Scarred by Love

by C. A. Harms

  It was hard to sleep with my mind racing. I was pissed at first that Mark interrupted Riley and me earlier but now I was kinda grateful. I wanted to take my time with her. It was harder than hell to keep my hands off of her but I needed to make sure she knew I didn’t just want her for sex.

  I was supposed to meet the guys at noon. Originally Beth was going but looking down at her zombie like form still sprawled out hanging half way off my couch, I was thinking she would be passing. “Mark you still going today?”

  He grunted as he poured himself a cup of coffee, “Yeah…I need to burn off some of this alcohol still flowing through me.” He walked toward the couch and nudged Beth’s leg. “Queen of Patron here may have to skip the fun though.”

  We both chuckled when Beth groaned loudly. “Fuck off assholes. I’m fine for the battle. You pussies are just scared I’m gonna kick your asses.” Beth being hung over didn’t stop her cocky mouth from spouting off shit. She was still full of fire.

  “Well get moving then because we gotta pick up Riley on the way.” I placed my coffee cup in the sink and walked toward the bathroom to change.

  “Um…Z, no offense but Riley seems a little too prissy for today’s activities. Are you sure she won’t cry the first time she’s hit? Or break a nail or something?” I couldn’t tell if Beth was annoyed that I had invited Riley or if she was just being a bitch because of her hung over state.

  “Shut up Beth.”

  I grabbed my phone and dialed her number. It went to voicemail after the fourth ring. I felt a huge sense of disappointment. Maybe she was avoiding me? When my phone vibrated in my hand I relaxed instantly seeing her number on the screen.

  “Hey, I thought you were chickening out.”

  “Sorry I was blow drying my hair. I did consider faking a headache though. Ya know since you won’t tell me what we’re doing.” I could imagine her smile. “So jeans and sneakers, I got that part…any other requests?”

  “Just you next to me…that’s all.”

  “Well where do I meet you?”

  “Uh we’re coming to get you. Can you be ready in twenty minutes?”

  Riley was silent for a few seconds before she answered. “I’m ready now.”

  I grabbed a piece of paper and jotted down her address before I let her go. I could hear Beth’s mouth and new she was now up and moving around. She still looked like death warmed over but more alive than she was twenty minutes ago.

  We took Mark’s jeep and once we pulled up to Riley’s apartment I jumped out to go get her.

  “Dude, at least wait until I stop…fuck.” I heard Mark yell after me as I ran up the stairs to Riley’s apartment.

  Reaching her door, I took a deep breath and knocked lightly. The door swung open and I know my eyes went wide. This girl was making my stomach flip around like a fuckin’ gymnast.

  Breath Zander, one- two- three….okay.

  My mouth went dry at once and my knees felt weak. I couldn’t help but smile. She looked gorgeous. I never met a girl that rocked a pair of Silver jeans and a T-shirt the way Riley did. She had her hair pulled back in a ponytail and she looked perfect.

  “You ready gorgeous?”

  She blushed and it was fucking adorable.

  “Yeah, let’s go.”

  I watched her hips sway as she walked ahead of me down the steps and when we reached the bottom of the stairs I gripped them from behind. I pulled her back against me bringing my lips really close to her ear and whispered, “You smell amazing Riley.”

  I felt her quick intake of breath. Slowly, I turned her to face me and she looked up into my eyes. “I’m glad you decided to come with me.”

  “Me too.”

  I lowered my lips to hers and for a few moments we were lost within each other. When I pulled back she kept her eyes closed a few seconds longer. As they slowly opened she bit her lower lip. That moment I knew I was hooked on Riley. I just hoped that I didn’t do something to screw it up.

  We pulled into the parking lot and Riley smiled, “Paintball wars, huh?”

  I chuckled, “Yeah, you up for it?”

  “I’m in…I’ll try to keep up.”

  I put my arm around her shoulders and pulled her along toward the locker rooms to get geared up.

  Chapter Fifteen

  ~Riley~

  I tried not to smile too much. All the guys stood around picking me off as an easy target. Even Beth expected me to only last two seconds. I was laughing on the inside for sure. Come on, I grew up with four brothers. I am seriously so not that prissy girl they have me classified as.

  While all the ten year old girls in my neighborhood were playing dolls I was playing tackle football. When my friends were shopping I was learning to make spit balls and shoot them at my gardener through the bushes. I was taught how to play pranks on my mom when I was still in diapers. These judgmental asses were about to go down. I decided to continue acting like the frail girl they thought I was.

  What they didn’t know was that I had been having paintball wars with my brother Max for years. Just last year we competed with a group of ten from his firehouse and won. It was all for charity but we played hard and kicked some ass.

  “Just stay behind me okay, I’ll protect ya,” Zander whispered just before kissing me sweetly. He winked as we walked through the gate. We took our positions and the countdown began.

  Once I heard the buzzer I bolted to the right and took cover. All at once I started pegging anyone in sight. Within the first five minutes I had taken down six people. I stayed hidden and watched closely for any movement. I heard shuffling noises in the trees to my right. Holding my breath, I lowered myself completely flat against the ground and waited.

  “Shh, Zander’s around here somewhere I’m sure. He probably hid Riley in a tree or something.” Beth whispered as her and Mark walked as quietly as they could, scanning the area. I waited until I had the both of them in line with my gun and slowly counted in my head…one, two and three. I released two shots.

  “What the fuck?”

  That was all I heard as Beth looked around for the person that had taken them both down. I knew better than to stand up and bring attention to myself. I wasn’t sure how many players were still in this game and I had to play hard until I heard the buzzer. Only then would the game be over.

  Each player had been given separate colors within their gun so then in the end you knew who took you out of the game. I couldn’t help the satisfaction of knowing that I had already painted a number of people yellow.

  Another fifteen minutes had passed and the buzzer sounded loudly. I stood proudly making my way back to the front entrance. I found Zander pacing the fence running his hands through his hair. He had splattered blue paint across his shoulder and chest.

  There was only one other guy besides myself still standing.

  I had to admit seeing Beth’s jaw hit the ground when she saw me approaching was great. Zander appeared shocked and relieved all at once. He met me at the gate and wrapped his arm around my waist pulling me close.

  “You’ve got one hell of a poker face you know that? You had us all fooled.” I just shrugged and raised an eyebrow at him.

  “Dude seriously I think I’m in love with your girl. Zander, she’s fucking hot and she can play a mean game of paintball.” Zander turned to find Cody scanning me with a huge splat of yellow paint across his left shoulder. His eyes were glued to me and I laughed.

  “Honestly Cody…stop fuckin’ staring asshole.”

  Zander shielded me with his body and Cody chuckled and walked away.

  Beth walked over and punched Zander in the arm. He grabbed his arm rubbing the spot she punched, “What the hell did I do?”

  “You brought the scammer here.” She looked over at me smiling, “I gotta say you shocked me. You just look like the girl that doesn’t wanna get her nails dirty.” I smiled and she continued to watch me, “Good game Riley, but next time’s payback.”

  She walked away with her head hung in defeat
. I unzipped my suit and walked toward the clubhouse to turn in my gear leaving Zander behind me. He quickly jogged up next to me.

  “So why didn’t you tell me you’ve played before?”

  “I have four brother’s Zander. I grew up playing football and anything destructive. Max and I play every year for a charity fundraiser. It’s kinda became a thing we share. He taught me everything I know and you met him…he can be mean as hell.”

  He laughed, “I can’t believe you scammed me though, that was cruel. Here I thought I needed to protect you and you ended up beating everyone’s ass.” He grinned as he lowered his head looking at my lips. “I gotta admit it though…it’s really kinda hot.”

  I pushed against his shoulder and he laughed before wrapping me in his arms for a sweet hug.

  ***

  We went back to Zander’s and when Cody, Mark and Beth stumbled in after us carrying pizza boxes and beer I felt a little selfish. I was hoping to spend some alone time with Zander. It became evident this group would be a package deal. If I was seeing Zander I would also be dating his friends.

  “Black Ops…Battle time assholes.” Cody hollered as he loaded the game into the PlayStation. “Who’s ready to get their asses handed to ’em?” I bit my lower lip and looked over at Zander trying to hide my grin.

  “Honestly?”

  I laughed and Beth looked over at us in confusion. I just shrugged and he nudged his head toward the couch. “Go beat his ass.” I couldn’t hide my excitement as I giggled and walked over to the couch grabbing the other controller. Cody turned and grinned when he saw me.

  “You are going down Ry…No fucking way a girl’s beating me twice in one day.”

  Twenty minutes later everyone was laughing except Cody. “Z, where’d you find her man? She’s like a guy in a sexy ass little package. I’ve done made up my mind, I’m taking her home with me dude.”

  Zander flopped down on the couch between me and Cody and jerked the controller out of Cody’s hand. “Try it. You won’t get too far with her before I tackle ya.” Zander leaned toward me and placed a quick kiss to my lips before turning back to the television. He started a new game and we were running head to head. He ended up beating me by four kills and he looked at me with a cocky grin.

  “I let ya win.”

  His eyebrows shot up and I laughed.

  My cell went off on the table behind me and I reached over Zander’s shoulder to answer it. My mom was calling for the second time since we left the paintball yard so I thought I better answer it.

  “Hey mom, what’s up?”

  “Riley, why haven’t you called me back? I need to make sure you’re still going to be here tomorrow afternoon. Grandma will be here at one and she is expecting everyone to show up.”

  I looked over at Zander while he played against Beth. His face looked so serious. His bit down on his lower lip with his eyes scrunched up, focusing on the game. His upper body would move from side to side as if the motions were honestly helping him win the game. It was actually one of the cutest things ever.

  “Yeah mom, I’ll be there.”

  Zander looked over at me and smiled before he looked back to the television.

  “Okay sweetheart, I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you Riley.”

  “Love you too mom…bye.”

  I sat silently watching Zander battle his friends over and over. He was so relaxed and comfortable. He was like a little kid full of playfulness. I watched as he laughed and shoved against Beth while she attempted to grab his controller from him.

  Beth got up from the couch and threw herself across his lap still trying to block his view from the game. I felt a small amount of jealously but quickly pushed it to the back of my mind.

  They were friends and Mark didn’t seem to care so it must be normal for them to act this way together. Zander tickled her side and shoved against her waist, at one point Beth bit his shoulder and they laughed as he pushed against her.

  His eyes connected with mine and it was like he sensed my concern because he pushed Beth off of his lap and slid closer to me. He leaned in and kissed my cheek before turning back to the game once again. I swallowed past the lump in my throat and excused myself to use the restroom.

  The light knock startled me and I quickly finished washing my hands before opening the door. Zander stood with his shoulder rested against the door frame. He stared forward into my eyes before backing me into the bathroom and shutting the door behind us. He gripped my hips and lifted me up onto the sink before resting himself between my knees.

  His thumb traced my lower lip and then stopped at my chin to lift up. When our eyes connected he lowered his lips to mine gently. My body relaxed as his tongue brushed across my lower lip. The familiar flutters filled my stomach and my breathing picked up. Zander leaned back slightly resting his forehead against mine. After a minute he opened his eyes and looked into mine.

  “Beth is my best friend, Riley. That’s all we are, I promise. I just need you to know that.”

  His eyes stared directly into mine and there was no sign of the playful Zander. He was serious and direct. “For a long time she was all I had. When my mom was sick it was Beth that kept me sane. She was there when I went through a lot of hard times. She’s like a sister to me. Nothing more…you have nothing to worry about when it comes to Beth and I. Okay?”

  I shrugged like I had no idea why he was going on about it.

  “Don’t act like you weren’t bothered when we were playing around on the couch earlier. I saw the look on your face.” He kissed me softly, “Don’t worry about Beth and me.” His lips brushed against mine lightly. “I want this.” He pulled me to him tightly, “You and me…I want it Riley.” He watched my eyes closely waiting for me to respond.

  After a few silent seconds I smiled, “Why Zander, are you asking me to go steady?” I fluttered my eyelashes playfully and smiled up at him.

  His grin was adorable and he nodded his head, “Yeah…I guess I am.”

  “I want that too.”

  We spent the next ten minutes kissing until Cody beat on the door, “Dude pull your pants up I gotta piss. You can leave Riley in there though. She and I can finish up without you.”

  Zander’s jaw clenched and he pushed back from me to jerk the door open. “Enough with the fucking comments Cody. I mean it.”

  “Ouch, sorry man I was just playing.”

  Zander still looked tense, “No more.”

  He gripped my hand and led me out of the bathroom. I took a chance and looked back to Cody. He shrugged and turned toward the bathroom closing the door behind him. Zander was definitely tense. He really had nothing to worry about; Cody didn’t have a chance against him.

  Chapter Sixteen

  ~Zander~

  Today had been great with Riley. I loved seeing her interact with my friends. Cody was really beginning to piss me off but hopefully now he knew I was done with his bullshit.

  I needed to talk to Beth later, though. The touchy feely stuff between us needed to be toned down a little. Mark was used to us and the way we were together. He had been around us for years now, but Riley didn’t know yet how to take us.

  We ended up renting a movie on pay per view. Twenty minutes into the show Riley had fallen asleep on my chest. Mark and Beth were on the loveseat and showing no signs of leaving any time soon. I was hoping to have a little time alone with her but from the looks of it that wasn’t happening.

  When I felt Riley’s head move against me I looked down into her eyes. She crinkled her nose before bringing her hand up to itch the side of it. Her lips smacked together once, twice then slightly parted as she sighed. I smiled down at her watching her snuggle closer as she continued to sleep. She had this little freckle on her left cheek just below her eye.

  “You got it bad man. You are so fuckin’ sunk, there’s no hiding that shit.”

  I looked over at Mark and Beth as they stared back at me. “I like her a lot if that’s what you mean.”

  Mark laughed
and Beth rolled her eyes.

  “Don’t be such a pussy, Zander. What did you do? Hand your balls over for her to hold on to?”

  I flipped Beth off, “Screw both of you. I deserve to be happy Beth…fuck I’ve been miserable for too fuckin’ long. What’s wrong with me feeling something for once? Jesus, am I supposed to be the third fucking wheel with you two forever or what?”

  “I was just playing Zander…sorry. It’s good to see you happy for once.”

  I was feeling tense and I hated it. I didn’t want to be around Riley when I was in a pissy mood. I needed to take a walk or something. Beth and her fuckin attitude were really getting under my skin. I needed a drink.

  I slipped out from under Riley and grabbed a shot glass downing two shots of whiskey. Then I popped the top off the beer and finished half of it before leaning back against the countertop. I could see Riley begin to stir around on the couch. She sat up looking around the room. Once her eyes connected with mine she smiled and no matter what my mood may have been, I couldn’t stop myself from smiling in return.

  Maybe this girl did have me by the balls but fuck if she wasn’t squeezing at my heart too. I found myself wondering when the hell I had become such a pussy.

  “I had a lot of fun today. Thanks for inviting me.”

  I held her against my chest with my arms wrapped around her waist.

  When I realized that Beth and Mark had no intentions of leaving I knew Riley and I wouldn’t be alone.

  A couple of hours had passed and I knew she was exhausted so I borrowed Mark’s jeep to take her home.

  Now here we stood in the hallway just outside of her door and I wasn’t ready to let her go in yet.

  “I had a lot of fun with you too. You’re kind of fun to have around.” I grinned and she laughed.

  “Aw thanks, you’re kinda fun to have around too.” Riley squeezed at my sides attempting to tickle me. I tried to hold back but there was no use. I grabbed her hands and held them together in front of us.