In the morning, I open my eyes to my bright bedroom and immediately regret it. I clench them shut and let out a groan as I roll to my side. My arms stretch out, finding Preston, and I pull myself to him. I throw my leg over his hip as I bury my face in his back. The movement causes my stomach to roll and almost makes me want to puke, but I will it away as I inhale his deep, rich scent.
Just as I’m about to drift back into sleep, his hand comes up and rests on my knee that’s draped over his hip. He lifts it up and rolls over to face me, placing my knee on his hip again. “Good morning. How are you feeling?”
I don’t feel like talking, so I just moan instead. He chuckles. “I’ll get you some Tylenol and some water.” He stands up and leaves the room. He’s back minutes later and I prop my head up enough to swallow down the pills and drink some water. He takes the water and puts it on the bedside table before taking his place next to me again. This time, he lies on his back. I have my head on his shoulder while his arms wrap around me. My left arm is on his chest and my left leg is thrown over his hips. His right hand comes to rest on my thigh, and the moment it does, my stomach muscles tighten with anticipation.
I don’t know how I can feel sick and want him at the same time, but I do and he must sense it, because I feel him harden against my leg. But he knows I’m not feeling great, so instead of making a move, he just holds me, lets me lie on him, and massages his way up and down my thigh—only making me want him more.
After a little time and a few minutes of drifting in and out of sleep, my Tylenol kicks in and I don’t feel as bad. I push myself up to my knees and get between his parted legs. His eyes open and he looks down at me with a smirk. I wet my lips as I start to pull his boxers beneath his hips. Neither of us speaks as I lower my mouth to him. The second I suck him into my mouth, he gasps sharply and lifts his hips slightly. I push him to the back of my throat before pulling him out and repeating the process. I swirl my tongue around his tip and work him up and down. When his muscles begin to tighten, I pull back.
His eyes pop open like he’s suddenly worried he won’t get to finish, but then he sees me pushing my panties down my hips and he relaxes back onto the bed. I toss my panties to the side and climb up his body, positioning myself right above his hard length. I lower myself down on him and his hands come up to hold my hips. They tighten and squeeze as he lifts up to press into me. The moment we’re connected, we both let out a relieved breath. Neither of us moves as we enjoy the feeling of our connection.
Once I adjust to his size, I place my hands on his chest and lift myself up, only to slide back down slowly. Every time I fall back down, I grind my clit into his pelvic bone and it causes a small burst of fireworks to shoot through my entire body. Even though our pace is slow, I can feel my release building and rising. His breathing picks up and his chest begins to rise and fall at a faster pace. His eyes are closed tightly, causing two little lines to form between his eyebrows. He looks to be clenching his teeth by the way his jaw is flexed. God, I could get off on this guy’s facial expressions alone.
He starts to lift me up and drop me down faster, and the trusts become harder. My head falls back and my eyes close as my release washes over me. I ride out every last wave, holding on to my happy ending for as long as I can, but finally, it falls away just in time for his own release. He picks me up off of him and uses his hand to finish the job. I watch with excited eyes as he spills his seed onto his stomach. In the middle of everything, I didn’t even think about a condom, but I’m glad he at least had his head on straight. I collapse at his side and grab a couple tissues out of the box on the bedside table, passing them over.
I work to catch my breath and calm my heart as I watch him clean up, but honestly, watching him handle his own package makes me hot again. I bite down on my lower lip and feel my face grow hot. His eyes find mine and he chuckles.
“I know what you’re thinking and you’d better stop it. I’m pretty sure I’m too dehydrated from last night to go again.”
I giggle but he wraps his arm around me and pulls me to his chest. “So, what did you think of the guys?”
I wrinkle my face as I lift up my head to look him in the eye. “I don’t know. I mean, I liked Nate. He was cool. But Blake was a little too showboaty for me.”
He laughs. “Yeah, Blake is an acquired taste. He’s not someone many people would get along with. But we’ve known each other for so long now that that part of him doesn’t even register anymore.”
“So he lives in Florida?”
He nods. “Yeah, he’s been there for a few years now. He comes back to visit a couple times a year, so we always make sure to get together when he does. But I don’t think he liked me bringing you to our guys’ night.”
“Why not?”
He shrugs one shoulder. “Blake and I used to be the only two guys in the group who avoided relationships like the plague. The other guys were always jumping in and out of relationships, but Blake and I were the take ‘em home and have a good time but forget to leave your number types. I think that seeing me with you scared him a bit. We’re not kids anymore and I’m growing up. He thinks that means he’s going to have to grow up too and I suppose that freaked him out a bit.”
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing you don’t hang out all that often then, huh?”
“I think it’s actually too bad he’s not around that much, because I think I could rub off on him. I mean, I know the guy isn’t for everyone, but he deserves to have what we have.” He pulls me closer and kisses the top of my head.
Eleven
Preston
Even though it’s Saturday, Riley has a few things to do throughout the day, so around 10 a.m., we both get up. After I shower with her and get dressed, I take off to my place to get some clean clothes then go to lunch with the guys. Blake will be leaving tomorrow morning, so today will be the last day he’s around to hang out. I run into my apartment, change into some clean jeans, and pull on a T-shirt and a hoodie. I grab my jacket and slide it on as I make my way back down to my car.
I drive over to the sports bar we agreed to meet up at and find the guys in the corner booth. They wave me down and I head back to have a seat.
“‘Bout time you got here. I was wondering if that hottie from last night was going to let you out,” Jeff says with a grin as he lifts his beer mug to his lips.
I reach for the pitcher and pour my own glass. “Yeah, that’s not really our style.”
“What do you mean?” he asks. “Isn’t is something like: She does what she wants and you do what she wants?” he asks, laughing as the guys join in.
I laugh and shake my head. “No—not with us anyway. I mean, it’s not like we’re married. We do our own thing unless we make plans, then we usually meet back up for dinner and sex.” I shrug. I don’t want to tell the guys that she made me wait months before she would even sleep with me. I know they’d give me shit for sure.
Trevor nods. “Damn, where’d you find her? I need to get me one.”
“She works with my best friend, Piper.” I lean on the table and grab a menu. I’m not looking to get smashed today, so food is a must.
“Isn’t Piper marrying your brother or something?” Blake asks.
I snort. “She already did, and they’re going to have a baby boy soon,” I say, scanning the menu.
“Why the fuck did you not land her first?” Blake asks. “If I remember correctly, she was hot as fuck and she was in love with you!”
I wave him off. “She’s beautiful—there’s no denying that. But we didn’t want to ruin our friendship. I mean, she’s like you but without a dick,” I joke, pushing his shoulder.
He laughs and grabs his shirt, pulling it out at the chest. “So, it’s like me with boobs?” He looks down at the shirt he’s holding out. “I think I’d look damn good with a set of double Ds. What do you think?”
I laugh and shake my head. “I think the boys would love you,” I joke.
He laughs but holds up his middle
finger, letting the subject drop. We all order our food, and while we wait, the guys decide to play a game of darts. Everyone but Nate and me, that is. We hang out at the table, talking instead.
“How are things going?” I ask, scooting into the booth until I’m directly in front of him.
He takes a deep breath and looks down at the glass of beer he’s holding between both hands. “She asked for a divorce today.”
“Whoa, that came on suddenly, didn’t it?”
He takes a drink and then directs his attention to me as he shrugs. “I mean, things have been a little rocky for a while now. We’ve been together for . . . forever it seems.”
I feel upset on his behalf. “And you’re just willing to throw it all away?”
He nods as he keeps his lips pressed into a straight line. “We haven’t been a real couple in so long. I mean, take you and Riley for example. Everything with you two is still new. You get giddy when you see each other. All you want to do is touch and kiss and keep yourselves locked up. We haven’t had that in years. Years! Once that goes, the only thing left is fighting and arguing. It’s like the new wears off and the sex slows. You only have sex after you get into a fight, so you find yourself starting fights for no reason just for the make-up sex. But those fights steal pieces of your relationship. It gets to the point where there are still fights but no sex. And when that happens, you’re done, and that’s where we’ve been this past year. Honestly, I’m just glad it’s done. I’ll be able to take back my life. I won’t have to ask for permission to come out with you guys. I can stay out as late as I want. I won’t get in trouble for checking out another girl. I can finally act on my feelings if I find someone I want to take home.”
“Yeah, but what happened to forever?” I ask, remembering the speech he gave at his wedding about how he’d finally found a reason to live.
He laughs. “I was in love; that’s just the shit you say. No, I can’t wait to live the single life again, man. I don’t know why I ever got married to begin with. Everything starts well, but it just goes downhill every day, and by the end, you’re half the man you used to be and you have half the stuff. Don’t do it, man. I repeat . . . do not get married no matter how much you think you love her.” He laughs. “But what am I saying? You’re Preston Young. You’re not the relationship type either, and I think this one will prove that to you.”
The guys are back now and they all take their seats around the table. “What are you two talking about?” Blake asks.
“About how Preston isn’t made to be in a relationship,” Nate replies.
Blake laughs. “Oh, man. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one confused by last night. I mean, what the hell?” He looks over at me.
Unsure of how to answer, I just shrug.
“I mean, there are two different types of men in this world. You have the ones who were meant to be paired up. They can’t do anything without getting advice from another person, which is why their marriages work. They need the input from their spouse. Then there are guys like us. We weren’t meant to be paired up for too long. We do what we want, when we want, and we don’t want anyone sticking their nose into our business. Whatever this thing is you’re doing with that girl you brought last night, it won’t last long. You’ll see,” Blake says, adding in his two cents.
The waitress brings our food and the conversation gets shifted to easier things, though I can’t help but wonder: Are they right? Is this thing that Riley and I are doing destined to fail? Will we ultimately break up? Or worse, what if she ends up pregnant and I’m trapped forever? I know how I want to spend my life, but that doesn’t mean I’ll ever get that or it’ll work out. I guess I have some deep thinking to do before this gets too serious and it’s too late to get out.
The guys and I hang out at the bar for a couple hours—eating, drinking beer, and catching up. It’s going on dinnertime when I’m walking out. Instead of driving over to her place like I’d normally do, I go straight home to think about everything I’ve realized today.
When I walk in the door, I toss my keys into the bowl that sits on the entryway table and shrug out of my jacket. I hang it by the door then remove my hoodie, tossing it onto the back of the couch as I move toward the kitchen. I open the fridge to grab a beer, but something else catches my eye: a bottle of vodka. I grab it then pour a little into a glass. I toss it back, letting the cold liquid run down my dry throat. It’s ice cold and smooth going down. I pour another shot and put the bottle back in the fridge before grabbing a beer. I take the last shot then take my beer back to the couch. I set it on the table and start a fire in the small built-in fireplace before taking a seat and kicking off my shoes. Without thinking, I call Calvin.
“Hey, what’s up, man?” he answers, sounding as cheerful as ever. Calvin is the type of guy who needs approval, like Blake said. Of course he’s happily married.
I take a deep breath. “I think I fucked up, man,” I reply, taking another swig.
“What’s going on? What happened?” he asks, concern filling his voice.
I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees and putting my beer on the table. “This thing I’m doing with Riley. I don’t know how I’m going to keep it up.”
“Did you guys get into a fight?”
“No, nothing like that. I just . . . I don’t know. I just realized that I’m not the relationship type. I’m going to end up hurting her, and even though I don’t know how this is going to play out between us, I know I don’t want to hurt her.”
“I don’t understand. What brought this on? Piper was just telling me how Riley was saying wonderful things about you.”
“I hung out with the guys . . .” I start, but he cuts me off.
“Ah, that makes more sense. Let me guess . . . they were telling you that you’re meant to be free, that you shouldn’t tie yourself down, and that you’re not the relationship type of guy. Am I right?”
“Basically,” I agree.
“Don’t listen to them, Preston. They don’t know the type of guy you are—not on the inside. All they see is the worst version of you when you’re drunk, or hitting on a drunk girl at the bar. They don’t know the real you—the you that you are when you’re with her.”
“That’s the thing though. I’ve known most of these guys since high school. They know me. They know me better than I know myself sometimes. So who’s to say they’re not right about this?”
“Preston, only you know what you want. Look inside yourself. Who are you? Who do you want to be? Where do you see yourself in 10 or 20 years? That’s all you need to know.”
“But what if we get divorced in 20 years and I end up wasting all that time?”
“That’s just what you get, Preston. There are no sure things in life. Everything is a gamble. Do you love Riley?”
I take a second to process his question. Whoa . . . love? I’m not there yet. We haven’t said those words to each other. I’m definitely in like with her. We’re friends. We have good sex and always have fun. But what happens when the fun stops? When the sex stops? What will be left to keep us together?
“I don’t know, man,” I finally answer him.
I hear him let out a long, drawn-out breath. “Preston, no one else can answer this for you. You either do or you don’t. If you do, she’s worth taking that chance. If you don’t, then maybe it’s time to cut her loose before you end up hurting her. I gotta go, man, but do this one thing—sleep on it. Don’t do or say anything to her tonight. I can hear how much you’ve had to drink already. Just think about it and get some rest.”
I nod even though I know he can’t see me. “See ya later, Cal.” I disconnect and drop the phone on the couch. I grab my beer off the table and take a swig as I sit back, resting my head. My eyes close and everything goes black.
I’m looking at myself in the mirror. My dark hair is gray and my blue eyes seem faded. My face is full of deep wrinkles. I look down at my hands as they hold on to the sink. They’re old and wrinkled too—with dark age spo
ts, freckles, scars, and swollen knuckles. I shake my head at myself and open the bathroom door. I step out into the hallway and walk into the living room. I inspect the room. It’s small—lived in. There’s a stack of magazines piling up in the corner next to the recliner, and the couch is completely covered in clothes and laundry. Along the walls are pictures of my children. I don’t know these people, but somehow I know they’re mine.
I walk into the kitchen and pull open the fridge door, finding nothing but beer, condiments, and bread. The freezer is filled with TV dinners. I close the door and step back, wondering how I got here. It all comes flooding back. Marrying Riley, having two kids, moving to the country and raising our family. Fighting, arguing, not talking for days at a time. The gap between us got bigger and bigger. The kids hated both of us for not being able to get along. Eventually, we both gave up and called it quits. She kept the house and the kids, and I moved into this old, run-down cabin in the woods. I’m all alone. The kids hate me for leaving. Riley hates me for turning into the person I am. I’m so old and bitter that even my brother and my best friend can’t stand to be around me. I’ve wasted my entire life and ended up old and alone anyway.
My eyes pop open and my forehead is covered in a sheen of sweat. I look around me as I gasp for air. I’m back in my apartment. I hold my hands out and inspect them. They’re not old and covered in spots. I breathe a sigh of relief as I try to catch my breath and calm my heart. I guess I know what I need to do. I need to pull away. I need my life back. I just hope I don’t hurt Riley too much and that Piper doesn’t hate me when everything’s said and done.
“I don’t understand, Preston. Everything was fine. Why the sudden change?” Riley asks as she sits beside me on her couch.
“I just . . . I don’t know, Riley. I feel like we’re moving too fast. Like we’re heading down a path we can’t come back from, and I don’t want to wake up in 30 years wondering how we got where we did. I just . . . I need some time. We need some time apart so we can see if this is what we really want. And not just me, but you too. I mean, what if we keep doing this and we end up with kids and going through a divorce? Are you ready to risk your life and your happiness on me? We just need time to think this over—make sure it’s what we want before we head there. It will save us both a lot of headaches in the future. And it’s better to do this now, before we get too comfortable, right?”
Marrying My Best Friend's BFF: A Friends to Lovers, Accidental Baby Romance (Love You Forever Book 2) Page 13
