by Lane, Sydney
“Fuck you, Brody.” Seth and I howl with laughter while his eyes shoot darts at us. The longer he glares at us, the harder we laugh. Eventually, a smile breaks out across his face, and he chuckles with us. “This is so not funny. It’s seriously messin’ with my mojo.” His smile becomes devious. “But there are so many other things you can do that aren’t included in the bet.”
“Hell, yeah! That’s what I’m talkin’ about!” Seth agrees and gives Eric a high-five. Instantly, my mind is drawn to Quincy. She was so damn responsive, so easy to please. Yeah, I think I can get into the alternatives.
Eric’s face suddenly turns serious. “Bro, Jenna will be leaving soon. Did Quincy end up staying last night?” I choke on my own saliva, and Seth’s eyes almost pop out of his head.
Coughing, I manage to say, “I don’t know. I told her she could have my sister’s room. I assume she stayed in there,” I lie smoothly, hating how easily it flows from my lips.
“I guess she would have told Jenna if she went back to Knoxville.” Shrugging his shoulders, he quickly forgets about Quincy as we discuss which trail we’re going to take, but Seth isn’t ready to let it go. He slowly shakes his head at me, showing his disappointment. I don’t know why, but that bothers me.
I lied for her. It had nothing to do with me. If the other guys found out, they would view her as just another notch on my bedpost. They’d never respect her or take her seriously again, and she’s the kind of girl that would crush. What I did would eventually be forgotten, but she’d be the one to pay. Yeah, it’s a fucked up double standard, but that’s the way it works. So, yeah. I can justify the lie, even as I lie to myself.
This hike doesn’t provide the relaxation it usually does. My nerves are on edge, my goal to keep the guys gone long enough for the girls to get out of the cabin without being seen. I wander from the group when we reach the lake. Standing on the dock overlooking the water, I hear footsteps behind me. I don’t even bother turning around. I know it’s Seth.
He takes a deep breath before asking, “Why, Bro? Why her?”
Turning around, I meet his gaze head-on. I don’t speak, but he sees the answer in my eyes. Raking his fingers through his hair, he groans. “Aw, fuck. No.”
I tell him more in that look than I’m even willing to admit aloud. To myself.
“But why her? You could have any girl you want. Why the girl Declan is head over heels for?” He’s just trying to understand, but sometimes, there is no explanation. It just is.
“She’s the only one I want.”
“Well, you really know how to stir up a shit storm, Brody.”
Chapter 15
The pledges came out and cleaned the field, but I stayed behind to clean the cabin. My mom would have my ass if I didn’t leave it the way we found it. Downstairs, I straighten the furniture and throw away the cups and beer bottles. Upstairs, I pull the sheets and pillow cases off each bed and throw them in the laundry.
I’ve managed to get through the afternoon without thinking of Quincy. Until I get to my bedroom. When I push the door open, my eyes are drawn to the empty bed, expecting to find the tangled sheets from last night. I can’t help but smile. Little Miss Perfect made my bed. I would have expected nothing less. I turn and walk out, closing the door behind me. I can’t bring myself to change the sheets I’m convinced must still smell like her.
Once I think I’ve cleaned enough to meet my mother’s approval, I grab my bag and walk out onto the porch. Standing on the steps, I take one last look around. The only evidence of last night’s party are the faint smell of smoke and the dark circle burned into the field. It almost hurts to get in my Jeep and leave it all behind.
With the top down, I turn the music up as loud as I can and peel out. Most of the brothers drive SUVs or pick-up trucks. But not me. I love driving with the wind in my face and the sun at my back. Like hiking, it just makes me feel free.
I’ve always found driving to be a form of therapy. Sometimes, I jump in the Jeep and try to get lost on purpose. By the time I find my way home, I’ve either forgotten what was on my mind in the first place or I’ve worked it out of my system. Either way, I feel better. Though some days, like today, it wouldn’t matter if I drove to Canada. For all intents and purposes, Quincy Priest may as well be riding in the passenger seat beside me.
When I pull up at the house, the driveway is full. I almost forgot our weekly meeting. They're always on Sunday nights, and I hate it. That’s my last chance to study for Monday tests, and let’s face it, it’s usually my night to recover from partying all weekend.
The meetings are in the basement, and even though it’s just us guys, we have to wear dress casual. I run upstairs and change into a button-up shirt and slacks before hurrying downstairs. Sliding into a seat just before the meeting begins, I let out a deep breath, relieved that I made it on time. We have to pay a fine if we’re late. Yes. A fine. Money.
Afterwards, the room slowly begins to empty as brothers wander upstairs or back to their dorm. I find myself sitting between Eric and Declan while Seth stands against the wall. With his arms crossed over his chest, it’s obvious that something is eating at him, but I’m the only one who notices.
I’m watching Seth, willing him to look at me when Declan stands and stretches his arms. “Man, I’m tired. I didn’t get a text from Quincy until 3:00AM. She forgot to text me when she got home.”
Seth’s eyes widen and snap to glare at me. I brace myself. This is it, the moment I knew would eventually come. Eric begins shaking his head, “I don’t think she…”
Seth loudly interrupts, “Hey, Dec, have you won that bet or what?” All eyes turn to him, the conversation forgotten. I would thank him, but I know he doesn’t care what I think. He didn’t do this for me.
Declan breaks out in a grin and claps Eric on the back. “Not yet. I don’t expect details, but he’d better not let me catch him lying.” Seth and Declan continue to give Eric a hard time while I try to compose myself.
When Declan follows Eric up the stairs, I stay behind with Seth. I breathe in a deep sigh of what I thought was relief, but the wave of guilt washing over me leads me to second guess it. Both emotions wage war in my soul, I can’t decide which one should win.
When I make a move toward the stairs, Seth steps in front of me, blocking my path. “Look, Bro, I know it’s none of my business…”
Before he can say another word, I shoulder past him and say, “You’re right. It’s not.” It’s a shit thing to do, but I just can’t deal with this yet. “Leave it alone, Seth.” I walk away, feeling like I’ve built a house of cards, and one mistake, one breath, could cause it to come crashing down.
As I pass by Declan's door, I can hear him talking to someone. When I pause, I realize he's on the phone, laughing and talking. Has to be her. For an instant, I feel guilty for listening in. And then, rage sets in. She was with me last night, but she's talking to him tonight? What game is this girl playing?
When I look at her, all I see is a hot as hell, sweet, country girl. Maybe I'm reading her all wrong. It sure wouldn't be the first time I made that mistake. Looks aside, I don't know much about Quincy. I know the feeling I get when I'm around her. I know it's nothing like I have ever felt. She drives me crazy. She confuses me. Sure, I want to get in her pants, but I want her. All of her. Quincy. Priest.
But still... the question remains: Is it her I want? Or is it just the idea of her?
Pulling out my chemistry book, I soon get lost in a world of bonds and reactions. My plan is to apply to med school next year, that is, if organic chemistry doesn’t kill me first.
A soft knock on the door surprises me more than if someone had kicked it in. Nothing quiet ever happens in a fraternity house. Throwing my book aside, I get up and open the door. When I find Paige standing there, I almost slam the door in her face. Fuck. I blocked her number on my phone, and she still won’t give up. All week, I’ve been getting calls from a number I didn’t recognize. I assumed it was her. Wish I wasn’t right.
&
nbsp; “What are you doing here?” I demand. Reluctantly, I throw the door open, stepping aside so she can come in. I can still hear Declan talking on the phone in his room, and I don’t want an audience for what’s about to go down.
My breath catches in my throat as she brushes against me. She smells exactly like I remember. My body responds to her touch, and I hate myself for it. Long after the heart forgets, the body still remembers. I recognize the shirt she has on; it’s one of mine. I used to like seeing her wear my clothes, but now, it feels like a big fist to my stomach. I let out a deep breath, preparing myself for the onslaught of shit she’s about to throw my way.
As soon as the door closes behind her, she begins sobbing as only a true psycho can. I’ve never seen anyone who can turn their tears on and off as fast as she can, like a damn water faucet. Only I know those are big ‘ole crocodile tears running down her face, and I’m tired of her shit.
“Brody, how can you do me this way? After what we went through together.” She flings herself at me so fast that I have no time to react. Winding her arms around my neck, she presses her lips to mine. And Lord help me, I respond. For a split second, I allow her to kiss me, and I kiss her back. But the complete blackness of her seeps into me. I put my hands out, gripping her by the shoulders and pushing her away.
“Paige. Look at me.” She raises her eyes, prematurely triumphant. She thinks I’m giving in. “I’ve told you. I don’t want you in my life. I’m movin’ on. And so should you.”
She bursts into fresh tears, her cry so shrill that I want to plug my ears. “You’re what? You’re moving on?” I see the desperation on her face. “But we were together forever, and I made one mistake, I know it was a big mistake, but it was only once. How can you just move on and forget what we had?” There was a time I actually thought she was pretty; I might have even thought I loved her. But in this moment, I'm disgusted by her. She's an ugly person on the inside, and that’s all I see when I look at her. “Brody, how could you say that?” Tears miraculously disappear, drying up as quickly as they came. “I made a mistake, but I don’t deserve to keep being punished for it.”
How she could call what she did ‘one mistake’, I will never know. “I was going to leave you anyway, Paige. What you did just helped me make the right decision.” I’m not holding back. Not anymore.
“But you have no idea what I went through after…. after…” More hysterical sobbing. I’m sure it’s all fake, a ploy to make me feel sorry for her.
“You didn’t have to go through anything alone. Don’t forget that you made the decision. You didn’t even give me a choice in the matter. You cheated on me. Don’t forget that either.” My voice rises, though I try to calm myself down. I take a deep breath and shove my hands through my hair. “Look, Paige. It’s over. It’s been over. Please, just go.” I want to tell her to leave my shirt at the door, but right now, I just want her gone.
“Are you kicking me out?” Suddenly, she’s fierce, glaring intently at me, like a lion stalking its prey. I nod, slow and deliberate.
“Fine. I’ll go.” She turns and walks to the door. Smiling at me over her shoulder, as if this is all just a game, she says, “But just so you know, when you come running back to me, and I know you will, I may not be waiting for you.” Don’t let the door hit you in the ass.
I sit on the end of my bed, cradling my head in my hands. As I take several calming breaths, a lone tear rolls down my cheek. Angrily, I wipe it away. I refuse to cry for something that never could have been. I don’t care about Paige, and I’m not sure I ever did.
I'm pissed.
Pissed that Paige fucked me up. Pissed that Declan is talking to Quincy. Right. Now.
Pissed that I even care.
I rub the back of my neck, kneading the tight muscles that are twisted in knots. I run my fingers over the skin where I know my tattoo is. It’s my favorite one.
I have no idea what game Quincy is playing, but if she wants a taste of the bad boy, I’m going to give it to her.
Chapter 16
Skipping class on Monday, I got up late and went to get my cell phone number changed. I hated doing it. I told myself I would never let Paige control me like that, that I would never let her affect my choices again. But I did it anyway.
If she shows up at the house again, I swear I’ll slap her crazy ass with a restraining order so fast her head will spin exorcist-style. I’m sick of her shit. Just… sick of her.
However, skipping class meant that I didn’t see Quincy. Though I should be relieved, I’m not. There is an ache, a physical pain, inside of me, craving the next time I can touch her wanting her like I have never wanted anything in my life. Maybe I should have taken her when I had the chance. Maybe if I had, I wouldn’t be thinking about her now.
When I walk into class Wednesday, Quincy is already there, expectantly watching the door as if she’s waiting for me. I like it. I like the idea of her waiting for me, anxious to see me.
I flash her my sexiest I-wanna-get-in-your-panties smile. I don’t get the reaction I expect. Instead of smiling back at me, she glares back before leaning down to remove her laptop from her backpack. What the hell?
She does not get to be mad at me. She does not get to act like she didn’t spend the night in my bed, that she didn’t enjoy it as much as I did.
“Quince.” She turns her angry eyes on me. “Is something wrong?” She doesn’t bother answering me. I don’t have time for this.
As soon as I sit down, Declan comes riding in on his white pony. He leans down to whisper something in Quincy’s ear before taking his seat, and when she smiles up at him, I want to break something. She was waiting for him. Him. Not me.
Throughout class, I watch her, trying to figure out the enigma that is Quincy Priest. She wants me. She feels it, but she pushes me away, trying to resist the magnetic pull that forces us together. She seems to be doing just fine with it.
I know she’s going to try to pull her disappearing act again when she starts packing her things away before Dr. Grimes has even given us our assignment. I convince myself that it’s for the best. I will be seeing her at work soon enough. If I have something to say, I can say it then, when we don’t have an audience.
Just like I predicted, as soon as we are dismissed, she jumps out of her seat and heads for the door as if hell is on her heels. Declan stands, watching her walk away. He yells for her, and for a second, I think she might ignore him before she turns to look at him over her shoulder. When he asks, “Am I still picking you up at 8 tonight?” I almost trip over my own feet. You have got to be kidding me. I pause, waiting to hear her response.
“Yeah, I’ll be ready by then.” That’s all I need to hear before deciding there’s no way she’s getting off that easy. Rage, hot and swift, consumes me, driving me forward as I follow her from the room. She’s fast, but I’m faster.
When we reach the corner, I reach for her wrist. Grabbing hold, I pull her around the side of the building. “Where are you going in such a hurry, Quince? You were coming in my hand on Saturday, but you can’t talk to me today?” Shock, quickly followed by disgust, crosses over her face. Yanking her arm, she pulls loose from my hold.
“Yeah, and you were gone the next morning, with not so much as a goodbye, see you later, or thanks for last night. So you have no right to be pissed at me.” Her brown eyes narrow as she practically spits the words at me. I would smile at the thought of her wanting to wake up with me… if I wasn’t so damn fired up. Taking control, I back her into the wall, invading her personal space like she has invaded my thoughts.
“That’s what this is about? I went hiking, and you know what I thought about the whole time? You. It was you, Quince. Every step I took, I remembered the way your body felt against mine. I watched you sleeping, and it took everything I had to walk out of that room. But I did it for you. I was protecting you. The next time you’re in my bed, no one will be leaving. Not until I’m so exhausted that I can’t move another inch.”
O
ne movement from either of us, and she will feel the hard-on straining in my jeans. Her tongue grazes her lips, and I can’t control the moan that escapes me. Her breathing becomes shallow and quick, and I can see her pulse racing beneath the skin of her neck. I want to kiss it, to taste that sensitive spot beneath her ear. She’s killing me.
“See? I know you feel it, too. Why are you running from it? Because you can’t run from it. Believe me, I’ve tried.” Our lips are close but not touching. Ready but not willing. “Quince, you’re making me crazy. You are under my skin, but I don’t share. I can’t share you with him.”
Her eyes spark with renewed energy, she fires back, “Why not, Brody? You expect me to watch you with your little groupies. I’m not just another one of your one night stands.” Her voice breaks on the last word, as if she actually cares. She pushes me back, regaining control.
Staring into her eyes, I make a vow, “Oh, I know that. Believe me when I say one night with you would never be enough.” When she walks away, I let her. And as crazy as it sounds, I smile. She wants me. And dammit, she was waiting for me.
Now, I just have to make sure she keeps thinking about me. Only. Me.
In the cafeteria, I sit alone while I text my new number to my contact list. I'm still pissed that I had to change my number, but I'll do anything if I don't have to deal with Paige again.
When a tray crashes on the table, I'm shocked to look up and into the face of a very beautiful, very pissed, Jenna. She doesn't say a word as she plops down beside me. I look back at my phone, pretending I don't see her. She came to me. She can speak first. A few minutes pass as she eats and watches me. Every few minutes, she loudly sighs, trying to get my attention.
Finally, she says, "Brody, what are you doing with Quince?" I arch my eyebrow and look at her over my phone. "That girl is the world to me. If you hurt her, I'll twist your nuts so hard you'll talk like Mike Tyson the rest of your life. I'm just sayin'."
