Breakaway: A friends to lovers romance

by Heather M. Orgeron

  Alex was a talker, and usually, I was more than willing to listen to her endless drivel. Tonight was not one of those nights. I was barely holding it together. “Alexis Mack...the light, please?”

  “Fine,” she growled. “You didn’t pull out the trundle. Should I do it, jerk?”

  She was pissed, and I was a mess. “Just get in with me,” I said, lifting the comforter.

  A shocked expression crossed her face before she switched off the light and scurried into bed beside me. We hadn’t slept together this way in a few years. But, tonight, I just wanted the old us back. I wanted to hold her in my arms and pretend that nothing had changed...that everything hadn’t just changed.

  “This is nice,” she whispered, snuggling into my chest.

  I smoothed her long hair back and placed a kiss at her temple. “Yeah, Al...it is.”

  ALEXIS (AGE 18)

  I HAD JUST FINISHED adjusting my cap and pinning it into place with a few bobby pins when I heard a knock on my bedroom door. My heart leaped in my chest as I rushed to open it.

  He was so beautiful. I took a moment to look him up and down. His vibrant eyes and gorgeous smile. That white-blond hair peeking out from the sides of his cap. How’d I get so lucky?

  “Dean!” I squealed, rising up onto my toes and wrapping my arms around his neck. “I can’t believe we’re graduating.”

  He smiled. “You look beautiful, Alexis.”

  “Thanks, babe.”

  Dean and I had been together for almost a year now, and he still made my heart flutter. I thought that I was doomed to spend my life pining after Colton Fowler until I met Dean. This past year had been a fairytale. I had the perfect boyfriend. He was kind and attentive, and he made my heart dance. He was all of the things I thought I’d never find.

  My phone pinged. It was Colt’s message alert. I disentangled myself from my boyfriend and padded across the room to check my phone. It was a picture of the two of us on our first day of kindergarten. A smile moved across my face as a tear dripped from my cheek to the screen.

  Colt: We did it, Al. Yay!

  Allie: You made me cry, ass. I love it.

  Colt: Sorry, Allie. See you soon.

  I hugged my phone to my chest, smiling like a fool. I’d completely forgotten that my boyfriend was even in the room.

  “Must’ve been some message...What’d Fowls want?” Dean asked with a sour look on his face. I hated that the guys all called him that. Dean knew it too. Colton was a brilliant basketball player, and his jealousy was unbecoming.

  “Nothing,” I answered, smiling. “Let’s go.”

  We walked hand in hand down the stairs where my parents, along with Dean’s and Colton’s, were waiting—all three of our mothers with cameras in hand.

  Colton walked in a minute later, and they ushered us all out to the front yard to snap a million photos.

  After Dean and his parents left, Colt grabbed my hand, tugging me toward the oak where our mothers had photographed us together on the first and last days of every school year. Tears pricked my eyes as we laced our fingers and smiled at our mommas, ending a lifelong tradition.

  “I’m going, Al.”

  No. “I’m sorry, what?” I asked, trying to make sure I’d heard him correctly.

  “I’m going to California...to play ball. It’s a full ride and a great opportunity. I can’t pass that up.”

  “But I thought you said you were going to take the offer from Texas State?”

  He shook his head. “I have to go...Please don’t be mad, Al.”

  My lip trembled. I couldn’t help it. I swore I wouldn’t make him feel guilty no matter what he chose, but he was choosing wrong. I dropped his hand, backing away, my head violently shaking from side to side. “No.”

  “Alexis, don’t do this to him,” my father warned.

  I looked up at his sparkling green eyes, and it was all too much. Just...too...much...

  “I’m sorry, Allie,” he offered in a broken whisper.

  I looked around at all of our parents, who’d obviously already known and were just waiting for me to fall apart.

  “Shitty timing, son,” Mr. Fowler growled at Colt.

  “Alexis, it’s time to go,” Momma called, motioning with her head toward the car.

  Tears ran down my cheeks as I continued to stare into my best friend’s anguished face. He reached out his hand to touch my cheek, and I recoiled. From his expression, you’d swear I’d just shoved a knife into his chest. Good. Because fuck him for springing this on me before graduation. We were supposed to stick together. That was always the plan. He didn’t get to call the shots.

  “Let’s go,” I rasped, ripping my gaze from Colton’s.

  I avoided Colt for weeks. It was childish and just plain stupid, but I was hurt and scared. And truth be told, I didn’t know how I’d manage life without Colton in it.

  He texted me every day...and I left those messages unanswered.

  Colt: Hey, Allie. I miss you, and I’m really sorry. Love you.

  Colt: Still not talking to me? Wow, I never thought I’d witness the day when Alexis Mack had nothing to say.

  Colt: It’s been two weeks, Al. I’m dying here.

  Colt: I’m fucking sorry, okay? I miss you so much. Don’t do this to us, Al...

  Colt: I’m leaving in the morning, Allie...

  Allie: It hurts, Colton.

  Colt: I know. Believe me, I know.

  Allie: Why?

  Colt: I just have to.

  Allie: This sucks.

  Colt: I miss you. Can I come over?

  Allie: It’s 2 in the morning.

  Colt: So?

  Allie: Guess so.

  I didn’t bother getting out of bed to let him in. Colt had had a key to the house for as long as I had. I lay awake in bed staring at the door, just waiting for him to walk in. It hurt to breathe, I missed him so much.

  Just when I’d started to think that he’d changed his mind, the knob turned, and the door creaked open. He walked in with his head hung, and his shoulders slumped in defeat. And as he got closer to the bed, I saw on his face that this separation had been just as hard on him.

  “Colt,” I whispered tearfully.

  “Can I?” he asked, waving his hand over the bed. He’d never asked permission before. That he wasn’t sure whether or not he was welcome tore me apart inside.

  I nodded. “Of course,” I rasped.

  He crawled in from the foot of the bed, and when his head reached the pillow, Colton hugged me from behind, burying his face in the crook of my neck. He feathered light kisses along my collarbone, up the curve of my neck, and the side of my face, until he reached my ear. “I’m sorry, Allie. I’m so, so sorry.” I felt the wetness of his tears on my cheek, and the warmth of his breath on my ear caused a shiver to move through my body. I began to shake as my emotions took over.

  “Colton,” I cried. “Don’t...go...”

  “Come here, Al.” He grabbed my chin, turning my face until my eyes met his. “I’ll miss you every day. Every. Single. Day.”

  My head shook as tears blinded my vision.

  “God, I want to kiss you so bad,” he groaned through clenched teeth.

  And I wanted it too, more than I’d ever wanted anything else in my life. “Then kiss me, Colton.”

  He bent his head until his lips hovered just above mine. “You sure, Al?”

  I nodded—just barely—then felt his lips brush against my own. It was soft and slow, and blew every other kiss I’d ever had out of the stratosphere. When his tongue entered my mouth, it was more intimate, more meaningful than any sexual encounter I’d ever experienced. I couldn’t even fathom what sex with Colton Fowler would be like if kissing him was this good.

  We kissed ourselves to sleep and morning came far too early for either of our liking. We’d finally got it right, and he was leaving. Life was a bitch that way.

  COLTON (AGE 20)

  “GREAT GAME TONIGHT, FOWLS,” my teammate Finn congratulated
as I stripped off my sweat-soaked jersey.

  “Thanks, man.”

  I downed two bottles of water then grabbed my phone from out of my bag to check for any missed calls or texts from Alex. The locker room was alive with amped-up, testosterone-filled guys over our latest win. But my mind could focus on only one thing...Alexis. I glanced at our messages and re-read our exchange from earlier that day.

  Alex: Hey, Colt! It’s me...Of course, you know that already. I just wanted to wish you luck at your game tonight!

  Colt: Hey, Al. Thanks. How’s it going?

  Alex: Good...Really good, actually. I think tonight’s the night!

  Colt: The night for what?

  Alex: I think Dean’s going to ask me to move in, Colton! I’m so nervous! He’s been acting so strange lately...Anyway, he asked me to meet him at his apartment tonight...that he wanted to cook for me and that it was important. I just really got the feeling that this is it, you know?

  Colt: That’s great, Allie. I can’t believe he’s waited this long. Miss you!

  Alex: Miss you too, bud. Kick ass tonight. I’ll call you. Love you! XOXO

  Colt: Love you too, Al. xoxo

  No new messages...I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was going to propose to her. Fuck! He’d be an idiot not to. I blew out a long breath and slammed my head against the locker door, forgetting myself for a moment.

  “Dude, something wrong?” my buddy Blex asked from a few lockers down. “What’d that poor locker do to you?” he laughed.

  “It’s nothin’...You played a good game tonight,” I answered while grabbing my things so I could hit the showers.

  “Hey, you dropped this,” Stephan jeered from behind me. “Who’s Alex? Didn’t know you had a boyfriend, Fowls. You been holdin’ out on us?”

  I rolled my eyes, snatching the phone from his hand. “Shut the fuck up and don’t touch my shit.”

  He backed away with his palms out. “Wouldn’t dream of it. Your shit’s safe with me. I don’t swing that way, homie.”

  Stephan had been a pain in the ass since joining our team in the beginning of this year. Most of us just let him roll off our backs, but I wasn’t in the mood for his crap tonight. The adrenaline was already flowing from the game we’d just played, and now with the anticipation of Allie’s call on my mind, I was wound so tight, I was ready to explode.

  “I get it, man. It’s hard when they don’t feel the same way. That’s why I don’t do feelings. I let one girl fuck me up in high school and swore never again. That dude’s obviously in love with another man, Fowls. Find a new ass to stick it in.”

  He snickered, and I lost it. I turned on Stephan, pinning him to the lockers behind me. “I’m not in the mood for your shit today. Stay the fuck outta my business.” He started to buck up, and I was ready to pound his face in before I was jerked away.

  “Fowls, cut the shit. We just made the tournament. The last thing you need is to get benched for fighting with that asshole,” Blex warned. “Let it go. He’s not worth your career.”

  Since moving to California, my life had revolved around ball. I had always been good, but now I was unstoppable. I rarely made trips back home anymore, using my grueling practice schedule as the excuse. But, honestly, I just couldn’t fucking take seeing Allie with Dean.

  I shot Stephan a final warning glare then made my way to the showers to cool down. The hard spray of cold water was refreshing. I placed my palm on the tile and let it roll off my back. When I turned to grab my towel, I found Stephan waiting for me.

  “The fuck do you want?” I asked, pushing past him.

  He followed closely behind. “Look, I’m sorry. I was just messin’ around.”

  I ground my jaw side to side. “That’s fine. Alexis is off limits. Got it?”

  He nodded. “Alexis, that makes more sense. You got it bad, huh?”

  “Off. Limits,” I stressed, stepping into my mesh shorts.

  I jogged through the crowded parking lot to my car, a black Mustang GT I’d received as a graduation present from my grandfather, to find Lyla Green perched on the hood. Just when I stopped believing, God went and answered my prayers. She was still dressed in her tiny cheerleader outfit, her tits on full display. Lyla and I had hooked up from time to time, and just then I needed a distraction like never before...

  She hopped off the car as I approached, trailing a long, manicured finger down the front of my T-shirt. “Good game tonight, Colton...Wanna take me back to your place and celebrate?”

  My cock was already starting to rise to the occasion, so I dropped my bag, backing her up against the car. “What’d you have in mind, doll?” I asked, tracing the low neckline of her top. I felt a chill ripple through her body as she reached down and fondled me through the thin fabric of my shorts.

  She smirked, squeezing my shaft. “I think we’re on the same page, don’t you, big boy?”

  “Get in the car,” I told her, smacking her ass.

  I unlocked the door to the apartment that I shared with Blex and my other buddy Finn and ushered her inside. The apartment was dark. They must’ve gone out to celebrate our win. I didn’t need to tell Lyla where to go. She’d been here for this very reason countless times before. I dropped my keys on the side table and followed her up to my room, where she immediately pounced.

  “God, I love your hair, Colton,” she said as she jumped me against the door, wrapping her legs around my waist. She fisted a hand in my hair, tugging gently while she licked my neck. When she made her way to my mouth, I turned my head, deciding I wasn’t in the mood for kissing tonight.

  I carried her over to my bed and sat with her still wrapped around my waist. I didn’t need to tell her what I wanted. Girls like her...ones with...experience...they just knew.

  She giggled, sliding down to the floor to kneel between my legs. She looked up at me with her seductive blue eyes and gripped the band of my shorts. I lifted my hips, allowing her to pull them down, and my cock sprang free, standing tall and proud.

  “You have the most perfect dick, Colton,” she said, licking from base to tip. I loved how filthy she was. Such a stark contrast to Allie. She’d never speak that way.

  Why was I thinking of her? I tried to concentrate. “Do I?”

  “Mmmm,” she said, swirling her tongue around the tip. “You’re perfect.”

  “Explain,” I said with a low, throaty chuckle.

  “Well,” she answered, replacing her mouth with her hand. “You got the best features from each side...Soft, curly hair and those gorgeous green eyes from your momma...Your skin is the perfect mix of light and dark...”

  “And from my dad?” I asked, curious to see where she was going with this.

  “From your dad, you got your incredible height and build...and this...this...”

  My phone started ringing. “Hold that thought, beautiful,” I said, placing my finger on her plump lips as I reached over to the table for my phone.

  Lyla raised her brows in annoyance, and I shrugged my apology as I swiped my finger across the screen. “Hello.”

  “Colton?”

  “Who else would it be, Al? You called my phone, remember?”

  “Right. Are you busy?”

  I looked down at the blonde who was growing very impatient. “Never too busy for you. Lyla here was just explaining to me how gifted I am.” I winked.

  “She’s right. You’re amazing. I tell you that all the time,” Allie mumbled through the phone. Her tone was off, and I almost felt bad for how much it excited me to think that things hadn’t gone quite the way she’d planned tonight.

  “Hold on, Allie.” I covered the speaker with my finger so I could deal with the beautiful blonde in my room.

  “Rain check?” I asked, sliding back into my shorts.

  Her mouth fell open. “Are you serious, Colton? You’re going to pass on sex with me for a phone call?”

  I sucked my bottom lip between my teeth and cocked my head to the side with a shrug. “It’s important.”
>
  Lyla shook her head in disbelief. “She must be,” she said, righting her clothes. “How am I gonna get home?”

  Fuck. “Just go wait for me downstairs, and I’ll take you when I’ve finished.”

  “Forget it. I’ll call a Lyft. Call me if you change your mind.”

  After the door clicked shut, I lifted the phone back to my ear. “Sorry ’bout that. You okay, Al?”

  “Colton Fowler! Are you with someone?” she asked, aghast.

  I laughed. “Not anymore.”

  The line went quiet. “You got rid of your date to talk to me?”

  “It wasn’t a date.”

  I heard the cluck of her tongue. “It sure sounded like a date to me.”

  Ever the busybody. “It was an almost blowjob and maybe some casual sex. It wasn’t a date. I don’t date.”

  Alex gasped. “Oh my God. Oh my God, Colt. That’s what you meant by gifted.” She giggled. “Was she stroking your ego?”

  “Among other things.”

  There was another quiet pause, and I thought I heard her crying. “Allie, are you all right?”

  “He asked me to marry him,” she offered quietly.

  Fuck! Son of a bitch. It was one of those times I really hated being right.

  “And what’d you say?”

  ALEXIS (AGE 20)

  AS I WAITED TO board my flight to Los Angeles, I’d never wished I was old enough to drink more. It was my first time flying, and I was a bundle of nerves. The acid in my stomach churned, and I felt like I was going to vomit.

  My phone dinged. I slid my trembling finger across the screen and couldn’t help but smile.

  Colt: Hey, Allie. I can’t believe you’re really coming to spend the summer with me. I can’t wait to see you. You’re doing the right thing. Love you. Xoxo

  Colt: P.S. Stop freaking out. You’re not getting in my car if you smell like puke.

  I laughed aloud as I typed out my reply.