All Right, Kid

by Nikki Paris

  “I just wanna talk.” I smiled and reached out to brush her hair back from her face.

  She narrowed her gorgeous blue eyes. “That’s not talking, Derrick. That’s touching.”

  “I know. I can’t help it. This next part is probably going to make your boyfriend really mad.” I stepped closer. We were only a few inches apart now, and a red-hot fire blazed between us. She could feel it, too, couldn’t she? That was why she didn’t back away. That was why her eyes settled on my lips.

  “What are you doing?” She almost whispered.

  I slid my arms around her waist, and she melted into me. “I want to kiss you, Skylar.”

  She leaned in and brushed her lips against my jaw. “You’re used to just getting everything you want, aren’t you? Girls don’t say no to sexy Derrick Myles, do they?” Her delicate hands pressed into my chest. I imagined her pretty painted fingernails digging into my bare skin while I thrust into her. I imagined her gasping with pleasure while I sucked on her gorgeous tits.

  Suddenly she pulled away. “For the first time in your life, you’re not getting what you want.”

  I sighed and ran my hands through my hair. “Is it the boyfriend? Just dump him!”

  Skylar scoffed. “I broke up with Ben like two weeks ago.”

  Hell, yes. I tried not to smile.

  She looked down at the sidewalk. “Long-distance isn’t going to work…”

  I would make it work for her. For Skylar, I would drive twenty hours every weekend just to see her for ten. I knew exactly how I’d spend those ten hours, too.

  Whoa. Where did those crazy thoughts come from?

  Skylar walked toward her car, then stopped suddenly and marched back over to me. Fire burned in her eyes. When she reached me, she grabbed my face with both hands and planted her lips firmly against mine. I slid my arms around her waist and kissed back with my heart racing. Fuck, her lips were soft. Fuck, she smelled good – like vanilla. Her lips parted slightly, and I slid my tongue into her mouth. Fuck, she tasted good.

  Suddenly she pulled away. Hell, no. I wasn’t done with her. I grabbed her waist and lifted her to sit on the hood of my car. Her legs opened to let me press my body against hers. I pushed my erection into her pussy and silently cursed the clothing between our bodies. I kissed her again and again. She buried her fingers in my hair and slid her tongue into my mouth this time. Her tits pressed into my chest, and she wrapped her legs around me. I slid my hand up the front of her shirt, trying not to moan as my fingers brushed against her bare skin. When I cupped her left breast, she sighed into my lips.

  I pressed my dick harder into her and slid my hand into her bra. Holy shit. She had perfect, tight little nipples. I couldn’t think. I could hardly breathe. I needed to have her. I sucked on her neck, now teasing her nipples with both hands. “Come back to my place.”

  “Mmm.” Skylar slid her hands up my shirt, too, running them up and down my abs. Suddenly, she laughed and pushed me away. “No, Derrick.” She slid off the hood of my car and reached up to adjust her bra.

  My head spun. My heart raced. My dick was rock hard and aching to be buried deep in Skylar’s pussy — or her mouth. It would even settle for her hands or tits.

  She pointed at my face. “You are not getting what you want tonight!”

  I laughed. “You want it, too.”

  “Do I?” She crossed her arms and glared at me.

  I grinned at her. “I know that pussy is wet for me, Skylar. I know we’ve had this crazy sexual chemistry going on for a while now. Let’s just do this and stop driving ourselves crazy.”

  Skylar’s eyes softened, and she looked surprised. “Do what?” Her voice was quiet.

  “Fuck. Let me take you home and make you come. Let me send you off right.” And then visit you every weekend and make you come a million more times.

  Her eyes hardened, and she scoffed. “When I was in high school, I was too immature for you, or something. But now, I think you’re the one that’s too immature for me. You don’t know how to commit and settle down. You haven’t grown up enough to deserve me, Derrick.”

  “What?” I laughed.

  “You heard me. Grow up, Derrick.” Skylar walked to her car and yanked the door open.

  Was she mad at me? What the hell did I do? “Skylar, wait!”

  She turned and rolled her eyes at me. I loved it when she did that. Secretly, her eye rolls meant, “You’re adorable, and I want you.” Skylar said, “I don’t wait around for guys, and you don’t chase after girls.” Then she slammed her car door shut and drove away.

  So she was mad that girls wanted me? But also mad that I didn’t have a girlfriend? I couldn’t figure her out, and it just made me want her more.

  I climbed into my car with a sigh. Were there a lot of hot guy dancers? No, right? She was going to be surrounded by girls. I’d have my chance soon.

  14

  Skylar

  LCU didn’t just have a few dance rooms. It had an entire dance building! I walked through the doors on my first day of classes, unable to keep the smile from spreading across my face. God, it was beautiful. This was right where I belonged.

  I walked into room 315. I was early, and the room was still empty. I ran my hand along the barre and gazed out at the vast, shiny dance floor in front of me. I slid my bag into a cubby and then settled in the middle of the floor to start stretching. This was the first Modern dance class I’d taken since I was a kid. I remembered Maci and I laughing our heads off in Danica Stone’s basement after we tried Modern dance. It was so weird! We were more into Jazz, Hip Hop, and Lyrical. Today, though, I was excited.

  A middle-aged woman with a huge mass of curly, mouse-brown hair wandered into the room. She was as thin as a toothpick and covered from head to toe in black spandex. “Good Morning!” She called over to me in a sing-song voice.

  I smiled at her from my side-split position and replied, “Morning!”

  Soon the room filled up with college girls and a handful of guys. They all seemed to know each other already, and they sat in little gossiping cliques. I didn’t care. I wasn’t there for the friendships.

  An attractive muscled guy with skin like dark chocolate sat next to me and smiled. Damn. I wasn’t here for the guys, either, right? He said, “I’m Chet, and I’m straight.”

  When I raised my eyebrows at him, he laughed. “It’s just easier to lead with that when I meet a beautiful girl in a Modern dance class.”

  I bit my lip and leaned forward to touch my toes. “Smooth, Chet. I’m Skylar.”

  Chet laughed. “Thank you. You are flexible, Skylar.” His dark brown eyes traveled up and down my body.”

  Maybe I could be here for the guys, a little bit. I hadn’t heard a word from Derrick since our steamy make-out on the hood of his car. Not that I was expecting to hear from him. I’d shut him down and pushed him away. Why would he come after me?

  The teacher, Adrianne, cleared her throat and started the class. After stretching, she led us into a partner activity. Chet quickly caught my eye and nodded to me. I smiled and nodded back.

  Adrianne instructed us to work with our partner to make creative shapes with our bodies. Chet gave me a mischievous grin. “This should be fun, Skylar. Do you like to be on top or bottom?”

  I rolled my eyes as Chet grabbed my waist. He lifted me like I weighed nothing and held me above his head. It surprised me and took my breath away for a split second. I arched my back and curved my legs and arms downward. Adrianne complimented our first shape, and Chet brought me down gently, still holding my waist. “You are strong, Chet,” I said.

  “Strong and flexible go great together, Skylar.”

  “I think you’re right. Maybe we should test that theory some time?” It was nice to flirt with someone that wasn’t Derrick. Maybe Chet could make me forget about how much I loved Derrick. It was worth a shot.

  Chet grinned. “Oh, girl. Let’s test it soon.”

  So, two days later, I fucked Chet in his dorm. It was abn
ormal behavior for me, but Chet had a smoking body, and he was fun and confident. There was nothing wrong with sleeping with a guy you just met every once in a while.

  I had nothing to feel guilty about, so why did I feel guilty?

  As I left Chet’s apartment, he slapped my ass and said, “We’re doing this again, right?”

  I laughed. He was sexy and creative and unselfish in bed. “Sure, Chet. See you in class next week.”

  I walked back to my dorm to grab a quick lunch before heading to my next class. My phone dinged with a text.

  Hey, kid. How’s school?

  My breath caught. Derrick. He was actually texting me. Derrick was reaching out. He never reached out to a girl just to chat.

  Good, Derrick. Lots of hot, fuck-able college guys.

  Skylar, don’t hurt me like that.

  Suddenly I understood my guilt. What would have happened if I’d just gone home with Derrick that night in his parents’ driveway? What would have happened if I’d told him how I felt? I just assumed Derrick wasn’t a relationship kind of guy, but I hadn’t even given him a chance. I sank onto my bed.

  I felt guilty because I worried that Derrick would be hurt if he knew about Chet.

  Derrick texted me again. How many guys have you fucked in three days??? I’ve only fucked two girls, so it hasn’t been my best week.

  I rolled my eyes. I shouldn’t feel guilty for a second. Derrick didn’t want me, not for real. I texted back. You’re gross. Not that I had any room to talk after my mid-morning activities in Chet’s bed.

  Suddenly my roommate, Nat, burst into the room. “I saw you leaving Chet’s dorm!” She accused with angry eyes.

  “Uh… yeah. So what?” I asked with raised eyebrows.

  Nat gaped at me and yanked the elastic from her white-blonde hair. It fell around her shoulders as she said, “I just think you should know he’s slept with half the girls in the school!” Nat pulled a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants over her leotard. “You don’t mean anything to him.” Her brown eyes were cold.

  Nat seemed to have feelings for Chet. I just sighed and rubbed my temples. “Is he like your ex or something?”

  “No.” Nat rolled her eyes and sat on the end of her bed. Her voice turned quiet. “We were never serious or exclusive.”

  “Okay, well, if you have feelings for him, I’ll back off. I’m just here to dance, not to cause drama.” Chet was hot, but I could easily turn off the attraction. He didn’t make me crazy like Derrick did.

  My phone buzzed again. Skylar, I’m kidding! I don’t sleep with as many girls as you think I do. I frowned at my phone. Was that true?

  Nat was still staring at me. “Is that him?” she asked.

  I glanced back up at her. “Chet? No. I don’t even have his number.”

  Nat stared at her hands. “Will you really back off?”

  I nodded. “I don’t do random hook-ups. I’m surprised at myself.” I stared at Derrick’s message on my phone, and then looked back up at Nat. “I think I was just trying to forget someone, and Chet was my first chance.” I grabbed a package of easy mac, stuck it in the tiny microwave in our dorm, and said, “I’m sorry, though.”

  Nat sniffed and folded her arms. “Whatever. You didn’t know.” She looked down and then sighed. “Who are you trying to forget?”

  The microwave beeped, and I just stared at it, unmoving. I wasn’t hungry anymore. “Uh, just a cliché.”

  “What do you mean?” Nat asked.

  “I’ve been stupid in love with my best friend’s older brother since I was a kid. But he’s one of those hot guys that gets whatever ass he wants and doesn’t settle down.” I rolled my eyes.

  Nat frowned. “Sounds like Chet.”

  I sighed. “I’m sorry I slept with him, Nat.” My roommate and I weren’t close yet. We’d only known each other for a few days, but I saw the same hurt of unrequited love in her eyes that always stared back at me in the mirror. “You were exactly right when you said I didn’t mean anything to him. He didn’t mean anything to me, either.”

  Nat squared her shoulders and held her head high. “It’s fine.” She stood and picked up her dance bag. “Let’s make a pact, Skylar, to get over the stupid guys that won’t give us what we deserve.”

  I smiled. “Deal.” Like I hadn’t tried to get over Derrick a thousand times already. “How are we doing this?”

  Nat chewed on her lower lip. “One new guy a week?”

  I laughed out loud. “That’s a lot. Can we do like one every other week?”

  Nat flashed me a mischievous smile. “Do what you want, Skylar. I’m doing one a week. There’s a lot of hot guys here. At least one of them is bound to make me forget about the dumbass that I love.” Nat patted my shoulder and then walked out of our dorm.

  My phone buzzed with another text from Derrick. Are you mad about us kissing again? Or are you mad because I didn’t chase after you?

  I was mad about both.

  I texted back. Duh. I’m not mad. Not every girl loses sleep over you the way you think they do, Derrick. I did, though. I lost sleep over him.

  Fine. I was going to come to visit you next weekend, but I guess you don’t want me to. Maybe I’ll see you at Christmas.

  My breath caught in my chest. He was going to visit me? Of course, he didn’t mean that. He was just messing with me like he always did. Sure, Derrick. Have a nice life. Make sure you use condoms. STI’s are real.

  I squared my shoulders and held my head high, just like Nat. Part of me believed that I actually would get over Derrick during these next two years of school. I grabbed my bag and headed to my Dance Theory class. As I walked across campus, I scanned every male I passed, searching for my next target. This wasn’t like me, but why couldn’t it be? Derrick slept around. Why couldn’t I? I didn’t wait around for guys.

  I spotted an attractive guy with short dark hair and green eyes. Maybe he could make me forget Derrick. He even looked a little like him.

  Deep down, though, I knew I’d fall right back into wanting Derrick the second I saw him again. He had my heart in a vice grip. It was his.

  15

  Derrick

  My phone rang as I walked to my car after work Friday evening. I sighed and answered, “How’s it going, mom?”

  “I’m just calling to confirm that you’re coming to dinner tonight.”

  I’d forgotten about dinner and had no intention of going, but I’d missed dinner two weeks ago. I had to show up tonight. “Uh, yeah, I’ll be there.”

  “Great! See you soon, bud.”

  I got a text from Dominic next. Dude, did you already leave work? I wanted to catch you before you took off. My girl has a friend that wants to double tonight. You down?

  I groaned. Sorry. Family stuff tonight. Maybe another time?

  Too bad. The friend is hot. I’m gonna ask Trey to come.

  I didn’t even care. I was getting tired of hot girls. None of them made me feel anything anymore. I drove to my parents' house and found Maci and Blake tangled up on the couch in the living room.

  “This is happening again?” I asked as I headed for the kitchen. Maci flipped me off.

  My mom was busy setting the table. “Hey, mom. Let me do that.” I took the stack of plates from her hand.

  She smiled and patted my arm. “Thanks. How are you? Are you seeing anyone that you might want to bring over any time soon?”

  I rolled my eyes. “No, mom. Sorry.”

  She sighed. “Okay. How’s work?”

  “Fine.” My job was completely uninspiring.

  “Are you eating healthy? Getting enough sleep.”

  “Nope.” I grinned at my mom. “Thanks for pointing out that my life’s a mess.” I set the last plate on the table.

  “Oh, Derrick. That’s not what I’m trying to do. I just worry about you. It’s my job!” My mom rubbed my shoulder and then turned to pull a pan of rolls from the oven. “I just want to see you happy.”

  “And I don’t look happy?”
I sank into Skylar’s favorite barstool.

  My mom shrugged. “You look happy on the surface, but I know you. You need something more in your life. You need something that sets you on fire.”

  I laughed out loud. “Mom, that was cheesy as hell.”

  Maci and Blake wandered into the kitchen with swollen lips and messy hair, and I laughed again. Maci was always going on about true love, and Blake was a sap that fed her unrealistic dreams. Was that stupid shit what my mom wanted for me? No thanks.

  Blake slid his arm around my sister’s waist and asked, “How’s school going for Skylar? Kai wants to know.”

  I straightened in my stool and pretended to read something on my phone. Skylar had been up at school for almost three months now. I didn’t think about her every day — no way in hell.

  Maci rolled her eyes. “I don’t think Kai really wants to know. She’s going through this, uh, what should we call it? Phase? Let’s just say she’s connecting with lots of hot dancer guys. I blame her new roommate. She sounds like a bad influence.”

  The words burst from my lips before I could stop them. “There are lots of straight male dancers? Shit.” Maci raised her eyebrows at me, and I cleared my throat and looked back down at my phone. “I uh, just didn’t know that was a thing.”

  “Yeah, Derrick. Straight guys dance. Surprise.” Maci’s voice was deadpan, and she still stared at me with a weird look on her face. She turned back to Blake. “So yeah, I’d tell Kai not to hold his breath. I swear she just broke up with Ben so she could have her own little version of girls gone wild. I don’t get her these days.” Maci stared me down again. “I would tell any guy not to hold their breath for this new Skylar.”

  So, Skylar was gone at her dream school, getting lots of action from hot, straight dancer guys. That’s what Maci had just said. It made me livid. What did those other guys have that I didn’t?

  Fuck. She’d kissed me like she wanted to sleep me with me. Then she just left. Skylar hardly ever answered my texts, either. I felt like shit. Was this what I did to girls? Had I just been walking around most of my adult life, hurting people?