“Ugh. Where are we eating? I have a car, so if you want to go off campus, I’m down with that.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize you had a car!” I’m excited to get off campus. I really want some pizza.
“It’s a beater, but it runs, and I haven’t had any trouble with it. My brother fixes it up whenever I need him to. Are you ready? Let’s go,” she demands, more than ready to leave campus in the dust.
I am too. “Let’s do it.”
We discover in the car that we have very similar tastes in music and we spend the ride blaring the radio as loud as it will go. We drive along Ocean Boulevard, and when we have to get back on the highway, Destiny turns the music down.
“So, what do you want to eat?”
“I was thinking about pizza,” I say. “I heard from Audric that the cafeteria pizza sucks.” It’s too bad Audric has a thing for Cheyanne, because I would totally hang out with him more often, especially since Roman is going to be busy this week.
“I’ve heard that, too. What about Little Amici’s, over at Broadway at the Beach?”
“Someone has done they’re research,” I say, teasing her a little.
“Yeah, my brother comes to Myrtle for Spring Break every year, and he gave me some tips on where to eat.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Luckily for us, there’s no wait at the restaurant and we get right in, ordering way too much food for the two of us, but we’re starved. And our eyes are definitely bigger than our stomachs.
Forty minutes later, we have to ask for a couple of to-go boxes. “I love leftover pizza,” Destiny says as she stacks several slices into her box.
“I’m not a huge fan, but maybe Roman will come by my room later and want a piece.” It’s not likely, but a girl can dream.
Chapter Eleven
The next few days pass in a flurry of excitement. Roman is far too busy to hang out; he has practice every night the whole week. He texts me regularly, though, so I’m not worried. Once the season starts, he assures me that practices will be fewer, so we’ll have more time together. He complains about his coach all the time, and although I’ve never met the guy, I don’t like him either. He’s keeping Roman from me, after all.
Late on Wednesday night, I get a text from Roman.
Hey babe. You awake?
I worry he just wants a booty call, and I definitely don’t want to be that, so I ignore the text. Several minutes later, he texts again.
I need a cuddle buddy. He’s so cute. Instead of answering, I get out of bed, determined not to let things go too far tonight, pull on some sleep shorts, and make my way to his room. I only know which room is his because Audric and I had dinner together tonight. We ordered in from Domino’s while Roman was at practice. It’s the second time I’ve had pizza this week, and I’m so sick of it. I need a freaking cheeseburger or something soon.
I knock lightly on Roman’s door and when he answers, I smile. He’s completely disheveled, his hair is mussed and he’s only wearing his boxers. Adorable. He grins at me.
“I figured you were ignoring me,” he says, letting me into the room.
“It occurred to me,” I reply, glancing around the room. “Where’s Audric?”
“He’s got a hot date,” Roman chuckles.
“Shut up! With who?”
“It’s a secret. I don’t even know,” Roman admits.
“Funny, I kind of thought he and Cheyanne had a thing going,” I tell him.
“Me too. Was she still in your room?”
“Yep. Sound asleep.”
He pulls me close once the door closes. “I’ve missed you this week.”
“Me too.”
“Will you crash in my bed with me? No sex, I swear,” he promises. He’s so cute when he grins at me like that.
I nod and climb into his bed. He shuts off the light and jumps over me, his lean body pressing firmly against my back. He yanks the covers over us and I feel warm and loved. We haven’t said the words yet, but I’m pretty sure I’m in love with him. And if he’s willing to wait for sex with me, I can only assume he loves me too, though I doubt he’ll say it.
His arm wraps protectively around me, his hand splayed against my stomach. My tank top has ridden up and his hand is hot against my skin. I find myself wanting to do more than just lay here with him. I roll over, bite my lip, and look up at him in the darkness. I can just make out the contours of his face, and he’s smiling.
“You’re so beautiful,” he says before I can say anything.
Without thinking, I pull his lips to mine, swallowing whatever it was I’d been about to say. Forget waiting. I want him. Now. I roll onto my back and pull him above me, letting his weight sink us into the mattress.
“Hazel? Are you sure?” he asks, totally sweet and loving.
I sigh. “Oh, I’m sure.”
With that, he quickly gets me out of my tank top and shorts. I’m naked except for my panties, but I don’t feel exposed. His fingers graze my breasts, sending goose bumps up and down my spine. I shiver.
“Don’t be afraid, baby. I won’t hurt you,” he says soothingly.
Does he think I’m a virgin? Time to squash that.
I turn demanding, rolling him over onto his back and straddling him. His look of surprise is priceless, but I barely have time to admire it as I strip him of his boxers. I’m impressed. He’s larger than anyone I’ve ever been with, but that’s a short list. I kick off my own panties and straddle him again, rubbing myself against him.
“Condom,” he gasps at my movement, afraid I’ll try to trap him like Cheyanne. His hand reaches for his nightstand and I stop him, opening the drawer and grabbing the latex myself.
I rip open the package, move off him, and roll the condom on him with my mouth, causing him to groan and fist his hands in the sheets. I love the way he moans, his voice deep and rumbly, sending twinges of pleasure straight to my clit. I give him a blowjob for several minutes before I climb back on him, sliding him inside me.
We both moan at the contact, the pleasure. I feel fuller than ever, and then he lifts his hips to thrust into me and I gasp. There’s a little pain from being stretched, but mostly, all I feel is pleasure, incredible pleasure. Pleasure I’ve never felt before. I move against him and the sensation intensifies, building into what I know will be an epic orgasm. I don’t want it to happen too quickly, but Roman grabs my hips and forces me down on him. Hard. I shatter above him, tingly bursts of heaven flooding my entire body.
I barely register that he’s thrusting into me harder and faster to reach his own release. I collapse on his chest and his hips buck up at me.
“Fuck,” I hear him whisper just seconds before he stills.
The sound of our heavy breathing is the only thing that fills the room. My chest heaves against him. Finally, I move off him, laying back on his bed in complete and utter satisfaction. As I catch my breath, Roman takes care of the condom and then comes back to his bed.
“Hey there, sexy girl,” he says, pushing my bangs out of my eyes.
“Holy shit, Roman,” is all I can say, I’m so sated.
He laughs. “Guess we’ll both sleep a little better now, huh?”
“I guess so. I’m sleepy now,” I admit.
He pulls me into his arms and we fall asleep almost immediately.
An hour later, I have to pee. I debate for a minute about whether or not I can hold it until morning, but my bladder wins. Carefully, I disentangle myself from Roman’s arms and pull on my shorts and tank top. I can’t find my panties in the dark, so I go out to the bathrooms without them.
The halls are empty when I go into the bathroom, but when I come out, there’s a commotion at the end of the hall.
“Room two-oh-seven! Room check!” Room check! I didn’t even know colleges did that! Nolan’s voice is loud, giving rooms farther along time to get any extra people out of their rooms.
Shit. I turn left instead of right, ready to go back to my own room and hope Roman doesn’t c
ome looking for me. But going to my room means walking right by Nolan.
“Hey, Hazel. Your room is next,” he says with a nod of his head.
I get the impression he knows I wasn’t in my own room, and he’s giving me the heads up. I smile at him with gratitude and open up my own dorm door. I flip on the light, expecting Cheyanne to grumble. When there’s no response from under the covers, I walk over and tap her shoulder. The blanket falls in. I yank it back and realize she’s not in our room.
A knock on the door jerks me back to reality. I place the covers back over the stack of pillows she’s set up and go to answer the door. Nolan stands there, checklist in hand.
“Good evening, Hazel,” he says. “Room check.”
I put my finger to my lips. “Cheyanne is sleeping.” Why am I covering for her? I know she deserves to get caught not being in her room after lights out, but I hope this will make her hate me less. Maybe she’ll see I’m not all bad.
“Got it. Anyone else in here?” Nolan asks.
“No one.”
“Great.” He checks our room number off his list. “Good night, Hazel.”
“Night.”
Talk about a close call.
Chapter Twelve
I didn’t hear Cheyanne come in last night, but I know she’s in our room. That massive flurry of red hair proves it to me. I don’t bother to wake her; instead, I grab my stuff and head for the showers. It’s before seven, so I figure I’m safe.
The showers are completely empty and I take the first stall, sighing. I barely had time last night to process what happened between me and Roman. He didn’t want to rush things, didn’t want to push me, and I ended up jumping him the first chance I got. It’s funny how things work out.
The door to the showers open and Audric walks in, looking tired. “Oh, sorry, Hazel. I’ll wait until you’re done.”
“Please. We’re adults. Just use one of the stalls over there,” I point. He smiles and makes his way to the shower two stalls away. Plenty of space between us.
“How’d your date go last night?” I ask, almost positive he went out with Cheyanne.
He pales. “How do you know about my date?”
“Roman told me. He couldn’t tell me who your date was, though. Although I’m pretty sure I know,” I say as I lather up my long hair.
“You do?” Audric turns on the water in his stall and we both have to speak up over the rush of water.
“Yeah. My roommate, maybe?”
He looks guilty. “Did she tell you that?”
“No, but since we had a room check last night, I had to cover for her, since she wasn’t there. And you weren’t in your room, so I just kind of put two and two together.”
“Oh, the room check. Rome told me he about had a heart attack and answered the door completely naked. What a surprise for Nolan,” Audric laughs. “But he covered for me, too. I guess I owe him one. And you, too.”
“Damn right you do. Why are you going out on secret dates with Cheyanne?” I rinse my hair.
“It’s complicated. We aren’t dating or anything, and last night wasn’t a date, per se.”
“Really? Do tell.” I eye him suspiciously, wondering if he’s just trying to keep it a secret.
“She needed to talk to someone about her son, and you and I are the only people here who know. Since you two aren’t really speaking, she came to me. We just talked about being a teen parent, and how different her life is from everyone else’s.”
I don’t buy it, but pretend I do. “Oh, okay. I get that.” I turn away, finishing my shower and wrapping a towel around myself. “I’ll talk to you later.”
Audric mumbles a reply and I leave the showers. When I get back to my room, Cheyanne is awake and staring at me.
“What?”
“Was there really a room check last night?” she asks.
“Yep.”
“So how much trouble am I in?”
“None. I covered for you.”
“What! Why?” She looks shocked, and I don’t blame her, I still don’t really know why I did it.
“I’m not sure. But we’re roommates, and that means that someday, I might need you to cover for me, so I didn’t rat you out.”
“Oh. Thanks,” she says, her eyes red.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, it was just a long night. If I didn’t have an early class, I swear, I would just sleep all day. I’m going to see Deacon this weekend, so I’ll be leaving first thing Saturday morning. I’ll talk to Nolan and the people in admin today so you won’t have to lie for me again. I know we have our differences, but I want you to know how thankful I am for last night, Hazel. I really needed to talk to Audric.”
“It’s not a problem,” I say, dismissing her altogether.
We lapse into silence and I get ready for my first class of the day. I really want some coffee. Noting that it would be so much easier if I had my own coffeepot, I make a mental note to buy one this weekend, if I have time.
The day flies by, as it’s my busiest day for classes, four back to back. I hardly have any time to relax between them, and when I’m finished for the day, I go back to the dorm to start on the pile of work I’ve been assigned. Nothing like a full class load to keep me on my toes. I put my phone on vibrate and dive into my assignments.
* * * * * Around midnight, I’m woken up by my phone buzzing against the hard wood of my desk. Of course, since my face is squished on my desk, I feel the vibrations, too. I sit up, yawn loudly, and pick up my phone.
Destiny is calling.
“Hello?” My voice is groggy and harsh. I don’t even remember falling asleep. I look to Cheyanne’s bed and see she’s missing again. She didn’t even bother to make a fake body in her place this time. I roll my eyes.
“Where the hell have you been?” Des screams in my ear so loudly I have to pull the phone away. “I’ve been texting you all night!”
“I silenced my phone so I could get some homework done. What’s up?”
“Oh, okay. So, huge news! Nolan asked me out!” she shrieks.
“That’s awesome, Des.” I yawn again. “When?”
“Well, that’s actually why I’m calling. It’s kind of a group date, with you and Roman, and the rest of our little group,” she explains.
“That’s not a date!” I blurt.
“Yes, it is,” she says, completely serious. I decide not to argue.
“So when is this date?” I ask, trying to hide my sarcasm.
“Tomorrow night, after the game. Roman’s first football game! I am excited, and he’s not even my boyfriend. But it’s going to be so much fun. You’re going to the game, right?” She talks so fast, it takes my brain a moment to catch up.
“Yeah, of course I’m going. Roman just hasn’t asked me yet,” I realize.
“He probably did. He told Nolan he’s been texting you all night.”
“Oh. Well let me get off the phone, then, so I can check. I’ll see you tomorrow and we’ll go to the game together, okay?”
I hang up before she replies; I’m anxious to see what Roman’s texts say. I open up the conversation and have to scroll up, he’s sent me so many messages.
I haven’t talked to you today. How are you?
Just talked to Nolan, might be a group date forming for Friday night. You free?
Are you ignoring me?
Is this about last night?
Will you answer me?!?!
The sight of those angry question marks and exclamation points tell me he’s anxious to hear from me. I type out a quick text to let him know I’m not angry.
Sorry…
Then I take the time to write a longer text that says how excited I am about the group date, and how much I want to see him play tomorrow night. He replies almost instantly.
Thank God. I thought you were pissed off at me.
I reply: Why would I be pissed?
Seriously? I told you last night that I wasn’t trying to get into your pants and within fifteen min
utes of you coming to my room, we were naked. I thought you thought I betrayed your trust.
I cringe as I read it, and I feel his pain. I went through something similar after we had sex.
We’re okay. I’ve got a late class tomorrow. Want to meet for breakfast?
I wait anxiously until my phone vibrates again.
Sounds good. When and where?
I shoot him a reply, telling him to just meet me in the cafeteria around eight. I fall asleep waiting for his response.
Chapter Thirteen
The next morning, I’m awake and dressed before I even look over at Cheyanne’s bed, which is perfectly made. Either she didn’t come home last night or she got up early and took off. I don’t really care which is true. I’m not going to cover for her anymore, though. That’s the sort of thing that could get me in trouble.
I walk to the café, grab a cup of coffee, and sit on one of the lounge area couches. I wait. And wait. And wait.
A quick look at my phone shows it’s after nine and I don’t have a single text message from Roman. Disappointed, I grab my bag and go to my first and only class of the day: Calculus.
Nolan is waiting for me, a grin on his face when he sees me. As soon as I sit down, though, he starts in about Des.
“Has Destiny said anything about me?”
“What are you, in high school?” I retort, pissy about Roman.
“Someone’s panties are in a bunch. Did you find out about Roman?”
That gets my attention. “What?”
“Oh, I guess not. Uhh, I saw him and Cheyanne sitting in his car this morning. They looked really friendly.” He swipes at my coffee and I let him take it, stunned.
Roman and Cheyanne?
“Fuck him,” I mutter, more to myself than anyone else.
“Look, Hazel, I like Rome, I really do. But he and Cheyanne obviously have a past. And if he’s going to just dis you that way, maybe you’re better off forgetting him,” Nolan suggests as he sips from my cup.
He’s right, of course, but I slept with Roman. And I don’t sleep with anyone anymore. I sigh as Professor James puts his equations up. Deciding I need to talk to Roman before I jump to conclusions, I start the long process of figuring out what the hell the equations even mean.
Liar, Liar (The Best Friends Forever Series #1) Page 5
