Twisted

by N. L. Greene

  “So what are you girls up to?” he asked as he walked over between us and looked at the counter littered with snacks. “Hmm. I think I can guess.” He snagged a cookie and winked at me. I blushed. I may have had a major crush on Miguel, but J.T. was totally hot too. I wasn’t used to having hot guys stand so close and wink at me like that!

  I looked over at Mel, who had been oddly quiet, to see that she was glaring at me again. What? I mouthed to her. Why was she mad at me? I was the one who got ambushed by not only two perfect strangers, regardless of the fact that they were totally hot, but also by the guy I had been majorly crushing on for the last few months! Did Mel know he was going to be here? I knew Mel had recently met Cindy, but obviously she’d already met J.T. as well. Had she met his friends too? Did she know Miguel was one of those friends?

  She just gave me a look that I couldn’t decipher, and then turned back around to look up at J.T. She put her hand on his arm and moved a little closer to him, effectively pulling his attention from me to her. Her voice was all soft and sweet when she talked. There we go – I’d figured out what the problem was. She liked J.T. and didn’t like him giving me any sort of attention. Whatever. I didn’t like him anyway! I had just met him, for crying out loud! And hello? Miguel was like two feet away!

  “So what are you guys up to?” Mel asked with her sexy voice.

  “Well, we were going out...” He glanced over his shoulder at his friends quickly and then looked back down at Mel. “But we may just chill here for a while now. How long are you two going to be here tonight?”

  “Oh, all night. Nat’s sleeping over.” Mel leaned back against the counter, thrusting her chest out at the same time. J.T. couldn’t help but look and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. It looked like I’d found the real reason Mel was so happy about her parents’ divorce and her dad’s new girlfriend.

  I heard a curious noise from the other side of the kitchen and looked up to see Miguel turn away with a cough. J.T. and Eric both laughed, but I didn’t get it. I glanced over at Mel who obviously didn’t get it either, because she had a small pout on her face.

  Cindy yelled again before I could ask what I missed. “Hel-looo? Are you guys going to leave me in here by myself all day, or are you going to come tell me hello?”

  Everyone else chuckled and started to file into the living room, but I hung back to grab a snack. My initial shock was wearing off; reminding me that I was still starving and high as hell. I grabbed the bag of chips and my unopened soda and started to follow behind Mel, when I felt a large, warm hand on my shoulder. I knew who it belonged to and I stopped, but didn’t turn around because I didn’t know what to say. I was still embarrassed about my behavior that night and that Miguel had been obligated to save me from some other guy.

  His heated body came up so closely behind me that I felt his front brush my back. His hand ran down my shoulder, my arm, and down to my hand as I felt his head lowering toward my ear. His breath was deliciously hot in my ear when he whispered, “Are you okay? I mean, after the other weekend?”

  I jerked my head yes but didn’t speak. He was way too close and my emotions were running crazy! I wanted to cry at how sweet he was to ask, but I also wanted to turn around and kiss him like he’d kissed me the other weekend…but I knew he wouldn’t welcome it. Not after the way he’d seen me behave at the party with some random guy. He was just being nice. It wasn’t his fault that I had an overactive imagination, fantasizing that his caresses were lustful instead of comforting.

  His fingers squeezed mine. “Hey, are you okay now? If you aren’t comfortable with me being here I can…” he started to say, but I whirled around before he could finish.

  “No!” I yelled much too loudly. I stopped and took a deep, calming breath before lowering my voice. “I mean no, you don’t make me uncomfortable.” Except that he did, especially when I looked up into his deep blue eyes and saw the silky smile on his face. I was utterly and totally uncomfortable. But I didn’t want him to leave. I was afraid that if he did, I would never see him again.

  “Okay. So it’s cool if we chill here tonight and hang out with you and Melanie?” he asked softly.

  “Like, all night?” I asked, my eyes going wide. Would Mel’s dad and Cindy let them? I mean I knew J.T. was her son, meaning he lived there and could technically have guests, so I guess they couldn’t really say no. But still…

  He chuckled at my look. “Eric and I won’t sleep over since I get the feeling that makes you uncomfortable.” I started to object, but he placed his fingers over my mouth to stop me. I glanced down at his smooth fingers touching my lips. I wanted to open my lips and taste them. I jerked my gaze back up before I gave into the desire, not knowing where it came from but still feeling it sizzling inside me. Miguel’s eyes were brighter and I had a horrible feeling he knew what I was thinking. How embarrassing! He had to think I was a total slut!

  He shook his head and cleared his throat, but I noticed he didn’t move his fingers away. “It’s cool. We’ll leave later on though. Maybe we can talk a little? I’d like to get to know you better. I didn’t really get a chance to talk to you…before.”

  My fluttering stomach suddenly felt like there was a rock in it and I groaned as I pulled my face from his fingers. “Can we not talk about that weekend? Maybe even forget it?” I asked hopefully.

  An odd look crossed his face, one that I couldn’t interpret, before his face blanked and he stepped back. “You sure? You really want to forget it?” he asked quietly.

  “God yes! I don’t ever want to talk about it again!”

  “Okay. If that’s what you really want.”

  My shoulders sagged in relief. “Oh, thank you so much!” I started to take a step towards him, maybe hug him, but I noticed that his face didn’t look quite as friendly and open as before. He even looked a little offended. I opened my mouth to question him but was interrupted.

  “Dude! Are you coming or what?” Eric asked from behind me. Seeing the knowing smirk on Eric’s face was too much. Miguel may have agreed to never talk about it again, but did it really matter if everyone already knew about how badly I’d behaved? Overcome with embarrassment again, I rushed past Eric and into the living room.

  “Thanks asshole!” I heard Miguel mumble from close behind as he followed me out of the kitchen. But when I sat down on the couch, he wasn’t behind me anymore. I saw the back of him halfway around the corner, but I couldn’t see the front of him. I knew he was talking to Eric, and although I couldn’t make out the words, I could tell that they were arguing. Miguel’s body got tense, and then I heard Eric laugh. Miguel stumbled back as if Eric had pushed him, but then they both came into the room. Miguel had a slight smile on his face now, but it didn’t reach his eyes. I watched him as he made his way toward me; his tall muscular body moving gracefully across the room. His eyes bored into mine, his lips were parted slightly and I could see his white teeth peeking through. I wanted to kiss him again so badly that it almost made me ache. My breathing got heavier, the butterflies in my stomach turned into birds, flapping and fluttering around, my body heated and I couldn’t help but squirm just a little at the feelings running though me. OMG! I had it so bad!

  Then Mel plopped down beside me on the couch, forcing Miguel to stop and stare at her for a second with a look I couldn’t decipher, before he shrugged his shoulders and sat on the other side of her. She looked at him smugly before turning her attention back to the others in the room.

  Really? Why was she acting this way? I stared at her, hoping I would get her attention and she could answer my unspoken question, but she purposely ignored me. I could tell by the way her eyes bounced around the room in an almost frantic manner. She knew I was staring at her and simply refused to look at me. The others in the room did a good job of pretending they couldn’t feel the tension on our side of the room, but I knew they could. It was pretty obvious. The others carried on an active conversation about a whole bunch of nothing, and I finally turned my attention t
o them when I realized that Mel really wasn’t going to look at me.

  Cindy was still asking J.T. about his day. I paid attention, hoping to gain some information about Miguel too.

  “It was cool. I’m so much happier in college than I was in High school. I love only having two classes in the morning and still being able to go to work. The summer term is better than the regular one, though, because my classes are way easier.”

  “And how was work?” She glanced over at the other two guys.

  Eric spoke up first. “It was good. We booked a few more security gigs this weekend and next weekend. We also got booked for a concert coming up at the end of the month!” he said excitedly.

  So I guess they all worked in security? Maybe as bouncers or something? I glanced at all three of them, my gaze landing on Miguel last, where it lingered. All three of them were built like football players; tall and wide, but with corded muscles instead of fat. I could totally see how they would be intimidating as security guards. Really hot security guards too. God, I bet Miguel had girls throwing themselves at him all the time…, older, prettier, and more experienced girls. Why would he waste his time on me?

  He wouldn’t. It was really as simple as that. Maybe that was why Mel had wedged herself between Miguel and I. She knew these things and was just trying to protect me. Again.

  Resolving myself to a bitter life without Miguel, my anger at Mel began to recede. I was sure she’d already come to the same conclusions I had, and was just trying to protect me from yet another broken heart. If my last two boyfriends had been so eager to cheat on me because I hadn’t been enough for them, there was no way I could ever hold onto a guy like Miguel.

  Thinking about it was only making me more depressed about what I knew I could never have, so I decided to push it all away and enjoy myself. Eric was sitting across from me on the other couch rolling a joint, and J.T. got up to grab some beers, assuming that everyone wanted one. I almost wrinkled my nose at the thought of drinking one, remembering what happened the last time I got drunk. But then I remembered where I was and who I was with. I knew Mel wouldn’t let me get out of hand again, and I had been drinking more often, so my tolerance had to be higher, right? But even if I did get a little out of hand, I knew I was safe here at her house, so I took the offered beer when J.T. returned.

  I still couldn’t help but steal a glance at Cindy before I opened the beer bottle. It was really weird to be in the presence of an adult - a parent, actually - and still be so free to do whatever we wanted. I felt a soft nudge in my side and moved my gaze to Mel. She winked and tapped her beer bottle to mine before taking a long drink. I did the same. My eyes caught Miguel’s as I tipped the beer bottle back, and I noted that his were dark and intense. I quickly looked away and chugged half of my beer.

  “That’s my girl!” Mel laughed and slung her arm around my shoulders. “Told you she was the shit, Cindy!”

  “Never doubted you baby girl!” Cindy told her while tapping her own beer with mine. I didn’t try to stop the smile that crossed my face. She may not have been parent of the year, but she was cool as hell and I really appreciated how welcome she was making me feel.

  “All right ladies, let’s see what else you got,” Eric said, catching my attention. He lit the joint he had been rolling and then moved onto his knee in front of me. I glanced over to Mel in alarm. I had no earthly idea what was going on, but it couldn’t be that bad if he was doing it in front of everyone, right? At least that’s what I told myself until he pushed my knees apart and moved closer. I instinctively moved back. Eric and Mel both chuckled but Cindy was the one to reassure me.

  “It’s okay Nat, you get a buzz quicker this way. Just do what Eric says.” I looked at Mel again, who nodded her head in affirmation. I saw Miguel out of the corner of my eye when I looked at her, and his eyes were narrowed on Eric with a look that was not nice at all. I looked back at Eric when I felt his hand on my thigh. I heard a growl from somewhere, but my gaze was on Eric. One of his hands was moving up my thigh as he leaned closer; his eyes were locked on mine, and the joint in his other hand was right by his mouth. What the hell was going on?

  “Lean closer to me Nat, and when I blow the smoke out, suck it all in.” His voice was low and suggestive and his eyes were dark. I could tell he was enjoying whatever it was that he was doing. Nervous, but not wanting to refuse because I knew it would make Mel mad, I just nodded and leaned in a little closer. When my face was about four or five inches from Eric’s, he placed the joint backwards in his mouth. My eyes widened in concern, but he shook his head once and moved even closer to me until our lips were almost touching. I started to pull back but he moved his now free hand behind my head, gently holding me in place, and then he began to blow smoke out into my mouth and nose. My instincts took over and I leaned in as close as I could without our faces touching. I closed my eyes and breathed in all the smoke. I didn’t stop until Eric did. He winked and gave my thigh a squeeze before moving into the exact same position in front of Mel. She didn’t hesitate or need instruction like I had.

  I could feel the effects right away. I was light headed and relaxed again. I felt an odd prickling sensation and looked up to see Miguel watching me again with hooded eyes. He lifted the beer bottle in his hand and slowly placed it to his lips. My gaze immediately zeroed in on those sensuous lips. I could see the moisture on them and instantly remembered what they’d felt like against mine. My body heated and I felt my nerves tingle; no longer relaxed. The joint Mel and I had shared earlier, along with the half beer and intense hit I just had were making my mind cloudy but my senses were definitely heightened. I could almost feel Miguel touching me and it was affecting me more than it should have. He lowered the bottle and licked his lips slowly. My breathing accelerated and all I wanted to do was close my eyes and groan. It felt like my body was on fire; places were heating and tightening that had never done that before, and I had this crazy desire to rub my thighs together. I felt like I was going to explode and it was so pathetic! Miguel didn’t want me like that, and there I was fantasizing about him when he was only a few feet away and in a room full of people! Thankfully, Eric and Mel’s movement helped me pull my gaze from Miguel before I did anything to completely embarrass myself.

  Mel leaned back into the couch, heavy lidded and looking totally relaxed. Eric got up and winked at Miguel while taking another hit from the joint, and then moved in front of me again. He looked down at me with a wicked glint in his eye and started to lean down toward me again. Before I could object or accept, or whatever it was I was going to do, (because I didn’t really know yet), Miguel surged to his feet. “I think she’s good.” His voice was a low rumble.

  “Dude, chill! I think Nat’s a big girl and can decide for herself if she’s good or not,” Eric said to Miguel, all the while looking at me. “Right, Nat?”

  “Umm…” I honestly didn’t know what to say.

  “Yeah, Miguel,” Mel sneered from beside me. “I think Nat can take care of herself. She doesn’t need you to tell her what to do!”

  “Oh yeah? Like the other weekend? She took care of herself real good then, didn’t she Mel? She didn’t need me at all, huh?” he said back in an even lower voice that was kinda scary.

  I couldn’t take them all talking about me like I was some sort of child, and I definitely couldn’t take the reminder of that weekend once again. I’d told them that I didn’t want to talk about it, and there they all were again, bringing my stupid, painful memories up! I pushed myself up from the couch and stormed past them all, ignoring everyone that was calling my name. I pushed open the bathroom door and slammed it shut behind me; locking it quickly. I knew it was the only room in the house I could go into that had a lock on the door, and I knew Mel would come in if I didn’t lock it.

  By the time I closed the toilet lid and sat down, there were tears running down my face and Mel was already knocking on the door. “Come on Nat, open up.” She paused to see if I would obey, but when I didn’t, of cour
se she got mad. “Nat, it’s not a big deal! Stop acting like a baby, Jesus!”

  I started to open my mouth to tell her to go fuck herself when I heard Miguel yell at her first. “Why are you such a bitch to her? I thought she was your best friend.”

  “Mind your own business. You’re the one who threw all that shit in her face, reminding her about throwing herself at some guy and looking like a slut.” I had to admit that although Mel did try to keep her voice low, I still heard every word she said and felt sorrow stab me in the heart.

  Miguel did not make any attempt to keep his voice down. “First of all, I never said anything about that part of the night, and I would never even suggest she was anything close to a slut, as you like to call her.” Mel tried to interrupt but he spoke over her. “Second of all, you know good and well that I was referring to how you sat back and let her get drunk and almost raped, while you stood over in the corner watching and laughing!”

  My breath whooshed out of me and I doubled over at the emotional pain. Mel had known what was happening to me and still hadn’t tried to do anything about it? No way! There was no way she would knowingly let something like that happen to me! She wouldn’t let me get hurt… not my best friend. Hating to face them but knowing that I needed answers, I pulled myself up and stumbled to the door. I jerked it open and saw that Mel and Miguel were in each other’s faces, but their attention turned to me when they heard the door open. I could barely see the looks on their faces with all the tears that were in my eyes, but I could feel the tension rolling off of both of them in waves.