More Than Her

by McLean, Jay

  "No way." Heidi shook her head slowly, looking at Amanda.

  "True story," Amanda nodded, smiling back.

  "Oh!" Micky yelled at Heidi. "It's on YouTube. Look it up. Look up Tyson Landry graduation." Then she sat back in her chair with a wistful look on her face.

  Jake eyed her. "Are you done?" he ground out.

  She pulled his cap down over his eyes and kissed his cheek before mumbling, "Shut up, idiot."

  So Ty was a big deal at their school.

  So what?

  So he was fucking amazing.

  So fucking what?

  I decided that tonight was the perfect night to get a little wasted. It had nothing to do with the fact that her ex was in town. And that apparently he could make a bunch of grown ass woman turn into gushing pre-teen fan girls.

  Seriously.

  Not related.

  At all.

  The next ten minutes consisted of everyone loving the shit out of some guy no one had ever met.

  Whatever, not a big deal.

  Until said guy actually showed up.

  Then I decided that tonight was a perfect night to get completely wasted.

  He walked out from the back door and paused for a beat when he saw everyone, then casually introduced himself. Micky got up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before sitting back next to Jake, who instantly put his arms around her shoulders. He was crazy if he thought Micky even looked at other guys. Ever.

  Ty did a little spin, I guess looking for somewhere to sit. Cameron got off the bench he was on and walked to Lucy, who stood up and gave him her seat, before sitting back down on his lap.

  Ty sat down the same time as Amanda stood. I watched as she walked away from me and sat on the bench next to him. He stretched his arms out, resting his hands on the bench behind him, enough so that one arm is behind Amanda. He leaned in close and whispered something in her ear. A slow smile overtook her face.

  Jake broke the silence. "So, how do you know Kayla? I mean," he looked to Micky, "you and Amanda weren't really friends back then were you?"

  Micky's expression changed, just slightly, before she recovered. "Uh, James and Ty played ball together. I think Ty's last year, James made Varsity, right?"

  Ty nodded. He could probably sense that Jake didn't need to know any more.

  "Anyway," Cam tried to ease the awkwardness. "The girls were just gushing about your performance at your graduation."

  Ty's face lit up, and then he looked at Amanda and nudged her side. "Oh yeah, remember that? It was good times, huh?"

  She nodded, "Yeah. You made me cry like a frickin baby."

  "So worth it though." And then they stared at each other for what felt like a lifetime. I swear I think he was going to kiss her. My fists clenched at the thought, but eventually she looked away.

  She was the first to look away.

  That has to mean something.

  I don't know how much time passed, with me in my buzzed state, before I saw him whisper something to her, she nodded before they both walked past me and into the house.

  Lucy got off Cam's lap and sat on the abandoned chair next to me. "You okay, babe?"

  "Nope."

  ***

  Everyone left soon after and Amanda came to my room to finish whatever final touches she wanted to do. Ty was settled for the night, in her room. I'm assuming the floor, because I don't think I could handle anything else.

  "Do you like it?" she asked, sitting on the bed next to me.

  I looked around the room and adjusted us so my arm was around her waist.

  It's perfect.

  Perfectly me.

  "Holy shit, Amanda. This is awesome." I faced her.

  "Yeah?"

  "Uh huh. I love it."

  "I tried to make it like your pool house, you know?"

  I nodded.

  "So you really like it?" she waited expectantly for my answer.

  I faced her. "I love it, Amanda. Really."

  "Good." She smiled.

  I finally tore my eyes off hers and looked around the room. "So you're really good at this—the design stuff. You don't want to study that? Make that your career?"

  She looked down, "No. I mean, I love doing it. And I think I'm good at it. But it's just having a good eye. It doesn't take a miracle to do it. But—"

  "But babies," I interrupted her, "babies are miracles."

  Her jaw dropped, as her eyes widened.

  "You remember?" she breathed out.

  I took her hands in mine.

  "I remember everything about that night, Amanda. I told you. Everything."

  ***

  Two hours later and the house was finally quiet. I'd been lying in bed, wide-awake, waiting for the talking and giggling from her room to stop. Now, it was dead silent and I don't know which one I'd prefer. My fucking imagination was driving me crazy. All I could think about is if people could fuck in silence.

  I was about to get out of bed, just to focus on something else, when the bedroom door opened. She stood in the doorway, in her oversized jersey, looking unsure of herself. I couldn't help the grin that took over my face.

  She chose me.

  Amanda

  He smiled when he saw me. Without saying a word, he lifted the covers and waited for me to get in. Once I was, his arms were instantly around me, holding me closer to him. His warmth surrounded me, my back to his front. His hand on my waist gripped me tighter. He moved my hair away from his face and kissed my neck a few times. Then he pulled back, "Huh," I hear him say.

  "What?"

  "Nothing."

  "Bullshit, what?"

  His hand moved from my waist and flicked the name on the back of my jersey. "Who's this Marquez kid? It's not Ty's."

  I tried to contain my laugh. "Why?"

  "Because I kind of want to punch him."

  I let out a snort, and looked over my shoulder at him. He was leaning on his elbow, his head resting on his hand. I turned to face him. I couldn't hide the smirk that'd developed.

  "What's so funny?" he asked.

  I rubbed my face on his chest. He placed his hand on the small of my back and brought me to him. I could feel him through his boxers. “So?" he asked.

  "So what? Are you jealous?"

  "Quit being cute, you know I'm jealous. I'm in bed with you while you're wearing some other assholes jersey."

  I laughed.

  "What?" he repeated.

  "What are you going to do to this Marquez kid when you see him?"

  "Punch him."

  I laughed again.

  "What's so funny?"

  "You'll be punching my brother. That would be awkward."

  "What?"

  "This is Ethan's. I just wear them because they're comfortable to sleep in."

  "What?" His brows bunch together. "How did I not know what your last name was?"

  "I guess it was more important for you to get in my pants." I block my chuckle with his chest.

  "Me?" he almost shouts. "What about you?" he continues, "You basically ripped my shirt off me that night."

  I laughed, harder this time, and so did he.

  "Are you complaining?"

  "Not at all, babe. Not one bit."

  Then I moved up so my entire body covered his, our parts against each other. My hands came up to his face, my fingers tracing his dimples. "I love these," I whisper.

  He leaned up and kisses me quickly.

  "Fuck, I'm so glad-" he said, the same times I say, "Shit, I missed you like crazy today."

  My eyes widened the second the words were out of my mouth. I moaned into his chest, annoyed that I let the words slip.

  His hand went into my hair, gently pulling until I was face to face with him.

  "What did you say?" He was trying to contain a smirk.

  "Nothing. I shouldn't have said it."

  His smirk turned into confusion. "What? Why?"
r />   "I don't know. “My eyes cast downwards. "I mean, you don't think it's too soon to be saying stuff like that?"

  He kissed me again, longer this time.

  "Maybe," he said, smiling. "But not for me, too soon, I mean. And even if it is, who gives a shit."

  Logan

  She wasn’t in my bed when I woke up the next morning. It's the ass crack of dawn, which meant she must've snuck out at some point in the middle of the night. I texted her and let her know that I was out for the day. Even though I told her I was free, I did actually have classes. I'd rather have spent the day with her. Too bad ex assholes get in the way.

  I'd organized with Jake yesterday for early practice this morning to get me ready for game day. It was still two weeks away, but I should be prepared.

  ***

  It was late afternoon by the time I got home and I was dead tired. No one was here when I got in so I napped for a few hours.

  I got woken up by a rustling sound coming from somewhere in my room. I slowly opened my eyes and saw her sitting at my new desk, her hands working away at something. I sat up, rubbing my eyes.

  'Don't look," she said, never looking up from her task. "It's nearly done. Just wait."

  I didn't bother replying.

  "Okay," she said, standing and walking over to me. She had her hands behind her back, hiding whatever she was holding.

  I moved to sit on the edge of the bed, my feet hitting the floor with a thud. Her eyes widened when she saw I just wearing boxers. I'll never, ever, get sick of her reaction to my body. Ever.

  "I got you something really lame, are you ready?" she laughed.

  I chuckled, placing my palms flat on the back of her thighs and bringing her between my legs.

  "But first..." she raised an eyebrow, "...you need to put a shirt on."

  I shook my head no.

  "Fine," she exaggerated, then brought her hand forward and gave me something wrapped in newspaper.

  I ripped it open. It was John Mayer's Room For Squares album on vinyl. "Holy shit!" My eyes rose to meet hers.

  "You like it?" she asked excited.

  "I love it. But when? I mean how? What?" I can't seem to form a clear sentence.

  She laughed. I just watched her, shaking my head. And I did the only thing I can think of to thank her. I kissed her.

  Her body melted into mine. She moaned, as the kissed got deeper. We took each other in, drowning in each other.

  "Oh God," she said into my mouth, pushing me down until we were lying down, her body on top of mine. She was straddling me, her hips jerking forward, her heat rubbing on my already hard dick. She's grinding harder and harder into me, and if she kept going, I wouldn’t be able to stop. My right hand went under her shorts, grabbing her ass and encouraging her to keep going. To keep moving. The other hand was in her hair, bringing her closer to me.

  God I wanted her.

  She pulled her mouth away and moved to my neck. She started to kiss me, but soon the kisses turned to licks, and then sucks. Hard sucks. My legs jerked at the attention she was giving me. Both my hands hold her ass, pulling her shorts lower and lower off her hips. She kept moving on me, her body taking up a rhythm.

  She sucked harder again.

  "Are you trying to mark me?" I asked, only half joking.

  "Yes," she said, the word muffled by my neck.

  "Seriously?"

  She laughed, "Yep."

  "What?" I chuckled, "Why?"

  "Because bitches need to know you're mine," she deadpanned.

  My dick twitched in response.

  I think she knew it too because she started kissing lower, down to chest. I honestly had no fucking idea why it was such a turn on—for her to claim me—but it is.

  She sat up and took her shirt off, her black lace bra barely containing her stiff nipples.

  "Fuck," I breathed out, before flipping us over until I was on top. I started to kiss the spot just above her bra; my hand went into her shorts.

  "Shit," she gasped, grabbing it before I reached where I so badly needed to touch. I looked up at her. Her eyes were half hooded, her chest rose and fell, her mouth slightly open, her ragged breaths caused her lips to tremble. I tried to release my hand from her grip so I could continue. "No, Logan, I have to go to work soon."

  I grunted.

  Grunted.

  My head fell to her stomach. "I'll be quick." I was desperate.

  She giggled. "Wow," she said sarcastically, "how can I resist when you say it like that, asshat."

  I laughed and moved off her, coming to a stand. I wasn't going any further if we couldn't go all the way.

  I grabbed my phone off the nightstand and pressed a few buttons while I watched her Expression turn to confusion.

  Then the familiar sound of a guitar filled the room, before John Mayer’s voice joined in.

  She threw her head back with laughter. I climbed onto the bed and crawled up next to her. She grabbed my face in her hands and raised her eyebrows. "Your body is a wonderland? Really?"

  "Uh-huh." I nod, turning my head to kiss her wrist. "You're totally about to get layooked," I joked.

  Amanda

  Stupid work. Stupid money. Stupid Customers. Stupid food. Stupid drinks. Stupid bar.

  I could be at home right now getting layooked by Logan Matthews.

  TWENTY THREE

  Logan

  Ethan drove her to work. I offered but he said he was on his way there anyway. I left my room to get a drink when I saw Ty sitting on the sofa. I'd kind of forgotten that he was here.

  "Hey." I tried to make small talk. "When are you heading home?"

  "Tonight, actually. My buddy is picking me up in an hour or so."

  I nodded, and then just stood there awkwardly.

  "Actually," he pointed the controller to the TV and switched it off, "I'm glad you're here. I kind of wanted to talk to you, without Amanda, you know?"

  Fucking awesome. I looked forward to this conversation. "I don't think we need to talk about shit." I started walking away.

  "You need to quit being an asshole. It's about Amanda," he said. And it was enough to stop me in my tracks and turn to face him.

  "What about her?" My eyes narrowed at him.

  He motioned for me to sit opposite him. I tried to resist, just to be an asshole, and to show him that he has no control over what I did. But he just waited.

  And waited.

  So I finally gave in, and made a show of how inconvenient it was for me to sit my ass down on a chair. Because I'm eight years old, and this is clearly a form of punishment.

  He rolled his eyes at me.

  Valid.

  "So, she didn't tell you about me, huh?" He got comfortable.

  I shook my head. I didn’t know what the protocol should be for current whatever-the-hell-I-am to ex boyfriend conversation. It was awkward as fuck, and the fact that we were alone didn't help.

  "Did she tell you about what happened two summers ago?"

  Instantly my eyes snapped to his. I was paying full attention. I wasn't sure if this was about me, or if he even knew about that. But he had this look on his face, like he was ready for a fight. And I didn't want to have it. Not with him.

  "You know Dimmy and I, we dated for years." He said this looking straight at me.

  "Yeah?"

  "Yeah. We started dating six months before I went off to college. She was a sophomore. I mean, when I went after her, I really didn't know that anything would come of it, you know? I didn't expect that I'd be going through college still with her. The six months before I left were intense. We fell in love so quick. And it wasn't just that first love bullshit people speak of. It was that real love. The 'one day I'll marry you', kind of love."

  "Yeah?" I called bullshit on this asshole. Whatever he was trying to do here—this intimidation shit he was trying to pull—it wasn't going to work. At all. "If that's true then what the fuck happened?" I knew I s
ounded pissed, but I thought I had every right to be.

  "She broke up with me."

  "Huh." I tried not to sound like a smart ass. Really, I did.

  "Yeah." He nodded. His eyes narrowed at me. "See, the thing is—we talked about my move to college before I left. And we had this stupid agreement, that we could kind of see other people while I was away. I think she was scared that college would be too tempting for me. And the truth is—it was. At the beginning, anyway. I made out with a few girls, but it was all physical. None of it meant anything. And the minute it was over I called her. I fucked up. Made a mistake. And Dimmy—being Dimmy—she just shrugged it off. Said she understood, that it made her sad, but she agreed to it, so what could she do? That's the thing about Dimmy, she's just that fucking perfect."

  I shook my head and laughed once. "What are you trying to say? That you want her back? You want to have it out to see who she wants? Is that it?"

  "No asshole. Not even close."

  "Then what? What's your problem?"

  "My problem is that she called me that summer." He was the one pissed now, speaking through clenched teeth. "Five o'clock in the fucking morning, to break up with me. Said she'd just gotten home from an actual date with some jerk. She said she could see herself being happy with him. That this guy made her feel things she never felt before—not even with me. It broke my fucking heart. But what could I do? We were states away. And she sounded happy. If she wanted to be happy with some other asshole then who the fuck was I to stand in her way?"

  I stayed silent, looking at the floor, shocked by what he was telling me. That she broke up with her boyfriend of what? Two, three, years? To be with me. And I fucked it up.

  "So I let her go," he continued. I didn't to stop him. Whatever he had coming, I deserved it. "I let her fucking go, this girl I wanted to be with forever. And you know what the worst thing is, Logan?" He spat out my name. "The worst thing is that she called me back a few weeks later, crying her eyes out, begging me to take her back. And I wanted to. I so badly wanted to. But I couldn't. And you know why?"