That makes sense. I guess she can’t exactly be rude to our coach in front of everyone. God, I’m over sensitive and overreacting lately. Tatum has buried himself under my skin and I’m accusing my best friend of going behind my back. Instead, I should be confronting him. Again.
This is getting old.
Coach makes his annual speech about what a great team and season this has been. We laugh and eat and have a great time. When I escape to the bathroom, I think I’m getting a moment of peace.
Instead, I’m cornered as Tatum follows me in.
“What the hell do you want?” He locks the bathroom door behind me and his face conveys desperation. He’s wide-eyed and his hands are in front of him as if he’s surrendering. With the motion, I catch a peek of his tattoo under his sleeve and I’m embarrassed when he catches me staring.
“Look, I know you don’t want to talk to me, but you need to hear me out. There’s something I need to tell you.” I bark out a laugh.
“Yeah, last time that happened, I ended up getting fucked in more ways than one. My idea of fun is not having sex in a dirty restaurant bathroom.” The words cause him to drag his gaze over me. My skin heats, becoming acutely aware we’re in a tight, confined space and he looks ready to eat me.
He shakes his head and pulls his eyes away from my legs. “Bria, please.”
“No. You don’t get to stand here and corner me to spew more lies. I’m done listening to you.”
There’s a knock on the door and then Morgan’s voice comes through. “Bri, are you okay?”
“Yup. I’ll be right out.” I turn back to Tatum. “Look, I know what you’re going to say. Since you can’t have me, you’re going after my best friend. It’s a little immature for you, and a little pathetic, but whatever. Do what you need to do. I know Morgan and she wouldn’t hurt me the way you have.”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you—”
“Wow, so it’s true. Some part of me thought you’d at least try to deny it. The hits just keep coming from you. Leave me alone, Tatum. Please. I have to go.” I push past him and out the door.
My best friend is standing there waiting for me and wraps an arm around me as we walk out. This night needs to fucking end.
“And then he has the audacity to admit it right to my face. I mean, can you believe it? I slept with him and the minute I gave it up he went running. I should’ve known. I’ve read about his history, his reputation. I didn’t think I could be this stupid.”
I take a swig of wine straight from the bottle, not giving a shit that it’s Monday and I have class tomorrow.
“I’m sorry. I promise nothing is happening.”
“I know, I trust you.”
We spend the rest of the night splitting a bottle of wine and watching cheesy, unrealistic rom-coms in our pjs. I ugly cry onto my best friend’s shoulder thanks to the wine making me overly emotional.
I don’t know what time it is when I pass out, but when I wake up I discover I slept through my first class. Perfect.
The day goes downhill in a flash. I walk downstairs and none of my teammates are in class. They’re gathered around the couch staring at the TV. That news reporter, Meredith Hale, is releasing a breaking news story. My jaw falls as I watch the headline scroll across the bottom of the screen.
Soccer star Tatum Trevino accused of sexual assault and impregnating his victim.
Oh no. Holy shit. I walk around to the front of the couch and collapse into the laps of two of my teammates. I’m not even sure who I’m sitting on. I can’t focus on anything other than the reporter.
I grab my phone from my back pocket and dial Tatum’s number, not caring who sees me do it. He doesn’t answer, so I click redial. And again. And again.
Fuck this. I grab my keys and run for the front door.
“Where are you going?” Morgan stops me. Her eyes are narrowed and her hands sit on her hips.
“Where do you think?” I don’t let her get another word in before I’m out the door.
I peel away and rush to Tatum’s house. His car is here, but I don’t know if he’ll even answer the door. I knock and ring the bell like a crazy person. Maybe he’s not answering because he thinks it’s the media coming to harass him.
I peer into the house and see him with his phone pressed to his ear, pacing around the house. A hand runs through his mane repeatedly and his shoulders are tense.
I knock on the glass and his head snaps up. His lip is curled as disgust is written all over his annoyingly handsome face. When he sees me, his expression softens and he walks to the door. He’s still talking on the phone, but he lets me in.
I don’t care what’s going on between us. I still need to know he’s okay. I know he was dreading this day and waiting for this to happen. Amanda must’ve gone back on her word and if I ever meet that little slut I’ll decimate her.
I sit on one of the barstools by the kitchen island while he finishes his phone call. After he hangs up, he tosses the device on the counter and his head falls in his hands.
“I needed to see if you were okay,” I tell him.
“What do you think, Bria?” His tone is harsh and I can’t blame him. He’s going through a lot and I’ve only added to his stress as of late.
“I think you’re pissed and sad and scared. I think you’re hella confused and ready to call Amanda and bitch her out. I think your life is about to change forever and I wanted to be here to support you.”
“Thanks for pointing out the obvious, but I already spoke to Amanda. She didn’t do this.”
“Then who would? This was all her doing. She started this.”
“It was Morgan.”
“What?”
“Hear me out. I know I keep asking for you to listen to me, but this time I’m serious. Morgan caught us that day in my office. Then the night we slept together, she was there. She must’ve come home early or something, I don’t know. But she tried to blackmail me. She wanted me to leave you alone or leave town for good.”
“But why?” I shake my head in an attempt to unscramble my thoughts. “This isn’t making any sense.”
“I don’t know. She said you know what you did and it seems like she’s jealous and wanted to knock you down a peg, if I’m being honest.”
I know what I did? What does that even mean? She wouldn’t do this to me. She’s my best friend.
“I tried to tell you at dinner, but she was always there. She kept pulling me aside and making it seem like something was going on. Look, you have no reason to trust or believe me, I know. But I already have nothing else to lose. If I didn’t want you, I wouldn’t put in the effort.”
His phone rings before I have a chance to respond and I’m glad I have a minute reprieve.
“John, hi, how are you?” He must be talking to Paxton. This should buy me some time to think about what he said.
I don’t know who to believe. I don’t know why either one of them would lie to me at this point. But can I really believe this guy over my best friend? She’s been by my side for the past four years, through thick and thin. I’ve confided in her. I’ve thought of her as a sister. She wouldn’t betray me this way.
Another few minutes pass as I consider who I want to believe. Tatum comes back and is solemn. He places his phone on the island and curses under his breath.
“What was that about?”
He meets my gaze and his chocolate eyes are sad. “Paxton fired me.”
“What? You said he knew.”
“He does, but the story came out claiming I assaulted someone. He needs to save himself too. He can’t have me around his female soccer players. It wouldn’t look good for him or the university. I understand it and I was expecting it, but it sucks.”
“But…but we’re in the playoffs. You can’t leave yet. I need you. The team, I mean, the team needs you.”
“I’ll miss you too, Bria.”
“Where do you go from here?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know, but I guess it�
�s time I find out.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Bria
He looks so sad and lost. His eyes are downcast and he swirls a drink in his hand. I realize with stark clarity this may be the last time I see or hear from him. In this moment, I don’t care about Morgan or Tatum’s son or how the media is having a field day over a false allegation. I don’t care that he’s my coach and I’m his player.
All I care about is Tatum, making this right, and helping him forget for at least a little while.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay.” I round the island and take his face in my hands. His brown eyes are sad as they take me in, but they’re also earnest.
From the moment I met him, I was drawn to him, despite not wanting to admit it. In my gut, I feel he’s telling me the truth and that scares me most of all. My gut wants to believe him but my heart doesn’t want to risk it.
People always say to trust your gut.
If this makes me the biggest idiot in the world, then so be it. I’m not going to let him or Morgan or anyone else control my life. This is what I want; I’m not going to overthink it. I just do it.
I press up on my toes and rest my lips on his. It’s a sweet, soft kiss, but it’s enough to have my heart hammering in my chest. We’re close enough that I’m sure Tatum feels it too. His eyes wash over me, scanning my face for any sign of hesitation or regret. He won’t find any.
His hands cradle my face and he brings his mouth to mine. We stand there in his oversized kitchen and kiss. It’s a kiss fueled with goodbyes and I’m sorrys.
He lifts me and sits me on the island. I hiss as the cold countertop hits the back of my thighs, but I push it aside. My legs fall open and Tatum occupies the space immediately. The kiss started slow, but our hunger has been simmering right under the surface.
My hands find the hem of his shirt and slide underneath. My fingers graze over his back, over the strong muscle lying beneath his skin. His lips find my neck and I tilt my head on a moan. Wet kisses leave a trail down the sensitive flesh. My nails scrape over his back as I arch my chest into his.
“As much as I want to fuck you on my kitchen counter, I don’t want to push you.”
He can take me wherever he damn well pleases.
“Then take me to your bed.”
He pulls back and his eyes search mine. I bite my lip and nod, giving him the consent he’s searching for.
He takes a step back and I hop off the counter. He’s hesitant; I’m sure there’s a lot running through his mind right now, but that’s why I want to make him forget, even for a moment.
“If you won’t show me the way, I’ll find it myself.” I pick a direction and start walking and Tatum comes right up behind me.
“Unless you want to have sex in my laundry room, you should probably turn around.” I take his hand and with a small squeeze, he loosens up.
We walk down the hallway for a bit before he stops at the master bedroom. He pushes open the door and the view is stunning. The glass wall gives the perfect view of the Hollywood hills and the large bed against the wall faces the view.
He hovers by the door as I take in the space. Feeling brazen, I pull my shirt over my head and toss it on the floor. I push my shorts over my hips next before climbing onto the huge mattress.
He stares, enamored, but when he doesn’t join me right away, my self-consciousness kicks into overdrive.
“Are you just going to stand there and stare or are you going to join me?”
He pushes the door closed and walks to me with cool confidence.
“I don’t know if this is a good idea,” he tells me.
“I’m sure it’s not, but I want you and I don’t care about anything else.” Pushing onto my knees, I crawl and meet him at the edge of the bed. He stands over me, and I run my hands up his chest and around his neck. “Kiss me.” I know the minute his lips touch mine he’ll forget all about his hesitation.
Our lips collide and I open my mouth, giving his tongue access. He tastes like expensive booze and I moan at the contact.
He takes it slow, but I’m the one running the show tonight. I push his shirt up and over his head before reaching for his shorts. Hooking my thumbs in the waistband, I push them down his thighs with his briefs.
His cock springs free, long and hard and begging for my mouth to wrap around it. I comply, covering my teeth with my lips and letting my tongue dance against his crown. I lick up a drop of pre-cum pooling on the tip and he jerks with the quick contact.
I flatten my tongue as I run it along the underside of his shaft. Tatum moans and it fuels me further. I guide him into my mouth until he hits the back of my throat. I relax and open wider, letting him slide down the back.
With a groan, he loses control and starts to fuck my mouth. I let him go until he can’t anymore and he pulls away from me. His cock is purple, angry that I stopped.
Tatum joins me on the bed and kisses the life out of me. Before I lie back, I feel his hand on my back. He flicks open the clasp of my bra and I discard the lace to the side.
I lay back as he kisses me and his hands leave a fiery trail everywhere he touches. He burns my hips, digging his fingers into my flesh before ripping off my panties like an animal.
I’m drenched and needy and I’m glad he doesn’t hesitate any longer. He pushes a long digit into my core and I buck against his hand. His palm hits my clit with every slow rotation and I moan at the sweet torture.
He pulls out and inserts a second finger with his first. Somehow I feel too full and not full enough.
His thumb rubs at my clit and in no time at all, I’m falling into sweet ecstasy. I clutch at Tatum, my nails marking him and I’m lost in the blackness as my orgasm washes over me.
I come down from the high and look up, seeing brown eyes gazing at me with unwavering adoration. I pull his face to mine and kiss him. His body is pressed against mine and I shove at one of his shoulders. He looks at me with furrowed brows, pulling away. I push him until he rolls over onto his back and then I straddle him.
I line his cock up with my entrance and sink onto the length. He twitches inside of me and I clench around him in response. His answering groan is beyond erotic and I want to memorize the sound.
“You feel incredible, Bria.”
I push up on my knees and sink down slowly, getting a feel for how big he is inside of me. I pick up the pace, but he takes over. I lean into his shoulder and kiss his neck as he fucks me.
His hips slam into mine and with every thrust, he hits the right spot. I moan, calling out his name and letting the pleasure take over.
I sit up and lean back, giving him a view of my breasts as they bounce with every thrust. My head falls back and my hair tickles my spine. I’m close and he presses a thumb to my clit. My wetness drips down onto him and my pussy starts to spasm. I watch his right hand move, trailing my gaze up his tattooed arm. There’s something about his ink that does it for me. It’s insanely sexy. The sensation is overwhelming and I brace my hands on his chest as stars cloud my vision.
“God, you’re beautiful when you come.” Even though I’m sitting on his dick, I’m somehow embarrassed by his statement.
He flips us over and chases his own orgasm. He’s slow, like he’s savoring the moment, as if he doesn’t know when he’ll have another chance at this.
And he’s right. I don’t know either, which is why I’m choosing to live in the here and now.
He grinds against me, angling my hips to hit me deep. I moan as he strokes himself inside of me.
He kisses me and I feel hope and desire and love pouring out of him. He stills and empties himself inside of me. As he pulls out, I feel him dripping out of me, all over his gray sheets, and neither of us have a care in the world. He deposits a final kiss on my lips before helping me clean up.
He climbs back into bed with me, pulling me tight against his chest. A kiss lands on my bare shoulder and goosebumps cover my skin.
“I don’t want to go,” I tell him honestly.<
br />
“I wish you didn’t have to.”
“What happens now?”
“Bria,” his tone says everything I don’t want to hear, “my life is a mess right now. I don’t want to drag you into my problems. If it gets out that we’re together…”
“I know.”
“We can’t be together, Bria. Not now. Not until all of this settles, if it ever does.”
“You’ll figure it out.” My voice is watery and I bite my cheek to keep the tears at bay.
“What are you going to do about Morgan?”
My stomach turns sour as I think about my best friend. Please don’t let it be true. “I don’t know,” I answer honestly.
We lay there for what feels like forever but somehow isn’t long enough. I get up and get dressed with a crushing sadness weighing on my chest.
I get to the door and stop before I leave. “I believe you. I wanted you to know that before I left since I don’t know where we go from here. I’m breaking girl code or whatever by not trusting my best friend when you’ve given me every reason not to trust you. But for some reason, I do.”
He leans in and places a chaste kiss on my lips. There’s so much to say and not enough time.
“I’ll talk to you as soon as I can,” he promises, but I’m not sure it’s one he can keep.
I get into my car as tears stream down my cheeks. None of this was supposed to happen this way. I’m losing a guy I really care about in the same day I found out my best friend potentially stabbed me in the back.
No one said life was easy, but I didn’t think it could ever be this cruel or hard.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Bria
By the time I leave Tatum’s place, it’s dark out and I missed an entire day of classes, but I don’t care. I have a bunch of unanswered questions and there’s only one person I can talk to about it.
I open the door to my house and storm inside, scanning the room for my best friend.
“Is Morgan around?” I ask as she comes out of the bathroom.
“I’m right here, babe.” She walks over to me with concern etched on her features. Her brown hair is piled on her head and her green eyes take me in. “Is everything okay? What did he do this time?” She grits out the words with malice and part of me doesn’t blame her.
Filthy Forward : A Hero Club Novel Page 19
