by Alex Dafney
“I’m going to your room.”
I sigh as he removes his arm from around me, feeling the bed shift with his weight leaving the mattress as my cheeks burn with embarrassment at his dismissal.
“Whatever. Sorry, I’m not good enough to be one of your playthings for the night.” I squint as the light overhead turns on, blinking quickly to find Jet standing over me with a scowl on his face.
“First, I don’t have playthings. Second, you’re right. You aren’t good enough for that.”
I open my mouth, wanting to cuss him for everything he’s worth, but he continues.
“You’re too good for that, Briar. And if that’s what you are looking for, then maybe you should be sleeping with Colton tonight.”
He spins away from me, storming toward the door to exit his room.
“Wait.” The word leaves me quietly as I stare after him.
Stopping just in front of the door, he hangs his head, shaking it lightly. “I’m not going to let the first time we’re together be a night when you’ve spent it at the bar with another man.”
I open my mouth to protest but snap it back shut as he glances at me over his shoulder, a small smile on his lips.
“As much as I’d love to hear you screaming my name tonight, I’m not going to do anything that you could regret in the sobering morning.”
So many emotions roll through me as he pulls the door open, turns off the light, and steps out, closing it behind him.
He wants to have sex with me, but is it just sex, or something more?
Forcing my mind to shut down, I lie back on the comfortable bed, snuggling into his pillow, and drifting to sleep with the scent of him surrounding me.
Chapter Eight
I groan irritably as I wake to an alarm the next morning. Without opening my eyes, I blindly run my hand around in search of my phone to silence the constant noise. I gingerly open one eye when I can’t locate it, popping the other open when I find myself in Jet’s room.
Scooting over in the large bed, I push multiple buttons on the alarm clock before finding the one to stop the noise that is making my head hurt.
Lifting my hand, I place it to my forehead, closing my eyes as a long sigh escapes me. Thinking over the events that transpired last night, I whimper as I recall undressing in front of Jet and practically throwing myself at him. “And he turned your stupid, drunk ass down,” I mumble as my cheeks turn hot.
“That’s not really what happened.”
Popping my eyes open with surprise, I see Jet leaning against the doorframe, a crooked smirk on his face, and a takeout bag in hand. He pushes off the frame, swinging the door closed behind him and stalking toward me. “How in the hell do you sleep in your room? And who the hell bangs on the window all night?”
I sit up further in the bed as he rests on the edge, pulling containers from the bag and placing them between us.
“Um, I’m not sure. It started a few weeks ago, but every time I open the curtain, it stops. Then starts back as soon as I start to fall asleep.”
He chuckles lightly, flipping open a box and digging a fork in. “At first, I thought it might have been Colton trying to finish what he started at the bar. I was looking forward to the look on his face when he discovered I was in your room instead, but when I looked outside, no one was there.”
I tilt my head back to rest against the headboard as I groan, having forgotten of the drunken kiss Colten started. “I’m going to kill him.”
Jet chuckles as he bumps my leg that is stretched out next to him under the blanket.
Opening my eyes, I drop my head to find him thrusting food toward me.
“You need to eat.”
I shake my head, pushing his hand away as my stomach protests at the smell of food. “Can’t. I need to get ready for class.”
He arches one brow upward, to which I shrug lightly as I fling the blanket back, turning to place my feet to the floor. “I have to show the football team we can study and have a good time. If I don’t show up, it won’t look good.”
Glancing down at myself, my cheeks instantly blush as I see Jet’s t-shirt covering me. Without looking him in the eye, I reach for my jeans that rest on the chair in front of his desk. “I’m sorry about last night. I’ve never been a big drinker, and I guess you can see why.”
He chuckles lowly as he stands, placing his hands on my shoulders. “Don’t worry about it.”
I look up to find a serious look on his face, quickly dropping my eyes back to the floor. “I’ll, uh, get your shirt back to you.” I move away from his hands, stepping around him to change in the bathroom.
Closing the door behind me, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, grimacing at my reflection. My eyes have dark rings of mascara underneath, and my hair looks as if I survived a tornado. Running my fingers through my hair, I quickly give up on trying to look halfway presentable. There’s just no use.
Sliding my jeans on, I hastily put the bra and shirt on that I wore last night, wrinkling my nose at the smell of smoke and alcohol that linger on the fabric. I place Jet’s shirt on the counter, then take a deep breath before opening the door.
Jet smiles at me as I step out, snatching my door key from the table next to the door.
“What classes are you going to today?”
I look over to him, giving him a small shrug. “I’ll likely go to Ryan’s class, but after that, I’m not sure.”
He moves toward me, reaching around me to pull the door open, but pausing with his hand on the handle. “Madam Zen has been asking about you.”
I nod quickly, thinking about joining him for class. I know I won’t be going to Mr. Allen’s class, nor have I since my altercation with Angie. I still stop by to get assignments and turn in my work, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to sit next to that horrible girl.
“Text me when you decide. Maybe I’ll join you today.”
I look up to him with a puzzled look as he pulls the door open.
“Hi, Jet.”
My eyes move over to Angie, who stands in the doorway, giving him a huge smile as she completely ignores me.
“Hey, Ang. Give me a minute, and I’ll be ready to go.”
He looks down at me, giving me a small smile before lowering his head and dropping a sweet kiss to my forehead. “Have a good day, Briar.”
My cheeks feel as if they may burn off, but I nod, stepping around Angie to hurry for the stairs.
“I’ll meet you in class, Jet.”
I move more quickly as I hear his door close, her rushed steps coming behind me. Just as I round the corner, starting to go down the staircase, I feel her hand on my shoulder, pulling me until my back hits the wall.
“What the hell are you doing in his room?” She scowls down at me as she hisses each word.
I shake my head lightly, trying not to be intimidated. “He drove me home from the bar. Nothing happened.”
She scoffs loudly, moving her hand from my shoulder and thrusting a finger into my chest. “I’ve already warned you, whore. You need to find another bed to sleep in.”
I lift my hand, smacking her hand away from me as I round my shoulders back, stepping up to her as I look up at her.
Lifting my hand, I shove my finger in her chest, forcing her to back up. “No, you need to understand you’re in the friend zone. I’m not a whore, I didn’t sleep with him last night, and even if I did, that’s not your concern.”
She keeps making steps backward until her back bumps into the wall, me matching her moves.
“I’m done with this bully act. Stay away from me and out of my business.”
She lifts her hand, shoving it into my shoulder to push me out of her space. “Jet isn’t your business. He’s mine, and you would be wise to steer clear.”
I give her an arrogant smirk as I move away from her. “Too bad he wants to be my business.”
Her eyes widen at first, quickly followed by a scowl as she throws her bag to the ground, starting for me immediately. She s
hoves me hard with both hands, still coming at me as I try to move away from her, not interested in another showdown with her.
“You fucking whore!”
Grabbing a hand full of my hair, she slams me into the wall, my head hitting the hard cement.
I throw back my elbow, connecting with her rib cage, and she releases the grip on my hair, stumbling back. I rush her, pushing her into the wall behind her with both of my hands. “I’m not a whore!”
She snarls as she comes back after me, lifting her hand and slapping her palm against my cheek with such force my teeth clank together. Shock moves through me as my eyes widen, instantly lifting my hand and swinging it as hard as I can. She blocks my hand, shoving me hard.
In my dehydration and exhaustion, I tumble to the floor, barely catching myself with my hands as I land hard on my hip.
“What the fuck, Angie?”
I look up, pushing my upper body up as I grimace at the pain in my leg. Jet kneels beside me, placing his hands under my arms and helping me up carefully.
“She deserved it. She was bragging about screwing you last night and saying that she would have me out of the picture.”
My mouth drops open as I stare at her with wide eyes, clutching to Jet for support as I stand. “I did not! You’re such a bitch!”
She darts her gaze to me, starting to move toward me, but Jet holds out his arm, blocking her from me.
“Go to class.”
She lifts her eyes to his, the angry scowl instantly fading as she looks up to him with doe eyes. “But we always walk together.”
He wraps an arm around my waist, leading me toward the staircase. “Not today.”
As we make the first step, my knee shoots pain as Angie growls loudly behind us.
“This isn’t over, freshman! You just messed with the wrong girl!”
I roll my eyes, shaking my head lightly as I hobble downward with Jet’s assistance. Stopping on the first landing, I take a break as the pain in my hip and knee becomes worse.
Jet looks at me with concern, quickly scooping me up in his arms and starting down the stairs. “We need to get you to a doctor.”
I shake my head that’s beginning to throb, lifting my hand and running my fingers over the goose egg on my forehead. “I’ll be fine. I need to get to class.”
He lets out an annoyed sigh as we stop in front of my door, him pushing against it with his shoulder. When the door doesn’t budge, he takes a step back, lifting one leg and kicking it. The door swings open, then falls from the hinges, clattering to the floor next to the broken desk.
I let out a heavy sigh as he looks down at me with an impish smile.
“I’ll fix it.”
Stepping over the door, he deposits me on the corner of my bed, kneeling and lifting my leg gingerly as I wince.
He gives me an apologetic look as he slowly lowers me foot. “Get out of these jeans.”
My eyes widen in surprise as he begins to laugh, shaking his head slowly.
“That didn’t sound right.”
As I start to rise, he moves back, standing and offering his arm to help me balance. “I’m fine, Jet.”
He gives me an unconvinced look but moves his hand away from me. “What the hell was that about anyway?”
I scoff as I move toward the broken dresser in search of something to wear for the day. “Ask your girlfriend.”
He moves over beside me, propping his elbow along the top of the furniture. “I’ve told you, she’s not my girlfriend.”
I roll my eyes as I move around him for the bathroom. “Maybe you should tell her that.” Pulling the door closed behind me, I rip my shirt over my head, tossing it toward the hamper in the corner. Just as I unhook my bra and begin sliding the straps down my arms, the door flies open, me hurrying to cover myself as Jet walks in with his brows drawn together.
His scowl instantly fades as his eyes widen, tilting his head up to look at the ceiling. “Shit. Sorry.” I keep my hands covering my bare chest, waiting for him to leave the room. “Jet!”
He drops his gaze to meet my eyes, his cheeks rosy with a blush. “Yeah?”
I fling one hand out, pointing toward the door, then my cheeks are the ones blushing as his eyes drop down to my exposed breast. Spinning my back to him, I glare at him over my shoulder. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to take a shower.”
He turns his back to me, standing in the open doorway. “Sure. We’ll talk while you do.”
I wait for him to leave, but when he doesn’t, I let out a sigh, dropping my jeans to the floor and stepping into the shower. “I’ll kill you if you try to peep at me.”
I hear him chuckle as I turn the water on, waiting for it to get warm before twisting the shower lever. I shriek as the water comes out in a cold blast. The curtain flies open, and I attempt to cover myself as Jet’s wide eyes wander.
“What’s wrong?”
If the ground could open me up and swallow me whole, now would be a good time. I reach for the curtain, ripping it out of his hands and closing it. “The water was cold! Now I’ll have to kill you for looking at me.”
A blusterous laugh comes from the other side of the curtain, causing my lip to quirk up at the sound.
“I didn’t see anything. I was making sure no birds, snakes, or spiders were in there.”
I roll my eyes as I tilt my head back into the slightly warm spray.
“So, why where you and Angie fighting? Again?”
I let out a sigh as I reach for my shampoo, quickly lathering my hair. “Because she doesn’t want you and I together.” I instantly regret my wording choice. “Not that we’re together. I mean, she doesn’t want me sleeping with you because she is.” My cheeks flame as I tilt my head up, mentally berating myself. “Not that I want to sleep with you.” Kill me now.
He chuckles lightly as I finish my shower, turning the water off and reaching up for the towel that should be hanging over the rod. Just as I’m about to ask him to hand me one, the curtain pulls back slightly, him offering a pink plush towel through the opening without looking my way.
“Thanks,” I mutter.
After drying off, I wrap the towel around my body, pulling the curtain back and stepping out, glancing out of the corner of my eye to Jet.
He stands in the doorway; his shoulder leaned against the frame, and his arms folded over his chest. His eyes seem darker than usual as I see them slowly roam along me. Dropping his hands to his side, he makes the few steps between us, lowering his knee to the floor and reaching his hand out gripping behind my knee. Running his thumb along the swollen area softly, he lets out a heavy sigh.
“I can’t believe she attacked you like this.”
I look down at him, forcing myself not to give him a look of contempt. “Believe it. It’s only happened three times now.”
His hand slowly slides up the outside of my leg, my skin prickling at the slight skin to skin contact.
“Let me check your hip. You hit the ground pretty hard.”
I want to protest, but the look of concern on his face stops me. Sliding the towel over to expose my bare hip, he shakes his head at the bruise that’s already forming on my skin, running his fingers over my hip bone gently.
He looks up to me, his brows drawn together. “Are you certain you don’t want to see a doctor?”
I shake my head quickly as I slide the towel back in place. “I’m fine. It’s just a few bruises.”
He doesn’t look convinced as he stands, looking down at me. He lifts his hand, wiping a strand of wet hair over my shoulder as he looks at the knot on my forehead. “I’m sorry. I’ll talk to Angie and have her leave you alone.”
I shake my head quickly, pulling the towel around me tighter. “Please, don’t. She’ll only be angrier if she knows I talked to you about her.”
He nods in agreement, letting out a low sigh. “Alright. Just, try to stay away from her.”
I roll my eyes, looking at the cracked bathroom mirror. “I already bailed on a class
to stay away from her. The only time I see her is when I’m coming out of your room.” I glance over to him just in time to see a snarky smile pulling to his lips.
“We could always stay in your room for the night.”
I scoff lightly, rolling my eyes at him in the mirror as I pick up a tube of mascara. “Like you’d want to stay in my room.” I halt doing my makeup as his arms wrap around my waist from behind, pulling me back firmly against his chest as he looks down at me in the reflection, wearing a small smile.
“I want to be anywhere you are, Briar.”
I twist slightly, looking up to him. My breath catches as he lowers his face toward mine, thinking he’s going to kiss me. Disappointment blooms in my chest as his lips press against my cheek in haste, pulling back quickly and letting his arms slide from around me.
“Get ready. We need to leave in ten minutes.”
I nod, turning back to the mirror as he spins, walking out of the bathroom and closing the door behind him.
As I step out of the bathroom, my eyes widen in surprise to find Colton and Jet both working on fixing my door.
“Briar should just move into my dorm. This place is shit.” Colton mumbles as he holds the door in place.
Jet lifts his eyes to him from his knelt position on the floor, his brows drawn together. “If she’s going to stay in anyone’s room, it will be mine.”
Colton scoffs loudly, neither of them seeming to notice I’ve entered the room. “Maybe you should leave that decision up to her. I’m the one that had the balls to kiss her last night.”
Jet pushes himself to standing, his hands curling into fists at his side, letting me know it’s time to end this little testosterone showdown.
“Or, Briar will be staying in the fine accommodations she already has.”
They both look over to me as I give them an obnoxious smile, swiping my bag from the floor next to the broken desk and moving between them through the doorway. As I limp down the hall, they quietly argue behind me.
Between my hangover, need to get to class, physical aching from my fight with Angie, and the simple fact that I’m managing on very few hours of sleep a night, I don’t have the patience for this shit. I halt abruptly, turning to face them both. Their voices instantly fade, both staring at me intently as I give them my best resting bitch face.
