I cup my hands around my mouth to shout at her. “Yo, Tracey-Ann! Go Tracey-Ann!”
She blushes at the sound of my voice and sends me a wave.
The ceremony over, Tracey-Ann runs toward Kade and me. We sweep her up into a hug at the same time.
“Guys,” she says against my chest. “You’re crumpling my diploma.”
I let her go and straighten her crooked cap. “Sorry.” I tease her nose with the tassel, just to drive her crazy.
“Congratulations," Kade tells her. He wraps his arms around her from behind and pulls her back against his chest. Her cap tumbles off and hits the ground. I pick it up and set it on my own head.
“It was messing my hair up anyway,” Tracey-Ann says.
“Come on.” Kade takes her hand. “We have late lunch reservations.”
I try to catch his eye but he doesn’t look at me. He just leads Tracey-Ann across the grass and for the car.
The tapas restaurant is packed with graduates and their families and friends. It’s a good thing Kade thought to make a reservation because the possibility of not being able to find a table anywhere in town went right over my head.
We settle in at a booth. I let Kade take the seat next to Tracey-Ann because I want to look at her. She’s in such a good mood she reminds me of a little kid. Her mouth ran a mile per minute in the car. Kade and I couldn’t get a word in between the two of us.
“Lily’s moving to New York in two days,” she says. “Isn’t that crazy?”
Kade smooths her hair down her shoulder. “You ever think you want to go with her there?”
She gives him a strange look like she doesn't get why he's asking her such a weird question. "Uh-uh. No. I can't live in a city like that. It's too loud. And all the people… I need my space."
“But the theater...”
She drums her hands on the table. "Right. Crap, I didn't tell you! I have an interview at that new theater in downtown Dallas. It's a stage manager position. I mean, it's just part-time, but it's something. I could get a second job if I need to. Working at a coffee shop might be fun." She looks up at the ceiling and smiles to herself.
I take the moment to stare at Kade. It’s the perfect time for him to share his own news.
He catches my eye and clears his throat. “That’s awesome. How soon is the interview?”
“It’s next week.”
“You’re going to kill it.”
I press my palms together under the table. Kade is stalling, probably because he realizes how much his news will hurt Tracey-Ann.
The longer he lets this drag on, though, the worse it’s going to be. Tracey-Ann wants to please Kade—more than he knows. She’d have no problem putting her own plans on hold for him.
It’s up to me to step up.
“Hi everyone!”
I jump at the waitress’s greeting. “Hi,” I mumble.
We put in an order for a few plates and the waitress rushes off to her next table.
Tracey-Ann turns towards Kade. “How does it feel to have a break?”
He scratches his jaw. “I have something to tell you.” He pauses. “I’ve been traded to the Arizona Cardinals.”
Tracey-Ann blinks. “Oh.”
“Yeah.”
“You’ll be living in Arizona,” she slowly says. She sounds like she’s in shock. Her shoulders drop and she looks out across the dining room floor.
“I just found out today,” I tell her.
“Great.” Her lips twitch up in a fake smile. She’s trying to pretend to be happy, but she’s not.
Tracey-Ann already said she’d go anywhere she needed to be with us, but that promise is turning out to be a strain on her. Her visits to Dallas over the last year have all been made with the intention of moving there. She’s already started referring to it as her home.
Kade being in Arizona turns all our plans on their head.
Tracey-Ann clasps her hands together and looks at me. “What do you think of this?”
“I figure I can find a mechanic job anywhere.”
She twists her lips. “Mm-hmm.”
“No,” Kade answers. “Don’t do that.”
Tracey-Ann and I both wait for an explanation. If Kade’s in Arizona, that’s where Tracey-Ann will want to be. And where Tracey-Ann goes I go. It’s pretty simple.
Kade pulls Tracey-Ann closer to him. “You should go to Dallas just like we planned. I know you’re excited about it, and Connor’s got his job and family there. I’ll fly in between practices and live there during the off-season.”
My jaw feels like it pops loose.
“Really?” Tracey-Ann asks.
Kade nods. “Yes.”
She smiles. “Okay.”
The conversation takes a turn for the better. Tracey-Ann goes back to sharing news about her friends and her parents, who are coming in tonight to spend the evening with her.
Though she does most of the talking, I can’t help but watch Kade. I thought for sure he would ask Tracey-Ann to move to Arizona with him. She’d go in a heartbeat, too.
But instead, he did something completely unexpected.
We finish our meal and go for a walk around the block. Tracey-Ann gets a text message from Lily about meeting up at some frozen yogurt place. As we walk there she talks to her parents on the phone.
I grab Kade’s arm and make him slow down his pace. Tracey-Ann keeps yammering into her cell and doesn’t notice we’re not right next to her.
“Dude,” I say.
He crosses his arms while he walks. “What?”
“That...” My throat gets tight. I clear it and man up. If I start crying right now I’ll never forgive myself. “That was the most selfless thing I’ve ever seen you do.”
“You mean not asking Tracey-Ann to move to Arizona?”
“Yes. Exactly.”
He watches his feet. “She’s done a lot for us… For me. She was there in the times I didn’t deserve it. I was an ass but she kept coming back. She’s never given up on me.”
“She’s amazing.”
“I’m gonna do whatever it takes to make her happy, Connor.”
I bite my lip. “Same here.”
“Flying in every other week isn’t such a big deal. I know she’s got you to keep her happy the times I’m not around. You two should still move in together.”
I look at Tracey-Ann. She waves her hand around excitedly as she talks into the phone. Telling our families that she’s Kade’s girl and not mine hasn’t been too bad. Sometimes being in public and not being able to kiss her is hard, but it’s better than not having her at all.
If the two of us live together without Kade it might raise questions.
“Everyone will think I’m banging your lady,” I say.
He lets out a rare laugh. “Let them think what they think. Tracey-Ann will need a roommate, anyway. And I’ll be staying at the apartment sometimes. I’ll be there as much as I can.”
“True.”
“It’s not going to be like this forever.”
“With you being pro? Naw, man. Hopefully, it'll be like that for a long time."
“No, I mean about the lie.” His gaze sears into mine. “Tracey-Ann belongs to both of us. I’m proud of that.”
“So am I.”
“Everyone else has their own ideas… But screw them. One day we may want to come clean. But that’s our choice.”
My chest lightens. It’s like a weight I didn’t know was there is suddenly gone.
“Cool.”
There’s nothing else to say. Everything is beyond good. Life is fucking amazing. The sun shines. Summer is on its way. I’ve got my best friend and the most kickass woman in the world by my side.
I have to say it one more time, just because it’s damn true. “Cool.”
31
Tracey-Ann
Mom stops at the front window of a knitting store.
“Ooh,” she coos. “They have crocheting classes! Tracey-Ann, don’t you want to learn how to cr
ochet?”
I stop next to her and look at the flyer. “Not really.”
I take my mother’s arm and keep her walking. She’s been like this all night. She’s pure country all the way, my mom. She hardly ever gets out of Randolph, which means everything in Knoxville thrills her.
I look back over my shoulder to check on the men. My dad walks between Connor and Kade. He gestures as he tells them something. I wish I could hear what it is. Seeing the three of them back there without me makes me nervous.
Kade catches my eye and smiles. I grin back and quickly turn to face forward.
“Kade said you did great walking across the stage,” Mom says. “I’m sorry we missed it.”
“It’s no big deal. Don’t worry about it.”
We pass a couple people wearing graduation gowns. I took off mine and threw it in the car hours ago. There’s no nostalgia here. I’ve been ready to leave school for a year.
Dallas, here I come.
Mom frowns. “Do you have to go this soon? Can’t you stay with us for the summer?”
I squeeze her arm. I love my parents to death. They never try and make me feel guilty about having a life, but I know they probably ask more out of me because I’m an only child. “Yeah, I do. I have the interview. I really want to get this job.”
“And you have your boyfriend.”
My cheeks get warm. “Uh-huh.”
We silently cross the street. My feet and head are aching from the busy day, but I couldn’t be happier.
“Do they always go everywhere together?” Mom asks.
“Who?”
She lowers her voice. “Connor and Kade.”
My parents have met them several times. I tear through my brain for the best answer.
“Yeah,” I settle on. “It’s just their thing.”
“Oh.” She nods. “They make quite the pair.”
You have no idea.
We get to my parents’ car that’s parked near my dorm. Or my old dorm, I guess it is now. Mom and Dad both hug me till I can’t breathe. Mom makes me promise to call her the second I get to Dallas. Dad shakes Connor and Kade’s hands.
They climb in the car… And then they’re gone.
Their departure makes this part of my life feel final in a real way. It hurts and excites me.
I swallow down my tears and turn to face the guys. Connor takes me in his arms. “Congratulations,” he says into my hair. “You’re an adult now.”
“And soon an honorary Texan,” Kade adds. “How does it feel?”
I relax into Connor’s warmth. “Amazing… Absolutely amazing.”
They take my hands and walk me to their rented car. Mine is already gone. I sold it last week and dealt with riding the bus for the next six days. My bags are all packed up and stuffed into the trunk of the rented car.
My story in Knoxville is done. I’m ready to start a new one. I don’t know how it’s going to go, but I’ll have the best men in the world by my side through all of it. Just that’s enough to send me over the moon.
Kade drives us to the hotel we're staying at for the night. In the morning, he'll fly to Arizona and Connor and I will drive to Texas. But for now, we've got one night.
One night in the city where it all started between us.
“It’s crazy,” I say while I climb out of the car.
Kade affectionately pinches my side.
“All of life,” I explain to no one in particular. I gaze up at the stars as we walk across the parking lot. The city lights make it hard to see many, but a few sparkle down on us.
We cross the hotel lobby and wait for an elevator. I glance around at the décor. It’s one of the nicest hotels in Knoxville, and certainly not one I would ever stay at on my own dime. The guys told me we were staying here and I protested right away, but they waved my argument and told me not to worry about money.
The elevator arrives and we glide up the floors. I watch the numbers above the door climb.
“Um, Kade?” I ask. “Connor? What floor are we staying on?”
As if to answer me, the door slides open. We’re at the very top floor.
Kade takes my hand and pulls me into the hallway. Deep red carpet stretches to the left. To the right, a long window displays Knoxville in all of its glittering glory.
“We’re staying in the penthouse,” Kade says.
My mouth falls open. “No.”
Connor starts walking down the hallway. “It’s your graduation present,” he says over his shoulder. “And it’s too late to turn it down. The champagne is already in the suite.”
Kade and I follow him down the lavish hall. Connor swipes his room key and we spill into the penthouse.
“Holy shit.” I can’t get any other words out. The place is epic. There’s a main room with a whole wall of windows. To the left, double doors open into a bedroom. To the right, there’s a full kitchen with a breakfast table. The walls are decorated in gold and white wallpaper and there are flowers everywhere.
I move past the coffee table and lightly finger a vase of roses. Stepping into the bedroom, I catch sight of the giant tub.
“Please tell me that has jets,” I say.
“It has jets,” Kade assures me.
“Yes!” I run and throw myself on the bed. Connor leaps through the air and lands next to me. We get up on our knees and bounce like kids.
The sound of a cork popping interrupts the party.
“Are you two old enough to drink?” Kade asks. Foam spills from the top of the champagne bottle. Kade grabs a glass and quickly fills it up. He passes it to me and pours ones for himself and Connor.
Connor and I edge ourselves to the edge of the bed and clink glasses with Kade.
“This bed is soft,” I say.
“And big,” Connor adds. “Can we live here?”
“Yes!” I yell. “All life plans are canceled! We live at this hotel now!”
“Woo-hoo!” Connor bounces on his knees again. Champagne splashes over the glass and onto the bed.
Kade snatches our glasses. “I need to take those for now.”
He goes and sets the glasses on the long table under the flat screen. Connor wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me onto the bed. I roll over and end up on top of him.
“This is a good view.” He plays with the edge of my shirt. “But you’re going to have to take this off.”
“Oh, really?” I seductively bite my bottom lip. Taking my time, I pull my shirt off and throw it across the room.
Connor runs his hands over my bra cups. My nipples tighten and press into the padding. His fingertips graze down across the wire and over my stomach.
Suddenly my bra unhooks. Kade’s warm breath presses into my neck. His hands rush over my shoulders and encompass my breasts.
I close my eyes and release myself to the pleasure. Gentle twists and tugs set off a chain reaction. My pussy pulsates and my thighs shake.
Kade kisses a trail down my back. Connor undoes my pants and pushes his hands beneath the tops of my panties. The very edge of his finger grazes across my clit. Sparks go off between my legs. I collapse backward.
Kade catches me and lifts me off Connor. He sets me down in the middle of the bed and pulls my pants off. My soaking panties cling to my thighs and he has to give an extra hard yank to get them off.
I’m spread naked between the two men. They lay on either side of me and run their hands across my body. Kade’s fingers push between my legs and spread my thighs. They find my opening and press against my mound.
I grasp at Connor and pull him towards me for a kiss. I search for Kade with my other hand and find his bulging crotch.
I pull my lips from Connor’s. “You guys should seriously not be dressed right now.”
“If that’s what you really want,” Connor answers.
He rears back and strips himself. Kade makes quick work of his own clothes. They fall back down on the bed. Kade pulls me onto his chest. My hips line up and press against his. He rests his hands
against my head and neck and snakes his tongue across mine.
Connor twists and massages my ass cheeks. A fresh hit of desire takes me over.
I don't need to speak. Kade reads my mind. He nudges my legs open and drives his dick against my folds. With one smooth thrust, he buries himself all the way inside me. I cling to his chest and kiss him as hard as I can.
Each jerk of his thighs brings me more pleasure. It cascades over me like a waterfall. Each second of ecstasy is better than the last.
Kade reads my body language. He knows I’m close and pulls out of me. Connor gingerly takes me off of Kade and sets me on my back.
I push sticky hair from my face and grab Connor’s shoulders. He settles himself between my thighs. His hands slip under my hips and lift my butt.
Holding me up at an angle, he drives into me. His dick hits my g-spot right away. My toes curl. My nails cut into his shoulders. A shriek ravages my vocal chords.
Connor takes my ankles and stretches my legs high. He rears back and fucks me. With each move his abs contract. Over his shoulder, Kade strokes himself and waits.
The pleasure builds again and I explode with an orgasm. My teeth grind together and I thrust my hips up and into Connor’s.
Connor lets my legs go and slows down the pace. Our thick breathing patterns fall into rhythm with each other. I’m sticky and pleased, but far from done.
I reach my hand out for Kade. He comes and lays next to me. Turning onto his side, he cradles my head. His deep kiss takes me under. It mixes with Connor's slow thrusts and makes my heart and head swell.
I trail my fingers over Kade’s shoulders and down his chest. Each muscle is like a river rock, smooth and hard. I could count them in my sleep. The fire from his groin reaches my hands and I haven’t touched his dick yet.
I wrap my fingers around the tip of his length and methodically stroke. Kade’s teeth dig into my bottom lip and pull. I stroke him faster. Pre-cum covers and slicks my palm.
Kade reaches across my stomach and presses my clit. Good feelings bubble up. There’s a full line of them from Kade’s fingers to Connor’s dick. Kade rubs my tender spot in fast circles. I explode in a tornado of pleasure.
Two Jocks Next Door: A Bad Boy MFM Romance Page 18
