Jam and Ryder arrived back to the apartment around the same time Kensie poured her second glass of wine. She’d bought it for her friend but seeing as Jam was on the top of her shit list, she unapologetically savored the crisp taste.
“You assholes drank half the bottle!” Jamie squealed. Kensie couldn’t help the finger she lifted in her friend’s face. It was the nicest gesture she could muster. “I see you found your surprise.”
“Yup.” Kensie drained the glass and slammed it on the breakfast bar. “A word, please.” It wasn’t a question and she didn’t wait for a response. She grabbed Jamie by the hand, pulled her into the bedroom, and slammed the door behind them. “James Michele Manning, I swear to God I’m going to fucking kill you. I’m going to cut you up into tiny little pieces and scatter your remains across the Pacific Northwest,” she seethed, pacing circles around her room, desperate to quell the rage building in her chest.
“You’re being dramatic.” Jamie rolled her eyes and plopped down on the bed.
“I am not!” Kensie shrieked. She stopped pacing and turned to look at her friend. Her fists flew to her hips and her eyes narrowed. “I just agreed to move in with Trey. I don’t need CT complicating my life any further.”
“What? Wait, when? What?” Jamie sputtered, raising up on her elbows. Shock, hurt, and disappointment flashed in her eyes as she stared up at her friend. Her light disposition was gone and tears threatened to spill down her cheeks.
“Our lease is up in September,” Kensie added softly, regretting her bout of verbal diarrhea. Frustration had gotten the best of her, but Jam was her best friend and roommate for the past six years. They’d been through heaven and hell together, and now, because of her, all that was going to change.
“So, you’re just going to up and move?”
“I’m not leaving tomorrow, but yeah.” She nodded. It felt weird to say it out loud. She was moving in with Trey.
“But you’re not happy with him.”
“I am. I just…I got lost for a little bit. But I am happy. I’m not doing this for him. I’m doing it for me.” Kensie wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince Jamie or herself.
“Kensington, you are unhappy.” Jamie’s voice was raw with emotion. “This is a mistake.”
“Trey is my future, Jam.” Kensie always envisioned marrying a man like her dad. He had been the best example of what a man should be, and she was sure Trey was as close as she would get.
“If that were true, you wouldn’t look at CT the way you do.”
“What way would that be?”
“Like you can’t see anything past him, like he’s the only person in the room.”
Kensie scoffed, “Now you’re just reaching. He’s a one-night stand who refuses to go away.”
“Is he?”
“Look, I admit, CT and I have a really intense sexual chemistry, but I promise that’s it. He’s an arrogant asshole and we’ve never even had a real conversation. It’s just sex with us. It was just sex,” she clarified. “I’ve been with Trey for over a year. I don’t even know CT.”
“Uh-huh, if you say so,” Jamie muttered skeptically. She fell back onto the bed and her blonde locks covered her face.
“You’re just saying this because you hate Trey,” she dismissed, walking into her closet. She needed to change out of her work clothes, but mostly, she wanted to steer the conversation back to safer waters.
“I don’t hate him,” Jamie called out. “I just don’t think he’s right for you.”
“Why don’t you let me decide that.” Kensie peeled off her borrowed slacks and blouse and tossed them on top of a pile of laundry. They landed on the Lithium Springs t-shirt she’d worn the other day. As hard as she tried to suppress them, the memories of that night flooded her mind. She bit down on her lip—really, really, really, really, really, intense sexual chemistry.
She sighed, forcing the explicit thoughts to the back of her mind. She needed to focus on the task at hand. What should she wear? Pulling a pair of gym shorts and a USC t-shirt from a pile on the floor, she shook the clothes out and threw them on. Her hair went up into a ponytail on the side of her head and she briefly debated if she should take her contacts out. Casual, no frills, a far cry from the red dress she’d worn to the Rabbit Hole.
Jamie was sitting on the bed waiting for her to finish changing. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears and her voice was full of sadness. “I can’t believe we won’t be roomies anymore.”
“I know,” Kensie said, taking a seat next to her. “It’s going to be strange not living with you, but you’ll always be my best friend. That will never change, no matter how many times my address does.”
“So…a few months, huh?”
“Yup.”
They sat there for another moment, adjusting to the heaviness of the situation. Logically, Ken and Jam couldn’t live together forever. They were both in serious relationships and cohabitation was the next logical step, but one of them moving out was always more of an abstract concept than an absolute. Now it was real. She’d said yes, her parents were on board, and she’d broken the news to Jamie. There was nothing left to do but pack.
The sound of the guitar stirred the girls from their misery. “We should get back out there before they eat all our food,” Jam said and Kensie nodded.
CT and Ryder were in the living room huddled around the acoustic guitar. “This sounds so dope, dude,” Ryder commented as CT plucked out the same tune he had been playing when Kensie found him on the couch. “Have you played it for Javi yet?”
“Nah,” CT said, setting the instrument aside. “It’s new. Just started working on it this morning. I’ve been feeling inspired lately.” His blue eyes found Kensie’s brown and he smiled shyly at her. “I think I’ve finally found my muse.” He rubbed the back of his neck and she couldn’t help but notice the bulge in his biceps as it flexed. The bright ink etched onto his skin danced around his toned arm with each movement.
“I’m sure you say that to all the girls,” Kensie said, batting her lashes dramatically. Her tone was playful, even as a blush settled onto her cheeks. She couldn’t let his words affect her. He’s just trying to fuck you—again. “Who’s hungry?”
Dinner conversation was light. The guys chatted enthusiastically about CT’s new song. Kensie and Jamie smiled and nodded at the appropriate times, but Kensie’s impending move was still in the forefront of both girls’ minds.
“I’m hoping to have it done in time for the wedding,” CT explained, before shoving a piece of tandoori chicken into his mouth.
“That works for me,” Ryder mumbled, his mouth also full.
“Do you guys do a lot of weddings?” Kensie asked. Lithium Springs didn’t strike her as the type of band to play the wedding circuit.
“Fuck no.” Ryder’s features twisted in disgust. “This is a one-time thing.”
“It’s a favor for my sister,” CT added. His blue eyes shone with adoration at the mention of his sister. Kensie could tell he loved her. It was unnerving to see that level of affection from him. She’d only previously gotten the rocker sex god side of him or the unbearable asshole side, but she wasn’t complaining. She liked it that way. Not seeing him as an actual person with actual feelings made it easier to avoid falling for his bullshit. It made it easier to draw the lines of their relationship. It had been just sex, mind blowing—sure—but sex nonetheless.
“That’s very sweet.” Kensie smiled at him. Their eyes met, and she could have sworn she saw a small blush creep across his face. She silently prayed for the asshole to rear his ugly head. This new, human version of CT was trying to blur the lines.
“So, Friend, how was work?”
“Awful,” she admitted, suddenly losing her appetite. “My boss rejected all the designs I submitted for our latest campaign.”
“Maybe they weren’t as good as you thought?”
“No, they were great. She’s just an evil bitch,” Jam said.
“She hates me because my dad got me the job. She
’s had it out for me since day one.”
“Sounds like a nightmare.”
“It isn’t ideal, but CMC is a good company, with a good reputation,” Kensie said, but even she could hear the defeat in her tone. A good job. A good company. Who was she?
“If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?” CT asked. All of his attention was focused on her, what she was saying, how she felt. It was jarring, but what was more surprising was her eagerness to share her day with him.
“You know how when you’re younger, people always want to know what you’re going to be when you grow up?” she asked.
“Yeah,” CT groaned, shoveling in more rice, “I fucking hated that shit.”
“Me too! I would always reply with the standard, doctor or lawyer or whatever.” Her eyes rolled involuntarily. “I didn’t have a clue—I still don’t, not really. I think I want to work with kids—there’s this place, Safe Haven—but I also like to create things. Which is the problem, I never stick with anything long enough to make an impact. First, I thought—and Jam can attest to this—I was into photography, then it was pottery, and for an entire summer, I dressed in all black and spoke almost exclusively in iambic pentameter.”
“You did not?” CT laughed.
“She totally did.” Jam nodded.
“Yeah, I’m a total flake. I didn’t declare a major until junior year: communications.” She giggled. “I got to take classes with Diane Sawyer over here, and with advertising, I was able to have the ‘practical’ degree my parents pushed for, while still getting to flex my creative muscles. My dad knew someone, who knew someone, and I got hired at the largest marketing firm in the state.”
“But you hate it,” CT pushed.
“I can’t just quit.”
“Why can’t you?”
“Because I’m an adult. You don’t always get to do what you want. Sometimes you have to do what’s best for your future.”
“I doubt you need to worry about your future.”
“I don’t want to be just a socialite. I want to make my own way. I want to do something that matters.”
“How does making rich, corporate asshats richer, matter?”
“You don’t understand,” Kensie sighed in frustration. She didn’t understand why he was pushing her so hard. Why should he even care? This was supposed to be a one-night stand. CT could have any girl he wanted. Why was he so hell bent on derailing her life?
CT shot her an exasperated look. He turned to Jamie and Ryder shaking his head incredulously. “Am I the only one who thinks this is fucking ridiculous? I don’t understand the problem. I mean, what’s the worst that can happen? Your dad has to get you another job?”
“I don’t want to have to go to my father every time I need a job,” she seethed, throwing her fork down onto the plate. “I can do this on my own.”
“I don’t understand you rich people,” Ryder said, rolling his eyes. “It’s like you’re running from your privilege.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jamie asked defensively. The atmosphere was tense. What was meant to be a nice dinner with friends had turned into this ridiculous standoff.
“He’s right,” CT reluctantly agreed. A look passed between him and his friend as he continued, “You’re lucky to be able to go to your dad when you need help. A lot of people don’t have that. It isn’t something to be ashamed of. It just is what it is. The shameful thing would be to continue working at a job you hate to prove your worth to people who will never think you’re worthy.”
Kensie exhaled deeply. The passion written on CT’s face scared her. The weight of his words had her considering sending Safe Haven her résumé. Trey’s advice had been logical and responsible, a stark contrast from the man sitting next to her telling her to take a leap of faith.
“Why spend another moment in misery when you could be somewhere that makes you happy?”
“I’ll think about it,” she conceded. Kensie’s night in Neverland was impacting her life in more ways than she ever expected. She couldn’t help but stare at the man she never wanted to see again, and for the first time, she wondered if it hadn’t been a mistake.
“Well, this is awkward,” CT chuckled, as the sounds of Jam’s moaning grew louder.
Jamie and Ryder had disappeared shortly after dinner, leaving Kensie alone to entertain CT. They’d made it through about ten minutes of Netflix before the sex noises began. They did their best to ignore it, but even increasing the volume on the TV couldn’t drown out the sound of her best friend’s headboard banging against the wall. The spanking had been the final straw.
“Just go ahead and kill me now,” Kensie groaned, her head falling back onto the black and white, upholstered accent chair. It wasn’t the most comfortable seat in the house, but it was far enough away from CT that she could think straight.
“We can do better than that,” he said with a wiggle of his brows.
“You wish,” she mumbled.
“Is that a challenge?”
And just like that the playfulness of his tone was replaced with lust. He swept his tongue across his top lip and stood, eyes fixed on her as he walked the short distance to the chair. Before Kensie could protest, she was on her feet, her chest pressed against CT’s. “PG, remember,” she reminded him, or herself. Maybe they both needed the reminder.
“Yes, Friend, I remember,” he responded before sitting down, pulling her onto his lap. Her heart pounded. His touch always managed to leave her breathless. His arms were like two steel bands wrapped around her middle, possessive, unyielding. Impossibly soft lips traced up her shoulder, then down to the base of her neck.
“I don’t think friends are supposed to do that.” Her voice was low and needy, completely at odds with her words.
“I’m the kind of friend who does that,” he replied, gently biting the spot he’d just kissed so sweetly.
“And what kind of friend is that, exactly?”
“The kind who knows what you taste like.” He kissed her again, and this time his hand slipped up the front of her shirt. Rough fingers tore at her bra, exposing her breast. His other hand settled around her throat tilting her head back slightly, granting himself full access. He continued to massage her chest, while his mouth alternated between small kisses and gentle nibbles on her neck. Jamie’s moans turned to screams, heightening Kensie’s arousal. “Can I have another taste?” CT groaned on her shoulder. She could feel his warm breath through the fabric of her t-shirt and she had to fight the urge to wiggle against him. She needed to stop this. She willed her body to listen to her brain.
“I can’t do that to him again.” She repeated her words from earlier. Kensie tore out of his grip and quickly scrambled to her feet. “I can’t.”
He sighed, releasing a deep and heavy breath as he struggled to mask the frustration written all over his face. “PG, right?”
“Right.” She nodded, fixing her bra.
He blew out another breath and ran his fingers through his light-brown locks. “Well, then let’s get to work on your résumé.”
“What?” Kensie’s head was still spinning from their close call. She wasn’t sure how to keep up with his changing personalities.
“I can’t sit here listening to that shit,” he pointed at Jamie’s door, “and pretend that I don’t want to fuck you. That you don’t want me to fuck you. So, let’s do something productive.”
“I don’t want you to fuck me,” she clarified, narrowing her eyes at him.
“Whatever helps you sleep at night, Friend.”
“God, you’re such a fucking asshole.”
“Just go get your computer.”
“Fine!” She stomped past him toward her room, and felt a sharp slap on her behind as she went. “You did not just slap me on the ass,” she growled, pointing an accusatory finger in his face.
A smug smirk teased at his lip and it made her want to do him bodily harm. They only ever seemed to co-exist in states of extreme lust or extreme rage. Bei
ng near him was like being trapped on a never-ending seesaw, teetering between wanting to rip off his clothes and wanting to rip off his face.
“I couldn’t help myself. You have a very nice ass.” He shrugged. “Now, go get your computer.” He didn’t even pretend to be sorry. Smug bastard.
“If I thought I could handle the jail time, I would stab you without hesitation,” she spat, turning on her heels. It was like he’d been sent into her life to drive her insane. Insane with need, with lust, with hate. No matter how hard she tried, no matter how much she wanted to, she couldn’t push her blue-eyed tormentor away.
Her laptop was on her desk. As she unplugged it from the charger, she heard her phone ping. There was a new message from Trey.
Prince Charming : How’d she take the news?
Kensie: Not great, but she’s still talking to me, so that’s something.
Prince Charming : You want me to come over?
Kensie: No. Not tonight. I think we need some girl time.
Prince Charming : Fair. I’ll have you all to myself soon enough
Kensie: I love you.
Prince Charming : I love you more.
The lies came easy. It was the aftermath—the guilt—that was the hard part. Sighing, Kensie put her phone back on the desk and made her way back into the living room. CT sat on the floor, arms spread wide across the couch behind him. He eyed her cautiously as she crossed the room. “You don’t have a knife hidden behind that thing, do you?”
Kensie rolled her eyes. “I can do this myself, you know. I’m sure you’ve got more important things to do, groupies to bang, something.” She didn’t bother hiding the annoyance in her tone. She wanted him gone. If he stayed, she would end up killing him or sleeping with him, and she wasn’t sure her conscience could handle either.
“He’s my ride.” CT pointed towards Jamie’s room. From the sound of it, they were no closer to finishing than they were before she’d gotten her laptop.
“Whatever.” She sat down crisscross on the floor next to him and opened her laptop. The blue Windows screen burst to life, and within seconds, a picture of Kensie and Jamie from graduation popped up. CT leaned forward to get a closer look at the screen. His chin rested on her shoulder, and she inhaled his woodsy scent. It was intoxicating and confusing. “I can’t think with you constantly invading my personal space.”
Lithium Tides: A Lithium Springs Novel Page 6
