Sweet but Sexy Boxed Set

by Maddie James

  George closed the door and ruffled his blonde hair with a towel. “Yeah, we do need to talk. Golf? Seriously. You sent me out with the men,” George stretched the word longer than needed. “I don’t know how they do it in the straight world, but you do not do that to your gay pretend boyfriend. This body is way too pretty for that type of strenuous activity.” With a towel in one hand, he ran the other up and down as if he was the next prize on The Price Is Right.

  “Look, I’m sorry about that. Honestly, I thought the round of golf would be mostly driving around on a golf course and having some drinks. And I owe you huge. But the only way I can think to begin to repay you is with a story of my teenage angst.”

  “Ooh, this better be good.” George sat down on the bed beside her and crossed his legs. Part of the towel fell to the side, revealing his thigh.

  Allison’s hand flew to her eyes. “Um, can you put some clothes on first?”

  The bed unsuppressed when he stood. “Fine. When did you become such a prude?” His voice trailed off.

  Allison peeked through her fingers and dropped her hand when she didn’t see George in the room. “When we arrived at my childhood home. Now hurry up.”

  A few minutes later, George emerged from the bathroom clad in dark jeans, a deconstructed T-shirt and bare feet. Allison suddenly wanted to run to her room and throw on a dress. Her casual sweatpants and old shirt weren’t nice enough for George’s idea of casual wear.

  “Okay, I’m ready. Spill.”

  Allison jumped from the bed, wringing her hands and creating tracks in the carpet. “Six years ago, the summer before I went to college. Actually, the weekend before I left, my parents went to our lake house with some friends leaving Adam and I home. Audrey tagged along with her fiancé Jack.”

  “Boring.” George leaned back on his elbows.

  “Shh. I’m setting up the story. Anyway, Adam and I hung out all the time in high school. He played sports and I cheered or watched. We had a lot of the same friends and Valley High isn’t very big so we all knew each other anyway.”

  Allison stopped pacing, glanced at George and rolled her eyes. He went from reclining to lying down with his eyes closed.

  “We decided to have a few people over when our parents were out. One last hurrah before I left and Adam started his senior year. And of course, Ryan came.”

  George’s eyes popped open.

  “I’ve always had a huge crush on Ryan. And he’s always been around. He lived down the street. We were in the same grade and he and Adam were super close until they kind of went their separate ways in college.” Allison continued her pacing as she told her story.

  “I couldn’t keep my eyes off him that night. I wanted to make a move. I told myself to be brave and throw myself out there and see what happens. I was leaving in a few days for college and if it didn’t work out, I’d never really see him again. But I chickened out.” Allison swallowed analyzing her next words. “Until later that night.”

  George sat up, crossed his legs and propped his head atop his hands, which rested against his knees. His blue eyes sparkled. Eager for some juicy details.

  “Some people brought beer to the party. I wasn’t a big drinker but figured I was home, what could it hurt? Well, one beer turned into two which turned into three. By midnight, I felt great. And brave. Everybody had left or was about to and Adam and Sarah were off somewhere together. I noticed Ryan had his shirt on like he was ready to leave. Jumping to make the most of my only opportunity, I asked Ryan if he could help me with something up in my room.”

  “You little drunken minx.” George’s eyes sparkled.

  “Knock it off. Anyway, we get up there, he shuts the door and I freeze. He doesn’t seem to question anything and walks around my room, picking at things on my desk and bookshelves. I watched him, building up my courage. He gets to my stereo and hits play. My Rascal Flats CD croons from my speakers.” Allison swallowed. Her cheeks heated thinking about what happened next. “He turns around and walks towards me. I’m completely tongue-tied, and he asks what I needed him for. And George, he looked so hot. His hair was all messy from being in the pool and I could make out the definition of his muscles beneath his shirt. And his brown eyes were dark and hidden, mysterious in the dim lamp light. So I looked him in the eyes…” She sat down next to George who leaned in close. “I told him I needed him and grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him to me, evaporating any space and I kissed him.”

  “And.” George’s leg bounced shaking the bed.

  “And he kissed me back. I mean, kiss, kiss. Like, grab me around the waist and carry me to the bed kiss.”

  “Oh my.” George placed a hand in front of his gaping mouth.

  “I know. We made out. On. My. Bed. And at some point, his shirt came off and we were rolling around kissing in our swimming suits. Until someone knocked on my door. More specifically, Adam knocked on my door. I’ve never moved so fast. Ryan rolled from my bed and I jumped to stand by my radio. He opens the door and tells Adam that I wanted to show him my new CD.”

  “Did he believe you?”

  “I think so. I mean, he never asked about it. Adam left with Ryan following sans his T-shirt.” She grabbed the middle of her shirt and pulled it away from his body. “This T-shirt.”

  “You did not keep it.”

  “Of course I did. I took it with me to college.”

  “Aww, that’s kind of sweet in a stalker girl kind of way.” George pulled back, avoiding her playful slap. “So, why this little chit chat now.”

  “Ryan’s downstairs.”

  “Yeah.” George’s eyebrows sat high on his forehead

  “And he saw me. Pointed to my shirt and said it was his.”

  “It is his.”

  “I know. But do you think he remembers how I got it?”

  “How am I supposed to know?”

  “That’s why I came up here.”

  George left Allison on the bed. He began his turn of making tracks in the carpet as she worked her bottom lip. He tapped a slender finger against his chin. With each turn, he stopped in front of the vanity table mirror and ran his hand through his hair before he’d turn and continued.

  “Maybe I’m not the best one to help you figure this out. I think men are just as complicated as women. My personal opinion. I think he remembers. If he said, ‘hey, that looks like my shirt’ and then quickly replied ‘never mind’, then we’d know that he recognized his shirt, forgot how you got it but remembered and didn’t want to talk about it. But his response appears that maybe he does want to talk about it.” George sat back down on the bed, crossed his legs and looked to his faux girlfriend. “What you want to do about it.”

  Chapter Eight

  Memories of Ryan’s finger touching her bare shoulder replayed in a continuous loop all night. Each time the feeling settled, she’d bump into her sleeping grandmother lying next to her. Part of her wanted to throw her mother’s rules out the window and sleep with George. At least there, she’d avoid her grandmother kicking her and she’d have someone to replay the story of Ryan’s finger to.

  George’s question wasn’t any clearer during the first breaks of morning light through her window. Her grandmother woke before the sun rose, allowing Allison time to freely stretch across her bed. Exhaustion never took over causing her to fall asleep. Defeated, she sat up in bed to make a pros and cons list about rehashing the past with Ryan.

  The blank page stared at her with a blue pen poised to attack in her hand. The pros were obvious. She’d finally know if six years ago meant anything to him. The hard part was actually asking him. Even worse, what if the moments they shared meant little to him. They both dated in high school, him more than her. And then there was college. Guys and parties filled her weekends but no one seemed to compare to what she wanted with Ryan. Six years was a long time with ample opportunity for a good looking guy.

  Admitting defeat, Allison sat her notebook and pen on the nightstand. Her grandmother emerged from the bat
hroom in a fog. The steam from her shower spilled into the bedroom.

  “That is some great water pressure. You should really try it.” Her grandmother moved from one open suitcase to the next. With a white towel wrapped around her head, she clutched a pink terry cloth robe closed.

  “Thanks grandma, I’ll do that.” Allison couldn’t help the smile pulling at her cheeks. She wondered how much her grandmother knew what was going on around her or if she said silly things to catch people off guard. Either way, she loved her dearly for her easy way.

  “I’m almost done, dear. Then it’s all yours. I just need to get dressed and put my face on.” Her grandmother turned with a royal blue dress draped across her arm. “Do you think this will be okay for the bridal shower today?” She held the dress up with both hands. Her robe gaped open but with the dress in front of her, her body remained mostly concealed. Skinny legs stuck out beneath the blue fabric. Would she resemble her grandmother in her older golden years? She’d always considered her a striking older woman with jet-black hair, golden brown eyes and high cheekbones.

  Stifling a laugh, Allison held her hand in front of her face, pretending to cough. “Yes. Love the color.” Seconds later, her grandmother shuffled across the carpet back into the bathroom.

  A soft double knock against her door sounded before blonde hair peeked around the corner. “You up,” George whispered.

  “Yes,” Allison replied in the same soft tone.

  “Oh good. Where’s Grandma?” George flung the covers and climbed into bed beside Allison.

  “Getting dressed. And you can’t be in here like this.”

  “Why not?”

  “If my mom finds out she’ll have a cow.”

  “Allison, you’re a grown woman and besides, what are we going to do with your elderly grandmother in the next room? I’m a gentleman who happens to be cold. And I’m fully clothed. Relax.”

  Allison eased against a stack of pillows, pulling the covers to her chin. A chill ran along her legs. She wondered if her parents turned the furnace on for the season. Fall in the Midwest meant a variety of different things. Either mid 80’s temperatures or the opposite; mid to low 40’s with a chance of snow. Allison preferred middle of the road but living in Chicago, she dealt with blustering winds.

  “Have you decided what you’re going to do about Ryan?”

  “No and keep it down. I think my grandmother has bat ears.”

  “You have a week to decide but know I’m here for you. I think it’s kind of sweet you still have a thing for this guy. And from what I saw yesterday he may return your feelings.”

  Allison jerked forward uncovering both she and George. “What? You didn’t say anything last night when I came to talk to you.”

  “You didn’t ask.”

  Her eyes shot wide open like saucers. Her mouth matched. “Okay. New rule. As a couple,” she added air quotes to the word. “We tell each other everything. No secrets. And when someone knows something about the other someone’s love interest, full disclosure.”

  “Fine. In honor of full disclosure, you need to brush your teeth.”

  Allison rolled her eyes and scooted away to her side of the bed. “Fair enough. What did he do?”

  George pulled the covers back into place, smoothing his hands across his body. “Well, first off, from what I can gather, he is normally a really good golfer but yesterday he didn’t do so well. Or so I was told. Anyway, he asked about you…a lot.”

  “Yeah.” She inched closer and then moved back remembering her teeth. “He asked you?”

  “Me and Adam. Asked how long we’d been seeing each other. How we met. If you were happy.”

  She sat back against the headboard. He’d asked about her. After six years, he wondered about her. Warmth filled her face along with a smile tugging at her lips. Her two fingers touched her lips.

  “What did you tell him?” She whispered.

  “I told him the truth. We met two years ago and spend most of our free time together. Although, I told him that wasn’t much because you…we…both work long hours. And I said we were happy together. I mean, truthfully, we are when we’re together, right?”

  “Yes. Of course.” She patted his hand.

  Allison looked at her friend and knowing the sacrifice he was making for her, tears burned the back of her eyes, forming a lump in her throat. His thoughtfulness was boundless and she knew he’d always be there for her. A tear rolled from her eye, down her check before it dropped to the blankets below. She smiled at him.

  George sat straighter in the bed with worry scrunching around his blue eyes. “Hey. What’s this?” He ran a finger across her cheek, catching the next droplet.

  “Oh nothing. I’m not sad. The opposite really.” She grabbed his hand and pulled it onto her lap. “You’re a great friend and I guess I’m a little struck by what you’re doing for me. I really appreciate you.”

  With his hand in hers, he pulled her to him, wrapping her in a hug. She breathed in deep, pulling his familiar cologne into her lungs. She closed her eyes, enjoying the closeness.

  “Oh, excuse me. Next time you should consider hanging a sock on the doorknob. Back in my day, we wrapped a tie around the handle. But times have changed. Maybe you’re freer with your love. Not that I was a prude or anything.” Grandma Daughtry emerged from the bathroom wearing her blue dress and her hair teased into a chiffon. “I’m not one to judge. But if we’re going to share a room, I’d appreciate a little notice. I know how to make myself scarce.”

  Allison pulled from George, watching the little black haired woman mill around the room, keeping her eyes averted to her tasks at hand. Both smiled, listening to her ramble about the situation she’d walked in on.

  “Grandma, nothing happened.”

  “Yeah, but we both know she wanted to.” George winked at the elderly woman when she finally met their eyes. “Now, don’t you look lovely.”

  Grandma turned in place offering a full view. “Thank you. But you keep your freshness to yourself. I’m not one to try and steal my granddaughter’s man.” She moved toward the bedroom door offering her own wink toward the couple in bed. “Allison honey. You better get a move on. The bridal shower starts in a couple of hours and you know how your mother is about being on time. And after yesterday, you’re already on her naughty list.”

  Once she left the room, George turned to Allison beside him in bed. “What happened yesterday?”

  Allison shook her head. “Oh, nothing that won’t haunt me this entire week.”

  Chapter Nine

  Satisfied with her appearance, Allison followed the sound of silverware on dishes and laughter to the main floor of her parent’s house. George went out with Adam again, making sure the house remained a man free zone.

  A cascade of crepe paper fell from the foyer chandelier to the perimeter of the room in navy blue and silver. Light danced across the shiny paper, mimicking sparklers from the Fourth of July. Matching balloons flanked the bottom steps with tabletop versions floating above the food and heads of the guests seated below. Right of the foyer, the formal sitting room showcased several round tables with dining place settings matching the ones from the dining room. More balloons and decorations were tucked in the corners.

  A group of women stood, hovering by Sarah, looking at her engagement ring and giggling about how Adam proposed.

  Allison made her rounds, greeting guests, making small talk and smiling when needed. With each passing face, she realized the gathering felt more like a reunion than a bridal shower. Sarah, a year younger than Allison, stayed close with most of her high school friends. She recognized many and figured the others were either college friends or work associates.

  Sarah’s mother, a close friend of Allison’s mother, bobbed from one group to the next making small talk and filling flutes with mimosas. Her salon frosted tips fluttered around the room leaving a trail of laughs. Unlike Allison’s mom, Mrs. Henson had a broader sense of humor, laughing at herself when needed.

/>   “Oh, Allison. Sarah told me about the dress shop. How funny.” With a glass pitcher full the frothy orange drink, she placed a free hand across Allison’s arm. “You are a hoot. Well, I’m glad it all worked out.”

  “Yes and I hope to run by the shop tomorrow to make sure it fits,” Allison offered.

  Mrs. Henson smiled and walked away waving her free hand over her shoulder. “It’s all good.”

  Not wanting to waste another minute talking, Allison headed to the kitchen to dampen the Harley Davidson engine revving noises her stomach made. Inside, spread across the center island laid a banquet of brunch foods. Standing on either side sat two counter high tables with navy blue tablecloths. Leave it to her mother to find card tables the same height as their counter. Her mother was like a mini Martha Stewart.

  Croissants, jellies and fruit kabobs adorned one side, while quiche, frittatas and cooked meats sat on the other. In the middle her mother presented a combination of salads and refreshments rested on a side counter.

  The room smelled heavenly, especially the woodsy aroma of coffee, which Allison hadn’t had a cup of yet. Time escaped her before the shower began and Allison wanted to avoid her mother so she remained in her room for as long as possible. She started to realize later that her actions resulted in her to suffer caffeine withdrawal.

  She piled a healthy helping of fruit, pasta salad and spinach frittata. With her free hand, she managed to poor a steaming mug of coffee adding a splash of gingerbread creamer. She loved how the fall brought out the warm flavors of the season like peppermint, gingerbread and pumpkin. She even marked her calendar for the arrival of the seasonal flavors at a franchised coffee chain.

  “Allison Daughtry? Is that you?”

  The voice was undeniable. The feeling the voice instilled unforgettable.

  She secretly promised herself a perfect day. No problems. No issues during the shower. Not even her thoughts of Ryan interfered with her bridesmaid duties. The day was about Sarah.