by Liz Lovelock
I pay for my items, and then we head to the next store. We stop to buy some donuts. “So, do you like being back here?” Paislee’s friend Elsie asks. She’s pretty blunt and says things how she sees them. I like people like that.
“Yeah, it’s been good getting to know my mom again and the rest of her family.”
“Don’t you mean your family?” Elsie asks as she shoves a piece of donut in her mouth. Paislee shoves her in the arm. “Sorry,” she mumbles.
“No, that’s okay. You’re right; they are my family. I’m just not used to calling them that. It’s been so long that I’m not sure how to act around my mom, but my brother and sister are cute. I’ve never been more excited than I was the day I found out about them.” There’s always a positive to a negative, and I choose to take all I’ve gone through and turn it into something good—like getting to know my mom and siblings.
“That’s cool. What was your dad like?” Addison asks, and this time, she gets a glare from Paislee.
Reaching out, I touch her arm. “It’s okay. He was a good man.” Even as I say the words, they form concrete in my throat. He was a great dad, but deep down in my stomach, I know there were things he did that weren’t right.
“Anyway, I passed your number on, so you’ll hear from your date soon.” Paislee takes the chance to change the topic. One day, I’m going to have to address all the buried emotions caused by my father. I’m so torn over him and the kind of person he was.
“Who are you setting her up with?” Elsie asks.
“I’m not telling you. You’ll go and say something stupid and blow all my hard work. Nope, this secret is staying with me and each party involved.” She laughs.
“Well, I guess I better find a couple more outfits, considering I have been living in the same pair of jeans all week,” I say with a small smile.
“Did your dad not buy you clothes? I mean, of course he did, but why the same pair of jeans?” Elsie pipes up, confusion evident in her tone.
“Yeah, he did. I just never got a say in what they looked like.” I shrug and attempt to ignore all the eyes that are now on me. “Please don’t stare. Let’s go shopping.”
It takes them a moment. Then we turn into another clothing store. My thoughts are still on my father.
“Elsie, where is my makeup?” Paislee calls from Addison’s bedroom. I decided I wanted to get ready with them at Addison and Elsie’s campus dorm. They do have another two girls living here, but they’ve gone away somewhere for a little while. Who goes away when school is on? People who obviously don’t care about their future.
“I’ve got it out here,” Elsie yells. Gee, the whole building could hear us, I’m sure of it.
Paislee fusses in front of me, holding an eye shadow pallet with a rainbow of colors I’d never consider putting on myself. She hovers her brush over one and then shifts to another. It’s easier if I shut my eyes; that way I’m not stressing over what tones and colors she’s using. She jumps up and races off, my eyes spring open, and then she’s back with a case of I-don’t-know-what, and I’m a little afraid to ask. She clicks it open, revealing more makeup. I didn’t take her for the full-on makeup type. Elsie, on the other hand, I did.
“Wow, please don’t make me look like a clown. I still remember the terrible job you did to me when we were kids.” I laugh.
She opens a few more palettes and finally settles on one that’s full of neutral colors. “Girl, I’ve got you. You’re going to look stunning. These parties are fun, and I want you to have a good time. I’m not going to do yours like mine, unless you want me to?”
Her eyes have a smoky effect applied to them, with shimmering eyeliner along the top and bottom of her eyelids. Her bright-red lips open slightly as she picks up a brush and then tosses it back down and chooses another, finally happy with it.
Feeling adventurous, I say, “Can we go a little crazy tonight? I’ve never been done up like you are.”
Paislee grins. “Yes, let’s go crazy.”
“Yeah.”
Thirty minutes later, I’m standing in front of the full-length mirror in the bedroom. My eyes soak up every part of me—a new me. I like this girl staring back at me. She looks confident and happy. “Wow, I look…”
“You look stunning. That pink shirt was the right choice, and those jeans work wonders for your already amazing figure.” Paislee wraps her arm around my shoulders and pulls me tight against her. Emotions swell through me, causing a lump to form in my throat. “What’s wrong? You don’t like it? I can tone the makeup down if you want.”
My head shakes before she even finishes her sentence. “No. I’m just… thank you so much,” I breathe, turning to face her. “I feel so alive. A new me. Thank you for taking me in and making me feel welcome.” Tears fill my eyes.
“No, no, don’t cry. Let’s not mess up that beautiful face with tears.” Paislee turns and grabs a tissue from the bed. “Here, tilt your head and rest this just in the corners of your eyes to soak up the tears before they fall. I’ve had to do this plenty of times.”
Doing as she says, I remain silent, feeling a little stupid over my slight meltdown. “Sorry, Pais.”
“Girl, you have nothing to be sorry about. If anything, I should be the one who is sorry for not trying to contact you. We were best friends. I know friends grow apart, but you were like my sister. I shouldn’t have let you walk away and done nothing.” She pulls me into her tight embrace. It’s as though no time has passed between us.
We stand together for a short time. When everything feels settled, she releases me, and I’m feeling so much better. I brush my hands down my outfit and then bring them back up and meet Paislee’s smile. “Thanks for helping me get ready.”
“It’s only the beginning, Charity. We’ve got plenty more parties to attend and time together. The next few years are going to be epic for us.” She shrugs.
“I can’t afford it right now. Why don’t you live on campus?”
“Nah, I’m cheap.” She laughs. “Mom does so much for me, and I’d hate for her to be alone in her big house, although I’m sure she hasn’t been alone sometimes—especially since my Dad came back onto the scene.”
This is a shock. “Your dad came back?”
She nods. “Yeah, and he’s been getting to know Parker and I, and I’m noticing he’s actually spending more time with Mom. Not sure how I feel about that, though. So long as she’s happy, then so am I.”
“Hurry up, you pair,” Elsie shouts from the living area.
Paislee rolls her eyes. “Here we go. I’ll keep an eye on you, as will the boys. You’re in good hands. If at any time you don’t feel comfortable, let me know. I’ve got you.”
I nod, and she grips my hand and drags me out to the others.
“Damn, you look amazing!” Elsie says with a huge grin plastered on her face.
“You look like a completely different person,” Addison adds. She’s right; I’m not the same girl who moved back to town a couple of weeks ago, and it’s exciting to let go of all the rules that were forced upon me for so long. Look out, world—new Charity is here.
“Dude, that was an epic game.” Some guy holds out his hand. I take it, and we bump shoulders.
“Thanks, man. Have a good night.” Giving him a swift nod, I step around him. The house is slowly starting to fill. We won our game tonight, and we’re celebrating the right way—with a party. It wouldn’t be college life if there weren’t parties every other weekend.
Dane, Parker, Aiden, and Jimmy spot me and make their way over. I quickly scan the room to see if their girls are here. Will Charity come with them?
“Hey, man,” Parker greets me with a clap of hands and bump of shoulders again. “You did good.”
“Thanks. It was pretty rough out there tonight. That team seemed to be made of concrete.” I laugh.
“Yeah, it looked like it,” Dane chimes in.
“Oh look, the girls’ brigade has finally arrived. Fashionably late, as always. And who is
this new one that’s joined?” Aiden asks with a laugh.
My heart skips a beat when I glance behind me. Charity has ripped my breath from my lungs. Her jeans hug her long legs, and as I trail my gaze up her body, I soak up each movement she makes. Her hair hangs down over her shoulders. Light waves of it bounce as she walks. Paislee has her arm hooked through Charity’s. When Charity’s face comes up, it doesn’t even look like her. Paislee has been at her with the makeup. But she was already beautiful.
“Who’s their friend?” Jimmy asks. A glint of I-don’t-know-what shines in his eyes. The ugly green monster takes a seat on my shoulder. I instantly want to protect her from him. He’s always been a moody person. From what I’ve heard, he’s also not nice. I’m surprised he’s with these guys. But they obviously know him more than what I do, and I can’t take what I hear as something solid until I’ve witnessed it.
“That’s Charity. She lived here years ago and has just moved back to town,” Parker says. “Pais and her were friends before.”
“She’s a looker,” Aiden says. My gaze shifts to him, and he meets my glare. His eyebrows shoot up, and then a massive grin slides across his face. “Okay, okay,” he says in a low voice so only I can hear him. Perhaps my stare gave away more than I intended it to.
“Hey, boys,” Paislee greets us. Her words are smooth, and she releases Charity and steps up to Dane, planting a kiss on his lips.
“Enough of that in front of me,” Parker groans. That would be hard—your best friend dating your little sister. Glad I only have a brother. Though that comes with its own problems.
“Guys, this is Charity. Charity, this is Aiden, Parker, Jimmy, and of course you know Jase. You already met Dane.” Paislee goes around the circle, pointing to everyone else. When she lands on me, her grin snaps to wicked. What has she got planned?
“Hey, everyone,” Charity says. Her voice is like music to my ears, a song I’ve been waiting to hear.
“I’ll go grab us all a drink,” Parker says, and Addison follows him.
My focus hasn’t left Charity. Her head hangs low, and her feet shuffle a little. As I open my mouth to say something, Elsie speaks. “Come on, Charity. Let’s go dance up a storm.”
“Oh, I’m not sure. I don’t dance.” She laughs. I hear the hint of nervousness in her tone. Her words are lost, though, because she’s already being dragged away by Elsie and Paislee. Jimmy stalks off in a huff.
Jerking my thumb in his direction, I say, “What’s up with him?”
All the guys shrug. “That’s who he is. Always angry, it seems,” Dane says.
“Yeah, okay. Well, enjoy your night, and I’m sure I’ll catch up with you all later.” As I walk off, my eyes zero in on the makeshift dance floor where I stop dead, seeing Charity laughing while swaying her body from side to side. The way her hips move casts me under a captivating spell. My hands itch to rest on them and move with her.
I’m not a dancer, and I refuse to get out there with the other girls, no matter how much they beg. For her, though? I’d do it just to feel her warmth pressed against me.
My goodness, I feel like a fool. This atmosphere isn’t something I’m used to. There are so many people here, and the beats vibrate through me from my head to my toes. I’ve never been allowed to have music like this on. Especially not this loud.
“Move your body, girl. You have eyes on you.” Paislee gives me a sly look. When I turn to see who she’s referring to, heat rises in my face. Jase stands there, leaning against the doorframe. Damn, why is he so attractive? He seems to be everywhere I am lately.
“Ah, you’re supposed to keep moving, not stop entirely.” She takes my hands and starts moving them for me. I attempt to ignore the eyes that bore into my back.
It’s not long before Parker and Addison arrive with some plastic cups filled with I-don’t-know-what. My attention goes to Jase. His stare is heated, and without thinking, I lift the cup to my lips and swallow a mouthful. My face screws up. “This is disgusting,” I say. The girls laugh.
“You never had a beer before?” Elsie asks as she throws back her own.
“Nope, never. I was always on a tight leash, you could say.” I take another drink—slowly this time. The taste isn’t so bad. Warmth spreads from my belly through the rest of me.
“Girl, you’re about to live an entirely different life,” Paislee says, bumping my shoulder. “Though we won’t start with the strong drinks just yet.” She laughs.
Suddenly, loud, rowdy voices pull us from our conversation. All heads turn to the doorway. Jase has disappeared. Dane, Parker, and Aiden take off toward the sound. We all follow, our interest piqued.
“We’re not here to cause trouble. We just want to enjoy the night. We heard you guys put on some great parties; we wanted to come.” The guy standing in front of Jase is the same height as him and almost equally as built. His dark hair and chiseled jaw would be enough to have him winning all the girls. A few men stand behind him.
I can’t see Jase’s face to have any idea what’s going through his head. Judging by the commotion, I’d guess they’re not a group people from the college like much. Leaning over to Addison, I ask, “Who are they?”
“They’re the rival team. Obviously, they’re here to cause trouble. I have no doubt about that. The guy standing in front of Jase is Alex, bigwig quarterback for RVU, also known as River View University. We call them the River Rats.” She giggles.
“Oh, okay. He’s cute.” I smile.
“Yeah, he’s cute, but he’s their campus bad boy. He and Jase have been rivals since the beginning of their football careers. I’m betting Jase lets them stay, because that’s the kind of guy he is, but he’ll be sour all night because they’re here.” She pauses and gives me a stern look. “Now remember, they may be hot as sin, but don’t get cozy. I’ve heard stories from other girls.”
“Yeah, okay. I’ll be sure to keep my distance.” As I say it, it’s as though Alex heard me. His eyes turn on me, and I can see it—lust fires in his eyes. Damn, he is good. My knees even go weak. He’s bad news.
Addison is right; Jase lets them stay. The crowd disperses, and everyone goes back to what they were doing. Leaving the girls, I go in search of another drink. I’ve been monitoring how many I’ve had, and thankfully, they haven’t gone to my head yet. Although, I have become a little chatty and grown out of my shell a bit.
Turning to enter the kitchen, I almost bump into Alex. I stumble back.
He reaches out and takes my arms to steady me. “Whoa, easy. You good?”
Pulling my arms from his grip, I say, “Yeah, thanks. Sorry. This place is crazy full, and I didn’t see you until it was too late.”
“Hey, that’s okay. I’m glad it was you who ran into me.” He winks.
“Oh, really? You don’t even know who I am. I could be your worst nightmare for all you know.”
He lifts an eyebrow. He leans into me; our faces are mere inches apart. My breath hitches at his closeness. “Oh, I hope you are. We could have some fun.”
Pushing against his chest to put some space between us, I laugh. “You don’t know me at all, and you’ve got me all wrong, buddy. I’m not that kind of girl.”
Alex reaches up and runs his fingers down my cheek. I shudder at his touch. “What’s your name?”
Before I can open my mouth to respond, a large frame steps up beside me. Jase stands there with his stony gaze right on Alex. I sigh. “Alex, can I help you?” he asks.
Alex steps out of my space and stands tall. “Nah, J. I was getting acquainted with this beautiful girl, and you butted in before I could find out her name.” A grin tugs at the corner of his mouth.
Jase’s arm wraps around my shoulders, and he pulls me against him. “She’s not interested.”
My head whips in his direction. As much as I want to stop this pissing contest, I don’t have what it takes to ward off people like Alex. He’s a smooth talker. I, for one, would have no problem hitting him where it hurts if he tried somethi
ng.
Alex raises his hands. “All right. Sorry. Didn’t mean to start anything.” He moves around us, giving me a wink. When he disappears, my body instantly relaxes. I didn’t realize I was so wound up and tense.
Jase’s frame moves right in front of me. “Are you okay?” His worried electric-blue eyes bore into mine. My bottom lip trembles. This is the kind of scene I’m not accustomed to.
Stepping back, I straighten my back. “I’m fine, thanks,” I snap, annoyed. “As much as I’m thankful to you for stepping in, just stop. I can handle things myself. I don’t need a superhero today; I needed one for the last ten years.” The last sentence is a slip in my façade. My hands tremble, and an ache forms right in the middle of my heart.
“Hey, whoa, I was looking out for you. Sorry for caring.” He turns and stalks away.
Guilt rushes through every part of me. I chase after him. Grabbing his arm, I say, “Jase, stop.”
He does; he doesn’t look happy about it, though. His lips form a thin line. “What?”
I meet his heavy gaze. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bite your head off. I have a few things I need to let go of when it comes to you and me,” I say, shocked at my blunt honesty.
His brow furrows, and he crosses his large arms over his chest. His tattoos catch my attention. “What things? Let’s hash them out now so I can stop feeling as if I’m walking on eggshells around you. I’ve gone out of my way to try and fix whatever issue you seem to have with me.”
“I know. I’m sorry. The issues are mine. I can’t help the way I feel at the moment.”
There’s a beat of silence between us. Loud music thumps, and louder voices surround us.
“Perhaps it’s better if I give you the space you need to sort out whatever it is you have going on.” His words sting.
“Oh, okay. Well, if that’s what you want.” I stumble over my words, feeling foolish.