by Beth Rinyu
“Oh, I just assumed that you were going to be volunteering for the summer outreach program again.”
“No, not this year. I need a break this summer, my course load in the fall is jam packed.” I grabbed Drew’s hand and stared into my father’s eyes.
“Drew, come and get something to eat,” my mother said, trying to break up the tension between my father and me. My father finally gave up on his intimidation tactic and went back to talking to Dr. Barrett.
“Why don’t you go sit down and I’ll make you a plate?” I whispered in Drew’s ear.
He smiled at me and pushed my hair behind my ear. “I’m actually not very hungry yet, but thank you for being so sweet.”
“Do you two ever get tired of gazing in each other’s eyes?” Krista teased as she approached us.
“Hey you! No Mr. Muscles tonight?” I joked as I gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“Ah, no more Mr. Muscles ever again,” she said, waving her hand in the air. I shook my head and giggled, not at all surprised. Krista never kept the same guy around for very long.
My brother immediately appeared out of nowhere when he saw Krista. He had always had a secret little crush on her and now he was becoming a little more open about it. She, of course, would play along with him and flirt back just to tease him. “Hey Krista. Hey Drew,” my brother said. He didn’t care that his girlfriend, Lindsay was standing right next to him as he began to check out Krista from head to toe. His eyes finally met mine and I shook my head in disapproval at him. I could tell that Lindsay had just witnessed his recent eyeball assault on Krista and was feeling really bad about it.
“Oh, Lindsay, this is Drew,” I said, trying to distract her from what had just happened. I grabbed my brother’s arm and pulled him aside as Lindsay was talking to Drew. “Quit being rude to her!” I said in a loud whisper. He rolled his eyes at me and took Lindsay’s hand, looking a little defeated.
“Let the party begin!” I didn’t want to turn around at the voice I heard approaching. The hairs on my arm that were standing at attention already confirmed who it was. If that wasn’t enough, the smile that was stretched across Krista’s face was a guarantee. I finally looked up from the ground and was staring into Ashton’s cold blue eyes. I hated the way he looked at me, making me feel like I was the only one around even though we were surrounded by a ton of other people. He made me feel dirty, uncomfortable, and most of all, nauseous when I looked at him. “So Becca, do Mommy and Daddy approve of the guy that popped your cherry?” I glared at him in disgust, becoming even angrier when I saw Krista giggling.
“Shut the fuck up, Ashton!” Drew said.
“Calm down, it was a joke, bro!” Ashton said,holding his hands up in defense. "You're still in for paint ballin' tomorrow, right?" Ashton asked Drew as his eyes shifted over to me to catch my reaction.
"Yeah, just let me know what time," Drew replied half-heartedly.
"Ashton, you came!" Mrs. Barrett exclaimed.
He nodded. "Hey Mom, I need you to spot me a few hundred for tomorrow."
She shook her head in disgust. "Honestly, Ashton, you really need to get a job for the summer." She was just about to walk away before stopping dead in her tracks and turning back around. "Oh Becca, a new benefactor just called. I'm going to need you to drop off their welcome packet tomorrow. I'll text you the address when I get home."
"No problem," I said, taking a deep breath while trying my best to hide my frustration.
"What time are you doing that?" Drew asked with concern.
I shrugged my shoulders. "No clue, guess it just depends on where she has me going or how long it's going to take to get there. And here I thought I was done with being errand girl. Oh well!" I sighed.
"I'll go with you," he said.
"You don't have to come. Go do your paintballing thing. I will be fine."
"No. I want to go. I don't want you going by yourself."
"Drew, really, it's okay."
"Becca, I'm going with you."
I felt a little bit of satisfaction, knowing that he was choosing me over Ashton but at the same time I didn't want him missing out on something that he wanted to do because of me. "Are you sure?"
"Positive." He pushed a strand of hair behind my ear and kissed me on the head. I closed my eyes and smiled, only to open them again to find my father glaring at me from across the backyard. I looked away before wrapping my arm around Drew and pulling him closer.
Once I saw that Drew was deep in conversation with my brother and Lindsay, I decided to run inside and use the bathroom. As I got closer to the powder room off the kitchen, I heard voices coming from behind the closed door. There was no doubt that the familiar giggles were Krista's. When I heard the male’s voice, I felt the bile rising in my throat.
"Yeah, right there Baby, oh fuck yeah."
Anger soon replaced my queasiness. I would expect nothing less from Ashton; it was Krista that I was irritated with. I used the upstairs bathroom, still in shock that Krista actually stooped that low and that she had the nerve to do it in my parent's house. As I walked back outside, I noticed that the downstairs bathroom was now unoccupied. I had a huge knot in my stomach when I saw Ashton and Krista standing next to Drew, laughing away. I couldn't even look at them. I pulled away when Krista went to touch me.
"What's up with you?" she slurred. Her eyes were glassy and in that instant I knew that the two of them were doing more than just having sex in that bathroom.
"Oh nothing is wrong with me, but obviously you're as high as a kite," I snapped.
"Geez Becca, why don't you say it a little louder? I don't think everyone heard that!" she snapped back.
"The two of you make me sick. Have you resorted to having sex with low lifes in exchange for drugs? And if that wasn't bad enough, you had to do it right in my parents’ house.”
Her jaw dropped. Krista and I never fought in all the years we had been friends. We always had the perfect relationship. "You know what, Becca? I always defended you to everyone that said you were nothing but an uptight, stuck up bitch. But the more I'm around you, the more I'm finding it's the truth!"
Ashton chuckled, enjoying every minute of it.
"Becca, just come on," Drew said, placing his hand on my arm, trying his best to pull me away.
"Yeah, Becca, better do what he says since you're attached to him at the hip, just because he’s the first guy to ever fuck you! Hey Drew, did you know that Becca thinks that you are her first and last? Stupid little naïve girl. Better watch out. She may go all psycho on you if you try and break up with her." I stared at Krista in disbelief. It was as if I didn’t even know who she was. We had been there for each other for everything. We always had each other’s back, and now it was as if we were complete strangers.
"Leave now!" I shouted. I could feel the tears filling my eyes.
"Gladly!" she screamed, finally getting my mother's attention.
"Girls, what's going on over here?" my mother asked as she came rushing over, looking at each of us with concern.
"Nothing. I was just leaving," Krista said in a huff. "Ashton, can you give me a ride home?" Even though she had pissed me off beyond words, I knew that neither one of them were in any condition to drive.
"Drew, could you give her a ride?" I asked.
He nodded.
"Oh no Becca, that's okay, I wouldn't want to inconvenience your boyfriend by taking time away from you to drive me home," she slurred.
My mother looked both her and Ashton over. "Krista, either let Drew drive you home or you’re leaving me with no choice but to call your parents. Neither you, nor Ashton are in any condition to drive like this," she said, keeping her voice down in an effort to not draw attention from the other guests.
"Whatever!" she shouted as she and Ashton staggered off.
"Drew, would you mind driving Ashton home as well? His parents had to leave to go to another party," my mother said.
"Yeah, no problem."
Krista turned back
around and pointed her finger at me. "You and I -" She furiously grabbed the chain around her neck and ripped it off, throwing it in my face. "We are no longer friends."
Tears filled my eyes when I looked down at the ground to find the other half of the best friend charm that we each had worn since we were eight years old. My mother placed her hand on my shoulder, trying to comfort me as Krista stormed out of the backyard. I bent down to pick it up as tears rolled down my face. It was all so surreal to me. It was as if she had turned into this person that I didn’t even know almost overnight. Or had I really been that wrapped up in my own little world that I failed to recognize that my best friend was fading away? My biggest fear today was getting into it with my father over Drew. I was prepared for it and had my battle gear on. Never in a million years did I imagine that Krista would be the reason that I would need to break out that shield around my heart.
Two weeks had passed and I had finally broke down and called Krista. She, of course, didn't answer but I still left her a voice mail, apologizing for what had happened, even though I didn't believe that one was warranted on my end. I was worried about her. The Krista that I thought I knew was always a party girl but I never thought that she would turn to drugs. Again, Ashton was involved the same way he had gotten my brother involved. I hated that Drew still remained friends with him, but I knew I had no right to tell him who he could hang out with. I was so grateful to him over these past few weeks. Not only was he helping me out with all of the charity stuff that Mrs. Barrett was piling on me, but he was also a sounding board, listening to me vent over my frustration with Krista.
I didn’t want to open my eyes. I was feeling so relaxed with the warm sun beating down on me, but when I felt Drew’s cold lips on my bare back I couldn’t resist. He dried himself off before sitting down on the beach blanket next to me. “Oh my God, that water must be freezing,” I said.
“Nah, you get used to it. I have to do something to cool off from looking at you in that sexy bikini.” I sat up and kissed him on the lips. “That’s not helping my cause, you know.”
“Sorry.” I smirked. “I really should get home and take a shower.” My parents were out of town for a wedding for a few days and had made my brother go with them after the last incident, leaving the house all to me for three days. I was happy that Mrs. Barrett didn't have anything planned for me within the next couple of days. I felt like I needed a mental break from everything. “Did you want to come over later on?”
“Ah shit, I told Ashton and a couple of the other guys that I’d hang out with them tonight.”
I tried my hardest to hide my disappointment. “Oh, okay.”
“Don’t make any plans for tomorrow. I’ve got something special planned.”
I couldn’t hold back my smile. “What is it?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“Oh, I like surprises!” I said as I threw my cover up on over my bathing suit. I stood up and slipped on my flip flops, grabbing my beach bag.
“Why are you leaving so soon?”
“Because I need to get in the shower; I’m sweaty, sandy, and covered in sun block.”
“Sounds pretty sexy, if you ask me.” He raised his eyebrow, standing up and pressing his forehead against mine.
“Mr. Bryant, I do believe we already had our lesson this morning.”
I couldn’t resist grazing his salty lips. His hands moved down my back, pulling me into him and kissing me harder before taking my hand and leading me off the beach and into his house. His lips were on mine the minute we walked inside. He pushed me up against the wall and immediately removed my bathing suit bottoms. He eased his fingers inside of me as our tongues moved in unison. My insides began to throb for him once again.
“Becca, you fuckin’ make me crazy. I never wanted anyone as much as I want you.”
He pulled down his swim trunks, wrapping my leg around his waist and bracing my back against the wall. I immediately felt the fullness of him inside of me. It was so perfect and so familiar now. We were becoming more and more comfortable with each other’s bodies, learning each other’s likes and needs, making each time better than the last. He moved in and out of me as I ran my hands through his hair.
I screamed out his name, feeling all of my emotions coming to the surface. He bit his lip, smiled, and began to move quicker and harder. I could feel his erection growing inside of me just before he let out a loud groan, releasing himself into me. He removed my leg from around his waist and was trying to catch his breath. I caressed his face and looked up at him and smiled.
"I can't get enough of you," he whispered in my ear.
His voice had that sexy smoothness once again, making my entire body tingle. He bent down and kissed me, taking my breath away. I pressed my forehead against his as our hearts pounded in unison.
"I'll see ya tomorrow.” He nodded and placed another gentle kiss on my lips.
My stomach was doing cartwheels the entire drive home as I thought about what had just happened. I knew that I didn't have anyone else to compare to, but I didn't think that it could get any more intense than what Drew and I had shared. My body was still feeling like it was having aftershocks.
I arrived home and jumped in the shower. I was planning on spending the rest of the afternoon on the couch with a good book, until I got out of the shower and saw that Mrs. Barrett was calling. I rolled my eyes while trying to decide if I wanted to answer her and finally picking it up on the last ring.
"Hey, Mrs. Barrett," I answered.
"Hi Becca. I really hate to ask you this on such short notice, but Carlos Simms has more paperwork that I need by tomorrow morning." She caught me totally off guard as I tried to think of an excuse. "I would go pick it up myself, but Edward and I have a benefit that we need to attend tonight. If I don't have this paperwork by tomorrow, we will lose out on applying for a grant that can be used to fund more scholarships." I thought about the last time I was at Mr. Simms’ house and how uncomfortable he made me feel and that was with Drew there. My stomach dropped, thinking about going by myself. "You'll be in and out. He's away on business and left the papers with his housekeeper."
"Okay," I finally relented. I wasn't looking forward to the long drive, but I could handle it as long as I knew that I wouldn't have to be dealing with Mr. Simms. I threw on a pair of shorts and a tank top, pulling my wet hair back into a ponytail and was on my way.
The warm sun and light breeze as I drove with the top down allowed me some much needed time to clear my head. I had so much on my mind this past week between Krista, my dad, and most of all, what was going to become of Drew and me once we went back to school. I tried my best to convince myself that I would be okay and I could handle it if our relationship had to end, but each time I was with him, I was starting to doubt that. I pulled into the horseshoe driveway of Mr. Simms’ mansion, feeling a lot less tense this time, knowing that he wouldn't be there.
A tall woman dressed in a traditional maid's uniform answered the door with Mr. Simms’ intimidating security guard standing right behind her. "Hi, Mr. Simms has an envelope that I'm picking up for Lynn Barrett," I said.
"Oh yes, please come in." She opened the door further and I hesitantly stepped inside as the security guard remained stone face. She led me into the living room and my stomach dropped when I saw Mr. Simms and two other men seated on the couch. My legs immediately began to tremble and I wanted to just run out.
"Oh Miss Keeton, such a pleasure to see you again," Mr. Simms said. "Gentlemen, this is the beautiful Miss Keeton." The two men got up from the couch and looked me over before each shaking my hand and introducing themselves.
"Please have a seat," Mr. Simms said, motioning toward the couch.
"Umm, no thank you. I really have to run. My boyfriend is waiting for me," I lied.
"Oh, is he in the car?"
I wanted to say yes so badly but I was fairly certain that he had security cameras all over and would know that I was lying. "No, he's at home."
&nb
sp; “Well, please just have a seat while I go get the papers.”
I hesitantly sat down in the only open area on the couch, inching as far away as possible from the man sitting next to me. "I don't bite." He chuckled. I could feel my face heating up. I began to break out in an instant sweat, wishing that Drew was there with me, wishing that I had never agreed to come. A strange sense of relief washed over me when Mr. Simms walked back in the room with the envelope in his hand. As much as he freaked me out, these two other men were even creepier.
"Miss Keeton, my friend Kenneth here is the one that has the modeling connections," Mr. Simms said, gesturing to the older man sitting beside me. "She's a natural. Don't you agree, Kenneth?"
The man moved closer to me, choking me out with his strong cologne. "She certainly is, but she needs to relax a little bit more." I cringed and immediately stood up when I felt his warm breath on my neck and his hand moving up my bare thigh. Panic began to set in as a million scenarios began to play over in my head. My heart began to race. The only person that knew I was here was Mrs. Barrett. I should have told Drew but I didn't want him feeling like he had to cancel his plans to come with me. "Easy, beautiful, I didn't mean to scare you."
I looked away.
"Miss Keeton, please excuse Mr. Dainbridge. He sometimes forgets his manners around beautiful women," Mr. Simms said, placing the envelope in my hand.
I swallowed hard, not saying a word, walking out of that house as fast as my legs would allow. I controlled my trembling body long enough to pull out of the driveway and get far enough away from the house before pulling off on the side of the road to pull it together. How could I have been so stupid to go there today, especially by myself? I felt like such a fool. I wanted to call Drew so badly and just hear his voice to help put me at ease but I stopped myself. I needed to stop being so dependent on him. I calmed myself down as best as I could, trying not to think about what could have happened. I turned up the radio and let the warm breeze blow through my hair as I headed home, vowing to never return to that place again.
