Just One of the Guys 3 My Someday...

by Kristi Pelton

  One of his hands cupped my butt tucking my skirt beneath me and the other pulled slightly on my hair. I looked up and the chocolate I loved was back.

  “Baby…” he whispered.

  “Look,” the hot guy said swigging the last of his beer. “My intention was not to upset the lady. My apologies.” He threw a twenty-dollar bill on the table in Hank’s direction and nodded toward the door. His buddy followed.

  “Look at me,” Zach requested.

  I did but cried even harder with relief at them leaving.

  “I need you to stay,” he said and his brows were low.

  A piece of popcorn hit me right between the eyes and he spun around and growled at a giggling Sam.

  “We need you to stay, Emma! Help us with Mr. Angry Pants! Help us with little grumpy gills…” she laughed and threw popcorn at Zach too.

  I loved Sam.

  “Put me down,” I requested.

  “No,” he said. “You gave me hope just then. I’m holding on to that. To you. I need you too Em. You’re my happy. You’re my air. You’re my all in. You’re my everything.”

  He rested on a bar stool and with both thumbs wiped the tears from my face kissing each cheek.

  “Vomit!” Sam yelled. “Hank I need another drink if I have to watch and listen to this shit!”

  “Watch your mouth Samantha!” Hank shouted right back.

  I giggled.

  “I need that smile too,” Zach added still serious.

  Highway run…until the midnight sun…wheels go round and round…in my mind…

  Journey’s “Faithfully” poured out into the room and Zach smiled and glanced toward the jukebox. Sam smiled and shrugged.

  “I LOOOOVE Journey and haven’t been able to listen to it for four years!”

  She and Dylan clinked bottle necks when she walked back by.

  “Amen to that,” Dylan chimed in. “We will keep Emma here simply for our peace of mind.”

  Laughter rumbled through Zach’s chest. “I guess I haven’t been the easiest to live with since you’ve been gone.”

  “No more angry outbursts, k?”

  He nodded. “I promise. If it means you staying. I swear on you, never again.”

  “Would you two shut up already,” Sam continued to complain.

  Zach smiled, kissed the end of my nose, then focused on something behind me. The beautiful tan color left his face and his jaw clenched. Shit! The motorcycle guys must have been standing behind me. I turned around to face them.

  Chapter 13—Zach

  The feeling was worse than when I left her in that hotel room four and a half years ago with him. Yet now, he stood in my bar about 20 yards from me with a look of desperation on his face. His khaki shorts and un-tucked T-shirt wasn’t typical Austin; he was a mess. It was clear. Dark circles surrounded his eyes.

  Four and half years I’d waited to see him again. To punch him in the face. To punish him for taking her and keeping her. The hate that had built during that time was immeasurable. As glad as I was for him being there when she was nearly raped, I hated that it was him that saved her. I hated the bucket list they made and the things they did together. I hated that he hugged her after her high school graduation and that she didn’t even know I was there. I hated that she won him at an auction and he paid the money so no one else could have him. I hated that he paid to furnish an apartment for her. I hated that he celebrated every birthdays and holidays with her. I hated most that he touched her and kissed her and possibly pleased her over and over again.

  I wanted to walk over to him and beat the shit out of him. I wanted him to be without her like I had been. And I wanted him to feel that pain—to get lost in that pain. I wanted to throw his ass out of this bar before she could see him. But I just promised her. I just promised her I would do none of those things.

  “Please ignore them,” she whispered.

  What? I took my eyes off Austin and tried to stay calm when I looked at her. “What do you mean?”

  Her eyes clouded with confusion and she did what I hoped she wouldn’t. She turned. As soon as she saw him, her legs slid from around me and I rested her gently on the ground. She adjusted her short skirt and stared at the ground. We hadn’t talked about him but I knew he was still in her life, I just wasn’t sure at what level.

  He began his approach first. The ache as she walked toward him was the most horrific pain I’d ever felt.

  Faithfully…I’m still yours… I’m forever your…ever yours…faithfully….

  The song ended and I suddenly wanted to obliterate the fucking jukebox again. The long, slow, deep breaths I didn’t find too soothing but I was trying. Dylan was next to me.

  “That’s him?” he asked.

  I nodded and swallowed, but my throat seemed frozen.

  “What do I do man?”

  Dylan ran his fingers through his hair. “Fight for her without fighting.”

  Instantly, I stood and joined them. Austin glowered at me as I approached.

  “Nice hair,” he said through a bit of snarl, causing me to run my hands through mine…I should cut it.

  “Austin,” is all I said.

  “I flew in from Mass for your birthday,” he said to her.

  She nodded. “I know. I’m sorry. I should have called. I’ve been trying to figure things out.”

  “By the looks of things when I walked in, it seems as if you have,” he insinuated.

  I knew this comment would hurt her; by the way she shook her head and stared at the ground, it had. Reason number 52 for me to punch him. My fists clenched but the promise echoed in my head.

  “This must make you feel good?” he seethed.

  He had no idea how awesome having her in my life felt.

  “Having Emma in a situation like this doesn’t make me feel good at all,” I replied and for her sake hope I hid the distaste.

  Emma took his hand and the crushing blow to my chest stole my breath. Dylan and Hayden both came closer. It was odd the transition of the feeling inside-- overwhelming love …to fear…to anger to a gripping sadness.

  Finally, unexpectedly, he swiveled around and left taking her with him. I needed help to breathe. My frantic eyes roamed from Hank, to Sam who had tears streaming down her face, to Dylan, to Hayden. Then without warning, my knees hit the floor.

  Chapter 14-Emma—Decisions

  The house was dark. It was late. Too late. My hands shook…partially with hunger…partially with nerves. The Jeep was out front but neither Dylan nor Sam’s cars were. I took the risk of entering through the kitchen like I would if I was with him. My phone was on the counter where I left it earlier that night. Austin said he had tried to reach me. I pushed the little button at the bottom and the phone lit. Seven missed calls from Austin. Four from Zach. Twelve texts from Zach. I didn’t read them.

  Double stuffed Oreos were on the counter and I knew they were Zach’s, which he fiercely protected. I stole one, took the top off, ate the heavenly cream, then put the chocolate rounds back, knowing full well this would make him angry tomorrow. The house was quiet. Too quiet. My flip-flops were loud so I took them off and started back to the bedroom.

  When I rounded the corner of the living room, the muted television was flickering. Zach sat in the oversized chair and his eyes bore into me. Four hours had passed and I was surprised to find him awake. He tilted a beer to his lips, his eyes once again half-mast. The last time I saw him like this, he was getting a blowjob from Sophia.

  “You’re high?” I sounded as if I was asking, but I knew the truth.

  He stumbled to his feet. “No,” he said moving to the sofa. “I promised you I wouldn’t do that again. This…” he said circling his face in the air… “is too many beers. Please be patient. I’m trying. I promised no popping and I promised no fighting—both of which I wanted to do tonight.”

  “I understand,” I whispered and sat in the big chair he knew I loved.

  “It’s been a really really really long night.”
r />   “Where are Sam and Dylan?”

  He took another long drink and shrugged. “They didn’t want to stay here. They don’t trust me quite yet. Do you?”

  I swallowed hard. “Yes.”

  His eyes found mine even in the dark, by the flicker of the TV and he once again rose to his feet. His sexy swagger toward me, made me readjust my skirt, which had slid up showing my panties. I covered myself.

  “Fuck that, Emma,” he whispered falling to his knees and hiking my skirt back up. “Don’t hide that from me. If you’re leaving, please let me have you one last time,” he said wedging himself between my legs and raking his fingers through my hair. His hand gripped my neck with the gentlest authority and forced my mouth to his.

  His mouth was hungry for mine and his cold tongue tasted of beer. Suddenly, his hands clutched my upper arms and he reared back and glared at me causing my heart to accelerate.

  “What?” I asked almost scared.

  “If you ever…ever…eat one of my Oreos again…” he rested his forehead against mine with his eyes closed.

  A smile touched the corners of my mouth. “I didn’t eat an Oreo,” I semi-lied.

  His eyes opened and he puckered his lips as he rose to his feet. I didn’t understand as he back stepped away from me.

  “Baby…” he said in the roughest whisper I’d ever heard. “If I find an Oreo in that package with no cream filling…I’ll…” he shook his head.

  I giggled. “You’ll what?”

  “I’m gonna fuck you like you’ve never been fucked,” he threatened then darted into the kitchen.

  Immediately, I quietly sprinted to his bedroom and dove under the bed, jamming my finger on his air soft guns.

  “Suuuuumbooody’s gonna get it…” he chuckled coming down the hall.

  I held my breath.

  “I’m eating the two pieces you left. You’ll taste them on my tongue soon,” he threatened.

  I pulled my feet closer to my chest when the light came on.

  “You can run kid but you can’t hide…”

  The disjointed rhythm of my heart made me laugh. I was legitimately anxious though I appreciated his humor…the fun.

  His bare feet were next to the closet as he jerked the door open. My time was running out… He closed the closet door, turned off the light and left. So, I quietly decided to change my hiding spot to the closet. Slowly, I slid out and sat on my knees watching the door. Silence. Ready to make my move, I stood and shot toward the closet, but he popped up between the closet and the other side of the bed.

  “Nooooo!” I half shouted and half screamed as he lifted me up and over his head like a caveman.

  “You made Hulk angry!!” he laughed and threw me on the bed in the most tender way a man could throw a woman. Then he stood over me…staring down. Without blinking, he turned off the light behind him. His shadow hid me from the light coming from the hallway.

  “Are you ready for your punishment?” he asked with no hint of humor.

  Though I was wearing a skirt, I spread my legs just a bit to answer his question.

  “Baby…” he said and held his hands out. I took them and he pulled me to my feet—our eyes never leaving each other’s. “Raise your arms,” he ordered.

  I complied.

  With both hands, he lifted my blouse up and over my head then reached behind my back and unfastened my bra, dropping it to the floor. With the backs of his fingers he brushed down my chest until his finger grazed over my nipples. My mouth parted slightly to breathe easier.

  His hands continued south, causing my stomach to quiver, until he reached my waistband, and without hesitation, he lowered my skirt and panties to my feet. Leaning past me, he grabbed his comforter and tossed it diagonally across the bed. I sat on the edge of the bed and reached for his khaki shorts; he didn’t stop me. His shorts and boxers joined my clothes on the floor.

  Years ago, I would have been embarrassed reaching for him, taking him in my hand, rubbing him…but I wanted him to feel good. Only once had I gone down on him back then, and I was almost sixteen at the time. Now I was 21. The other morning I was beneath the covers. He saw everything I did at this moment. When I took every inch of him in my mouth, he nearly hissed. But he didn’t allow it for long though before he lifted me beneath my arms and repositioned me further back on the bed.

  “Kiss me,” I requested.

  Immediately, his lips found mine and I giggled tasting the remnants of Oreo. He rose up on his forearms.

  “What’s so funny?”

  I smiled. “I taste my Oreo,” I said.

  “It was MY Oreo,” he stated and mashed his lips to mine again.

  As his tongue slow danced with mine, his thumb circled my nipple and when I cried out, my hips instinctively rotated against him. He growled.

  “What’s wrong?”

  He shook his head. “I’m buzzed. I’m so damn excited to touch you… to be with you that I don’t know what to do. I want to kiss you, taste you, play with you, hold you, love you…before I lose you.”

  His lips were back on mine instantly with an insatiable hunger, but only for a moment before his kisses descended down to my breasts--his mouth sharing time between both. The little nibbles and sucking alone were going to make me explode.

  “Zach, I think that could make me…you know,” I panted.

  “Really?”

  “Yes.”

  “Not yet baby…”

  He then moved lower, showering kisses over my abdomen just before he elbowed my legs apart and positioned himself between them. When his tongue touched the spot I needed it to, I squirmed and moaned out loud.

  His finger entered me first with slow and deliberate movements while his tongue circled right above. I’m not sure why he said not to come yet when he was doing exactly what was going to make me.

  “Emma?” He stopped the welcomed assault.

  “What?”

  His face was back even with mine.

  “Do we need protection?”

  “No,” I gasped.

  With those words, he nudged my legs apart and positioned himself between them. It was as if he was taking my virginity all over again. I felt like I had never been touched before this moment. Goose bumps broke out over my skin as his tongue touched my upper lip.

  “I love you Emma. I’ll love you forever,” he vowed and gently pushed himself inside of me.

  Chapter 15—Austin—Hurt hurts

  Even with the beauty that lay before me at 1 am, this beach to me resembled a piece of him. I could only imagine the pain he endured when he left me with her in that hotel room so long ago. But that was his damn choice!

  “His choice!” I shouted on the empty beach.

  The crescent moon ricocheted off the water, lighting the ripples of waves as tide moved away from me. Maybe the ocean felt my anger…my hurt and was paying heed. Granted he loved her first—at least in a romantic way. He’d opened up a door for any guy with Ryan. The night I went to her house to make him jealous when she was just 15 played out in my head. That was the first time I actually took notice. Her requesting me to have sex with her…to take her virginity back then—sometimes I wish I would have. But in good conscience, I couldn’t. I thought the opportunity would present itself when she was older. But he got her first.

  She still loved him. In all of our years together…whether dating or not…she never said I love you to me. I’d fallen and I’d said it. It didn’t matter to me that she hadn’t. She knew what I had to offer her. She knew what I would give to her. She knew I would love her. She knew I would take care of her heart…but her heart was never mine.

  I think what I did was right, but I replayed the events that had unfolded in the past few hours over in my head…

  I was so glad she left with me willingly. If it came to physically fighting over Emma, I would go balls to the walls, but damn that punk was big. I even goaded him with the ‘nice hair’ remark and he maintained his composure. Here I was…a graduate from Harvard
Law, dipping down to California to fight for my girl.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked, her hand still in mine.

  Seeing her legs wrapped around his waist when I walked in wasn’t exactly what I prepared myself for. The private detective had forwarded the pics of them surfing and the one in his Jeep when she sat on his lap kissing him. That’s when I knew it was time to move in.

  “It was your birthday. 21! I…needed to see you,” I pointed to my rental.

  “A Ford Edge?” she questioned.

  “It’s a rental. Late notice.” I closed her door and walked around to mine.

  Once inside the car, we sat in silence for a long while. I think I knew it was over but I held out hope. After starting the car, she pointed me in the direction to go. We parked in a lot near the beach and I followed her lead and getting out when she did.

  The evening air was cool but felt refreshing since I was sweating.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered as we held hands and walked toward a bench at the edge of the sand.

  “For what Em?”

  Suddenly, she flung her arms around me and cried. Wept. Tears invaded my eyes and I opened them wide where she couldn’t see and allowed the air to dry them. I whisked her up off her feet and positioned her on my lap on the bench.

  “I’m sorry for you seeing that, I guess. I’m sorry for not calling or not telling you what I was doing. It all happened so fast and…”

  I covered her little mouth with my fingertips. “Shhh,” I whispered. “You haven’t owed me an explanation since you ended things the night of the auction, Em.”

  The eyes I loved looking into found mine and mirrored my hurt. “But we’ve had sex and you stay with me and you take care of me sometimes and…”

  “Looks like I may have to find a new place to stay, eh?” I smiled down at her, but her eyes closed only squeezing out more tears.

  As much as it felt like a vise cranking slowly around my heart, it hurt a thousand times more to see her hurt. Knowing it wouldn’t be fair to her, I lowered my lips and met hers. The kiss I loved so much and missed even more was perfect. Her lips molded to mine and her dainty tongue touched my upper lip then retreated. The kiss didn’t last long and I had no doubt in my mind that she loved me, she just loved him more.