Breakaway: A friends to lovers romance

by Heather M. Orgeron

  “It’s beautiful. What is this?” The sky was just beginning to lighten to a deep purple. From here we could see out over the Hollywood hills. It was breathtaking.

  “Come on.” His knuckles rubbed up and down my back a few times before he took my hand. I followed him to the tree where he pulled out a tin box. It was army green and inside were a couple of notebooks, various trinkets, and a shit ton of business cards. We sat side by side on a large boulder and Colt pulled out one of the books, opening to a page in the middle. The entries were dated from 2007 all the way to the present.

  “Is it a journal?”

  “Yeah, sort of. There was a fire in the hills back in 2007. This tree was the only survivor. People started hiking up here to visit the tree as sort of a good luck omen. Someone along the way nicknamed it The Wisdom Tree, and it stuck. This tree even has its own Instagram page.”

  Colt held the flashlight over the book as we read through page after page of entries. Some visitors simply recorded the date of their visit. There were lots of short poems and some very profound words of advice. It was especially neat to see the ones who came back multiple times. We even found a few suicide notes that were obviously jokes. One was signed Pauly Shore. It was one of the coolest places I’d ever been. I felt like we were part of some secret club. “This is amazing.” I looked over to my best friend with his big goofy smile and fell a little more in love with him. “We have to write something...”

  Colt took the book and pen from my hand. I watched over his shoulder as he wrote. “I’m here today with my best friend, Allie, and it’s really sort of perfect. This tree has withstood the unimaginable, and like this tree, I know that no matter what figurative fires life throws our way, we’ll come out standing. July 14th, 2017. Colton Fowler.”

  I nudged him with my shoulder. “Well, aren’t you a surprise.”

  “Hey. I can be a fart smella when I wanna be.” He was a smart fella all right. “Here,” he said, passing the journal. “Your turn.”

  “Go away,” I said, shooing him with my hand.

  Colt glared at me. “You read mine.”

  Shrugging, I gave him a little shove. “You let me.”

  “Do I get to read it when you’re done?”

  I thought for a brief moment on how long would be a reasonable amount of time for us to figure things out. “Nope...six months.” By then if we hadn’t got our shit together, we were never going to.

  Colt stood, dusting off his butt, right into my face. “Fine,” he said, laughing as I wiped dirt from my face. He walked around to sit on a rock on the opposite side of the tree, facing out over the hills. “Don’t take too long. You don’t wanna miss this.”

  After packing the journal back into the metal lockbox, I crept over to where Colt sat. “Rahh!” I shouted, clawing his sides with both hands from behind.

  “What the fu—” He shot a foot up into the air and immediately I realized what a bad idea that was. Visions of Colton tumbling to his death flashed in my mind.

  “Sorry,” I screeched, grabbing the back of his shirt. He was in no danger of falling. Thank God, he jumped up rather than forward.

  “Damnit, woman. You tryin’ to kill me?” he teased, pulling me around to sit beside him, with his arm wrapped around my shoulders.

  I shrugged, snuggling into his chest. We were both quiet for a few minutes, taking in the scenery, when my body began to tremble with laughter.

  “You okay, Allie?” Colt asked, moving to see my face. “Are you laughing or crying? I can’t tell.”

  “You sh-should have seen your face,” I choked out between guffaws. “I got you so good.”

  The next thing I knew, I was being lifted into Colton’s lap, and his lips were on mine, properly silencing me. My body was a livewire any time we touched, and this time was no exception. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to the intensity, or that I even wanted to.

  Long minutes passed before Colton pulled his lips from mine. “Look, Al,” he whispered, pointing toward the horizon where the sun was just beginning to peek over. Orange beams kissed the treetops, and instantly a chorus of birds started to sing. Nature’s alarm clock was truly majestic.

  “Wow. It’s so beautiful, Colt.”

  Colt’s lips pressed a kiss to the bend of my neck, and his arms tightened around my middle. “You are beautiful. I love you, Alexis Mack...”

  COLTON

  SO, YOU AND ALEXIS have been acting like an old married couple lately,” Blex mused, depositing a huge bowl of Coco Puffs on the table and pulling out the chair across from mine. “You two official yet?” my nosy friend asked before shoveling a bite of cereal into his mouth.

  “We haven’t put a label on it or anything. We’re having a good time. Taking things slow.” I couldn’t help but smile at the mention of Alex as I stared down into my cup of coffee. The past few days had been almost too good to be true. We were slowly becoming more comfortable with the physical side of our relationship, and I couldn’t get enough of her.

  Blex eyed me as he took his next bite and started humming the tune to that Beyoncé put a ring on it song. Boy, was he being subtle this morning or what?

  “Oh, I love that song,” Al said, seeming to have materialized out of nowhere. “Alexa, play ‘Single Ladies’ by Beyoncé.”

  “Morning, Allie,” I greeted with a nervous smile over my shoulder. Why’d it feel like I’d just been busted? I had no qualms about marrying Alexis. In fact, there was nothing I wanted more, but it was way too soon to be talking about marriage. Especially after the way she reacted to Dean. No thank you. Slow and steady is what it would take to win the race, and I was damn tired of fouling out where she was concerned. “You’re up early. It’s not even two.” I blocked my head with my hands and ducked, anticipating the blow, but she was too busy gyrating in the kitchen to that stupid song to come after me.

  “Uh oh, oh oh oh oh, uh oh oh oh oh.” Damn. My girl could move. She was sexy as hell in her tank top and my boxers rolled at least five times at the waist. Her hair. Well, I didn’t even know what to think about that disaster. I was just glad not to be the one to have to tame that mess. How it went from that to the silky strands I loved running my fingers through was one of life’s great mysteries.

  Blex sang the chorus, holding his hand out and rubbing his ring finger in full Beyoncé fashion. He raised his brows, a not so subtle hint as to our earlier conversation, before joining my girl in the middle of the kitchen for a dance off.

  “What the fuck?” Finn said, scrubbing at his eyes with his fists. “There’s no partying without Finn.” His eyes darted around the room, glaring at each of us individually. “Alexa, play ‘Call Me Maybe.’”

  I was beginning to think I’d somehow woken up in some alternate universe where I lived with a bunch of drag queens before the lyrics started, and I got where he was going with his song choice.

  Finn lip sang, all dramatic. The very first line about the party not starting ‘til she walks in.

  “Come dance with me,” Allie pouted, grabbing my hands and pulling just as the beginning chords to “Pour Some Sugar on Me” drifted through the speaker. I felt a little ridiculous dancing sober in the kitchen with my roommates around, but there was no way I’d ever pass on having Allie rubbing up against me.

  It didn’t take long to get over my hesitation. Alex was insanely hot, and my dick was giving her a standing ovation. We’d yet to get past second base, and I found myself in a constant state of...hard. Still, I was reluctant to go any further. The last thing I wanted was her to feel cheated out of the whole dating phase just because we’d known each other forever. All jokes aside, Alex was not and would never be a forgone conclusion. I wouldn’t cheapen her by treating her that way. I didn’t want to take it. I wanted to deserve it.

  Alex was busy using my body as a pole—such a hard life—and I was on the verge of nutting in my shorts when I felt something wet on my face. Then Allie started to squeal, and I turned to find Finn and Blex shaking bottles of beer and
spraying it into the air.

  Never. A. Dull. Moment.

  “So, Remy’s having a pool party at his parents’ house tonight. You two coming or veggin’...again?”

  Alex turned her head, which had been resting in my lap, up toward my face, awaiting my answer. I laced my fingers with hers and squeezed. “Nah, man. You and Blex have a good time. We’re gonna stick around here.”

  “Dude...you haven’t hung out with us for almost two weeks. Are we breaking up?” Finn was apparently still channeling his inner Beyoncé from this morning.

  “I’m just not in th—”

  Alex pushed up from my lap, cutting me off. “Let’s go.”

  “It’s fine, Al. I really,” I stressed, narrowing my eyes at Finn, “really don’t think it’s a great idea.” Things had been going so well since we cut the parties. It was always the same people at these things, and that meant Candy, Lyla, maybe Sally, and a slew of girls I’d hooked up with would be there. Not to mention Stephan. Yeah, no thanks. “It’s a disaster waiting to happen.”

  Finn rolled his eyes and waved his hand in dismissal. “It’ll be fine, Fowls. You’re worrying over nothing.”

  By that time Allie had completely removed herself from my lap and was sitting up on her knees beside me on the couch. “Is it because of the Hoovers?”

  I cleared my throat. “Uh...”

  “What is it you think I’m gonna do? I can control myself, Colton Fowler...I mean, unless you give me a reason not to...” Alex trailed off, her left brow darting up in a challenge.

  A nervous pit began to form in my stomach. This was a bad idea. “I’m not worried about you doing anything, Al.”

  Her face softened. “Are you worried about my feelings?”

  “I just don’t see any reason to go anywhere that you’ll feel uncomfortable.”

  She scoffed. “Dude, if I’d worried about girls snubbing me, I’d have spent my entire teenage life hiding.”

  Huh? “What’re you talking about?”

  “I’m just saying...girls have always been jealous of our friendship. It’s nothing I can’t handle. Besides...I’m kinda looking forward to taking a victory lap.” Alex winked, pressing a kiss to my cheek. She held an imaginary spoon in her hand and moved it in a stirring motion.

  Fucking wonderful. “We’re staying home, Finn.”

  Alex gave me a hefty dose of side eye. “I’m going to get dressed. This is gonna be so much fun,” she squealed before hopping off the couch and bounding up the stairs.

  “You’re about to make my life really fucking difficult, Finley.”

  He twisted his lips to the side and shrugged a half-hearted apology. “Whoops.”

  Two hours had passed when Alex finally came back down. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. She was going to get me killed tonight looking like that. What was she thinking? Her hair was flat-ironed, long, and straight down to the middle of her back. She had a full face of makeup. And she was practically naked.

  “Bald as a hairless cat!” she chimed, twirling before me.

  “Badow!” Finn walked in from the kitchen, not even attempting to hide the way he was admiring my girl. “When you decide to make a statement, you go all out, Lexi girl.”

  Alex’s face pinkened. “Yeah?” she asked, nibbling on that damn lower lip.

  “Hell yeah!” my roommate shouted, walking around to see the back. “Need someone to inspect for stray hairs? I’d love to see your bald kitty.”

  I lowered my head into my hand, shaking it from side to side. “Too far, Finn,” I muttered.

  “I’m good, Finley.”

  “Hell yeah you are.” Finn nodded, scouring his eyes over her body again.

  “Out,” I growled, moving my eyes toward the back of the house.

  Finn held his hands up, palms out. “Chill. I’m goin’. I’m goin’.” He walked a few paces, before turning back in our direction and giving one last poke. “Meeeow,” he purred then disappeared up the stairs to get ready.

  “I live with a child,” I muttered as Allie walked over to sit in my lap.

  “He’s harmless,” she whispered, running her manicured nails through my hair. The sweet smell of her perfume invaded my senses. She had her tits on display in a red bikini top, and they were right under my nose.

  “Which is the only reason he’s still alive,” I agreed, darting my tongue out to lick the creamy white skin spilling over the top of her suit.

  “Watch it, mister.” Her eyes narrowed as she squirmed in my lap. “You’ll get my cover-up wet.”

  I snorted. “Is that what this is?” I asked, fingering the see-through mesh she was wearing.

  Alex nodded, adjusting the useless scrap of barely-there fabric.

  “Shouldn’t a cover-up...I dunno...cover something up? Like maybe these?” I cupped a hand over her breast. “Or this,” I added, running a finger up her thigh and tracing it along the top of her bathing suit bottom. My heart was beating a mile a minute. I could feel her pulse racing.

  “Colton,” she moaned, squirming in my hold.

  “Yeah?”

  “Don’t start unless you plan to finish.” She lifted a hand, squeezing both of my cheeks together, causing my lips to pucker. Then planted a kiss on my mouth before hopping out of my lap.

  “You look beautiful, Allie.”

  “Thank you, Colton,” she answered wearily, waiting for the but.

  “Please go put some clothes on.”

  Alex did not go put any clothes on.

  Surprised? Yeah, me neither.

  Walking into that house with Allie looking like she’d just stepped off the pages of Sports Illustrated was no easy feat. The thought of other guys ogling her body had me on edge. That Stephan would see it...Well, that just made me murderous.

  “Colton! My man,” Remy called, greeting us at the door. “So glad you ended up being able to make it after all.”

  “Hey, Rem. Thanks for the invite.” He and I did the obligatory handshake/backslap.

  “Hi, I’m Alexis.” Allie snaked her hand around my back, introducing herself before I could.

  “Hellooo, Alexis. Nice to meet you, babe. You here with Fowls?” Remy was a good guy. I couldn’t fault him for being interested in Allie, but at least he’d had the decency to check before making a move.

  In true caveman fashion, I wrapped my arm around Alex’s shoulders, pulling her to my side. “Remy, this is Allie. Allie, Remy,” I offered, a little too late. “And, yeah, she’s with me.”

  Remy’s eyes got big in mock surprise. “But...she’s so...brunette.”

  Alex giggled, burying her face into my chest.

  “I don’t think she’s your type, Colton...” he teased. “Lemme take her off your hands,” he added with a wink.

  Rubbing a hand up and down her arm, I placed a kiss on Alex’s forehead possessively. “Allie’s everyone’s type.”

  “Touché.” Remy laughed, ushering us inside. “Grab a few drinks from the kitchen and head out back, guys. I’ll see you in a few.”

  “He was nice,” Allie offered, squeezing my side tighter as we walked through the throng of people to get to the kitchen.

  I’d decided before leaving the house that I wouldn’t be drinking tonight. I needed a level head to get through this. Plus, Allie and I blitzed...together. That scenario hadn’t worked out for us so well thus far. “Beer?” I offered, opening the fridge.

  “Yeah. I’ll have one of those Mike’s Hard Strawberry Lemonades,” she said, pointing to the pink, girly drinks on the third shelf. “You aren’t drinking?” she asked with a hint of surprise in her voice when I handed her the drink and pushed the door shut.

  “Nah. I’m good.”

  When we stepped through the sliding doors leading out to the pool area, we ran right into Candy, who was on her way into the house, presumably for another drink. By the looks of it, she was already well on her way to drunk.

  “Colton.” Candy perked up, poking her tits out. Her finger lifted to twirl the lock of blond hair tha
t had been resting on her shoulder. Her tongue darted out, wetting her collagen-filled lips. “Where ya been? I haven’t seen you around.” She stepped forward, running a hand down the front of my shirt. I felt Alex’s grip tighten on my arm, her nails nearly piercing my skin as Candy leaned forward, speaking right into my ear. “And trust me, I’ve been lookin’.”

  As I was clearing my throat, I felt Allie’s tiny foot stomp down on my own and whipped my head in her direction. It took every ounce of restraint I could muster not to laugh at the pinched expression on her face. By the grace of God, I held it together. “I’ve been busy,” I responded without looking up from the murderous eyes of the only girl I had any interest in. I lowered my head at the same time that I lifted Alex’s and gently pressed my lips to hers. Her breath hitched as I traced the tip of my tongue along the seam of her mouth. Before I knew it, we were full on making out, and Candy was nowhere in sight.

  “That went better than expected,” Alexis said, swiping her fingers over her kiss-swollen lips as we walked hand in hand to an empty table at the far end of the pool area.

  Remy’s parents’ house looked like something taken straight from an episode of MTV Cribs. The pool alone had to have cost a small fortune. It was a freeform, natural design with a few rock waterfalls and grottos placed around the edges. There had to be at least fifty people hanging out in and around the pool, and it didn’t feel crowded at all. It was completely dark out and the pool lighting made for a very intimate atmosphere.

  Alexis set her huge Coach beach bag on the table and pulled her useless “cover-up” over her head, shoving it inside. Great, now she was even more naked.

  Goddamnit, she was too beautiful for my own damn good.

  “What’re you scowling at?” she asked, reaching her hands around to her back, adjusting her top.

  “Huh? Nothing,” I said, directing my answer to the beautiful mounds of flesh that were just begging for my attention.