by Smoke, Lucy
Grayson shrugged. "A few weeks."
“I was just here last week.” It was a statement, not a question, but he answered as though it were anyway.
“I was working at one of Knix’s construction sites.” Well, that explained how he was building muscle rapidly, too. It wasn’t just the workouts—or rather, not just the pumping iron he did at home.
"You don't have to work here,” I said. “Or with Knix. Why are you?”
"I need something to do."
I eyed him, but watching him move and clean up the counter, though I knew from experience that wasn’t part of his job, I kind of got the feeling that he needed to feel useful. I relaxed in my seat and sighed.
"I'm taking Harlow on a date," Texas announced.
A blush rose to my cheeks, the heat spreading outward like wildfire. I turned my eyes away in embarrassment, but not quickly enough to miss the jerk of Grayson's head as he glanced my way before returning his gaze to Texas. "Oh?"
I felt more than saw Texas nod his head. "Not sure where I want to take her, though. Any ideas?"
It was odd how calm they were about it—dating me, sharing me—but they were. I had a feeling that if it was any other way, it wouldn't work. I slowly allowed my face to turn back to them. Grayson kept his eyes on Texas.
"What were you thinking?" Grayson asked.
"I mean, I thought about taking her to dinner and dancing. I know a nice seafood restaurant on the bay—"
"No," I said quickly, drawing both of their attention. Grayson's eyes met mine, shining in a way that reminded me of that night such a short time ago. The way he'd danced with me under the night sky and how he'd kissed me. That was our memory and, though I was sure Texas probably wasn't considering the same restaurant, a part of me didn't want to share that memory with anyone else, not even him. That was mine—mine and Grayson's.
"You don't like seafood?" Texas asked curiously.
I didn't know how to reply without giving it away, but Grayson seemed to understand and offered a helping hand even though he did shoot me a smirk. "What about if you took her to the Charleston market this Saturday?"
"A lunch date?" Texas turned his eyes my way. "That sounds fun. What do you think?"
I nodded, keeping my eyes on Grayson. "Yeah, I'd love to go."
Texas beamed. "Alright, it's settled then."
"You guys ready to order?" The waitress from earlier returned, looking somewhat frazzled as a new stain donned her uniform. When she saw Grayson standing there, she blushed and shuffled on her feet. "Oh sorry, Grayson, are these friends of yours?"
I narrowed my eyes on her even as Grayson nodded. "Yeah, Justice, this is my friend Texas and my girlfriend, Harlow." I started at his introduction of me, but a pleased warmth spread throughout my abdomen. Grayson flicked a smile in my direction—one that was reminiscent of the boy he'd been. The naughty, sarcastic asshole. "She's a jealous little thing, but don't mind her." That grin widened when I bristled.
I reached over the counter and slapped his arm. "Grayson!" I hissed. He laughed and strode away, leaving Justice looking me up and down with pursed lips. I turned my expression to her. "Don't mind him," I said. "He's an asshole."
She hummed, sounding unimpressed. "He's actually really sweet," she said. "Are you two very serious?" she asked, looking pointedly at Texas. "Doesn't seem like he's the very jealous type.”
I leaned back as though I'd been slapped. Texas didn't seem to notice as his attention had shifted to the man at his side who had sidled over a moment before and asked him a question. I gritted my teeth and let my gaze go cold.
"We're very serious," I snapped, meeting Justice’s eyes with challenge. "I've met his mother and we live together, but feel free to try for him, you'll find out just how much of an asshole he can be."
She hummed again, plucking a pen out of her apron to take our order, and I resisted the urge to climb over the counter and slap her across the face. Texas finally noticed her return and turned back to us.
"I'll have a—" he started as I kept my glare on the girl. She, in turn, kept her expression bland while she took our orders and our menus before heading off. If it was anyone but Carl and Grayson back in the kitchen, I'd be worried my food would come out with spit or something else—but I knew with the two of them, I wouldn't have to. Still, Justice rubbed me the wrong way.
Texas turned back to talk to the man at his side just as my cell phone went off. Frowning, I reached for my pocket and retrieved it. My eyes widened at the name on the screen and I pressed answer almost immediately.
"Lizzie?"
"Hey, Harlow! Guess where I'm at right now?" Lizzie's upbeat voice was a pleasant surprise. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed the short spitfire until that moment.
"Outer space," I deadpanned.
I could practically hear her eyes rolling to the back of her head. "No," she said, "I'm in Charleston!"
"You are?" I blinked and looked around as if half expecting her to show up right then and there. Texas noticed my preoccupation, excused himself from his conversation and then lifted a brow my way.
"You okay?" he mouthed.
I nodded and pointed to the phone. "Lizzie," I mouthed back. He frowned but nodded.
"What are you doing in Charleston?" I asked, curious.
"My cousin invited me down for the weekend. Are you around? I want to see you!"
I smiled, enjoying the excitement that felt far too contagious even over the phone. "Sure, I'd love to see you," I replied. I glanced up at Texas, pulling the phone away from my ear and pressed it to my shoulder. "Lizzie's in town and she wants to see me. Do you mind if I borrow the car?"
"I can drive you," he offered.
"I'd kind of like a girls only trip," I said lightly. "If that's okay?"
"Oh, yeah, sure. So long as you don't forget about our date. You and me. Alone. This weekend." He emphasized 'alone,' making me chuckle.
"You got it," I assured him, putting the phone back to my ear. "Alright, Liz, you're on. I can pick you up whenever and we can grab lunch or I can take you to see some of the sites."
"Oh, hush. I don't care about the sites. I wanna know about you and the guys. Did you...I mean, how far have you gotten? With how many of them?"
Once again my cheeks heated. "Okay, well, it was nice talking to you. I'll see you later. Text me the address I need to pick you up at and a date and time."
"Wait, you didn't—"
"Okay, love you, bye." I pressed end call and stuffed the phone in my pocket after turning the sound off. There was no doubt in my mind that my persistent friend would be sending me a boatload of messages all pertaining to my sexual relationship with the guys.
"What did she say to make you blush so hard?" Texas asked, curiously.
"Nothing," I squeaked. "Oh look, food's here."
Justice returned, dropping Texas' plate down lightly and nearly slamming mine down before turning and striding off. I rolled my eyes and snagged a fry off my plate, popping it in my mouth. Salty warmth settled on my tongue, causing me to groan in bliss before I reached for another. I had several fries crammed in my mouth before I turned my head and realized that Texas was watching me.
"What?" I asked, putting a hand over my mouth.
He shook his head and chuckled. "Nothing, Spider-Monkey. You're just too cute for your own good."
Chapter 12
"Are you sure it's okay?" I asked Marv as he handed over the keys to his BMW.
"Don't worry about it. Just go have fun with Lizzie. Keep your phone on—specifically your location tracking." He eyed me.
I rolled my eyes. "Do you really think Grayson's mother is going to assault me in public while I'm having coffee with my friend?" I asked, sarcasm practically dripping from my tone.
"No, but you can never be too careful." Marv pressed a kiss to my forehead, turning me around with his hands on my shoulders and smacked my butt to get me moving.
Shooting him a disbelieving look over my shoulder, I sighed and h
eaded outside. The clouds overhead churned, predicting rain in the next few hours. I got in the BMW, cranked it, and watched the expression of pure horror slide over his face as I fishtailed my way out of the driveway. Chuckling and ignoring the rapid phone call that besieged my phone, I headed off. I’d send him a text later letting him know his precious baby was okay—and the car, too, of course.
Lizzie's cousin lived off I-77 in North Charleston; I took the correct exit according to the GPS and headed down a smaller side road, passing several fast food restaurants and the North Charleston mall before pulling up to a small apartment complex. Lizzie, for all her excitement, was nowhere to be seen. I texted her a quick notice, letting her know that I was there and ready. Moments later, she came bounding out of one of the first floor apartments in ripped jeans and a Nirvana t-shirt, her colorful hair tucked behind pixie-like ears.
The passenger door opened, and Lizzie flung herself inside, her slender arms wrapping around my shoulders and neck with a vise-like grip as she squeezed me. "Oh my God! I haven't seen you in forever!"
I chuckled, hugging her back—albeit a bit awkwardly with her half over the console. "It's only been a month," I replied.
"It's been more than a month," she denied, releasing me and scooting back to her own seat as she closed the door and buckled her seatbelt. "It's been a lifetime, and as you know, I'm never wrong."
"You're right," I said easily as I backed out and headed back for the interstate. "I've never heard a sentence come out of your mouth that wasn't brimming with truth."
"Glad you see it my way," she said with a pseudo-haughty sniff.
"Your way is the right way, after all..."
She giggled and turned in her seat. "Okay, enough pleasantries. Spill."
"I didn't bring a drink, and it's not my car. I won't be spilling anything in here," I replied with a smile.
She huffed and smacked my arm.
"Hey! I'm driving here. Driver abuse! Driver abuse!"
"You know what I meant," she snapped. "Tell me about the guys. You and Marv? Knix? Texas? Grayson? Bellamy?"
I blushed.
"Oh. My. God!" Her squeal practically reverberated in my skull. I winced. "Sorry," she said, quickly lowering her voice. "But you have to tell me. Who have you slept with so far?"
"They're not notches on my bedpost," I said quickly, darting a glance her way. "So, if—"
She waved her hand at me. "Oh, I know that. You—unlike some girls—actually give a shit. No need to tell me twice. I just want to know all the juicy details. Please, Harlow, I'm dying here. Let me live vicariously through you."
I couldn't hold back the smile that spread across my lips. Even as the corners of my mouth turned down to fight against it, she noticed almost immediately. "So tell me," she demanded, "who has pillaged your village."
"Oh, my God. Please don't say it like that."
“Put a banana in your fruit salad?”
“What?!”
“Put stuffin’ in your muffin?”
I grimaced and stared at her in horror.
She wiggled her eyebrows. “Plowed your field?”
“Stop, please, God, stop!”
She laughed. "I'll start coming up with even dirtier euphemisms if you don't tell me, right now, young lady."
“You’re ridiculous,” I informed her.
“Stuffed your taco? Oh, I know! Creamed your Twinkie?”
"Marv!" I snapped. When there was no reply, I peeked a glance over at her and jumped when I saw how close she'd gotten again. Lizzie was practically lying across the console as she eyed me, waiting expectantly.
"Grayson..." I said quietly. At the very least, the euphemisms had come to a blessed ending.
She let out a delicate snort, and I snapped a glare her way. "What?" she said. "You were so adamant that you weren't dating. I can't snort?"
"No, you can't," I replied sharply. "And we weren't dating...not then."
"But you are now?"
I was rolling my eyes far too much. "Would I have slept with him if I wasn't dating him?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. Lots of girls sleep with guys they don't date. There isn't anything wrong with that, babe. We're in a new era. Feminism and all that jazz. Go vaginas!"
"Are you serious, right now?"
"What? You're saying you're not a feminist? That's okay. You're a woman, you've got a choice now. You don't have to be a feminist if you don't want to."
I pulled off the interstate and found the coffee shop and darted into the parking lot. "Oh look, we're here," I said, relief clear in my tone.
She laughed at that. "Oh, babe, if you think being in a public place is going to keep me from asking you potentially embarrassing questions, you don't know me well enough. Come on, let's go."
She was right. Dear Lord. What had I agreed to? We both got out of the car and headed inside the coffee shop with a wooden sign shaped like a mug dangling out front with the name The Java Bean scrawled in fancy calligraphy.
"Wow, this place is so cool," Lizzie said as we entered into a darkened interior with shelves of designer chocolates and top coffee brands to our right.
"I haven’t been here," I admitted as we headed for the front counter, “but Texas has. He said this place was really good.”
“Texas, hmmm?” Lizzie batted her eyelashes at me.
“Yup. Drinks?” I squeaked, ignoring her obvious ‘tell me about your sex life’ signs.
A tall, lanky boy with an ear piercing and tattoos on his neck smiled as we stepped up. He took down our orders—one French vanilla bean latte and one double chocolate chip java bean special Frappuccino.
It didn’t take long to get our drinks. A few minutes after we ordered, we headed to the end of the counter, retrieved them, and made our way to a corner table, away from the other coffee shop patrons. Soft voices just above the sounds of the blenders behind the counter filtered over to us as we both took a sip of our drinks.
"This is so good," Lizzie moaned as she immediately put the lip of her cup back to her mouth and inhaled some more. She flinched and pulled it away. "Hot,” she said after a quick blow into the mouth of the lid, “but still good."
I chuckled. "It's really good to see you again," I admitted with a sigh. "I've missed you."
Lizzie put her drink down and reached for my hand. "I've missed you too," she said. "I couldn't stop thinking about you. I know I'm probably super annoying with all of the asking about the guys—which you still haven't given me full details about and I will get them—but I just want to know that you're doing okay and that you're happy."
I smiled and squeezed her hand back. "You're a good friend," I said, "and I am happy. I mean...there's more drama going on with Grayson's mom that’s not really making being happy all that easy, but with them, I'm okay. I'm always okay with them."
Lizzie frowned. "Does Grayson's mom not like you?" she asked.
I sipped my drink. "Something like that," I finally said after a moment. "But it's not something I really want to talk about."
Lizzie nodded, letting it go. That was one thing I absolutely adored about this girl, her willingness to back off when I needed her to. It almost made me want to go back to college…but as much as I had enjoyed it, it just wasn't the same without the guys there. I didn't necessarily need a college degree to be accomplished in life. If I wanted one later, I knew the guys would help me if the time ever came. I still had that—time to choose, time to decide.
"So, tell me about the guys then. You've been with Marv and Grayson, anyone else?"
I flicked a lock of my hair as I mumbled, "Bellamy..."
She grinned. "And? Was it hot?"
I sighed and put my drink down. "I was kind of nervous with Marv—to be honest, I was a little nervous with all of them. I'm not a virgin anymore, but each time with them it's still like my first time. I care about them all so much, I don't want to do anything that might drive them away, you know?"
"Oh, babe. I highly doubt you could. I've seen the way
those guys look at you."
"How's that?"
Lizzie lifted an eyebrow and put her latte to her lips, taking a long sip before she replied. "Are you serious? They look at you like you hung the fucking moon, girl. Those boys are in L-O-V-E, love, with you. There's no denying it, and there’s no doubt in my mind that if they like it so much, they’re gonna try to put a ring on it."
"I'm kinda in love with them too," I admitted, ignoring her ring comment—I wasn’t sure if we were ready for that just yet. We had to get through Teddi first.
"I should hope so," she said.
I smiled and drank my Frappuccino as she started talking about her and Kelsey becoming roommates and possibly moving off campus next year. It was nice to be with another girlfriend for a change. It reminded me of Erika in a way that made me sad she was gone but also resigned. Not all friends were forever. I had come to accept that fact, and while I hoped Lizzie would last, if it came down to it, I’d appreciate what time I did have with her.
The thought of short-lasting friendships however concerned me. It made me wonder—if the guys and I didn’t fix this thing with Teddi, would we last? What if Teddi did end up tearing us apart? Texas seemed okay, but I knew that Knix was worried. Grayson and Marv were as well. And Bellamy had to be at least somewhat concerned. Though they seemed to get along now, I knew that they did so for my sake.
“Hey.” Lizzie’s voice drew me out of my thoughts, and I jerked my head up realizing that I was sucking hard on my straw, which was now stuck in an empty drink. “Thinking pretty hard there, aren’t you?” She grinned my way, not the least bit offended that I hadn’t been listening to her.
“Sorry,” I said, setting the drink to the side. “I’m just worried about something.”
I should have known better than to even hint at it. Lizzie’s eyes gleamed with interest and she, too, set her now empty drink to the side as she leans forward and cupped a hand around her chin, propping it up with an elbow on the table top. “Care to share with the class?” she prompted.
I blanched, looking away. “It’s complicated.”
Lizzie reached up and flicked my ear. I squealed, reeling on her and cupping a hand over the side of my head belatedly. Across the shop, the barista eyed me and I blushed. “What was that for?” I hissed at Lizzie as heat rose to my cheeks.