Hope (Things That Matter Book 2)

by Casey Diam

  Clearly, her rule about not sleeping with the third friend wasn’t going to last the weekend.

  In a low voice, Mickey said, “We can bring drinks upstairs so we can drink while we get ready. We have our own kitchenette if you don’t want to leave your stuff down here, but shh, don’t tell anyone. We’re staying in the private area.”

  “That’s awesome.” I grimaced. “But knowing Miller, he isn’t going to let us go before we have a drink here first.”

  “We’ll get them later.”

  My gaze flitted around the kitchen, noticing Amber had disappeared, but then it stopped on Miller pouring vodka into my cup. He poured more and more and then some more.

  Oh shit.

  “Miller, that’s too much alcohol,” Lisa scolded, pushing him aside and sharing the alcohol into another cup. “Are you trying to have her pass out after her first drink?”

  The twinge of doubt that had been hovering finally settled onto my chest. This couldn’t be good.

  Nudging Mickey, I forced an encouraging smile. “Are you ready to party?”

  ❧

  It was an hour or two after sunset, and Mickey and I were reclined on a pair of fancy chaise lounges on the second-floor tiled patio facing the pool in the back. We were staring into the night sky while the music blared around us.

  I didn’t have my phone anymore. I’d left it in the room while I changed into my birthday outfit. A burgundy-colored tulle skirt that reached mid-thigh and a black camisole tucked into the waist.

  At first, I hadn’t known why I let the girls talk me into it, but the chic outfit was comfy and made me feel girlish and pretty. My hair was curled and pinned away from my face, courtesy of Lisa, who’d also ensured Mickey’s long black hair was done, too.

  Mickey was dressed in a knee-length skater dress, and oftentimes, I couldn’t tell if Luke was watching me or her.

  I sighed.

  Seriously, if alcohol can have me this relaxed, why am I worried? I should have been drinking like this a long time ago. On a daily basis.

  Turning to Mackenzie, I picked up my drink and leaned forward so I could take a sip without spilling it all over myself. “Are you planning to talk to Luke?”

  “No. Why would I do that?”

  “Because you think he’s hot.”

  “I know. I do, but it doesn’t mean he reciprocates.” She looked over to where Rob and Luke were leaning on the stone balustrade surrounding the patio. “I’ve never seen anything like him. The tattoos, that man-bun thing, and the muscles—oh my God.” She fanned herself even though it was starting to get chilly out here.

  “Well, you won’t know if he likes you unless you talk to him. Wait, I don’t even know if he’s single. Calvin or Caleb would know. Ugh, why are they not here? You’d like Calvin, too. He’s so funny.” Thinking about Caleb made me frown. I knew he wouldn’t be able to be here for the whole weekend, but I hoped he would make it here tonight so he could see me while I was dressed up and pretty. He’d never seen me like this, and I wanted him to.

  “Darn it,” Mickey sighed. “We forgot to separate our groceries and bring them to our room.”

  “We could get them now.”

  “No way. I am not moving. I like this spot.”

  “Because you get to spy on Luke,” I teased.

  “Shh.” She grinned. “Didn’t you say Caleb might come? How will he find you if he makes it?” She looked around the patio where at least twenty people stood, not counting what had to be hundreds all over the house.

  “He’ll find me.” I stood, taking my cup with me. “Come on, let’s go say hi to the boys. Maybe find out if Luke is single.”

  “No.”

  “Yes.” Mackenzie looked like she might throw up, and my shoulders dropped. “Fine, I won’t ask him if he’s single, but you know you want to get close to him.”

  We waltzed over to the guys. Well, I waltzed. Mickey walked.

  Rob and Luke were gazing down into the pool on the ground level.

  “Hey guys! How’s it going?” I chirped.

  Expressions passive, they both stared for a few seconds before Luke answered. “Good.”

  Rob nodded.

  “Yeah?” I said, mimicking Rob’s nod.

  Silence.

  “Are you having fun?” I asked.

  Another nod. All righty then...

  So after Rob and Luke’s horrible, actually nonexistent conversational skills, Mickey and I stumbled upon Amber and Lisa inside, hanging out with a few guys and girls on a couch.

  “Paige! You’re still not drunk,” Lisa shouted over all the loud chatter and music.

  “Um, well, I don’t think I’m sober either,” I confessed.

  Her mouth dropped. “It’s your twentieth birthday. Drink. Finish that thing already.” She chanted, “Drink, drink, drink, drink.”

  Then everyone joined in on the chant, looking at me, expecting me...

  Am I supposed to chug this, now? I’d been taking sips, trying not to overdo it. But everyone is watching, waiting.

  Bringing the cup to my lips, I closed my eyes and swallowed the sweet pineapple flavor that masked the vodka inside.

  Mickey took my hand and twisted it, so the cup faced down, showing the chanters it was empty. As a thunderous shout echoed around me, I grinned, feeling a rush.

  More chugging. More. I want to chug more.

  “Lisa.” I curled my index finger and called her to me. Then I remembered I needed to tell her about Caleb in case he made it here tonight or tomorrow. When she hopped in front of me in her jean shorts and a tank top, I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and told her, “I need to tell you something. Caleb and I—”

  A pair of strong, warm muscular hands settled on either side of my waist. I jerked back from Lisa, tilting my head behind me to look up.

  Caleb.

  My body instantly relaxed. He smiled down at me, the heat in his eyes making me forget that I needed to breathe.

  “Are you two...” Lisa trailed off as Caleb tugged me closer to his body that my back became flush with his front.

  I turned my head to Lisa. “That’s what I was about to tell you.”

  “Oh! I like it.” She looked at Caleb. “You should totally have birthday sex with her.”

  “Oh my gosh.” I rotated my body and pressed a hot cheek into Caleb’s chest, holding up my empty cup for him to take, and as he did, I wrapped both my arms around him.

  His fresh, cool scent filled my nose, and the pure heat radiating off his body made me want to forget this party and go curl up with him in the room Mickey had graciously provided.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Caleb

  “You should find Rob and Luke. They’re looking for you,” I told Lisa. “You, too, Mackenzie.”

  Both girls looked at me, frowning. Regrettably, I removed my only free hand from Paige’s back to pull my phone from my pocket.

  I typed out a quick message and turned my phone screen to them.

  Me: I got her a cake.

  As their mouths fell open, Paige stepped back and inclined her head. Lisa gave me a thumbs-up and dragged Mackenzie behind her.

  “I was going to get another drink,” Paige said, her pupils pushing the brilliant blue to the perimeter as they expanded.

  I stared at her, my breathing strangled as I fought the urge to ravage her right here. Inhaling, I lifted a hand, pulled on one of her curls, and watched as it sprang back up before I saw the pulse on her neck, ticking.

  “Lead the way,” I told her.

  Her chest rose and fell, and her face appeared indecisive. My eyebrows twitched in a question to her, and she bit her lip and smiled, so I did it again.

  She clutched the front of my T-shirt, cheeks tinting to the same pink hue of her lips. “Stop that.”

  “What?” I simpered. Cupping her cheek, I let my fingers slide into the loose curls at the side of her head. I needed to get her alone. “Where should I put this cup?”

  Paige turned. “Where d
id they go?”

  “I’m not sure. You were doing that thing with your eyes.”

  “Me?” she screeched. “Give me the cup.”

  I gave it to her and followed her to the kitchen area.

  A few college students sat on top of the counters. Some were making out while others were laughing and carrying on. This environment was too familiar. This was the kind of party where I could have easily slept with two different girls in one night. One to start the night and one to finish it. Those days seemed like ages ago, and so did sleeping with random girls. This beauty who was reaching into the fridge with her tulle-covered butt had become my sole focus.

  Damn, she was so fucking cute tonight.

  As she turned to face me, I said, “I need to get my overnight bag from the car.”

  “So, you’re staying then?” she asked. Still so hopeful after all she’d been through.

  “I don’t know, but I brought a change of clothes in case. It’s kind of a wait-till-you-get-a-call thing. So, I’m waiting here with you.”

  “Good.”

  She handed me a beer, and after she refilled her cup with vodka and juice, we headed through the living room and out the front doors. Vehicles overflowed the driveway and expanded onto the surrounding grass and down the sides of the short road leading to the property.

  As we got closer to my car, I took her drink and set it on the top with mine.

  “Come here.” Taking her hand, I leaned on the car and pulled her against me.

  My hands moved down to her waist to splay out at her hips, and since we were in a dark area, I let them lower until they cupped her ass and squeezed. Soft and firm in the right places, and all mine. Her hands circled around my neck, and her fingers combed through the hair at my nape. Fuck, I loved when she did that—or fucking anything to me.

  “You’re wearing a skirt. Do you have any idea how tempting you’re going to be all night?”

  “That’s a good thing.”

  I chuckled. So easy to get lost in her.

  Leaning down, I closed my lips over her sweet, tempting ones. And, as I prodded her lips apart, I started to forget everyone along with the music thumping in the distance. In a desperate need, her tongue touched and toyed with mine, stimulating my already-hard cock. I braced the aching bulge in my pants against her, and she bit my lip and moaned.

  Lifting her, I spun her around and pressed her into the car as she wrapped her legs around my hips, and it was the worst fucking idea. I needed to be inside her, and all I could think about was fucking her against my car like this, forgetting about anyone who might walk by just so I could indulge.

  Detaching my eager lips from hers, I ground my hips against her center. “Let’s go back inside before I fuck you right here.”

  “No one’s looking.”

  I groaned, entangling my hands in her hair. I kissed her again and continued to grind the thick ridge of my cock against her. I’d made her come from this once before, and with the way she was almost panting against my mouth, I knew it was still possible—or it had been before I heard a few girls giggling from somewhere nearby.

  As I stopped and set her to her feet, she protested. But I didn’t trust these college kids and their cameras. My own phone buzzed in my pocket and I grunted, hoping it wasn’t who I thought it was.

  Luke: Cake’s in the kitchen. We’re ready.

  After retrieving her drink from the roof of the car, I handed it to her. “Come on. I’ll grab my bag and have more of you later. There’s something we need to do first.”

  She took a long drink and then laced her fingers through mine. “Okay.”

  It was amazing how her quirky, carefree personality spilled through the pain I knew she felt from time to time. If Alex Connor had never happened, this would be her a lot more.

  By the time we reached the kitchen, Paige was tipping back the rest of her drink, still holding on to my hand. The few partygoers who remained in the kitchen began to sing “Happy Birthday” when she lowered her cup. A mixture of awe and a hint of sadness only I could see filled her eyes. As I looked up, my eyes landed on Miller, and my jaw tightened.

  Fuck.

  I didn’t give a shit about him, but if he tried anything, I wouldn’t think twice about finishing what I’d started.

  I guided Paige farther into the room, toward the cake, which had a few candles twinkling on top. Shit, I’d forgotten candles. I looked around and caught Mackenzie’s eyes. She must have had them here. I mouthed, Thank you, and stood back as Paige blew out the candles.

  She got hugs from a few people, including Miller, but I looked the other way. When I looked back, she was hugging Amber, and it seemed as if they were talking about something. But, with the smiles on both their faces, I was guessing it was good, especially when she looked over at me with a glimmer in her eyes.

  It was becoming harder to acknowledge that I wouldn’t be around to share her happiness, but this was the foundation I wanted for her. A life where I knew she would be safe and happy. And I knew she would be with Calvin and his friends.

  For the rest of the night, I hung with Luke and Rob while Paige hung out with the girls. Paige had been right about Rob and Luke standing out, but that didn’t stop the girls from approaching them or me. That was why I’d sent them instead of Ryan, who would have been easily distracted. I watched the entrance and walked around most of the night, looking out for any signs of Brad because parties were kind of his thing, too. But Paige didn’t need to know that. She was too happy, and this place was too far a journey if Brad wanted to party anyway, although it was almost perfect when I thought about it.

  I stopped walking and peered around the darkened lake and fields of forest I knew were out there. Forest that could have bodies that had gone missing over the years.

  “Hey, you good?”

  I turned to see Luke approaching with a few beers in hand. The night had grown cooler, and most of the crowd had been trickling inside. The few people I spotted were lying down on the grass a few yards away, either making out or smoking pot. Closer to the lake, a bonfire was still going, and most of the lawn chairs surrounding the flames were empty.

  “Yeah. Just checking out the place. Sorry you have to be here. I know you hate these things, but I really appreciate it.”

  “Nah. It’s cool. It’s like security at the club but better because I’m outside, too.” He handed me a beer. “Paige was looking for you, but it’s better if she comes out here. Everyone in there is drunk as fuck.”

  “I’ll text Rob that we’re out here. We could grab the seats by the fire before anyone else claims them.”

  The chairs were positioned outside of the landscaped lawn in the dirt. I popped open one of the icy-cold cans and drank until I heard the telltale sign of a drunken Paige.

  My drunken woman.

  I smiled, twisting in my seat. She was hanging on to Mackenzie, who looked just as drunk, while Rob walked close enough to catch one should either fall. I set the can on the ground, more than ready to take her into my arms. It was like she could sense when I was losing my equilibrium, sense when my mind started to wander, sense when I needed to get lost in her.

  “Caleb, you’re here!” she crooned, falling into my lap.

  Circling my arms around her, I pulled her into my body as I leaned back.

  “You’re here,” I said, as warmth swept over my body.

  “I was looking for you,” she slurred, her face pressing into my collar.

  It was funny because, earlier, she’d told me she wanted to spend time with Mackenzie. I kissed the top of her forehead and tried to run my hand through her curls, but my fingers got caught in them. Squinting, I pried through the curls until they came loose.

  “Did you guys have fun?” I asked both her and Mackenzie, who had taken the chair next to Luke.

  “Oh, yeah! I don’t remember some of it already,” Mackenzie said.

  My hand ran up and down Paige’s thigh a few times before I picked up my beer. “Don’t worry; n
o one was really watching when you two re-created some high school cheer from ninth grade.”

  “Oh no,” Mackenzie groaned.

  Luke grinned.

  “I can’t believe I remember how that went,” Paige said, a sigh leaving her lips at the end.

  I smiled. She was starting to feel how hard I was getting beneath her. I rubbed a hand over her naked shoulder, and she shivered.

  “Are you cold?”

  “No, the fire’s warm.” In a whisper, she added, “But we should go to bed.”

  Rob picked up one of the beers Luke had brought down and sat in the chair next to Mackenzie.

  As my fingers lazily caressed the back of Paige’s neck, I asked Mackenzie, “Where does everyone sleep?”

  “Sleeping bags, cots. There are about five people to a room.”

  “Caleb,” Paige said in what I was starting to recognize as her I-want-you-to-fuck-me voice.

  Damn, I fucking love that voice.

  After a few more minutes, I left with Paige, and it didn’t take long for us to reach the fourth floor. A key code was needed to enter the stairs for this level, and it had its own kitchenette and living area. Without a sign of any of the other partygoers, I knew this level was prohibited. Safe.

  Paige bent and drunkenly fought with the sandals on her feet before she kicked them off in the living room. I grinned. Never a dull moment with her. She opened the door to the room she was staying in, and I went straight for the bed.

  “I need to use the bathroom,” she said, leaving me before I could even get my hands on her.

  A few minutes later, my eyes lifted to Paige bending over, and her hips moved from left to right in a stiff, awkward movement.

  What is she doing?

  The music barely made it through the walls up here, so it couldn’t be dancing. I continued to watch, enjoying it too much to stop the show, but I couldn’t stop the laugh that burst out of me as her head took on the same ridiculous motion. But, even with my laughter, she continued.

  “Paige, what are you doing?”

  “Twerking for you.”

  “Uh, really?” Laughing, I covered my face with my hand before pinching my chin.