by Nicole Dykes
I smack his chest, “Asshole, you scared me for the millionth time.”
He closes the door and then plops down on the bed I chose while we are here. “You scare easy.”
I laugh, “So why the sneaky routine?”
He shrugs and then gives me a sexy smirk when he says, “Everyone is preoccupied.”
I laugh and shake my head at him. “You don’t give up do you?”
He reaches up and pulls me closer to him, resting his hands on my hips. “Why would I, when I know you want it to?”
He pulls me onto his lap, my bare thighs straddling his jean clad ones and let’s his lips slide along my neck. I should stick to my guns and say no, but where’s the fun in that?
I grip his neck with my hands and direct his lips to mine, kissing him. I feel his hands move up and grip my bare ass under the towel just as I hear, “Hey, Alex what was that town called that mom and dad took is to when we were…”
That’s as far as Trevor gets with his question, because he went silent when he opened the door. I freeze on Shriller’s lap, but turn slowly to look at my brother.
His right hand flies in the air in an angry gesture. “Are you fucking kidding me, Alex? I just asked you about this today. So, not only are you sleeping with him, but you are lying about it?”
“It’s, um, not what you think,” I manage to say.
Trevor just looks annoyed with me. “Really? Because it sure looks like you two are fucking to me.”
“Well, we would have been if you hadn’t barged in here,” Shriller says, not helping the situation in the slightest.
I turn to him and shake my head, silently asking him to shut the hell up as I, as gracefully as I can without showing my brother my ass, move off of Shriller’s lap and sit next to him on the bed instead.
“I mean there isn’t anything going on. Not really. Nothing has changed, we are just friends.”
Trevor rolls his eyes at that. “This isn’t fucking nothing, Alex. You guys are hooking up and you know Shriller. He doesn’t do commitment or anything remotely fucking real. He uses girls and when he gets bored, moves to the next one.”
That strikes a nerve with Shriller, who can’t seem to hold back and says angrily, “Oh you’re one to fucking talk.”
“Hey, I’m married shithead. I committed.” Trevor says that to Shriller and then turns his focus back to me. “He seems healed, Alex. He used you and now I bet his ass is heading back to L.A. any day now. Back to his crazy life of fucking whoever he wants, whenever he wants. Club whores and track groupies. You’re smarter than this.”
I know that’s probably true, but that’s the deal. We end this when he goes back and we go back to being strictly good friends.
Before I can tell him that, Shriller interrupts, “Fuck you, man. As if that wasn’t the same life you lived.”
“And my type isn’t good enough for my sister. All you’ll do is hurt her and you know it.” Trevor says coldly to Shriller.
That’s enough of this shit. As awkward as it is, I need to put an end to this. “Okay, stop and listen to me. He isn’t going to hurt me because this is not a relationship, Trevor.” He scoffs, but I don’t let him speak. “I don’t want a relationship with Shriller. I know exactly what type of guy he is. He’s a great friend, but that doesn’t mean I love him. Okay? I don’t want him that way.”
I say the last sentence slowly, enunciating every word to really drive it home.
Shriller’s hand grips the back of his neck and I can tell he’s really agitated by this whole situation. I don’t blame him, I’m sick to death of explaining our arrangement too.
He grits his teeth and looks across the room at my brother. “See, you have nothing to worry about. It’s just sex.” Then Shriller being Shriller, smirks and says, “Dirty, hot sex, every-fucking-where.”
I roll my eyes at that last jab directed at Trevor, but he just looks at me. “Seriously, that’s almost worse, Alex. You’re thirty years old and I never thought I would have to say this to you, but you need to grow the fuck up. Is this what really happened with you and Stephen? Shriller moved in and you cheated on him?”
His words sting. I’ve always looked up to him, and the fact that he thinks I could cheat on anyone hurts. Tears sting my eyes, and I feel Shriller’s hand grip my thigh.
His eyes dart to my brother. “You know her better than that. Alex has more integrity than anyone in this fucking house. You should get the fuck out of here.”
Trevor looks guilty and like he’s going to argue, but instead turns and leaves slamming the door behind him.
Shriller shifts uncomfortably on the bed and I think he’s about to speak, but I hold my hand up. “Don’t.”
He honors my wish and doesn’t say a word. I know I’ll fix things with Trevor. I’m not worried about it. He was an ass, but I’m fine. I smile at the fact that Shriller is a damn good friend, and I’m quickly back to my position on his lap.
He looks at me confused and goes to say something, but I put my finger over his lips, shushing him. “I don’t want to talk.”
He is doing a lot better, like Trevor said, and I know it won’t be long before he leaves town and this will all be a memory.
Might as well make it a damn good one.
Chapter 41
Shriller
A
lex’s head dips down and her lips find mine, slowly moving over them. She nips at my bottom lip with her teeth and then slowly grazes it with her full set of sexy lips, teasing me.
After what just happened I shouldn’t do this. I should toss her off my lap and run like hell out of here.
Hearing her flat out say that I’m not the type of man she wants gutted me. It shouldn’t have. It shouldn’t matter to me in the slightest, but everything in my head is hazy.
I need to get myself out of this situation because logically I know that being here, near this vivacious redhead is only making it cloudier, but I don’t. Instead I grip the sides of her face with my hands and kiss the fuck out of her. I savor the taste of her, using my tongue to explore every inch of the inside of her mouth.
I reach one of my hands down and undo the towel she had fastened over her chest, letting it fall to the floor, my lips not leaving hers.
A phone rings loudly, pulling her away from our kiss and I ask breathlessly. “Mine or yours?”
My eyes dart to the I phone on the bed and see that’s it’s Alex’s, by the dark red cover on it. A text message is displayed and I can see it’s from Stephen.
Dinner Saturday?
I grab it and hand it to her. “Stephen? Why the fuck is Stephen asking you out for dinner?”
Alex briefly glances at the screen and then tosses it back on the bed. “You read my message?”
She’s not mad, just slightly irritated. I can tell by her tone, but I’m fucking pissed that she didn’t answer. “Why is he messaging you?”
She places her hands on my shoulders and looks down into my eyes. “You sound like a crazy, jealous husband. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
She’s right. Why can’t I get a grip? “Sorry, I was just surprised.”
She still looks suspicious, but then finally offers an explanation. “He came into the salon the other day for a haircut and wants to hang out. He misses our friendship.”
She gave me an explanation, but it wasn’t the one I wanted. I scoff at that, “Friendship? You mean him ignoring you and never finding time for you?”
Now she’s getting pissed, but she stays put. “That was the last few months. We were in each other’s lives for years, asshole. And he was a good friend.”
“Please, Alex. He wants back in your pants. He probably realized he needs a trophy wife to fit in with those assholes at his firm.”
“Trophy wife? That’s so not me.”
Don’t say it. “Well he almost had you there.”
Yeah that did it. She pushes off of me and walks naked to her bag on the floor. She pulls out a short cotton robe and covers her perfect
body. She folds her arms over her chest she stands in front of me with one foot in front of the other in a pissed off stance. “Really?”
I run my hand through my hair trying to regain control. I drop it and look at her. “I’m sorry. I just don’t get it. Do you want him back?”
She looks at me like I’m totally insane, which at this point is a fair assessment. “No. He was a huge part of my life. I want his friendship, but that’s it. Now why the fuck are you picking a fight with me when I was about to fuck your brains out?”
I laugh genuinely, “Because I’m an idiot.”
She nods her head and looks like she’s thinking. She shrugs off her robe and stands between my legs. “Well stop.”
I stand up so my body is flush with hers, my lips brushing over hers. “That’s it?”
She laughs, a breezy easy laugh. “If we were a couple, we’d be talking this to death all night long.” She lays a quick kiss on my lips, “But we aren’t so fuck it. I want your bod.”
Could she be more perfect?
My heart is pounding in my chest. Run. Get the fuck out of here.
Again, I don’t listen to my brain. I grab the back of her neck instead and pull her lips to mine. I feel her smiling against my mouth as she kisses me back and she rips my shirt off over my head.
I need to be inside of her now. Our argument, the shit with Trevor, hearing she doesn’t want me, all of that serves as foreplay and I need to feel something good. I’ve never felt anything better than having sex with Alex.
I undo my jeans and push them down and off before falling onto the bed and on top of Alex. I don’t waste time and push inside of her tight, welcoming pussy, staring at the pillow that is under her head.
Alex’s arms wrap around my neck and, as she’s pulling me in to kiss her it fucking happens, I look dead into her eyes.
Those beautiful, soulful eyes full of lust and passion lock with mine and I’m a goner. I kiss her lips as we move together, her strong legs wrap around my ass, pushing me even deeper inside of her. I feel her nails dig into my back and I know she’s close.
I move my hips faster and kiss her deeper, chasing my own release. Her fingers dig into my skin and her tits press firmly to my chest as we both come.
Alex is laying under me, panting with a big smile on her face. Instead of my own goofy grin, I grimace from a pain I’ve never experience before in my life.
I realize then that this has to end.
Chapter 42
Alex
T
he next day is the fourth of July and the morning is hectic with everyone using the two bathrooms in the house to get ready to go to the annual parade.
By the time, we get downtown I haven’t had a chance to talk to Trevor or Shriller for that matter. After we had sex he left in a hurry saying he promised Michael he would go with him to look at some constellations in the sky.
He’s avoided me all morning and I’m not sure what the hell is going on with him. Maybe he’s bored with this thing we have going. I intend to figure it out, but not here. Everyone looks forward to this trip all year long. I know it means the world to all of the kids. They used to take this same trip with their parents every year before they died.
“Alex, look at her dress! I wonder where she got it.” Cassie says excitedly pointing to a woman on one of the floats.
“Yeah, it’s cute.” I say as she holds onto Hunter’s hand and watches the parade with excitement.
Brooke is on the other side of me and says where only I can hear, “So, Trevor is super pissed after last night.”
“He has no right to be pissed,” I say bluntly, hoping to squash the subject.
“Well, I mean he’s your older brother. I kind of get it.”
I roll my eyes. “Brooke, I love ya, but butt out on this one okay?”
“I don’t want to see you get hurt. I know I should drop it, but I have this horrible feeling in my gut about this, Alex. You having sex with Shriller could change everything. And not just for you two.”
“You had sex with Shriller?” Cassie asks loudly next to me and Hunter tries to politely ignore that, but Luke is next to him and he laughs and says, “I knew it would happen sooner or later!”
Hannah smacks his chest to shut him up, and Cassie looks at me with a questioning gaze. “Are you guys a couple?”
Shriller, Jax and Dylan walk up behind us from parking the cars and Shriller answers for me. The rest of the group has huddled around, waiting for the answer. “Nope. Not a couple. Never have been, never will be.” He looks at Cassie with his classic grin. “Come on Cass, it’s me.”
“That’s really weird,” Michael says and Cassie agrees with him.
This is so awkward.
“Alright you guys, this is none of our business and there’s a parade going on,” Dylan says and I have never been so thankful to him before.
Now that the kids know and I am more determined than ever not to let them down.
I will keep my promise I made to Shriller. No matter what happens I will not let my myself think this is anything other than it is.
Chapter 43
Shriller
W
hen we get back to town, I’m in a funk. I pretty much avoided Alex for the rest of the trip. I even rode back with Dylan, saying I wanted to spend time with the kids and let Brooke have girl time with Alex and Charlotte. Poor Jax.
Alex had to run to her salon to check up on everything so I’m alone at her place. I drop my bag on the ground, deciding I can unpack later when my I feel my phone ringing in my pocket.
I pull it out and see it’s a California number, but I don’t recognize it. I decide to answer it anyway. “Hello?”
“Hi, is this Adam Shriller?”
I nod even though the guy I’m talking to can’t see me. “Yeah. Who’s this?”
“Joel Wasserman, my client, Miles, gave me your number. Said you may be in the market for a new manager.”
I sit down on my bed, not expecting that. “Yeah, I might be.” I settled with Dick a couple of weeks ago, so technically I’m a free man.
“That’s great news! Do you have time to chat?”
“Yeah. Sure.”
“So, how are you doing after that wreck?”
“I’m doing great. Almost back to my old self.” Not a total lie. I’ll get there eventually and this last surgery really helped.
“That’s good to hear. Now, I heard you are in Kansas City. Is anything keeping you there? Like another surgery, favorite doctor or therapist or something? Or could you come back to L.A.?”
I run my fingers through my hair, thinking about that. Is anything keeping me here? A certain redhead’s image flashes in my mind. “I’m not sure.”
“All right, well I can hook you up with a great physical therapist. She’ll even come to your house and I can get someone to help you get back on a bike. He’s a former racer who was injured and got his career back. Now, he spends spare timing helping people in that position. I can get you some interviews and do a press release. Your fans are eager for an update. And if you want to pursue modeling still, I have several contacts in that world as well.” He spits all that information at me and I do my best to keep up.
This is what I wanted from the day I woke up in the hospital. I need to get on with my life. “I’ll think about it.”
He sounds slightly disappointed when he says, “Of course. You have my number, just let me know. I can rehab your career, Shriller. Just give me the word.”
I nod my head again and we say goodbye before I hang up and put my phone in my pocket.
What the hell am I doing? I should have jumped at that chance and I tell him I’ll think about it? Fuck!
What the hell am I going to do?
Chapter 44
Alex
I
get back that night from spending a couple of hours at the salon. Everything there was fine so I was eager to get back and figure shit out with Shriller.
When I walk into my place,
the lights are off, and I wonder if Shriller is even here. When I flip on the hall light, I hear his voice. “I’m in the guest room. No need to grab your bat.”
I grin at his joke and as I walk back to his room I strip off my tank top, tossing it freely behind me as I say, “Good, because it’s been a long damn day, and I could really use your expertise.”
I tease and am in a good mood until I walk through his doorway and see him sitting on the edge of the bed. There is something in his eyes that stops me dead in my tracks. A deep sadness.
I look on the floor next to his feet and see two duffle bags that seem to be packed. I swallow trying to wet my suddenly dry throat. “What’s going on?”
His voice is quiet. Too quiet. “I’m leaving, Alex.”
“Leaving? And going where?”
“Home. L.A.”
Shit. I really wish I wouldn’t have thrown my tank top off. I feel vulnerable as hell standing here with my boobs out. At least I left my bra on. “When?”
He rubs the back of his neck with his tattooed fingers. “Tonight.”
Something is seriously wrong. This doesn’t make sense. “Why?”
He finally stands up from the bed, but he stays there. I stay frozen in the doorway. “Because I have a life there, Alex. One that I really need to get back to.”
“Right, but this all seems pretty damn sudden. Is this because of Trevor?”
He scoffs at that. “No, it has nothing to do with that asshole. I can handle him any day.” His normally calm and playful demeanor is gone tonight and has been replaced with a distant and frazzled one that I don’t understand.
“So, why the hurry?”
“I just can’t be here anymore. Besides I have a new manager waiting for me back home who is going to help me salvage my career. That’s what I need to be thinking about.”
Why am I just finding out about the manager? “That is what you’ve been thinking about. I mean you had surgery a month ago and you have been going to PT. I would say that’s working on it.”
