by Nicole Dykes
“Can we please just let this go already? It was a drunken mistake,” I whine.
“We’re never going to forget it,” Cam says, seemingly jokingly, but I detect a hint of anger still left there. He was so pissed that night, I thought he was going to take an actual swing at his idol, Shriller.
Hannah, being the great friend she is, says, “Let’s talk about something else.” And nudges Luke in his side with her elbow.
He just smirks, proud of himself and surrenders. “Okay. Okay. My whole family will be here tomorrow, so I’m sure all of yours will be right?”
My eyes meet Hannah's, and I’m sure are equally as huge. Yeah that’s not a better subject, and only Hannah knows why.
Hunter nods, “Yep, my mom, dad, and sister will be here tomorrow, but are leaving right after.”
Cam nods, and I feel my heart rate increase to a near alarming rate at this subject matter. “Yeah, my mom and dad will be here, not my sisters though.” He turns to me, and I try my best to keep my facial expressions and breathing under control. “What about you, Van? Am I finally going to meet your parents?”
Before I can attempt to answer, Luke looks puzzled as he addresses Cam, “You haven’t met her parents?” Then looks at me, “Aren’t you from K.C.?”
I nod my answer and Cam says, “Nope. I’ve seen pictures. I know her mom is smoking hot and her dad looks like a scary fucker.”
He laughs, but I’m in panic mode as I say, “They’re not coming.”
Cam looks concerned and sympathetic when he says, “They aren’t? Fuck. If mine and Hunter parents are making the trip, I thought for sure yours would.”
Hannah’s eyes meet mine again and she says, “Let’s drop it.”
Cam’s beautiful blue eyes search mine, a million questions whirling around in them. But ultimately, he does what he’s told and turns to Hannah. “So, Hannah, you really gonna break my heart and move in with this dickhead?”
He gestures to Luke and is met by Luke’s middle finger waving in the air at him. Cam laughs, and Hannah says happily, “Absolutely.”
Cam shrugs, “Can’t believe you don’t make him give you a ring first.”
Hannah’s turn to feel utterly uncomfortable. I smack Cam in his granite like chest and stand up grabbing Hannah’s hand. “Let’s get a drink.”
She agrees eagerly and jumps up to walk away with me. I see out of my peripheral vision, Luke standing up and punching Cam in the arm playfully, yet still pissed off, and hear him say, “Asshole.” As I turn and we find a table with tons of liquor.
Neither one of us drink often, but I think tonight calls for it. Hannah must agree because she grabs a bottle of cherry flavored vodka and pours two shots. She takes hers, and I down mine in solidarity.
The liquid stings and I ask, “You okay?”
She pours two more shots. “Of course. I’m so happy. I mean I’m going to move in with Luke in two days. After over three years of dating, we are finally going to live in the same city.”
I stare at her as she signals for me to take another shot with her, which I do, knowing I’m going to regret it later.
I sit the plastic shot glass down and look at Hannah. “It’s me, Hannah. Be honest.”
Her face drops and she throws one hand up in the air, “Fine! Where the hell is my ring? He said we have to live in the same city! Well we are, but no ring! Is he afraid to commit fully? Does he think he will get bored with me or is he already? Is he upset he gave up being a bachelor so young?”
Her frustration shows through her words, but she manages to keep her voice quiet since the guys aren’t far away. “Feel better?” I ask, smiling.
She laughs. “A little. I just don’t get it, Van.”
“I know, but for what it’s worth, Lucas Monroe loves you more than anything in this world, Hannah. If there is one thing I’m certain of, it’s that. Maybe he’s just waiting until Cass and Hunt’s wedding is over. Letting them have their moment.”
None of us are sure what is taking him so long to propose. There is no doubt he only wants Hannah. He needs to pull his head out of his ass and propose already though, because she would have married him years ago. They’ve known each other since they were five, overcame hell and found each other after years apart. They are the definition of soul mates. Even if I don’t necessarily believe in that, I believe in them.
She smiles and then her eyes narrow toward the door, and she hands me another shot she has poured. “Let’s celebrate right. I think you’re going to need this.”
I take the shot glass in hand and look where she is zoomed in on.
Dani.
Shit.
Of course, she’s here to slobber all over Cam. Hannah’s right. I need the shot. I down it and look at her. “Let’s do this.”
This time I mix us some drinks since our tolerance is low and I’m already feeling the effects of the three shots we took.
Last night as a college undergrad. Might as well do it right.
Chapter 5
Cam
“Oh, look who it is. Girlfriend Number Two,” Luke says, still pissed I brought up proposing with Hannah around.
I don’t give a fuck. The dude needs to get it together, grow a damn pair, and ask her to marry him already. We all know she’s the only one he wants, so no one understands the hold up.
I look over and see Dani and Cass walk in the front door. Dani is looking damn good and just my kind of slutty, in a sinfully short, red dress that hugs her curves and dips dangerously low in the front, showing off those perfect tits.
She has a few tattoos spread over her body, but the dress only shows the one on her neck and the one on her ankle. She has her nose ring in and piercings lining each ear, and her long, black straight hair is left down. She just screams dirty fun.
“Her name is Dani,” Luke says over-enunciating Dani’s name sarcastically.
I hold up my middle finger. “Blow me, asshole. How about you go propose to your hot-ass fiancé before someone else with some balls gets there.”
His expression darkens, “I have the fucking ring.” He turns to Hunt. “This fucker had to go and mess everything up. I’m not piggybacking on his proposal and stealing my sister’s thunder.”
I shake my head. “You and Hannah were together long before they were.”
He grabs his crotch in a crude gesture. “Suck it, asshole.”
I laugh. Sophisticated as fuck, aren’t we?
Cassie and Dani start walking toward us, and my eyes instantly go to where Van and Hannah are standing at the table that has all the alcohol. I really hope Van remembers she’s a fucking lightweight. The last time she got shitfaced, I had to watch her kiss my fucking hero, Adam Shriller. That night, hero or not, I could have killed him.
Van is Dani’s opposite in nearly every way. She’s wearing a white, flowery sundress and jean jacket with pink heels. The dress going down to about mid-thigh, only showing a classy amount of those long, strong tan legs. Her long, wavy brown hair is styled perfectly. She’s barely wearing any makeup, but that fucking angelic, beautiful face doesn’t need a drop of it.
Cassie sits on Hunter’s lap, wrapping her arms happily around his neck and laying a big kiss on his lips.
“Get a fucking room,” Luke grumbles.
“That’s a really good idea,” Little Monroe says in a very grown-up tone to Hunter, who is already standing up in agreement.
“That shit backfired, Monroe,” I say to Luke, laughing.
Hunter has Cassie’s hand in his. “We do need to discuss the move.”
I laugh and say as suggestively as I can, just to be a dick, “I bet you have a lot to discuss. All night long.” I drag out the “all night long” part as they are walking off, getting the middle finger from Luke and Hunter.
Dani just rolls her eyes and takes the spot Van was sitting in earlier. “You’re a real dick you know that?” Her tone is playful and she adds, “But it’s pretty funny when you get Luke all riled up.”
She
laughs and I look over at Luke in triumph. If Dani were pissed about this morning she wouldn’t be sitting here joking with me now, would she. He just rolls his eyes and walks off to join Hannah and Van.
“God he’s such a tool. I seriously don’t get what his problem is,” she says.
“Ah, he thinks you’re a dirty girl,” I say, leaning a little closer.
She leans in further, her full lips near mine. “He’s right.”
“Oh, believe me. I know,” I smirk. Things with Dani are easy. And fun, to be honest. I have a damn good time flirting with her in public and fucking her in private.
My sight lands on Van across the room, her brown eyes are locked on us and, in that moment, she looks heartbroken. Fuck. I shouldn't care. I’d give anything not to, because if she genuinely wanted me she could have me. But I put some space between Dani and me anyway, out of sheer respect for Van.
Then I focus back on Dani, “Look, I want to say I’m sorry.”
“For what?” She looks baffled, but I’m not buying it.
“Come on, Dani,” I say, hoping she won’t make me say it.
She rolls her eyes at me. “Don’t be such a chick, Cam. You aren’t the only one that thinks about other people when we’re fucking.”
I examine her eyes, trying to figure out if she’s truly this cool. “Really?”
She rolls her eyes again and then huffs, all done with a grin on her pretty face. “No. I don’t think about other people when I’m with you.” She shrugs her shoulders with a confidence most girls would kill for. “But for whatever reason, you’re hung up on Van. It’s no secret. Although, personally I don’t get it.”
I hate that it’s common knowledge just how pussy whipped I am, but there’s honestly nothing I can do about it.
She continues, “I mean I know she’s, like, model-gorgeous, which I find boring in the first place, but guys dig that. The thing is, seriously Cam, she has zero personality.”
I’m not going to take the bait and bash or defend Van to Dani. But she’s way off base. Vanessa is a fucking blast when you get to know her, but she’s not one to let her guard down easily.
Except with me.
“It was a dick move, Dani, and it won’t happen again.”
She grins and yet again shrugs her shoulders. “I get it. I woke you up.” She looks almost innocent and maybe even nervous when she asks, “Do you dream about her every night?”
Yes. “No. Of course not. I’m not some love-sick puppy.”
She doesn’t believe me, but then her sights are set on a pretty blonde across the room that’s been begging me to notice her all night. I have, but she didn’t peak my interest enough to go over yet.
Dani's eyes slowly go back to me, and she scoots a little closer on the couch. “You know, Cam, there are like five girls that are eyeing you. Looking at you like they want to devour you.”
I look around the room, then back at Dani, smiling like the cocky asshole I am. “Accurate.”
She bites that bottom lip of hers, “And I’m sure that since it’s your last party as an undergrad, you were hoping for some strange, but I’m here and totally in the mood for you to do dirty things to me.”
Her face has inched closer to mine, and her voice has dropped to a sexy, low whisper. That’s a tempting offer. “Is that so?”
She nods her head, leaning in nipping at my bottom lip, before taking over my entire mouth with hers. Her tongue invades my mouth, and I’m only human, I kiss her back with the thought somewhere in my mind that Van could be watching. But right now, it’s my cock that’s calling the shots, and Dani’s been a hell of a lot nicer to him than Van has lately.
And then I hear Vanessa’s voice, although slightly slurred and more pissed than usual. “God Dani, can’t you find a different cock to ride tonight?”
Dani pulls back away from my lips, and we both looked at a tumultuous Vanessa standing with a red plastic cup in her hand. Shit. She has fire in those eyes.
“What the fuck did you just say to me, bitch?” Dani asks.
Here we go again. These two seriously hate each other.
Van leans forward over the couch, getting in Dani’s face, talking slowly, “I said, can’t you find a different cock tonight and let Cam hang out with his friends his last night before graduation. Or like five others, since we all know you like to get around.”
Dani jumps up and walks around the couch, and I jump over the back to get there first to keep some distance between the two.
I fail, and Dani nearly chest bumps Van. “You better watch your mouth. or I’ll fuck up that pretty face.”
“Try it, Dani. The last time we went toe to toe you wound up all wet.”
I knew she didn’t accidentally trip her into the pool on Shriller’s birthday. I accused her of doing it on purpose that day and scored scorching hot sex in Brooke and Dylan’s bathroom.
Dani scoffs, “Toe to toe, that was a cheap shot and you know it.”
Vanessa shrugs, swaying dangerously on her heels. “Look, it’s no big deal. So, you’re a slut that will fuck anything with a dick. Own it, honey.”
“Van,” I warn. Van is tough, but she’s way too drunk tonight.
It’s too late to stop anything, and Dani screams, “Don’t call me a slut. You fucking cold fish! What Cam saw in you I have no fucking idea! I’m positive when you two fucked, it was him doing all the work, and you just laid there.” Dani shoves her with both hands, and Vanessa stumbles, those fucking heels not doing her any favors.
I reach out and brace her with my arm around her back to keep her from falling on her ass. She quickly shoves me away and pushes Dani who is a little steadier. “You don’t know how wrong you are, little girl. The things I can do in the bedroom would blow your skanky little mind.” Van is just getting started. “And I know, I know, you’re so fucking liberal. Shattering stereotypes and fucking who you want, when you want. Trend-setting. Blah, blah, blah.”
I search around for some backup and see Hannah and Luke coming over. But with Hannah it’s more like stumbling.
I turn to Van, “What the hell has gotten into you?”
Hannah stops next to me with Luke bracing her, and she answers me slurring her words even worse than Van, “Alcohol. Lots of it.”
Dani ignores Hannah and Luke. Her focus solely on Van. “At least I’m getting some. As opposed to holing up inside with your sad little vibrator because you’re too fucked-up to make things work with Cam. And no one else is even remotely interested in a cold, uptight bitch like you.”
Well, that did it. Van lunges at Dani, gripping her hair in her hands, and Dani struggles grabbing at Vanessa’s hands with hers trying to get loose.
“Fuck, Van!” I yell, trying to get between them.
“You fucking crazy bitch, let me go!” Dani screams and bites Vanessa’s wrist.
Van screams and steps back letting go of Dani’s hair. “You don’t know shit about me and Cam.”
Dani straightens her hair calmly and says coldly, “I know plenty.”
Van’s eyes meet mine briefly, betrayal swimming in them and then she’s right back to Dani. “He’s using you. The only thing he’s interested in is that diseased cesspool, between your legs.”
Dani closes the little bit of space that was between them. “I'm as clean as they come bitch. And he can have me anytime he wants. And believe me, he does quite frequently. I make it easy, instead of pretending like everything is fucking complicated and fucking with his mind for fun.”
Vans look is vicious when she says, “Every time he fucks you, he’s thinking about me.”
I look at Luke and pray he keeps his mouth shut. The last thing I need is him making a crack about the incident this morning. Luckily, he doesn’t say a word.
Dani’s fist pulls back and, before anyone can do a damn thing about it, connects with Van’s eye.
Fuck! I didn’t see that coming.
Vanessa flies backward and reaches up to cover her eye with her hand. Shit. Dani shake
s her fist at her side, clearly in pain.
I put both hands on Van’s shoulders and try to examine the damage. “Are you, okay?”
She drops her hand and pushes me away and then straight up fucking tackles Dani.
Son of a bitch. They roll around on the floor, clawing, slapping, and punching each other.
Hannah’s screaming at them to stop. Hunt and Cass must have heard the commotion and come running out. A shirtless Hunter grabs Dani just as I get Van around her waist and pull her up, literally throwing her over my shoulder. “Fuck, Van. Stop!”
They are both still fighting in the air, trying to get at each other. Dani yells, “You fucking bitch. I’ll tear you apart!”
Van screams over my shoulder. “Try it, you nasty skank. God, I hope Cam remembers a condom before touching you!”
Hunt has Dani around the waist, but she’s trying like hell to get free. “Why? You think you are ever going to have another shot with him? He doesn’t want your washed-up ass. He’s done with you!”
“Oh please.” Van breaks free and runs over to Dani who shoves against Hunter hard enough to do the same and meets her in the middle of the crowd that’s gathered around. “I see right through you, Dani,” Vanessa spits out, out of breath from the epic throw down.
Dani shoves her shoulder again, but not hard enough to knock her over. Hunt and I brace ourselves, but don’t intervene yet.
“Oh yeah?” Dani practically growls.
“Yeah. You pretend to be this tough bitch with no real feelings for Cam.” She leans in closer, seething. “But I see the way you look at him when you think no one’s looking. I know your dirty little secret, sweetheart.”
Dani shoves her again and I see anger flash in Van’s eyes as she starts to lunge at her again. I don’t let her this time and pick her up again. I drag her out the front door, kicking and screaming until the door shuts behind us and we are alone in my front yard.
I put her down and stare at her utterly dumbfounded. “What the fuck was that all about, Van?”
She’s all cut up from Dani’s nails, her jean jacket has the sleeve ripped at the seam, and her cheek is already badly bruised, but fuck if she isn’t still beautiful. Maybe even more so than usual. “I just hate her!”
