by J. L. Ostle
“Guys…” I try and stop this.
“Two hundred bucks.” I get ignored again. Danny and Nathan laugh.
“Not worth it.”
“Fine, five hundred.”
“Deal.” They shake hands and I put my own up in exasperation.
“Aren’t you forgetting one thing?” They all look at me, confused.
“What?” Aaron asks.
“For me to agree with this childish shit. I am not going to try and fuck someone because you guys made a stupid bet.” I stand up and head towards the doors. I hear my name being called out and a few girls bat their eyelashes as I walk past them.
“Come on, don’t you want to see if you really are God’s gift? To see that you can really have anyone you want?” Nathan pleads to me.
“Even though in the process we are fucking someone over?”
“You fuck and ditch all the time, so why would this be any different?” I hate how he is describing me. I’m not that bad. I look back to Sasha and yeah, I would love to get between her thighs, feel her tight cunt around my dick, but knowing I’m doing it for my friends to earn money seems seedy.
“I think deep down he knows he won’t win,” Aaron tries to goad me. “He knows she will turn his ass down.”
“See, you have to prove him wrong. Let’s do a bet on how far he can get. Each base he gets to, one hundred dollars is added. One hundred for a passionate kiss.” Aaron rolls his eyes. “Two hundred for under the shirt feel up, three for a hand-job, four for a blowjob, five if she lets him go down on her, and six if they fuck.”
“What do I get out of all this?” Aaron complains.
“You scared he will be able to do any of those things?” Nathan chuckles.
“Sex is harder than a fucking kiss.”
“Fine, he has a week to reach a certain base. Week one, he needs her to kiss him, the second week for her to let him feel her up, etcetera. If he doesn’t manage that base on that certain week, you win the money for that week. Makes sense?”
“I think so. Okay, you’re on.” They shake hands again, I groan.
“You still need me to agree to this.”
“Come on, if she does let you get that far, just think how good the prize will be. All that money and you get your dick wet by that tight ass.” Danny pats my shoulder. I really don’t feel right doing it, but with all the guys looking at me, I groan and nod in agreement and they all cheer.
“Well, your first week starts now. Good luck.” Aaron smirks at me. I am already starting to regret this.
I watch as Sasha leaves through the back doors and, without thinking, my feet start chasing after her. I don’t know what I’m doing but I call out to her, and when she stops and faces me, her face is all scrunched in confusion, I can’t help but smile at her cuteness.
“What’s up?” she asks me, her head turned to the side a little.
“I was wondering if I could walk you to class?” I see the wheels turning in her head before she shrugs.
“Okay.” She starts walking and I fall in beside her. The walk is silent, no words are forming and I have no clue what to say. My friends are betting to see if I can fuck you, what do you think of that topic? Yeah, I can’t say that. I’m still trying to figure out what to say when I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I pull out my phone and see a text from my dad. He’s working late.
Again.
“Are you okay?” Her voice pulls me out of my trance.
“Yeah, fine.”
She nods. “Your forehead was all scrunched up, that’s all.” Out of reaction, I press my fingers to my forehead.
“It was my dad.”
She nods again. “And you don’t get along with him?”
“I hardly see him. The only way he communicates with me is through text messages.”
“I’m sorry to hear that” We walk in silence again.
“What about your dad? Are you close?” Her eyes dart to the ground as she walks.
“I was close to my dad. He passed away four years ago.” I feel even shitier than I did before.
“I’m so sorry.”
“You didn’t know,” She whispers as she swats away a stray tear. “God, look at me.” She chuckles. “Bet you didn’t plan for this on the walk to class.” I stand in front of her and grab hold of one of her hands.
“I’m glad that you opened up. If you ever want to talk, depressing or not,” we both chuckle, “I’m here.” She looks up to me with her big eyes and I know I should walk away, leave this poor girl alone, but her eyes are drawing me in, trapping me.
“Good to know. Might hold you to that.” She smiles.
“Please do.” We walk in silence again.
“So, are you going to watch me practice? See what your talent show is investing in?” I eventually ask and she laughs.
“I’ll think about it.” Her smile is so contagious that I can’t help smiling with her. We get to her class and stand there facing one another. “Thank you for walking me to class.”
“Anytime. It was fun.” She shakes her head.
“Liar.” She chuckles and I move closer to her, lifting her chin so her eyes connect with mine.
“I enjoyed walking with you.” My eyes train on her mouth when she licks her lips and I’m dying to press my mouth against hers. “There’s a party this Friday. Come.” I want to spend more time with her. The more I’m around her, the more I’m fascinated by her.
“Is that an order or a request?” she breathes out, making my whole body vibrate with pure want.
“Both.” I step back.
“Maybe.” She smiles and heads into class. I watch as she sits in her seat and she looks surprised when she notices I’m still standing there. I probably look like a weirdo but when she smiles brightly at me, giving me a little wave, it makes it worth it.
Excerpt - Chapter 4
Sasha
I drive home after school and when I open my garage, where me and my band practice, I see they are already there. Including Karen, who is the guitarist/manager. She’s glued to social media most of the time anyway, so we make her promote us and keep our website up-to-date.
“Why haven’t you been replying to my messages?” Karen waltzes up to me. Since Colin took me to class, rumors already spread around school and Karen was first to question me. I switched off my phone and decided I would wait until now to talk to her.
During the rest of school, my mind kept drifting off to Colin. I still don’t understand why he wanted to walk with me. I wasn’t really all that nice to him. God, I can’t believe I talked to him about my dad, got all emotional in front of him. But him holding my hand, touching my chin. Wow. His touch makes this electric energy surge through my entire body and I know he is going to be trouble.
I can feel it.
“Colin walked me to class and we talked, that’s it.” I head to my guitar, placing the strap around my shoulder.
“I heard his body was basically pressed against yours. He was holding your face.” Her hands go to her hips. Our school really needs to get a life.
“He touched my chin, he was being nice.”
“Who touches chins?” I don’t mean to, but I burst out laughing.
“Well, obviously, he does.” I continue laughing.
“What were you two talking about?”
“He asked me to watch him practice sometime and invited me to a party.” Karen’s mouth hangs open.
“Colin Baxter asked you to a party? Holy shit, he likes you. He wouldn’t ask you to go if he didn’t like you.” She squeals.
“He was just being nice.”
“He likes you.” I feel my face blush.
“Come on, let’s practice and stop talking about Colin.”
“Yes, please. I can already feel my mind turning into mush,” Brady, our drummer, groans. Brady looks like a stereotypical nerd. Gel slicked brown hair, huge dark framed glasses, and a love for plaid shirts. But, damn, he can play. People are always in awe when they watch him.
&nb
sp; “Sorry Bards.” Karen gets to her spot. I adjust my microphone that’s right in the center. I turn to make sure Karen is ready and she gives me a thumbs up. I look to my right to see Leo, our bassist, is also ready. Leo is more on the gothic side, with black eyeliner and black hair but he’s a fun guy.
I face forward and when Brady taps his sticks and starts to play, we all join in at the right moments. When it’s time for me to sing, I close my eyes and let the words come out of me. I don’t need to see what I’m doing. I’ve been playing the guitar since I could hold one.
We play the song three times until we are happy with it and have adjusted any keys we feel needed improving. We really do work well together as a team. Music is our life; we breathe, eat, and sleep music and if we want to make something of ourselves, we need to be perfect. The talent show is going to be a big step up.
We continue the same flow with a few of our original songs and some covers. We want the covers to sound more like us, to put our stamp on them. After a couple of hours, we all take a break and sit on the old couch that sits on the left side of the room.
“I always think we can’t get better, but, somehow, we do, if that’s even possible. We are going to blow everyone’s socks off at that talent show.” I look over at Karen and see she is on Facebook, updating our page. Not many people have liked our page yet, mostly close friends and family, but it’s a start.
“Okay, done.” Karen puts her phone away. “I think we rocked ass.” We chuckle at her. “So, what about this party? Are you going?” I groan.
“I don’t know.” That’s the truth. A part of me wants to go, that’s the part that really wants to see Colin again.
“I think you should.” Karen looks at me.
“I’ll think about it. I don’t really want to go on my own though and look like a weirdo sitting in the corner with no friends.” That’s also true; I would look so pathetic if I went on my own, not talking to anyone and eye stalking Colin. Yeah, not an impression I want to give off.
“We can go if you don’t think Colin would mind.” Karen shrugs. It is a party, and if he invited me, he wouldn’t mind me inviting my friends, he would understand I couldn’t go on my own.
“That would be great.” I smile and Karen squeals, making my ears pop. “We are going to a real house party, just like in the movies.” She shakes my arm in excitement.
“Please don’t be like this at the party.” I moan.
“Be like what?” She looks at me, confused.
“All high pitched and hyper.”
She scoffs “I can be cool.”
“Cool people don’t say they are cool,” Brady adds in and she sticks her tongue out at him. “So, is that invite open to all of us?”
“I don’t see why not.”
We chill for a little bit before everyone starts to grab their things and leave. I tidy up and close the garage door and decide to take a walk. With mom going on another date, there’s no need for me to be inside yet.
I put in my earphones, pressing play on my phone. The first song that hits my ears is Disturbed ‘The Sound of Silence’. I start walking with no destination in mind. I aimlessly wander, music playing. Thinking about everything.
Past, present, and future.
I’m still in my own head when I realize I’m at the lake. Looking out into the water, I decide to sit down on the clean-cut grass, my knees tucked into me. It's moments like this where I miss my dad.
He loved going for walks. Every weekend he would wake me up just so we could come here and watch the sunrise, staring in awe as the colors hit the sky. We would just sit there and watch, no words being said.
I hate that God took him away from me. Well, if there is a God. It’s a selfish thing to think, but I wished he took someone else, knowing I needed him. He gave me my most precious gift; music.
He bought me my first guitar, he took me to so many concerts, allowing me to listen to all kinds of music, making me appreciate that each type is just as special, just as moving, as the last. I want him to see me play. Even just once.
I sigh, closing my eyes. “I miss you, Daddy,” I whisper. My eyes are still closed when my body is suddenly being pinned down. When I open my eyes in shock, they connect with clear blue ones.
“Colin, are you trying to give me a heart attack?” My breathing comes in fast.
“I saw you sitting here and, what can I say? I couldn’t help myself.” He smirks at me.
“Are you just going to keep laying on top of me?” His eyes go dark at my words. It's then my body starts to come alive, Energy vibrating through as his body presses into mine.
“I kind of like where I am actually,” he says huskily, leaning further into me, laying on his forearms.
“I hope you’re comfortable.” My voice comes out a little breathy.
“Very.” Is all he says. His eyes stay on mine, and the more he stares at me, the more my body is screaming for him. I lock my legs around his waist and his eyes grow wide. Before he has time to think, I use all my body weight to flip him so I am now the one on top.” “Fuck.” He groans.
“Comfy now?” I tease.
“How the fuck did you learn to do that? It was hot, but fuck.” He squares his shoulders.
“Self-defense classes. Glad you think getting your ass handed to you is hot.” He relaxes and places his hands on my hips.
“I do have a great view.” He smiles sweetly at me. I try to stand, but he grabs onto my hips tighter, forcing me to sit back on top of him. “Don’t move, I like you on top.” He winks at me, causing me to laugh.
“This is the only time you will have me on top of you.” I cross my arms.
“I like to think there will be many times you will be on top of me.” My mouth hangs open at what he said. I’m not stupid, I know he is implying sex. He’s not being at all subtle that he wants to sleep with me.
“Only in your dreams.” My voice manages to come out stronger than I actually feel.
“You’re always in my dreams.” I roll my eyes.
“You are so cheesy.” I laugh. He shrugs.
“It’s keeping you on top of me right now.” His hands are still on my hips and his thumbs begin to rub along my skin, causing me to shiver and him to groan. My shivering causes my body to subtly grind against him and now I can feel his erection press against me. His fingers have dug into my skin and it takes so much not to moan in pleasure. I kick one leg out until I am off him and just sitting beside him.
“What are you doing here anyway?” I ask him, trying to change the electrified atmosphere that we are suddenly in. He sits up, mirroring me.
“I went for a jog and then I spotted you, sitting there all peaceful, your eyes closed, deep in thought. You ending up on top of me was just a bonus.” I laugh.
Shaking my head at him, I ask, “Do you always just say whatever you want?”
“Only sometimes. I guess you bring it out of me.”
“Oh, the joys,” I say jokingly. “So, does all this work with the other girls?”
“What other girls?”
I chuckle. “The girls you sleep with. We do go to the same school, Colin. I see the girls you hang around with. I hear about all your sexcapades. You’re near suspension because you can’t keep your snake in your pants.”
He bursts out laughing. “Snake? Did you just honestly call it a snake?” He continues to laugh. “Say it again, call it my snake.” I hit his arm.
“What did you want me to say? Dick? Cock?” I look at him and once again, his eyes bore into mine.
“Please don’t say that again.” His words come out all hoarse.
“Dick?”
“Don’t.” Something comes over me and I lean forward.
“Cock? Your. Hard. Smooth. Cock.” I say each word slowly and, before I know it, my body is pressed back down onto the ground with Colin hovering over me.
“What did I just say?” His erection presses into my core.
“Colin,” I say breathlessly.
“You think you were being funny.” His face comes closer, his stubble rubbing against my jaw. “You shouldn’t say things like that if you don’t want the guy to turn into an animal, especially those words coming out of that sweet mouth of yours.” His thumb strokes along my bottom lip. “I so want to kiss you right now.” His expression looks torn. He stares at the grass, seeing something I can’t, before his eyes dart back to mine. “I’m not a good person, Sasha. I am probably the biggest asshole out there but, fuck me, I want to taste you.” His face comes in closer and I can feel his breath against my lips. “Tell me to stop,” he whispers. His tongue grazes where he just touched. “Tell me.” My mind has gone all foggy but I manage to look through the haze and place my hand on his chest, slowly pushing him off me.
We only started talking today; this is going way too fast. How is it that after only one day that I’m ready to throw out all my morals just for him to kiss me, to touch me, to please me? I can’t be just another girl.
“I need to go,” I say, not looking at him. He reaches out and his thumb lifts my chin.
“I’m sorry.” It feels like he’s apologizing for so much more than just moving too fast.
“Me too,” I whisper. I take a step back so his hand falls away from me. I turn and start to walk away but he calls my name so I turn back around.
“I do like you, Sasha Bennett. More than I should.” I give him a small smile and turn back around to head home, but all the way there I couldn’t stop the huge smile on my face.
Acknowledgments
I hate this part as I never know what to say. I have been writing for almost three years and this makes book number fourteen and it still feels unreal. Knowing that you give my book a chance. Each passing day I am so thankful to everyone that helps support me, to keep my dream going.
To my precious, amazing little boy Jake, my number one fan. He is my world and I want to show him that dreams can come true if you are willing to work hard for what you want.
Daniel Martin, even though we have parted ways, you still mean the world to me. You were my first real fan, giving me that big push to write my first ever book and I thank you for doing so.