. But this right here, I never want this feeling gone. I love you.”
I swear I could feel my heart practically jumping out my chest at his words. I had known that I felt this way about Dylan for awhile, but I guess I was just as scared as him, though I guess for different reasons.
“I love you too, Dylan Turner.” I stood on my tiptoes to wrap my hands around his neck to bring him closer. “So much. But don’t ever think that you’re not loved. Everyone up there loves you too. Susanne and Tim think of you as one of their own. I don’t know why you haven’t realized that, but you know what love feels like. It’s just different between us. Everything feels so different between us.”
The rest of the weekend passed quickly and before I knew it, we were loading up the cars and heading back to campus. This time Kitty and I both arrived back at the dorms around the same time and we collapsed in our beds the minute we were dropped off.
“Ugh. I can’t believe we have to go back to school tomorrow. How ‘bout we skip classes?” Kitty moaned out from underneath her pillow. My eyes were already shut tightly and I answered back with something that was even incoherent to me. “Nighty, night sis. Glad you came home with us.”
*********************
“I can’t believe this is the last game of the season.” Kitty looped her arm through mine while we walked across campus for our last tailgating with her parents for the year. I can’t believe Dylan isn’t here is what wanted to come out of my mouth, but I bit it back. I promised myself and him that I would have fun tonight. Somehow, he got stuck working while everybody on campus was packed into the stadium.
At least, we got to go to the Tiger Burn last night together. Dylan thought it was hilarious when we showed up and me being so naïve, thought there was an actual tiger being roasted. I wasn’t sure how something like that could be legal and I was weary to go.
When we showed up and I saw the twenty foot tall fake tiger being set ablaze, I instantly relaxed. That was one tradition that I would definitely never forget. Dylan would probably never let me live it down.
“Paige so good to see you, sweetie.” Susanne wrapped me in a tight hug the minute we stepped into the Cockaboose and pulled back to smooth my hair. “And how have you been treating my boy? I’m so sad I don’t get to see him tonight.”
“He’s doing good. He’s excited about baseball season coming up.” I wasn’t sure where our relationship would go once that started up. Dylan was basically going to be busy 24/7 when practice started in February, between that, school, and work. I was a little worried about where that would leave us.
“Well, you make sure you take good care of him. Not many people expect it since he keeps up such a tough boy exterior with that mouth of his, but he’s a real softy.”
“I know, trust me.” Sometimes I couldn’t believe the things that came out of his mouth, but then he would always follow them up with something sweet. He was always finding new ways to surprise me. I worried that he would get bored with our relationship, but he seemed content.
“Here, try this, it’s Ground Clemson Dip.” Tim shoved two bowls towards me one with the dip and one filled with chips. “It’s a tradition to make it every year for this game specifically. Susanne will have to send you home with a tub of it for Dylan. That boy will lick the bowl clean.”
Susanne must have noticed my wary expression because she laughed and nudged me with an elbow. “Don’t worry Paige, I heard all about your dilemma last night. The ‘ground tiger’ is actually turkey, add in a little Velveeta, picante sauce, and jalapeños for some heat, and you got yourself a scrumptious dip.”
I swear Dylan talked to this woman more than me sometimes, but I didn’t mind. He never really wanted to talk about his birth mother and I didn’t blame him. There wasn’t much to tell since she just abandoned him at the hospital, but I think there was a part of him that at least wanted to know who she was. Susanne made for probably the best substitute there could be.
“Hey Paige, you want to head over to the stadium?” Kitty grabbed onto my arm after Susanne turned away to talk with some of their alumni friends. I swear they knew just about everyone on campus.
“Sure, isn’t it a little early though?” I followed her outside, patting myself on the back for my choice of outfit tonight. I had ditched the usual black dress for a pair of black leggings and a long sleeved black shirt. I figured the night would be cooler and it definitely was. Plus, it only felt right to put on those cowboy boots when Dylan was around. They held some special memories.
“Yeah, I just wanted to meet up with Grant and a few of his friends before the place started to get too crowded. And I wanted to get away from Kylie, god what was I thinking when I invited her for tailgating. Her voice is like frickin’ nails on a chalkboard and I swear she has a thing for Grant, even though he would never look at her twice.”
“Mmhm, I know exactly what you’re talking about. She’s the same way around Dylan; maybe you should’ve banned her from the Cockaboose. No reason you should have to leave your own tailgate. It’s like she has a thing for wanting taken guys or something.”
“Yeah, it’s a little weird,” I answered back. We climbed down the staircase to the metal seats where we usually met up. Sure enough, Grant was already waiting with a few of his friends that I had already met.
Kitty’s face lit up with a wide smile as soon as she locked eyes with him and her footsteps picked up. “I swear she was even flirting with Jared today right in front of Maddie , and of course Maddie didn’t say anything. She’s too sweet for that. Maybe we should gang up and kick her ass or claw her eyes out.”
“Yeah, totally,” I sarcastically replied. A chick fight was definitely not something that I wanted in my future. Maybe Maddie could just move in with us, although the room would be a little crowded.
Thoughts of Kylie were forgotten as the stadium filled up. The air was even m
ore electric tonight since we were playing one of our biggest rivals. As soon as the team entered the stadium to 2001: Space Odyssey, Grant and his friends stripped off their shirts.
Wow, I really wasn’t expecting that one. Kitty let out a giggle as she ran a hand over Grant’s muscled stomach that had the letter G painted in black on it. Together they spelled out Gamecocks. I had no idea how they were surviving in the cool air. Yeah, it wasn’t 20 degrees out or anything, but it was still freakin’ cold!
I felt an elbow in my ribs and I looked over, trying to contain my eye roll when I saw Kylie had somehow found a seat on the other side of me. “What a nice view, huh?” She wiggled her eyebrows at me, her blonde curls bouncing up and down while she jumped in place, all out staring at Grant. I was pretty sure I saw drool rolling down her chin. Oh this was gonna be a fun night.
Chapter 21
Dylan
Finally, I was done with what was probably the slowest night of my life. Halloween probably came in second place, but that night was a whole lot more fun when Sparky was here to reward me for being such a good boy.
After I was finally able to clock out, I made my way to the empty parking lot. Thankfully, I didn’t run into much traffic on my way home since the game had ended about an hour before I got off. I’m sure the house was jam packed with people since Chris planned an after party.
The only thing I was looking forward to was seeing Paige. I was afraid that our relationship would get stale after a while since I wasn’t used to being in one. But that had yet to happen and I knew it wasn’t going to anytime soon.
Things were really getting serious since I was going to meet her dad in a few weeks. Spending the holidays with a chick’s family was even more serious. But I didn’t mind, I would marry Paige tomorrow and be happy for the rest of my life.
I pushed open the front door, my eyes immediately seeking out that head of sandy brown hair. It was like we were magnets whenever we were together and I instantly spotted her, tucked into a corner with her legs crossed, sipping on a drink, and looking bored out of her mind. That wouldn’t last for long.
I scooped her out of the chair and devoured her mouth with mine. She was more than enthusiastic, hungrily returning my kisses while tugging at my hair to bring me closer. From the taste of it, she had plenty to drink before I got here.
“Mmm, I’m so glad you’re finally here.” She giggled out while licking her lips. “You taste like yummy bubblegum.” I laughed as I sat her down, but kept an arm wrapped her waist. Her knees wobbled as soon as her feet touched the ground. Yup, she was definitely a little tipsy.
“What are you drinking?” I asked over my shoulder, heading towards the kitchen so I could start a buzz of my own. It had been a long fucking week. Two research papers due and an assload of studying for final exams that were coming up.
“I dunno, something fruity delicious. Kitty handed it to me and took off with Grant. Their probably off having crazy wild sex right now,” she whispered out, at least she meant to whisper it out.
“Um, ok-ay. I really didn’t need to know that. Here, this smells fruity you should be good.” I shoved a cup towards her and took a sip of my beer. “Slow down, Sparky. I need you a little coherent before the end of tonight. I have plans for you.”
“You always have plans for me, Dylan Turner,” she grumbled out, even though I saw the corners of her mouth creeping into a smile. “C’mon let’s dance.” She drained the cup I just gave her and shot it towards the garbage can, missing of course.
I let her lead the way so I could get a nice view from behind. She had ditched the usual dress and cowboy boots, but I wasn’t minding one bit. The way those tight thingies were hugging her ass should be freaking illegal. At least it was all mine.
She threw her hands up in the air the minute she stepped into the living room and swayed her hips seductively. Her eyes were squeezed shut and her head thrown back for a few minutes, while I just stood by and watched. She normally wasn’t this confident with her body, even though I told her she was sexy as hell all the time, and I was enjoying this side of Paige.
She finally realized I wasn’t moving and leaned forward to tug on my hand. I twirled her around so she was flush against my body and wedged her legs open with my knee. Her hands moved around to the back of my neck, pulling my head closer. I pushed aside her hair to reveal her bare neck and smothered it with warm kisses.
She let out a moan when I licked the sensitive spot behind her ear, which caused her to grind her ass back into me. I grasped her hips to move her a few inches forward. If she kept doing that right there, I wouldn’t be able to control myself.
I leaned down to whisper into her ear when she tugged my head closer. “Let’s take this to my room or I’m gonna fuck you right here.” I swear she practically orgasamed right in the middle of the room when I said it. I knew she secretly liked when I talked dirty to her, it always got her wet.
She practically ran to my room and I followed closely behind. I managed to reach the door first and twist the knob. “Fuck,” I pounded my fist on the door but it didn’t budge. Either someone managed to get in there or Chris locked up for me, but I didn’t have a key on me and no one was answering. Great.
“C’mon,” Paige said with a giggle, tugging on my hand. “I’m sure we can find somewhere else.” She pushed her way through the crowd of people, waving at Chris and Claire, who were wrapped together on the dance floor. I had no clue where she was taking me, but I knew I would follow her wherever she went.
She walked through the patio door and I slid it closed behind us. Now I knew what her plan was, she must be really drunk. She had a little bit of a wild side to her, especially with everything we’ve done during work, but there we normally didn’t have to worry about someone catching us in the act.
She pulled me down to a darkened corner of the deck and tugged at the button on my jeans, fumbling with my belt. “Slow down Sparky. Are you sure you want to do this? Out here?”
“Live a little, Rookie.” The sound of my zipper filled the night air and she tugged my pants down. I decided to take over control and twisted her around, so her back was up against the house. “Jesus Paige, you have me so fuckin’ hard right now.” I ground into her leg, through the thin material that was covering me and she arched her hips into me, panting into my ear.
“Dylan, fuck me. Now.” she demanded, dragging my lip in between her teeth. She helped me along with her pants, fumbling the whole time. She wrapped her legs around my waist and I easily slid into her wetness.
Her lips found mine and she pushed against me so hard, showing how much she love me. Nails dug into my back, as I thrust harder and deeper, never getting enough, never enough with Paige. I’m always wanting more, needing more.
I knead her nipples through her shirt and she groaned into my neck, arching against me and wildly licking up my neck, landing on my jaw. Within minutes, I felt her clenching around my hardness and it instantly sparked my release. We moaned together with our foreheads resting against each other until our breathing became normal again. “I love you, Dylan Turner,” she said through half- lidded eyes before letting her legs fall limply to the ground.
Chapter 22
Paige
“Do you think this thing will make it all the way to my dad’s house?” Dylan slammed the door shut behind him and narrowed his brown eyes at me that were twinkling with amusement.
“I’ll have you know that just because this is the beater mobile, it still runs like a gem. Don’t worry your pretty little head, Sparky. Why don’t you sit back and take a nap? You’re probably drained after this week.” He was right. Finals week almost killed me with all of the study time put in. I had actually put the library to pretty good use this week, when it came to school. I still preferred my times with Dylan any day.
“Fine. I’ll zip my lips for now.” I squeezed my eyes shut, pretending to sleep while I listened to Dylan quietly hum along to the music and tapping the beat against the steering wheel. I kn
ew the real reason he wanted me to sleep. His tough guy front that he always kept in place, had slipped just a bit, and I knew he was nervous to meet my dad. He would never admit it though.
I must have finally drifted off because I woke up and checked the clock when I felt the car come to a stop, and saw that we had been driving for about three hours already. “Here Sparky. I got these for you.” He dropped a 20 ounce pop in my lap, along with a bag of candy. “Mmm, Sugar Daddies are my favorite.”
Dylan snorted, slamming the door behind him and sticking the key in the ignition. “Oh I get it, that’s why you’re with me now. You love the Sugar Daddies.”
“Oh yeah cowboy, you are such a Sugar Daddy, especially with this car,” I teasingly replied before kicking the door open with my foot. “I have to pee, be back in a sec.”
The next two hours flew by and the excitement at seeing my dad kept building. By the time we made it into the driveway, I practically flew out of the car. I instantly felt at home when I laid my eyes on the beige and brick house that I grew up in that had a mix of colonial and cottage style, that made it so unique and stuck out on a street that was made up of all boring box houses.
My dad opened the thick oak door just as I hit the front step and I flew into his arms. This teddy bear of a man had always been the one there to comfort me and I breathed in his Old Spice cologne that he’s always worn.
He stroked my hair before setting me back down on my feet and cleared his throat, puffing out his chest to bring himself to his full height, which really was maybe only an inch taller than Dylan. “Well Paigey girl, introduce me to your young fella here,” he said in a stern voice, never breaking eye contact with Dylan.
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I guess he’s had nineteen years to prepare for this day and he’s pulling out all of the stops. He’ll probably be pulling out a shotgun next, having bought it especially for this occasion.
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