by Keelan Storm
“One water and a soda, please,” Tucker heard a familiar voice say close by. Glancing over, he found Izzy leaning against the bar next to Wesley. “Oh, hi, Tucker,” she said coldly.
“Hey, Izzy,” he replied, not sure if it was safe to say anything else. She was furious with him and Annie, and the fact that she refused to ride with them to Benton Hall that night showed that she wasn’t likely to get over it right away. Hoping for the best, he continued. “Are you having fun?”
She turned to Wesley. “I think I’m going to go to the restroom. Will you get my water for me?”
“Sure,” Wesley watched her walk away and turned to Tucker. “Whew… She is pissed at you.”
“Tell me about it,” he grumbled, wishing he knew how to fix it.
Wesley moved closer down the bar. “So are you banging that curly-haired chick? I saw you talking to her. She looks like she’d be a lot of fun,” he smirked with insinuation.
“No, I’m not sleeping with her. Been there, done that. It was a onetime mistake.”
Wesley took a drink of his soda. “Too bad. You need to get laid, unwind a bit. You’re too uptight.”
“Wrong. Getting laid is half my problem right now,” Tucker thought bitterly, the words man whore flashing through his brain again.
His jaw clenched. “I don’t know what you’re going on about, man. It’s not like you’re getting any right now since you’re with Izzy.”
“Oh, yeah? See that chick?” he jerked his head towards the edge of the dance floor. Tucker followed Wesley’s gaze to a cute tourist girl glancing shyly back at them.
“That’s Ashley. She’s here for a couple of weeks. Tapped that a few days ago. Probably call her again before she leaves. Now, look at the front of the dance floor…that girl in the red dress with the big necklace...”
Tucker turned his head to see the girl Wesley had been flirting with outside Bob’s Diner. She was dancing by herself, her dress nearly short enough to be a shirt. “Bagged her right after you peeled out of that parking lot.”
Tucker gave Wesley a look of detest. To date and hope to score was one thing, but to sleep with other girls on the side was way past Tucker’s tolerance.
“You’re disgusting. I have no idea what Izzy sees in you.”
“Do I detect a bit of jealousy?” Wesley smirked again. “That’s why you can’t stand me all of a sudden, isn’t it? You want her.”
“I care about her a lot more than you do. She’s one of my best friends,” Tucker replied, making sure to look Wesley dead in the eye. He didn’t want to give the jerk any satisfaction.
Wesley stared right back at him, undeterred. “Oh, I think it’s more than that.” He polished off his soda, threw away his cup, and picked up Izzy’s water. “Don’t worry, man; you can have her as soon as she gets out of bed and makes me a sandwich,” he said, walking off to meet the girl they both desired for entirely different reasons.
Tucker lunged, but something strong and hard caught him around the middle. He fought to pull away, to go after the jerk, but he couldn’t break free. “Damn flu. If I hadn’t been sick, I could’ve gotten him,” he thought as Jet pulled him back and forced him into a chair at a nearby table.
“Dude, calm down. He was trying to piss you off. You go after him, and he wins.”
“But he deserves it, man! Did you hear what he just said?!”
“Yeah, I did, and we both know that Izzy isn’t like that. He’s just trying to get to you.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t trust him or Izzy’s judgment lately, and she’s too angry to listen.”
Jet sat down next to Tucker and shook his head. “She’ll figure it out. He’ll slip up eventually. But in the meantime, you need to convince her you’re telling the truth.”
Jet was right. He had to fix things with her. Even if she refused to ever be with him, he cared about her too much to let Wesley do that to her. He spotted Emma out on the dance floor by herself and decided to join her while he waited for his chance.
* * *
Isabel dropped her heels on the floor near the door with several other pairs and sat on the bench to rub her feet. She didn’t need to hurry back to Wesley just yet. He had stopped to talk to his friend David, a guy from school he’d made fast friends with after the move, when she’d said she’d needed a break. Reaching for her next foot, she saw a familiar pair of jean clad legs approach to take the seat next to her.
“What do you want, Tucker?”
“To talk.”
“Seriously? After what you did?” “Give me one good reason why I should listen.”
“Because you had promised you would hear me out yesterday and not freak out.”
“Crap, he’s right.” She dropped her foot, looking up to give him her cold stare. “Fine, but make it quick.”
“I didn’t lie. I don’t know when it started happening or how, but I know that I have feelings for you…more than you just being my best friend.” Tucker paused, and his brow crumpled. “I didn’t even know that Annie had been giving you crap about Wesley. I don’t like him either, but I wish she had kept her mouth shut because then you might have listened to me.”
Isabel listened, her expression unreadable as she wondered if what he said could be true. Did Tucker really like her? Could it really have not been some cruel prank or plan? Her heart raced at the thought, at the possibilities, but she quickly shut it back down.
“Knock it off,” she inwardly chastised, forcing herself to remember those boundaries. “Even if he’s telling the truth, it doesn’t change that you’re with Wesley. That you want Wesley.” The words did she lingered at the edges.
Isabel pulled her hair behind her ears as she searched for what to say. “Tucker, even if you are telling me the truth, and you do like me…I’m with Wesley now.” She watched as Tucker’s jaw clenched and unclenched, things so tense between them. “What do you want me to say?”
“What do I want you to say?” Tucker said quietly, sarcastically. “I don’t know. Maybe I want you to say that you like me, too. That you realize what a jerk Wesley is, that you would rather be with me than him…”
So they were back to this crap. “I am so tired of everyone going on about what a horrible guy Wesley is. He’s sweet with me. He’s fun to be around. We care about each other.”
Tucker’s eyes narrowed, his voice tightening in frustration and anger. “Is that all you can focus on? Out of everything I just said to you, you decide to dwell on that… Do you have any idea what he said to me earlier when you left for the restroom? He started bragging about girls that he’s slept with since he’s been dating you.” Her eyes widened. “Two of them, in fact. And they are in this dance hall tonight. God only knows if there’s anymore.”
“That’s a load of bull,” she retorted, refusing to believe that the guy she had allowed herself to like, date, and kiss, the guy that she’d fought with her friends over, would be sleeping around behind her back.
“Is it, Izzy?” Tucker fumed. “He also told me that I could have you after he has had sex with you, and that’s putting it nicely!”
“This is ridiculous. Okay, maybe there’s a chance Tucker likes me, but there is no way that Wesley would do or say those things.” “I don’t believe you,” she said softly, getting up to grab her shoes.
Tucker scowled. “Yeah, what credibility would a man whore have, right?” She flinched when he threw her spiteful words back at her. “What I don’t get is you believing a guy you’ve only been with a few weeks over a friend you’ve known over thirteen years. There’s something seriously messed up with that, Isabel.”
She stilled at the use of her name, her shoulders stiffening; she set her jaw. “Maybe I just prefer not to listen to guys who make things up because they’re jealous!” she retorted and stomped off to find her date. To think she was starting to forgive Tucker. What he just did was way over the line. She couldn’t stand to stay there any longer.
* * *
/> “I can’t believe what jerks my friends are being.”
Isabel jammed the key to her front door in the lock and flung it open. She smacked the light switch on and marched inside, throwing her purse into the living room armchair as she kicked off her dreadful heels. Wesley followed her in, heading straight for the couch.
“Where’s your mom and everyone? I didn’t see the suburban,” he said, looking around the quiet first floor of the twins’ house.
“Oh, she and Tyler are at my Granny’s this weekend,” Isabel replied dismissively as she swung the door closed. “Tucker is especially being a jerk tonight,” she continued, joining him on the couch. Wesley’s arm wrapped around her as she leaned against him. “He’s seriously lost it if he thinks making up stories about you will change my mind.”
“They just think they’re doing what’s best for you.”
“What they’re doing is not what’s best for me. You would not believe the bull Tucker tried to feed me tonight.”
“What did he say?”
“He told me that you told him that you had slept with other girls since we’ve been dating, and that you said that he could have me after we have sex. Isn’t that absurd?” Isabel said in disbelief, though her expression still begged for reassurance.
“That is absurd,” Wesley agreed, taking her hand. “Why in the world would I tell Tucker that if I want to be with you?” He flashed that charming smile that had worked on her so many times before.
Isabel breathed out a sigh of relief, “I know. I want to be with you, too.”
Wesley leaned in, his kiss gentle at the edge of her lips. Happy and content that he really cared for her, Isabel kissed him back, sighing as his fingers cupped her head to deepen the contact. His free hand slid down to her waist, and he leaned over her, guiding her back to lie against the couch.
“Boundary set right here,” she told herself.
Wesley nipped at her bottom lip, and her back arched as it sent tingles across her body. Lord, the boy could kiss. It was languid and deep, and she thrilled as he nipped at her again.
He slipped a hand behind her as she arched; his other hand slid to her thigh, finding the hem of her dress as he tugged at her zipper.
Her eyes flew open, and her hands pressed firmly against his chest. “Woah! What are you doing?”
“I think you know exactly what I’m doing,” he replied, leaning in again.
“Wesley, stop it.” Her pulse sped, startled that he hadn’t moved. She squirmed from under him until he sat back, giving her a look she wasn’t sure how to read.
“You just said you wanted to be with me, too.”
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Did he seriously think that’s what she had meant? “I meant that I want you as in I like you, and I want to date you…not that I want to have sex with you.”
He stood up to leave, and she heard him angrily mutter just loud enough for her to hear, “Can’t believe she’s refusing me…complete waste of my time…should’ve known I’d never get any from her.”
“Excuse me?!” Isabel screeched as she flew up from the couch, her hands on her hips. She felt as the heat hit her face.
Wesley scowled at her, his attractive features flashing a dark quality she’d never noticed before. “You heard me. You were a complete waste of time.”
“Oh, no, they were right.” “Tucker wasn’t lying to me tonight. He was telling me the truth, wasn’t he?!”
“Yeah, he was. I couldn’t waste my whole summer working up to one chick. You were the prize, Izzy. The girl no one around here could get. I never should have told Patterson. Fucking cock block.”
“Who?” she demanded. “How many?” Not that it mattered. He’d screwed up past any form of forgiveness.
Wesley rolled his eyes. “More than you want to hear. You wouldn’t have even found out if your friend knew how to keep his mouth shut.”
“You wouldn’t have gotten any anyway,” she spat.
“I seriously doubt that,” he shot back.
“You shouldn’t.”
“Just give me a chance. You’ll be dying to spread your legs for me by the time I’m through,” he smirked through his frustration, somehow too cocky despite his recent rejection to be considered remotely appealing anymore.
Isabel was past livid at this point. To think that she had been fighting with her best friends for weeks over a guy who didn’t give a damn about her.
“You’re an ass. Get out,” she growled and shoved him hard in the chest with both hands, but it was like pushing a brick wall.
“You don’t get to push me around! I’ll leave when I damn well feel like it!”
She realized what was about to happen next a moment too late. His arm was coming at her, and all she could do was use her last split second to scream and brace herself for what was to come.
It stung hard when his hand hit her cheek, and the force of the blow knocked her sideways. She looked up, afraid to see what he might be about to do next, but more afraid not to know.
Several things unfolded. Wesley was there, approaching with venom in his gaze. The door flung open as the snake’s hand raised, ready to make the next strike. Hope blossomed as a figure tore across the room to lunge at her attacker, but Wesley shoved Isabel hard against the wall as he dodged, and she slumped to the floor, her shoulder throbbing and her head ringing where they’d hit.
She could hear them fighting, the blows of their fists against each other’s bodies, but she couldn’t bring herself to watch. Tears started falling fast, stinging her eyes, hurt and furious with herself for trusting the wrong guy.
There was one final thud from across the room before the door slammed shut. Footsteps headed quickly in her direction. She cringed, flinching at the touch to her arm. Afraid to see who was there, who had won the fight, she simply prayed that it was Wesley who had left.
9
Boundaries Be Damned
“Izzy?” Tucker pulled his hand back when she flinched. He knelt in front of her. His hands fumbled nervously, wanting to help, but afraid to touch her again. “Izzy? Are you okay?”
Her tears started falling harder, relief setting in at his voice. She wanted to answer him, to tell him not to worry, but it was all she could do to breathe amongst the sobs.
He tried not to panic, but he needed to know what was wrong. “Izzy, where are you hurt?”
She just shook her head, trying to let him know he shouldn’t worry. She wasn’t crying from physical pain, but she couldn’t stop. She reached out, wrapping her arms around his neck to sob into his chest. His arms wrapped around her, still unsure as he promised she was safe.
It took a few minutes for her to calm down, and she stayed in his arms a little longer, not yet wanting to move. She felt raw and still somewhat shocked from her potentially detrimental encounter only minutes before, and Tucker felt safe. He’d saved her, but she couldn’t stay in his arms all night. Lifting her head, he relaxed his hold so she could sit back on her heels in front of him.
“Tucker, I’m so sorry,” she said as she brushed her remaining tears from her cheeks with her fingertips.
“For what? Crying on me?”
Isabel hiccupped a laugh. “No, well, yeah, for that, too, but I meant I’m sorry I didn’t believe you tonight. You were right. Everyone was right except for me. I should never have dated Wesley.”
Tucker reached out and moved a few stray strands of her hair behind her ear, making her stomach flutter. “Don’t worry about it. I’m just sorry you had to find out this way. Are you hurt?”
She shook her head. “Nothing worse than a bad fall at dance,” she tried to grin, though it felt more like a grimace. She sighed, meeting Tucker’s concerned gaze. Guilt struck her when she saw his face.
“Oh, Tucker, your jaw...” She had to stifle the urge to touch his cheek, where it swelled as she studied him, wondering where else Wesley might have hit. There was a small cut above his left eye, and she
knew that would soon bruise, too. “I’m so sorry.”
“Nah, I’ll be fine. You should see the other guy,” Tucker grinned and winced. “I’m more worried about you right now. You hit the wall pretty hard.”
“I’ll be okay,” she said, getting up. “It’s just a little sore. Seriously,” she insisted at his doubtful look. “It hurt worse when Leo dropped me during that lift at dance camp last year.”
Tucker grimaced. That bruise had been ugly.
“Let’s get you some ice.” She grabbed his hand, and he pulled it back with a hiss.
“I think I bruised it,” he explained and gave her his other hand so she could pull him to his feet. “What set Wesley off anyway?” he asked as they walked to the kitchen.
“He wanted sex, and I told him no.”
“Thank God,” Tucker thought in relief, still wishing he’d gotten there sooner. He sat down on a stool at the counter while Izzy filled some baggies.
“Hey, Tuck? Weren’t you supposed to go to that party with Annie and Jet tonight?”
“Yeah, but this was more important, so Jet let me use his car.”
“To come here? I mean, I’m completely relieved that you did,” she added. “But why?”
He shrugged. “I’d messed up. And knowing what Wesley wanted…I couldn’t leave it like that.” The thought of what could have happened if he hadn’t come hit him, and he shuddered. What kind of a guy would strike a girl?
Izzy frowned as she approached, giving him the ice for his hand. He pressed his sore knuckles against it, and she held the second bag gently to his jaw, his heart rate picking up at her touch.
“I needed to say sorry,” he explained at her frown.
She raised a doubtful eyebrow at him. “You skipped the party of the summer just to come tell me sorry?”
Tucker grinned sheepishly. “Well, I couldn’t let Wesley get more of an upper hand.”
She frowned again, seeming frustrated as her cheeks began to stain pink. “I’m not just some prize, you know.”
“I know that,” Tucker replied, confused at the remark. “Hey, Izzy,” he grabbed her hand, needing her to hear him. “Whatever he said…you are a prize, but not in the way you meant just now.”
