by C. A. Harms
As in, bang my brain loose. Oh my god, I was losing my shit. Who was this girl I had become?
I looked up and found a pair of knowing eyes watching me closely. A smirk covering those delectable lips of his. Yep, that was what happened to me.
Xavier.
He had knocked down my walls, swept me off my feet, and turned me into one of those girls I’d always wrinkled my nose up at. Those girls who got all gooey-eyed in the presence of a man. Yes, I challenged him, but I think we both knew in the end I would cave. He was addictive.
“See what happens when you wear my clothes?” he finally spoke, only making me laugh.
“Should I be concerned that men’s clothing turns you on?” I asked, giving him some of that sass I knew he loved.
He stepped back, and I immediately felt the loss of his body from mine. Reaching out, he took my hand and tugged me up from the table. The moment my chest was pressed to his, he kissed me softly and pressed his forehead to mine. “It is the girl, not the clothes,” he confessed and that familiar flutter returned to my chest.
It didn’t matter how hard I tried not to be the girl falling for the boy, it was inevitable. Xavier wasn’t even close to the guy I thought he was in the beginning. He was adorable, sweet, and kind. He was good to me, great with Marcus, and adored Toby. He was a keeper, the guy to break away my restraints and show me what I’d been missing out on.
I leaned back, looking up at him, again his swollen, blackened eye coming into view. “Are you gonna to tell me what happened to your face?” I asked.
“Red dropped me,” he said as he removed the condom and walked toward the kitchen, grabbing a paper towel. I watched as he hid it in the towel before tossing it into the garbage can.
“Why did he drop you?” I asked, completely engrossed in his manhood that was still fully exposed.
“Because Isaac yanked down his pants,” he added just as he tucked himself back into his own pants and began buckling his jeans. “Boxers and all, straight down around his ankles.”
I shook my head as if to clear my thoughts. Apparently he’d turned me into a sex fiend because I couldn't keep my mind straight.
“Okay…” still confused but feeling it too dangerous to ask, I skipped on to the next question. “Then why was Red holding you to begin with?”
“He missed me,” Xavier said with a shrug, leaning back against the counter.
I stared at him, completely dumbfounded. Never would I understand Xavier and his friends. They were wild and constantly pulled the craziest shit off on one another. It was part of the reason I feared staying at his house. Waking up with chicken feathers glued to my body didn’t sound like anything I wanted to experience.
“Forget I asked,” I said. Stepping closer to him, I opened the freezer and pulled out a bag of stir fry mix. I held it out to Xavier and he gave me a confused look in return. “You need to hold this against your face. Your face looks like someone knocked the shit out of you.”
He took the mixture, held it to his face, and smiled back at me.
It amazed me how he found no wrong in being battered and abused by his roommates.
“So,” he said, averting his eyes. I knew whatever it was he was about to say he was worried about saying it. “You wanna take a ride with me?”
“A ride?” I asked and he nodded. “Where would this ride take us?”
With a shrug, he shot me that dangerously sexy smile of his. “Kissimmee.”
I knew what was in Kissimmee—his family. He’d talked about them enough during our nights of lying awake in bed. It was those times I truly got to witness his love for his family. When he talked about his brother and sister it reminded me of my love for Toby. He’d laugh and share stories of when they were younger, the protective nature coming out with every word he spoke.
When he shared stories about his mother, it made my feelings for him only that much harder to ignore. He adored his mother, and a man who loved his mother that fiercely was a good man.
The pride in his explanation of his father made me smile. The man sounded like a mirror image of Xavier, though I don’t think he realized just how much he resembled the description he gave of his dad.
So why the hell was the idea of meeting them freaking me out a bit?
“Cassie called and she gave me a guilt trip about not coming home enough.” He was still holding the frozen bag of vegetables to his face. “She wants to meet you.”
Again, panic.
“I don’t know,” I said, doing what I do well. I was searching for an excuse as to why I couldn’t. The thing was—I had nothing. I didn’t have a job, and it was the weekend, so there were no classes to attend. I’d say I planned to visit Toby and my parents, but they were gone for the weekend to visit my grandparents, and Xavier was fully aware of this.
Before I could say more, Xavier stepped past me and slapped my ass, causing me to let out a yelp in surprise. “You got nothing, babe,” he said with a laugh. “Now get your ass moving and don’t forget your suit.”
I rubbed at the sting on my ass cheek. “Swimsuit?” I turned around to watch as he moved across my apartment. Once he reached the couch, he sat down and propped up his feet on the ottoman. He looked like he belonged here. He made himself at home, flipping through the channels on the television.
“Yeah,” he replied, not even looking at me. “Cassie likes to swim, so I figure you should probably be prepared.”
I stared at the side of his head, a little floored that I had somehow gotten myself in this situation. Why couldn't I tell this man no? I never had a problem with that before, but somehow Xavier was managing to melt away my outer bitch.
***
I was taken aback by what I saw. No, I was speechless as I looked through the windshield of Xavier’s car to the house before me. It was gorgeous, bigger and fancier than any house I had ever been in.
“Come on,” Xavier said as he climbed out of the car, quickly closing the door before moving around to my side. When he opened my door and held out his hand, I moved forward willingly.
“It’s beautiful,” I said, looking over the house once more.
“They moved here about eight months ago. My father owns a construction company, so building is his specialty.” He offered a wink as he led me toward the front door.
“Your dad built this house?” Again I was in awe. I couldn't imagine living in a home this amazing. It had three garages—three.
As he pushed open the front door and we stepped inside, the earlier feeling of awe was nothing compared to what I felt now. “Holy hell,” I said without being able to stop myself.
Xavier chuckled. “Yeah, he may have gone a little overboard. My mother had wanted a new house for years and when he was finally able to give her one, he made sure he gave her everything he could and more. Come on.” He tugged my arm.
“Cassie,” Xavier hollered, making me jump in surprise.
The level above us allowed me to hear the hammering sound of someone’s feet against the floor. In a blur, a flash of yellow and black ran past me and practically leaped into Xavier’s arms.
“You came!” A high-pitched squeal was followed by laughter, both Xavier’s and his little sister’s. It was sweet to know how much she obviously adored him.
“Yeah kid,” he said, hugging her tight, her feet dangling in the air, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. “And I brought someone I’d like you to meet.”
I swore my heart skipped a beat when he lowered her to the ground and she turned to face me. I don’t think I have ever seen a pair of eyes so vividly blue. The color stood out against her tanned skin and jet black hair. She was absolutely gorgeous and only twelve. In a few years they were so gonna have their hands full.
“Well, she is definitely prettier than what’s her name.” Cassie looked back at her brother and he reached out to ruffle up her hair. She giggled and tried to move away from him. “Okay, stop!” she screamed and he finally stepped back, letting her go.
When h
er eyes met mine once more she smiled. “Hi, I’m Cassie.”
“Morgan,” I said with a wave. I shouldn’t have been so nervous about meeting a twelve-year-old, but I was.
“We thought we’d hang out for the day,” Xavier told her. “Maybe swim.”
“So I take it you haven’t come to whisk me off to Gainesville.” Cassie cocked her hip outward and crossed her arms over her chest. Her eyebrow was arched, her lips pursed, and instantly I knew I’d love this girl. She was sassy and the way she challenged Xavier was hysterical. She said what was on her mind, without hesitation.
She was me in a twelve-year-old body.
“Hell no, I’m not taking you to the frat house,” Xavier laughed.
Cassie huffed in frustration and looked back at me. I shrugged and she hung her head. “Why do girls lose their ability to speak and have opinions once they fall for a guy?”
She turned around and started to walk toward the steps, leaving me with my mouth hanging open in surprise. Xavier chuckled and I shot him a glare. “I did not lose my ability to speak or have an opinion,” I stated.
He stepped forward and gripped my hip. “No,” he whispered, “but you did fall for the guy.” When his lips pressed to mine I knew he was right, I was falling for the guy. Each moment I spent with him, I fell a little more.
Chapter 26
Xavier
“Cannon ball!” Cassie screamed out as she jumped into the pool. It was about the tenth time she had done it and each time Morgan laughed. Cassie could be a lot to handle at times. She was in your face, over the top dramatic, and exhausting, but I adored the kid. She was also a breath of fresh air, my biggest fan, and the little girl who would always be just that, a little girl. Like I said before, her dating and growing up was something I didn’t think I’d ever accept.
Lord help any guy who ever broke her heart.
I leaned back in the hot tub and watched the two girls. Morgan would follow behind Cassie, and though she never did a cannon ball, she’d use the diving board. Now, being a guy completely infatuated with the girl, I loved when she bounced on the diving board.
“Holy Mary Mother of…” I turned to the left to see Carter staring at Morgan with his mouth hanging, practically panting. Horny little fucker.
“Asshole,” I said, gaining his attention. “Eyes off.”
“That yours?” he asked, sneaking another peek at Morgan.
“Her name is Morgan, and she is not a ‘that,’” I clarified. “She is my girlfriend.”
“Nice.” He dragged the word out, nodding his head at the same time. Just then my father stepped out of the back door and slapped Carter on the back of the head.
“Stop being a little shit, Carter,” he said before looking toward me. “She called ya, didn’t she?”
“Yeah,” I smiled.
“She plays you so well,” he said with a grin. “But I can't say much because she plays me too.” Cassie had a way with the men in the family. Well, besides Carter; he was in that little punk stage.
Morgan noticed we were no longer alone and grabbed her towel to wrap securely around her. I waved her over and she came, but with hesitation.
I got out of the hot tub and stepped up to her side, “Morgan, this is my dad, Paul.” My dad reached out his hand and shook Morgan’s. “Nice to meet you,” he told her.
“This little pervert is my brother, Carter,” I added and pushed at his shoulder.
“You’re just jealous,” Carter smirked.
“Jealous of what?” I challenged him, and he only laughed before stepping toward Morgan, lifting her hand to place a kiss upon it. He offered a wink after Morgan arched her eyebrow and I could almost imagine the thoughts rolling through her mind.
For the next few minutes I remained quiet while my father and Morgan talked like I hadn’t just introduced them only moments ago. She told him what a beautiful home and family he had.
She was awestruck, but my father wasn’t the type of man who threw his success in anyone’s face. “It’s just material things,” he always says. I was the same; I didn't give a shit that Morgan’s family lived in a run-down home; her father was a hardworking man who did what he could. He was a good man who loved his family and that was all that mattered.
Seeing Morgan interacting with my family made my heart race with excitement. This was a step for us, a big one. She was a tough girl, but was slowly warming up. When Morgan relaxed and let down her guard, it was an amazing sight.
“Carter, will you explain to me why the hell your muddy shoes are sitting in my entryway?” The sound of my mother’s voice echoed through the area when she slid open the backdoor and stepped out. The moment her eyes landed on Morgan her face lit up. “Who do we have here?”
“This is my girl,” Carter said, stepping up to Morgan’s side. I was just about to push him backward into the pool when my mother started to laugh.
“Yeah, I know better than that,” she said, rolling her eyes. “She is definitely not with you.”
“Why not?” Carter sounded offended.
“The girls you bring around remind me of the airhead Xavier used to date.” It was my turn to look at her with a “what the fuck” look. “This girl looks like she can actually carry on a conversation without giving herself whiplash from flipping her hair around like some idiot.”
Morgan tried to hide her smile but it lit up her eyes. She loved the fact that everyone in my family obviously disliked my ex.
“Hi hun,” Mom finally addressed Morgan. “I’m Caroline.”
“Morgan,” she held out her hand, “it’s nice to meet you.”
My mother bypassed Morgan’s hand and reached out to pull her in for a hug. She didn’t care that Morgan was still wet from the pool, or that she stiffened in surprise. It was just the kind of woman my mom was.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Mom told her as she moved back. “The two of you are staying for dinner, right?”
Morgan looked at me for the answer and I offered a shrug; she was up. I’d love to see her attempt to deny my mother the chance to cook for us.
I watched it all play out. Morgan looked at me, her eyes widening as if to say “help me.” When she realized I wasn’t going to offer any assistance, she tried to hide her aggravation by forcing a smile. I knew the genuine smiles from the fake as shit ones. “Sure,” she said to my mother, but it sounded more like a question.
My mother practically bounced with excitement as she spun around and went inside to get things started, completely forgetting about Carter and his muddy shoes. One by one my family followed, eventually leaving only Morgan and myself behind.
“Thanks for the help, jackass,” she whisper yelled, making me chuckle.
“No problem, babe,” I tossed back, earning a slug to my side.
“By the way, Xavier.” My dad stuck his head back out the backdoor. “What the hell happened to your face?”
“Red,” I offered a one-word explanation and it was all my father needed. He’d met my friends, and he’d also witnessed Red on the field during a game. He knew the shit that went down at my place was unpredictable. There was no reason to push for an explanation. When you came into contact with Red, it always ended in disaster. This wasn’t the first time I bore the marks of Red’s actions.
***
Time flew by—dinner, laughing, followed by some kick ass dessert that Morgan showed my mother how to whip up in a hurry. Chocolate, strawberries, whip cream, and cake mix. All I know is between my father, Carter, and myself, all that remained was crumbs.
We ended up in the family room playing charades, followed by a few other games my sister conned us into trying.
Morgan and my sister ganged up on me, and of course all my mother could do was laugh. When Mom leaned over and whispered, “I love this girl. She’s the right mix of sassy and sweet,” I knew Morgan was fully accepted into the family.
Night came quickly and I knew we needed to get going soon. The problem was it was so hard to break up the little c
lique forming right in front of my eyes. Cassie was in definite awe of Morgan; together they were a dangerous mix, but it didn’t scare me. I truly loved the bond they’d formed.
They were sitting on the floor and leaning back against the couch, looking through an old album of when we were kids. I leaned forward, pushing my way between the two of them. Almost simultaneously they looked at me and rolled their eyes.
“We should probably get going soon,” I told Morgan.
“Just stay over,” Cassie said without hesitation. “I have the trundle bed that Morgan can sleep on.”
My stomach dropped as I thought of a night without Morgan tucked in close. We spent most nights curled up together at her apartment, and tonight I hoped we’d be doing the same. As if the little shit could read my mind, she decided to add a little more.
“Don’t be clingy, dude, let the girl have some space.” Cassie nudged me out of the way and Morgan began to laugh.
Maybe together the two of them were more than I could take.
Chapter 27
Morgan
Spending time with Xavier and his family opened a whole new side of him, the side I’d heard of often but had never truly seen. I could feel the love he had for them whenever he would talk of the years before college. His adoration and love was evident for them in every word he spoke. But to see it firsthand was a whole new experience.
With his mom he was playful and loving. A teasing banter that reminded me a lot of how he was with me, when he wasn’t kissing or attempting to fondle me. He’d harass her about the smallest things and she’d give it right back. Something told me she was used to this type of behavior from having two boys.
Carter was a complete opposite of Xavier. At least to me he was.
What I found amazing was how his father just sat back and observed quietly; it reminded me a lot of my own dad. The pride oozed off him, and at times he just shook his head when the two boys got going. And Cassie held her own. That girl was a spitfire and I loved her sassiness.
