“He was. He asked if you were seeing anyone, why you’re back and if you were doing okay.”
My heart starts thumping. “What did you say when he asked why I was back?”
“Because you miss your home, of course. That’s what you want everyone to know, isn’t it?”
I nod, my heart slowing down a little. “Yes. It’s partly true.” I then remember she said he wanted to know if I was okay. “He asked about how I was doing?”
She smirks. “Yes, he genuinely wanted to know.” She nudges me. “See, behind that tattoo bad boy image he’s got going on is a heart of gold. Your Jeremy’s still in there.”
“He never was my Jeremy.”
She scoffs with an amused smile. “You keep telling yourself that, babes. Everyone knew you two were in love. Caitlin and Jeremy sitting in a tree. K I S S I N G.”
I nudge her, making her laugh. “Oh, shut up!”
“Are you going to the next fight on Friday? Believe me, you’ll want to see him in action.”
I sigh. “I don’t really care much for that sort of thing, so I think I’ll pass.”
“Oh, you’ll want to go,” she says, with an amused smirk on her face. “It’ll eat away at you if you don’t. He’s quite the eye candy on stage. You get to see all his ripped pecks and tight little ass.”
“So why don’t you go out with him?”
She looks at me as if I’m crazy. “That would be like incest or something.”
“Yet, you can comment on his pecks and ass. Nice one, Stacey.”
She rolls her eyes. “I may only think of him as a friend, but I’m not blind.” I could just hear her saying “duh” afterward.
Getting up out of my seat, I tap her leg. “Anyway,” I say, cutting her off. “I’m going to hit the shower. Do you want pizza and salad for dinner? I stopped by a fast food joint and bought some on the way back from college.”
“Yeah, sure,” she answers, picking up the TV remote and changing the channel.
I take that as my cue to leave and have a nice long hot shower. Once done, I wrap a towel around me, open the door to the bathroom, and hit straight into a solid chest.
Screaming, I jump back. “Jeremy!” I screech. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Leaning in the doorway, all six-foot-something of him, he trails his eyes down my body and back up again. “You look kind of... wet, Caitlin.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
He straightens up a little, but doesn’t break his stare from me. I can see the way his eyes travel the length of my body and I hate what the thought of that does to me.
“I was in the area. I often stop by and see Stacey. I needed the bathroom, so...”
“You thought you’d barge your way in here without knocking.”
He smirks. “I didn’t know you were in here.”
I slightly shake my head. “I doubt that very much.”
“You don’t think very highly of me, do you? What happened to the girl who used to blush when she saw me?”
“She grew up. Now, would you mind moving out of the way so I can get dressed?”
He moves out of my way and motions that I get past. I’m so surprised he’s done it straight away that at first I don’t move. Until he cocks one eyebrow at me.
Huffing, I push past him and head toward my bedroom door. I hear a wolf whistle, so I flip him the bird without looking back. He laughs as I walk, but then he speaks. “Shit, Caitlin... is that a... ?”
Oh, fuck.
“Tattoo on your back?”
She freezes in the doorway, so I quickly walk toward her and gently move her hair to the side. I need to take a closer look. My eyes widen with a smile as I trace a line around the delicate flower. She shudders under my touch and instantly my dick goes stiff.
“This is a lotus flower, Caitlin. I wonder why you chose this.” I know why. I told Caitlin about my father’s affiliation with the lotus flower and what it represented. “So you were always thinking of me.”
She turns then, giving me a death stare. “Just because I have a lotus flower tattooed on my back, doesn’t mean to say it was anything to do with you.”
Purposefully, I look her up and down, noticing the droplets from her shower drip from her hair down to her chest. “I think it’s fucking sexy. Do you have any more? I can show you mine, if you show me yours.” I cock my eyebrow at her and wait for her reaction. I know it’s going to be fiery and I know it’s going to strain my erection to extra levels in my jeans.
Suddenly, though, she slams the door in my face. “I take that as a no then?” I shout behind the door.
As I turn to go back to the bathroom, I shake my head with a smile. Fuck, she’s become one sexy siren. She was always pretty, but now she’s downright stunning.
While in the bathroom, I think on her tattoo and what it could all mean. I have no doubt she chose it, but what does it represent? Is it just that, or something else? The fact she suddenly moved here and Stacey being so cagey about it has me on edge. I need to know her story, but I doubt I will get one in a hurry.
Once finished in the bathroom, I make my way out to see Calvin and Stacey sitting on the couch together. I know Calvin has a crush on Stacey, and I believe Stacey likes Calvin too, but not one of them will make their move. As I think on this, I look toward Calvin and shake my head. He needs to man up before she gets swept away by some other dude.
“What’s eating you?” Calvin asks.
“Nothing,” I quip. “So, what were you guys talking about?”
“We heard the door slamming,” Calvin begins. “Was that courtesy of your extra charm?”
I pick up one of the cushions from the couch and throw it at him. Immediately he starts laughing. “She’ll come around.”
Stacey raises her eyebrow at me. “Is that so? Tell me,” she continues, leaning forward. “Is the purpose of this visit because you love my company, or is it something else?” She cocks her head to one side, her arched eyebrow reaching even higher. “Or someone else?”
She smiles knowingly at me, so I smile back. “I always loved you, Stacey. You know that.”
“Just don’t hurt her, okay?” she says mockingly.
I point to my chest. “Me? What the hell am I going to do? Jesus, Stacey. I’ve only known she’s back for the last...” I check my watch. “Eight hours. How much harm can I do?”
“You know your reputation as well as the rest of us. She’s not one of your little hoes, Jez. She’s a good girl.”
I look at Calvin dumbfounded. “Can you believe this shit?” I turn back at Stacey. “How do you know that all I want is just to be her friend again?”
She huffs. “I know you, and I know you don’t do friends.”
“I’m friends with you.”
“That’s different. We’ve known each other since we were ten.”
“Same as with Caitlin.”
“Caitlin’s different.”
I smirk at her, but don’t respond. A part of me is pissed that she could think I would hurt Caitlin in any way, but another part of me is pleased that she cares about her so deeply.
“What’s different about me?”
All our heads snap toward the voice at the same time and my heart stops. Caitlin’s hair is still wet, but she has it combed back so you can see the outline of her face and the way her cheekbones stick out ready for my burning lips to have a taste. She’s wearing a tight-fitting light red skirt, which is hugging those rounded hips of hers flawlessly, and a blue tank top, which sits just above the swell of her perfectly bronzed tits.
Fuck, she looks like perfection personified.
“I was just telling Jez that you’re not like any of the girls he hangs out with.”
Caitlin sits opposite me and curves her shapely legs underneath her. “And what kind of girls would that be?”
I’m about to answer when Stacey answers before me. “Easy.” I love Stacey, but sometimes I could strangle her. She’s like an annoying little sister
.
Caitlin looks at me and I don’t like the look she gives. It’s almost a lot like disappointment. “Don’t you like a challenge?” she teases, making my smile creep up.
“Why, are you offering me one?”
She shakes her head like she finds me irritating and then gets up. “I’m going to get a drink. Does anybody want one?” She looks around and both Stacey and Calvin ask for a Coke.
“I’ll help you.” I get up and follow Caitlin out into the kitchen. She doesn’t acknowledge that I’m there, but she doesn’t tell me to go away either. At least it’s progress.
Once we’re in the kitchen, I watch as she grabs a couple of Cokes from the fridge and offers one to me. I take it with a nod of my head, and she grabs an extra two more.
“So, how’s your mom and dad? I take it they’re still in Nebraska?”
“Yeah, they have commitments there, so it’s just me.”
“Can I ask why you decided to come back?”
“I thought I had already told you? I miss the place. I just needed a change.” I can tell by the sadness in her voice that what’s she said isn’t true, but I won’t push.
For now.
“Is your father still in construction?”
Caitlin places the two Cokes on the counter. I hide the fact that this pleases me. At least she’s making no moves to get out of the kitchen and away from me in any hurry.
Leaning against the kitchen counter, Caitlin nods. “Yes, but it tires him now. He’s not the spritely young man he used to be. My mom keeps telling him to opt for a desk job, but being on site is all my father has ever known. I doubt he’ll change. At least he’s more managerial now. He gets to oversee the builds and distribute tasks to people. That way he can relax a bit more.”
“At least that’s something. What about your mom? Is she still not working?”
She sighs, crossing one shapely leg over the other. I try not to look, but it’s hard when I have the sexiest woman I have ever seen in front of me. Luckily she doesn’t notice my appreciative perusal.
“She felt she had to once I turned sixteen. There was no excuse to look after me anymore. My dad told her she didn’t have to if she didn’t want, but my mother felt she needed to. She managed to get herself a part-time secretarial job in a prestigious law firm. She’s been working there for the past couple of years and enjoys it. She’s even asked if she can go full-time now.”
I smile, happy for them. They always were good parents, and luckily for me trusted me with their daughter.
“That’s great. I’m really happy for her.” She sees my genuine smile and her face lights up. “Does she still bake those phenomenal cookies?”
Smirking, Caitlin moves toward the cupboard and pulls out a round clear Tupperware and opens the contents under my nose. Immediately my nostrils flare as the familiar smell hits me. “She said you might want some.”
I beam back at her and waste no time digging in. “Your mother’s fucking awesome. Did she seriously make these just for me?”
Caitlin rolls her eyes and places the Tupperware on the kitchen counter. “She always did like you.”
I smirk, unable to hide my shit-eating grin. “She was like my second mother.”
Caitlin shakes her head. I can tell she’s having a hard time admitting this to me. “Okay, no need to look smug.”
Suddenly it dawns on me. “So she knew you were going to see me, huh?”
“Well, it would have been hard to avoid you seeing as you live here and going to the same college as me.”
I try and look offended. “Why would you want to avoid me?”
“Who’s saying I am? You’re here, aren’t you?”
“Yes, but you didn’t invite me. Which reminds me, when are we going out?”
She sighs. “I was hoping you’d forget about that. I was under duress at the time.”
I cock one eyebrow. “Duress, huh? All I asked is that you go out with me. It doesn’t have to mean anything more than that.”
“Hmm,” she simply says, giving me a suspicious eye.
I could tease her more, but decide not to. Besides, I haven’t had one of these cookies in over five years. I feel I’m owed one. Raising the cookie to my lips, I lick them before taking my first bite. Instantly the sweet taste invades all my senses. It’s hard not to close my eyes and savor it at this point.
“Good, huh?”
Taking my attention off the cookie, I turn to a smirking Caitlin. “Almost as tasty as you.”
She rolls her eyes. She’s been doing that a lot around me. “Some things never change.”
“Hey,” I complain. “You and I were like this when we were kids.” I cross my fingers to show her how close we were. “Do you remember the times we used to play Catch the Flag in the park? You and I would always win.” I see the moment she remembers by the look on her face. She starts laughing and it makes me smile. I remember that laugh so well.
“What was that kid’s name who always used to pick his nose and wipe it on Fred’s back?” She screws up her face in disgust.
“You mean Tom Stooger? I always remember that name because we used to call him Stooger the Booger.”
She gasps and starts laughing. “Oh my God, I remember that now. Shit, he was nasty.” Her whole body shudders in disgust.
“He certainly was that.” Caitlin turns her head to me with a smile, but when our eyes lock, she immediately clams up. Her relaxed, carefree posture is gone the moment our eyes catch one another. In no time, she clears her throat and grabs the two Cokes before saying, “I better go and give them their Cokes.” She leaves immediately and I’m left wondering what the hell happened. I know we had a moment. I saw we did. I guess Caitlin felt it too, but for some reason she’s keeping her distance from me.
Shaking my head, I finish off the rest of my cookie, grab my Coke, and walk back into the living room with the Tupperware container clutched to my side. When I get there, Calvin and Stacey are opening their Cokes, and Caitlin is sitting quietly. I look at Calvin and he smirks at me. I just shake my head at him.
“So when’s your next fight?”
I turn to Stacey, who’s waiting on my answer. “Next Friday.” I look at Caitlin. “Are you going to come?”
“And watch two idiots behave like cavemen? No, thanks.”
Ooo, she’s turned the feisty up a notch. “Believe me, the other guy never gets a chance to behave like a caveman.”
Her demeanor has definitely changed. I managed to poke through that hard exterior of hers in the kitchen, but the minute I did, it’s like she wants to act like she hates me again.
“We are full of ourselves, aren’t we?” she retorts.
I raise my eyebrow with a smirk. “I’d much rather fill something else.”
There’s collective groans from both Caitlin and Stacey, but Calvin starts laughing. “Nicely done, dude!” He gets up and fist punches me.
Stacey shakes her head at Calvin. “Men!” she shouts. “Do all you ever think about is sex?”
Calvin and I both look at each other before responding, “Err, yeah.” When she gives me a disgusted look, I say, “Oh, come on. Stacey. We’re nineteen. What do you expect?”
I don’t get a chance to hear her retort as my phone decides to take that moment to interrupt any further conversation. I reach my hand in my jeans, digging deep, Warren G’s “Regulate” getting louder as I manage to pry it from my pocket. When I look down and see that Isabella’s calling, I answer straight away.
“Hey, big brother, can I get a ride?”
I check my watch and see it’s a little after six. “Where are you?”
“I’m at Debbie’s house. You know where that is. Dad said I had to be back by seven or else he’d embarrass me by taking me to school every morning and shouting that he loves me in front of all my school friends.” I can’t help the slight chuckle that leaves my lips. Dad used to pull that shit on me too. “It’s not funny, Jez. Ugh, Dad’s so annoying.”
Still smiling, I lo
ok up to see Caitlin watching me intently. When she knows she’s been caught, she quickly averts her eyes. It makes me smile even more. Is she wondering who I’m on the phone with?
“So, can you come pick me up?”
Isabella’s voice brings me back from the conversation, but what doesn’t help is Caitlin—who has now slightly maneuvered in her seat—is showing more thigh since her skirt’s moved up a little. I can’t help the lick of my lips as I imagine slowly kissing my way up that smooth, silky skin of hers.
“Jez?!” Isabella shouts when she doesn’t immediately get a response.
“I’ll pick you up in twenty.”
I hear either a sigh or a relieved exhale. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart. Anything for you, remember?”
I can hear the smile in her voice when she says, “Love you, bruv.”
I answer back, “Love you too,” before hanging up the call and place the phone back in my pocket. I immediately get up, knowing I have three sets of eyes watching me—one set I’m just dying to know what it is she’s thinking.
Deliberately closing my eyes in on Calvin, I say, “Gotta split. You wanna ride?”
I watch curiously as Calvin momentarily looks in Stacey’s direction. I know what it is he’s thinking. He’s wondering whether he should come with me or—if by some miracle—Stacey will choose that moment to ask him to stay. Of course she doesn’t. She never will. That’s why relationships never gain ground. Women are too stubborn and men are too worried about their egos being crushed the moment a woman turns them down. It’s a no win situation.
I watch the moment Calvin averts his gaze, looks up at the ceiling as if in defeat, and then turns to me before rising from his seat. “Yeah, I may as well come with you.”
With both of us up, I look at Caitlin and Stacey. “See you around, ladies.” I almost laugh the moment Stacey smiles brightly, saying goodbye, but Caitlin practically grunts it without so much as a glance my way. See... stubbornness.
But by fuck does she look great in that skirt.
Why am I so angry? I’m even angry at myself for being angry. Jeremy’s business has nothing to do with me, but yet it’s there, simmering on the surface. Maybe it has something to do with the fact I know he’s pursuing me even when he has a long list of other girls vying for his attention. Like, for instance whoever was on the line to Jeremy a couple of minutes ago before he up and left. I don’t want to wonder who it was, but it’s still there.
Scozzari: Deviant #3 Page 4
