Somewhere In Between (Madison Square Book 1)

by Samatha Harris

  “Alex!” Drew called as I ran for the exit, holding my injured arm and trying desperately to erase that image from my mind.

  “Alex, wait!” He sounded frantic, but I couldn’t wait, not after that. He was having sex with Gwen. Fucking Gwen, the bane of my existence, someone whose entire goal in life was to ruin mine, and he was fucking her!

  Tears streamed down my face as I ran out of the apartment, not caring if I closed the door behind me. I ran all the way down the stairs and out the front door. I kept running until I reached the square and stopped to catch my breath, which, with all the sobbing, was pretty hard.

  He wasn’t coming after me, so I took a seat on a bench and tried to calm myself down. The tears kept coming. I put my head in my hands. How could he? Why her? He could have any one. Women threw themselves at Drew all the time. He could have had anyone else in the entire goddamn city. Why did my Drew have to have sex with Gwen motherfucking Stevens?

  After a few minutes, I managed to slow my breathing. I didn’t feel like I was going to suffocate anymore, but my heart was aching. It was such an intense physical pain.

  Taking in my surroundings, I realized where I was. I wasn’t really sure how I got there. This was our place, the spot right in the middle of the square between his apartment and mine. The tears came back in full force. I had to get home, away from this place where I was surrounded by him, his laugh, his smile, and that stupid dance. It was all there.

  I headed toward my apartment. When I got there, I numbly climbed the stairs and fit my key in the lock. I pushed my way in, slammed the door, and flipped the dead bolt, heading for my bed.

  When your best friend breaks your heart, who is left to call to help you pick up the pieces?

  Chapter 15

  Drew (Then)

  I was so fucked. I lay in bed, staring up at my ceiling, cursing my dumb ass for getting into this situation in the first place. I was not a relationship kind of guy. What the hell was I doing? Not to mention, if anything did happen with Red and it didn’t work out, I would lose the best thing in my life. This was such bullshit.

  I heard my phone vibrate on the nightstand and reached over to see who it was. Shit, it was Red.

  Alex: Thanks for getting me home last night.

  Drew: NP, How you feelin?

  Alex: Like maybe that 4th shot was a bad idea.

  Drew: Yeah you are probably right.

  Alex: You up for a little hair of the dog and lunch?

  I couldn’t see her right now. Fuck, I didn’t trust myself. I typed a quick response, then laid the phone down on my chest.

  Drew: Can’t today. Rain check?

  Alex: Sure. you ok?

  Drew: Yeah, just have a web design due first thing Tuesday.

  It was only half a lie. I did have a web design due, but I was almost done. I needed some space to clear my head.

  Alex: K. I’ll talk to you later.

  Drew: Yep.

  I rolled over. My phone slid off my chest and hit the bed. What the fuck was I going to do now? My phone vibrated again, and I picked it up. This time it wasn’t Alex.

  David: Wake up, asshole! I’m in town. Meet me at Spike’s.

  Drew: See you in 20.

  I gotta give the man one thing, he has great fucking timing.

  I walked into Spike’s half an hour later and David was already there with a pitcher of beer and a huge plate of nachos. I gave him a hug, clapping him on the back.

  “You look like shit,” he said.

  “Thanks.”

  “What’s up? Rough night?” He didn’t even know the half of it.

  “If we are going to get into this, I’m going to need a shot.” I flagged down the waitress and ordered a shot of Jack Daniels.

  “This is serious,” David said.

  The waitress came back quickly with my drink and set it down in front of me with a glare. She looked familiar, but I couldn’t place her. I took the shot and waved at the waitress to bring me another.

  “Dude, what is with you?”

  “Alex. Fucking Alex.”

  “You’re fucking Alex?”

  “What? No! I’m not fucking her. I’m starting to, you know…”

  “You’re starting to what?” A ghost of a grin appeared on his face.

  “Come on, man. Don’t make me say it.”

  “Oh, I’m going to make you say it.”

  “I’m starting to have feelings for her, okay, asshole! Is that what you want to hear?” I dropped my head into my hands.

  “To be honest, I didn’t think you were capable.”

  “Of what? Having feelings? Or falling for her?”

  “Falling for her?” he asked. “You said you were starting to have feelings for her. Now you are falling for her?”

  “Yeah. So?” I stared down into my beer, unable to look him in the eye.

  “So? There is a big difference, man. You have feelings for some nice girl you’ve been out with a few times. You fall for the girl and game over.”

  “Look, I don’t know which one it is, okay? This shit is new to me. I don’t do relationships. Hell, I do everything I can to avoid them.”

  “That’s for damn sure,” the waitress mumbled, slamming my drink down in front of me.

  “I’m sorry. Do I know you?” I snapped.

  Her eyes narrowed and she slapped me hard across my cheek. She glared at me for a minute before I noticed her name tag. Tracy. Shit, she was that girl from before the house warming party. Well, that explained the slap. She huffed and stomped off as I pressed a hand to my cheek. I guess I deserved that.

  David was trying desperately to contain his laughter and I glared at him as I tossed back the second shot. Odds were Tracy probably spit in it.

  “What is it with you and women?” He shook his head at me.

  “I just like to have fun.” I shrugged.

  “That’s because you would rather go for quantity then quality,” he said. “Look, I get it, you’re young, and in college, there is an endless stream of coeds in short skirts, thinking they can fuck their way into getting what they want. It may seem like you are living the dream, but waking up next to a different girl has nothing on waking up next to the right girl. Look at Mom and Dad. Shit, they’ve been married for twenty-seven years and they are happier than the day they were married.”

  “Yeah, but look at Pop now. Don’t you see how her cancer is killing him just as much as it is killing her?”

  “What Mom is going through sucks and it is hard on all of us, but don’t think for a second that Dad would trade a single minute of his life with her if he had the choice.”

  “What if Red doesn’t…?” I let the question hang, not wanting to really consider that she might not feel the same way I did.

  “You won’t know until you tell her.”

  He had a point and man, did I hate it when David was right. He could be a self-righteous bastard when he wanted to be.

  I poured myself a beer from the pitcher on the table. “You didn’t come all the way up here for the cheap beer. What’s up?”

  “Yeah, I actually came on some wedding business. So, things with Mom aren’t…” he paused, dropping his head. He cleared his throat and looked up at me. “Millie and I are moving up the wedding to the end of the month.”

  “Wow, that’s quick. You sure there isn’t another reason?” I chuckled.

  “Funny, asshole!” He balled up a napkin and tossed it at me.

  “Okay, so what do you need from me?”

  “I want you to be my best man.”

  I looked up at him. “Really?”

  “Of course! You’re my brother. Who else would I want to stand up with me?”

  I shot him a smile and dropped a hand on his shoulder. “I’m honored, man, seriously.”

  “Okay, well, I got to get going. I have to round up the rest of the groomsmen before I have to get back.” David chugged the rest of his beer and got to his feet, tossing a few bills down on the table.

  “T
hanks, Dave.”

  He nodded and headed for the door.

  ***

  I spent the rest of the day just trying to find ways to occupy my mind. I finished the web design project. I got started on a psych paper. I considered cleaning, but figured that was taking the distraction thing a little too far. I ended up drinking on the couch with the TV on, although I was not paying attention to what was on the screen. My head was on a constant loop of Red.

  I was so focused on her that when my phone went off, I half expected it to be Red.

  Sean: Dorm party at Langford. Get down here.

  I figured, eh, what the hell. I got up, grabbed a jacket and my keys, and headed out to meet up with Sean.

  When I got there, people were everywhere. The party covered the entire first floor. All the doors were opened and people went from room to room and spilled out into the hallway. I spotted Sean and headed over to him.

  “‘Bout time.” He turned to a little blonde standing next to him. “Hey. Crystal, this is my roommate, Drew.”

  I nodded a greeting to her and she gave me a suggestive smile, twirling her hair around her finger. “Hey Becca,” she called without taking her eyes off me.

  As the tall brunette made her way toward us, she answered, “Yeah.” When she saw us, she stepped close to me, running her hand down my chest. “You must be the roommate. I heard so much about you.” Her voice took on a slow, sexy drawl.

  She was ridiculously hot, but she knew it. She wore a tight brown low cut vest only a shade darker than her overly tanned skin. Her tight jeans hung low on her hips, exposing the smooth skin of her stomach.

  I looked up, meeting Sean’s eyes. He smiled at me and nodded. The smirk on his face said you’re welcome, but this was not the distraction I was looking for. I was starting to push her away when I caught sight of Red coming out of one of the rooms behind her. She was smiling, facing someone I couldn’t see. She reached her hand out and took a few steps backward. She leaned against the wall. Then I saw Chuck step toward her. He leaned in close, smiling down at her.

  “Sean was telling me about your apartment,” Becca said. “Sounds nice. I would love to see it.”

  “Yeah,” I replied without comprehending what she’d said. I was too busy watching Red giggle and flirt with Chuck. Goddamn it! Last night she was telling me how I should have kissed her and now she’s flirting with that asshole!

  Becca grabbed my chin and turned my head back to face her. “Why don’t we get out of here?” She pressed herself against me and my eyes immediately went to the abundance of skin coming out of her top.

  I looked over her head and saw Chuck lean down and kiss Red’s neck as she giggled and reached for his shoulder. All of my instincts were telling me to go over there and rip Chuck off her, but that was not going to work out in my favor. I looked down at Becca, who was insanely hot and obviously ready to go. Then I looked back at Red, who was letting Chuck lead her down the hall. I snapped. I grabbed Becca’s hand.

  “Fuck it, let’s go!” I headed for the door, dragging Becca along behind me.

  “You two have fun!” Sean called after us.

  The ride back to my apartment was short, but Becca wasted no time. She was all over me in the car, her lips and tongue on my neck and her hands in my lap. I was turned on and more than ready to go, but I was also seriously pissed.

  I threw the car in park and grabbed Becca by the back of the neck, crushing my lips to hers. She moaned loudly as I kissed her hard. If Red was going to fuck around with Chuck then I was going to enjoy the hell out of this stacked chick trying to climb into my lap.

  I got her out of the car and up the stairs, pressing her to my front door. I tried to get the door unlocked but was distracted as her hands started to unbutton my jeans.

  Once inside, I lifted her and carried her to my room, dropping her onto the bed. She bit her lip and reached for the three buttons holding together what already wasn’t much of a top. I pulled my shirt over my head as she sat up, pulled my zipper down, and yanked my jeans down my legs.

  I unclasped her bra and roughly cupped her breasts as she moaned, dropping her head back and giving me access to her neck. She smelled like vanilla. It was too sweet and it made me think of Red and her fruity shampoo.

  Fuck! It should have been me. I should be the one kissing her, touching her, not Chuck!

  I growled, frustrated by everything that was going through my head and desperate to find something else to focus on. I pushed Becca back onto the bed, hovering over her and undoing the button of her jeans. I let my lips travel down her neck to her chest. I ran my tongue over her already hard nipple and trapped it between my teeth. She arched her back in response and cried out.

  I kept flashing back to Red, wondering where she was and what Chuck might be doing to her. I slid down Becca’s body, ripping her pants down her legs and tossing them to the side. The more I thought about Red, the rougher I got. I was far from hurting Becca, though, and she was more into it than when we started.

  I went to the nightstand to grab a condom and my phone lit up with a text.

  Alex: You up?

  I froze. I couldn’t move. I just stood there, staring at my phone. I looked over to Becca, who was lying naked on my bed, waiting for me to fuck her, but I couldn’t.

  “Goddamn it!” I yelled. I grabbed my phone and headed for the bathroom, slamming the door behind me. I wrenched the cold water on and dropped my phone to the counter before stepping under the freezing spray. I was losing my fucking mind! I pounded a fist against the tile and let the cold water run down my back. It did the trick. I was starting to calm down and my head was beginning to clear.

  I turned off the faucet and stepped out of the shower. I dried myself off and wrapped a towel around my waist before heading back into the bedroom to deal with the naked girl in my bed.

  She was sitting up when I walked back into the room. “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, but you should go.”

  “You sure about that?” she asked, sliding off the bed to press herself against me.

  She reached for the towel around my waist and I grabbed her wrist. “Yeah, I’m sure.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  She took a step back and looked at me like I’d lost my mind. I mean, she was not far off. I was standing in my bedroom with a gorgeous naked woman who wanted nothing but sex and I was turning her down all for a girl who may or may not be into me. In that moment, I was the definition of a pussy.

  She pulled her clothes on, grabbed her shoes, and stormed out of my apartment. I dropped back on my bed and replied to Red.

  Drew: What’s up?

  Alex: Can you do something for me?

  I smiled and typed a response.

  Drew: Anything.

  She didn’t even know the half of it.

  Chapter 16

  Alex (Now)

  I woke to a pounding in my head. It took me a minute to realize that the pounding wasn’t in my head, it was on the door.

  I glanced at the clock and dragged a hand down my still half asleep face. Who was banging on the door at three in the morning? Dragging myself out of bed, I headed to the door, looked through the peephole, and cringed. It was Drew. I couldn’t deal with him now. I tried to swallow through the lump building in my throat.

  “Alex, open the goddamn door!” he bellowed, pounding the door so hard it shook on the hinges. I didn’t want to face him, not after seeing him with her, but he obviously wasn’t leaving. I flipped the lock and opened the door a crack. Drew shoved past me and stormed into the living room, keeping his back to me.

  “Why haven’t you answered any of my calls?” He turned to face me. He looked so angry and hurt. I quickly dropped my head and picked at my cuticles, chewing on my lip. I couldn’t look at him. I knew if I raised my head, the tears would start and everything I had been feeling would just fall out of my mouth.

  “I turned my phone off.” I shrugged, keeping my eyes down.

  “Bu
llshit!”

  I flinched. I really had turned my phone off, but it was after I realized he wasn’t going to stop calling.

  “What the fuck, Red? You don’t talk to me for days, then you barge into my apartment, no, my bedroom, for only God knows what reason and storm out!” he yelled. “I don’t know what to do with you! You’ve been acting crazy since that damn gala. I try to protect you, you push me away. I give you space and you disappear only to show up in my bedroom at the worst possible moment. What the fuck do you want from me?”

  He stared at me, waiting for an answer I wasn’t ready to give him. He sighed, ran his hand over his face, and looked up at the ceiling. I couldn’t say anything. So far everything he had said was true. I had been acting crazy. If he knew why, everything would make sense, but seeing him with Gwen cleared away whatever tiny semblance of courage I had built up to tell him the truth, so I just stayed quiet, letting him yell at me.

  “I get you don’t like Gwen.”

  My head snapped up. Did he really think this was about her? A mix of rage and pain coursed through my body. I was angry and really hurt and teetering on the edge of losing it. I had to get him out of here before it all came out. My shoulders started to shake as the tears welled up in my eyes. When our eyes met, I saw his were apologetic, but still angry.

  “Drew, just go,” I said, trying and failing to sound calm. I brushed past him and headed for my bedroom. He grabbed my shoulders and took a step closer so his chest was almost pressed to my back. I could feel the heat from his body. He was so close, his breath warmed the back of my neck.

  “Alex,” he said, his voice softening with concern. “Please. Just talk to me.”