“Levi… I…”
“What? You can’t handle the past?”
“I don’t think you can either.”
He shrugged, “That might be true. Fine, no more past. No more piano, no more step mother drama, just you and me, and wherever the night takes us.”
I sighed, I was spent. Emotionally this had taken more out of me than I was anticipating. “And where is the night taking us Levi?”
He leaned across the seat and laid a soft kiss on my lips, “Leaving you wanting,” he mumbled across my lips. He pulled away. “I’ll call you when I can.”
I believed he would, but not when he could, but when he wanted to. He was playing a game. Now I needed to decide who would win.
Fourteen
The next night Mackenzie rented some God awful movie about two teenagers falling in love with cancer. She sobbed her way through it while I snuck peeks at a magazine and stuffed myself with candy and popcorn. Near the end of the movie though she said something that I wasn't expecting. “Do you think people felt sorry for us?”
I looked at her puzzled, “What? We don’t have cancer.”
She sighed, “I know that we don't have cancer, you idiot. I mean pity, like I feel bad for these two kids. Do think people pitied us? Is that why nobody wants to be my friend? Because you and I both know it's uncomfortable.”
I hadn't really thought about it like that. “I don't know, Kenz, I mean I guess so. I feel bad for other people when they tell me the horrible things that happen in their lives, but we made it through just fine. Speaking of our little family unit, have you talked to Mom? I tried texting her this morning but she didn't answer.”
Mackenzie turned to face me, “Actually, I did talk to her today.”
I smiled at her, “And why do you look so smug about it? What do you know?”
She laughed, “I think Mom has a boyfriend.”
I was dumbfounded. I felt my face fall and I could tell that Mackenzie noticed my lack of enthusiasm. “A boyfriend?”
For some reason I had always seen my dad as the remarry type, but down in Florida it was just the three amigas. I didn't think that she would ever meet someone. That had been really selfish of me, I should be excited that she met a guy. But instead something felt off about the situation.
“Hey, why the pouty face? Mom deserves a nice guy.”
A nice guy, that was it. I was afraid that if my mom fell for somebody new she'd only be heartbroken one more time. And I wasn't sure that our little family could sustain another blow like that. For three months after the separation my mother hardly got out of bed, I practically raised Mackenzie during our first six months down in Florida. And then my mom finding a job, trying to make new friends, going out on her own, it was just all too much. I just didn't think we would make it if we had to do it again.
“So what do you know?”
She shrugged, “You know Mom. She likes her secrets. The only reason I know that there was a guy there at all is because I heard his voice in the background, and he definitely called her honey. And I know what you're going to say, it's not Kate’s boyfriend, because she responded.”
“Wow. Some guy’s calling Mom honey and we don't know about it? I don't know, Kenz. I think you're getting your hopes up for nothing.”
She shook her head, “You forget that you’ve been at school. But I pay attention, a lot more than people think I do. And she has been texting and on her iPad a lot more lately than she had been before the holidays. I’m telling you, this guy is Mom’s boyfriend.”
I made a face, “Yuck. I just hadn't really considered Mom dating anyone, but I know what new relationships are like and I'm just saying that we are going to sanitize every inch of that house when we get back.”
She grabbed a pillow and hit me with it, “Ewww! I don't want to think about Mom and some guy in the sac. You are so gross.”
I laughed and tossed a pillow back at her and before we knew what was happening we were both on the floor having a full blown pillow fight and wrestling match. Charity and my dad walked in the front door about three minutes into it and told us that we needed to split up. I think they thought we were actually fighting, because we’re hoodlums like that.
Charity quickly fixed the pillows on her perfect sofa and moved over to the kitchen to make a snack. Celery sticks with peanut butter, because you know, we’re five.
“Really, Charity, we just had a ton of popcorn and candy, we’re fine.”
“Really? Because that's a terrible snack. Have you been drinking water at all today?”
She would never understand the way that Mackenzie and I ate. She was such a health nut, not really our type of food. Junk food was definitely on the food pyramid in our household, whether she liked it or not.
She put away the celery and peanut butter after making one for herself and sat down on the couch next to me. “So, I wanted to talk to you two about our dress fittings.” I saw Mackenzie roll her eyes but I tried to keep my discomfort unnoticeable.
“Oh yeah? And when is that?”
My dad stealthily made his way into his office and shut the door, he hated girl talk.
“It's next Wednesday, and I was thinking the three of us girls could go together. That way I can see you in the dresses. And then, you know, the following week is the rehearsal dinner. Then the next night is the wedding, then you'll be leaving us going back home.” She made a pouty face but I knew it wasn't sincere.
“Wednesday. Perfect, that sounds great just let me know what time and where, I’ll set an alarm on my phone so I don't forget.”
Mackenzie didn't say anything so I included her in our little girl date. “Mackenzie doesn’t Wednesday sound good?”
She nodded and grabbed another handful of popcorn so she wouldn't have to talk. Sneaky.
Charity smiled from ear to ear, “I am just so excited you girls are here to experience this special day with us. Now you do know that we’re having a traditional ceremony right? I wasn't sure if either of you were religious since Lila said that y'all don't go to church.”
Mackenzie smiled and stuffed more popcorn in her mouth.
“We’re not super religious, but if you're having a traditional ceremony, of course we’ll be there.”
Mackenzie shook her head back and forth but because her mouth was filled with popcorn so she couldn't protest. I moved in front of her little bit so that Charity could ignore her.
Charity clapped. “This is just going to be so much fun! And then maybe afterwards we’ll grab a little lunch. There is great little café downtown.”
I nodded, her sugary sweetness was starting to get to me. Time to move on. “That sounds great. I'm going to finish the book that I've been reading. And maybe try to make plans with Noa for later, I’ll talk to you later.”
Mackenzie didn't say a word she just traipsed up the stairs behind me. A date with the step monster, great.
As we arrived on the landing I realized I hadn't asked my sister about Chad yet. “Hey how did your Skype date go?”
She rolled her eyes, “We broke up.”
I laughed, “Again?”
“Yeah, I guess. Maybe we just weren't meant to be. Not all of us can have guys falling all over us.”
This time it was my turn to roll my eyes, “You and I both know that's not true. In Florida, you're one of the hottest girls on the beach. You were just made to be there.”
“Yeah I guess. Maybe everything really does happen for a reason. Going to bed, night.”
I waved to her, “Night.”
Fifteen
I hadn’t heard from Levi since our date at the jazz club. Though Noa was blowing up my phone. Apparently Clara and her were a little bit on the rocks since she left her at the bar the week before. I knew that was partially my fault so when Noa made official plans for her party on Saturday night, I made sure that I was present and perfectly socially acceptable. No secrets, no hiding out. It was going to be me and Noa and all of her new friends. It would be great.
> Until the Jackson brothers showed up.
We partied on a beach behind Noa’s parents’ house. They had some serious cash and owned a private beach. It reminded me so much of my former life. When everything was perfect. I was sitting by the fire feeling the warmth of the flames on my skin. I gazed at some people in the water splashing around under the night sky but I hadn’t brought my bathing suit, so instead of swimming, I was nursing a mojito and sitting by myself on a log. That was until Eli showed up.
“Anybody sitting here?”
I glared at him. “Yes.” I had made an arrangement with Levi, one with one very clear rule. No Eli. Yet here he was.
He sat down anyway, “Then I guess they shouldn’t have gotten up. How are you tonight, Lila? No date I see.”
I tried to take a deep breath, “Eli, can you just leave me alone?”
“You want to be alone?” He paused and then whispered, “You sure you don't want to be alone with me?”
I shook my head, “I don't ever want to be alone with you again.”
“If you remember correctly, the last few times that we were alone we were kissing, I don't really see how that’s a problem.”
“You wouldn't. You just don't get it. I mean really you haven't even a girlfriend or something in the past five years?” I knew it was low but for the moment I didn’t care.
For the first time ever hurt crossed his face. “There was someone, but it didn't work out.”
I nodded, “Sorry Eli, that was a low blow.”
He looked out towards the ocean, “It's okay. I'm sure I deserved it.”
“Eli, you wouldn't deserve it if you weren't such a jackass all the time. I don't get how you and Levi are so different.”
He laughed, “Because my mother says I was raised by a pack of wolves. I don't know, maybe she's right. I mean it's why you chose Levi.” He looked back at me and our eyes locked. “Why you always choose Levi. Because he’s nothing like me.”
“I chose him once, that was a long time ago. And you know that has nothing to do with you.” I wasn’t ready to tell him about Levi and I attempting to rekindle our relationship. If that’s even what our arrangement was. A relationship. I didn’t have any idea.
Suddenly his seriousness faded and his snarkiness returned. “You're right, the two of you have nothing to do with me. I'm okay with that. Now there's a little redhead over there with my name all over her ass, so if you’ll excuse me.”
He stood and walked away but of course as soon as he slipped a hand into her back pocket, he looked over his shoulder at me. She laid a kiss on his lips and her friends wandered away as he put his hand into her hair. I knew it would only be a matter of time before he was fucking her behind the trees. That was Eli Jackson, always on to the next girl, never caring about any of them. I don't know why I thought he cared about me.
I finished my mojito and walked up to the bar to get a Long Island iced tea when I saw Clara talking to one of her friends. I waited for my drink and took in her appearance, her blonde pixie cut hair almost shimmered in the moonlight. Once again, I realized why Noa liked her so much, she was hot.
“Lila? It's Lila right?” I walked over to her with drink in hand.
“Yeah, it's nice to see you again.”
She looked pointedly at her friend who sauntered away.
“Hey, I just wanted to say I’m really sorry about the other night. We should've taken you with us, I really thought that Noa would be coming back and you two would be spending the night together.”
She looked down at her drink. “Yeah, listen I know that I was being really dramatic about that, but it really wasn't a big deal. I had other friends there, they could have given me a ride home. I was just really hoping to screw my girlfriend, and let's just say all the drama happening threw that off.”
I had never heard anybody talk about their sex life so bluntly besides a guy. This girl was a badass.
“Well, I'm sorry anyway. I know you guys don’t get to see each other much so I’ve really tried to not monopolize her time over the past couple weeks. But I don’t get to see Noa very much either so it's kind of hard to balance.”
She made a motion with her hand like she was brushing my words away, “No it's fine. I mean we live together when she comes to stay with me so then I get her all the time. And this is where she grew up as well. And her parents are super supportive so that's nice, not really what I had growing up.”
I was surprised she was being so honest with me. We'd only just met and even though the person that we had in common was important to both of us, I didn't think she would divulge such personal information.
“My parents kicked me out once they figured out I was gay.”
“Did you tell them?”
“Actually no, they caught me putting my hand down another girl’s pants. It didn’t go over so well.”
“Yikes.”
“Yeah yikes. It wasn’t the best. And then I met a couple girls once I was living on my own, but then there was Noa. And I knew right away she was the one.”
“Oh my God, the one. You’re so cute.”
“Ha, yeah I guess. Jesus, I sound like a sap. I’m not usually this dumb.”
“Noa has that effect on people.” I took a sip from my drink and assessed the party from this viewpoint. I saw Noa laughing with a group of friends near the fire.
“To be dumb?”
“No to be honest with themselves. She’s my truth serum.”
She sighed, “Yeah that’s true. What did she make you tell her lately?”
“That I slept with my ex-boyfriend’s brother, while he and I were still together.”
“Damn, that’s some truth serum.”
“Yes, yes it is.” We both drank from our glasses, me a little longer than her.
We both stood there for a moment in awkward silence reveling in the way that Noa had that honest effect on us. I felt my phone buzz in my wristlet. I set down my drink and pulled it out.
“Anything good? Maybe from a certain guy?” Clara was being inquisitive.
I smiled at her, “I see that Noa told you all about my new old friend.”
“I hope you don't mind, we kind of share everything with each other. But I will admit that she didn't tell me about your ex-boyfriend situation even though that sounds very interesting.”
I laughed. “Interesting is one way to put it.” I looked at the text on my screen.
That dress is going to be too easy to get off.
It was from an unknown number, but I had two guesses as to who it could be. And I was pretty sure I knew which one it was.
She put up a hand, “Say no more. You get it girlfriend.”
She walked away and I grabbed my drink and moved into some trees where it was a bit quieter, away from the music and laughing. I pressed the call button and waited for Levi to answer.
He answered on the second ring. “Where are you?”
I was confused. “What do you mean? I'm at Noa’s house. Where are you?”
“Close.”
I looked around me but I didn’t see him anywhere.
“Meet me at the bar. I think I should buy you a drink, make up for the other night. Maybe for not calling.”
“I could go for another drink.” Liquid courage was exactly what I needed. And for Levi to get this dress off of me.
I hung up. I was glad that I had my phone to use as a flashlight as I began to walk back towards the party, away from the darkness of the trees, but I heard some sounds the distance and, even though I've seen every horror movie known to man, I still had to go investigate. I turned around and made my way back through the trees. I crept quietly through the broken sticks but no one would hear my soft footballs on the sand. It was odd how tall the trees grew here considering there wasn't much space in the sand for the root structure. They must be really old, maybe before the sand had washed up here during a hurricane a decade ago. I continued to follow the sounds and when I heard a girl giggling, I knew exactly what I was going to
walk into. I hid behind one of the thicker trees and peered around to see Eli standing without his shirt on in front of the redheaded girl he had been flirting with.
“Should we go again?”
She laughed, “Of course.”
“You're so cute how you thought that was a question.” I watched as he took his hand and put it around the front of her neck pushing her down on the ground where he had laid his coat in the sand. She smiled devilishly at him. I could almost feel the lust rolling off of her skin. I felt my breath catch in my chest as he spread her legs open and started kissing his way down her stomach. It was like a train wreck, I knew I shouldn't be watching but I couldn't take my eyes away. He took his large hand and cupped her right breast and pulled slightly. I watched as he squeezed hard and her face displayed a mixture of pain and pleasure. He drug both his hands down her body and spread her legs open. I watched as he kissed the insides of her legs. He dipped his tongue down into the folds of her pussy. She pushed herself up on her arms but her head hung back behind her as she moaned. Her red hair was such a contrast to the rest of her pale skin. When she opened her eyes, her hair matched the fire in her gaze.
“Fuck me again, Eli. Fuck me hard.” He brought his head back up from between her legs and kissed her hard on the mouth.
“Tell me again.”
“Fuck me hard, Eli,” she said just above a whisper.
He moved back on his knees and looked at her exposed body. “I said say it again, I want to hear it. I want the whole party to hear you.”
I could see her moment of weakness; she wasn't sure she wanted to embarrass herself by allowing everyone else to hear her vulnerability. But I also knew what was going to her head, when you were having sex with Eli you did whatever he wanted. It made you feel whole.
“I want you to fuck me, Eli. Make me come.” I could just barely see a smile move across his face.
He fell back on top of her but he used his right hand to grab both of her wrists and hold them above her body. He slammed his cock into the wet folds of her pussy and he moved his hips in and out as fast as possible. Her breasts jiggled and she turned her head and bit the inside of her arm to stop herself from screaming. I knew that feeling too.
Over the Line: A Bad Boy Sports Romance Page 7
