Wanting Winter

by J. L. Ostle

  Drake has been driving me to and from school, and sometimes before heading home, we just drive around or go grab food, park somewhere and just talk and eat in the car. He has become more relaxed around me, but I do miss his shyness.

  “Hey, guys, what’s up?”

  “There is a party tonight and you are going,” Joshua says.

  I give him a look. “Oh really? I have no choice in the matter?”

  “You know what I mean. There is a party and you should go. You need to let your hair down—have fun,” Joshua corrects himself.

  “I don’t know. I was thinking about a pizza and movie night for me.”

  “We can do that tomorrow. It will be fun,” he insists.

  I roll my eyes. “You are just a party animal; you think any party is fun.”

  He pouts and bats his eyelashes. “Please.”

  I roll my eyes. “Fine. I suppose having a few won’t hurt.”

  Joshua beams. “Great. I will message you the address.” He kisses my cheek before heading to his car.

  “You are so coming with me,” I tell Drake before getting in his.

  “Oh really? I don’t have a say in the matter?” he jokes, throwing my words back at me.

  “You have been around me too much,” I laugh. “Fine, but you know you will hate yourself if something bad happens to me. what if I get very drunk and pass out on the lawn or something and someone YouTube it?

  “You are such a drama queen,” he chuckles, leaving the parking lot.

  “Please, with cherries on top.” I give him a cheeky smile, fluttering my eyelashes like a crazy lady causing him to laugh.

  “I suppose I could come with.” He smiles at me and I smile back.

  We have taken the long way home, and before I know what is happening, I open my eyes feeling myself being lifted. I realize that I must have fallen asleep. Drake is carrying me up the stairs. I tuck myself further into him.

  I feel so safe when I’m around him.

  We are almost to my floor when I feel him stopping, his body tensing up.

  I hear Trent’s voice.

  “Is she okay?”

  I keep my eyes closed pretending to be asleep.

  “She just fell asleep,” Drake says.

  “You bore her to death,” Candice says viciously.

  “Candice pack it in. Don’t speak to him like that.”

  “I was only joking. Sheesh.”

  “I’d better take her to her place.”

  I feel us moving again.

  “Do you need any help?”

  “No, I think we are good.” Drake holds me tighter, and I tuck myself further into him.

  “Okay.” I hear Trent say, then we are moving.

  I feel myself being put down on my couch, and I open my eyes seeing Drake watching me.

  “Had a nice sleep?” He smiles but it seems a little forced.

  “I’m sorry; long week.” I sit up.

  He nods. “I’ll let you get ready and do what you need to do; I’ll pop down at eight?” He stands but I take hold of his hand.

  “I’m still tired. I want you to stay for a little bit longer; can we lie down on my bed?” I bite my lip.

  “Your bed?” he mumbles.

  “The couch won’t fit us both. I just want to be held as I sleep.” I know it’s a lot to ask, but having Trent around, it just makes me feel safe.

  “Yeah, okay.” He helps me stand, and I entwine our fingers, guiding him to my room.

  I lay on my bed, and I watch him looking at me and then to the bed.

  “I’m not going to bite you.” I laugh at him.

  He takes off his shoes and lies on the bed, looking up at the ceiling. I put my head on his chest, my arm going around his middle, and lifting my leg so it wraps around one of his. I feel his body all tense up, but he soon relaxes, his arm pulling me into him.

  I lie there, and it doesn’t take long until sleep takes over.

  I wake up later to Drake’s phone vibrating next to him, and I sit up a little looking at him. He looks so peaceful. I smile as I move some of his hair from his eyes and he wakes up and looks at me.

  I mean really looks at me.

  He just stares at me.

  Neither of us makes a move until his phone falls to the floor due to all the vibration.

  He shakes his head, moving himself and grabbing his phone to look at the time. “Go and get ready and make sure you eat something. I’ll be down in two hours,” he tells me, standing up and putting his shoes back on.

  “Yes sir. Would Master like anything else?” I tease.

  The smile on my face slips away when I see how he is looking at me. He walks slowly towards me, standing above me.

  “Master would like you to be good,” he says in such a masculine voice that my whole-body trembles, but like a switch being flicked, he is back to shy Drake. “I will be back shortly.” He leans down kissing my cheek before leaving.

  I sit there a little stunned.

  Where did that come from?

  That was kind of hot, especially in that voice.

  I head for a shower first, scrubbing my whole body clean. Wrapping a towel around myself, I head to the kitchen to make myself a chicken stir fry. I grab my phone, taking a selfie of me pouting with my wet tangled hair and no make-up face.

  I get an instant reply that makes me laugh.

  Drake: You look happy.

  Me: You think anyone would mind if I went with wet hair and no make-up?

  Drake: If that’s how you want to go, it will be fine with me.

  Me: You were meant to say no lol

  Drake: Sorry, no you can’t go like that. Better?

  Me: Not really lol You sounded more like what my dad would say.

  Drake: The impression I was going for lol

  Me: I better go get ready and eat something, talk soon xx

  Drake: See you soon xx

  I smile, finishing my cooking and making sure I eat a good amount before I start to get ready.

  Drake

  I sit on the couch eating chicken and rice. Smiling at her messages.

  I never expected her to be close to me, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s a shitty thing to say, but a part of me is glad Trent fucked up. If he hadn’t, Winter wouldn’t want me around her as much as she does now.

  Sighing, I remember having her on me as we slept; it was such an amazing feeling to have her next to me. I want to wake up next to her every day if I could.

  I am smiling at my phone as I reply back to her when I hear Trent’s room door open. He comes in wearing only a pair of boxer shorts, and it doesn’t take a genius to know what he has been doing.

  “What are you smiling at?” he asks me.

  “Nothing,” I say.

  “I bet it’s a text from the Ice Queen,” Candice says, walking in with just her underwear. I look away not wanting her to turn me to stone.

  “Stop calling her that,” Trent yells at her.

  “Stop protecting her. You are with me. Me,” she yells back at him. He shakes his head at her.

  “What’s she saying?” he stands behind me, leaning down and reading my messages.

  I face him, and his eyes soften seeing the photo of her. “Where are you taking her?”

  “Just some party Joshua invited us to,” I shrug.

  Candice sits on the couch opposite us. “You do know he is after her as well? You three act all close and buddy-buddy, but you both are after the same girl. At some point, she is going to choose between you. Do you think she will pick you? Mr. Lonely, Quiet Boy over the Jock?”

  “Candice stop it.” Trent glares at her.

  “You may not like it.” She looks at Trent then to me. “She is going to move on from all this and be with another man. Even if it's just for a fuck, it's going to happen. I know Winter, and right now she is going to be vulnerable, have self-doubt, but she is going to have a guy fill that empty space that you created.” She points to Trent.

  “Winter do
esn’t do one-night stands,” Trent corrects her.

  “She didn’t, but you changed her.”

  “We changed her,” Trent corrects her.

  “Whatever. The fact is, she is different, and now she will have needs that weren't there before. She enjoyed the orgasms—she told me—so now her body is going to be going through withdraws; she is going to want a release and have a man that comforts her and tells her everything she wants to hear.”

  “I’m not listening to this. She is hurting.” I stand.

  “She is healing. If she isn’t healed already. You just have to hope you are in the right place at the right time or Joshua is going to swoop on in and fuck her little brains out. Trust me, that boy is energetic and happy to please.” She winks at me.

  “Nice girl you have here Trent; no wonder you chose her,” I say sarcastically before leaving them to it and heading in the shower. I put it on the hottest temperature, letting the scolding water descend on me.

  Candice is wrong.

  It’s too soon for her to move on.

  However, she was only with Trent for a week, not years, so this situation could be different. I don’t want to scare her by asking her out or push her away.

  I don’t know what to do.

  Fifteen

  Winter

  At eight o’clock on the dot, there is a knock on my door. I open it up seeing a very punctual Drake, who is smiling at me, his eyes checking me out. I do the same to him.

  He looks really good in his black jeans and white shirt, the sleeves rolled up his arms.

  “You look beautiful,” he says, stepping in and kissing my cheek.

  “You look really good yourself; you smell amazing.” I walk towards him, sniffing his neck. Fuck me, I love this smell—Jean Paul Gautier I believe it is. I keep my nose on his neck, not wanting to let go of him. “I think I’ll be sniffing you all night,” I half joke.

  “Look forward to it.” He chuckles taking hold of my hand. “Let’s go have fun.”

  I nod in agreement. “Lets.”

  I close the door and he helps me get into his car. “You not drinking tonight?”

  He shakes his head. “I’ll be the designated driver.” He winks at me.

  He drives us to a huge house; I can hear the music from inside the car. People are milling around on the front with red cups. Drake helps me out and we head inside. I give quick hellos while I pass people as we head to the kitchen.

  We spot Joshua near the counter making drinks. He smiles when he spots us. “You made it. What’s your poison?” He lifts a bottle of vodka and whiskey.

  “Something fruity,” I say.

  “A coke,” Drake adds.

  “You not drinking?” Joshua asks him.

  “Not tonight: I’m the driver.”

  Joshua passes him a can. “Least we know Winter will be in safe hands.”

  They both face me, and I roll my eyes. “What do you think I’m going to do? You know how I am at parties. Normally I’m pushing you away from me.” I give Joshua a pointed look. “I will be either dancing or outside having a smoke.”

  “Please don’t tell me you are back on the cigarettes?” Joshua asks.

  “I only smoke when I’m drinking. I haven’t smoked in two weeks, so don’t judge me Mr. Jock Player.”

  Joshua puts his hands up in surrender. “Yes, ma’am.” He passes me a drink.

  I take a sip; it tastes just like juice. “This is so good.” I take a bigger sip.

  The Chainsmokers ‘Closer’ comes on. I jump up and down, finishing off my drink then grabbing hold of Joshua’s and Drake’s hands, bringing them with me to the dance floor. I notice a few people watching us. I move myself between them so one is dancing in front of me as the other is right behind me. I make sure we are all glued to one another.

  “I bet you are enjoying this.” Joshua laughs in my ear from behind. “Two good looking men stuck to you.”

  “If people are going to stare, I will give them something to stare at.” I move my hips to the music, both of them following my lead. Drake’s hands are on my hips as Joshua’s are just under his, closer to my ass. I close my eyes letting the music take over, enjoying the feel of both them holding me. The music kicks up a notch and I feel them step further into me. I lean back a little so my body is arched, and Joshua’s fingers dig deeper into me while Drake’s body pushes closer to mine. I stand up straighter again, wrapping my arms around Drake’s neck so we are face to face, and his eyes connect with mine. I sway slowly, lost in my own little bubble, but of course The She-bitch has to ruin it.

  “You trying to make your own porno movie?”

  I hear Candice’s voice and I turn to face her.

  Trent looksbetween us all. “Winter, this isn’t like you. Last week, you couldn’t even stand preppy boy here.” He glares at Joshua.

  “Well last week I didn’t think my boyfriend was screwing my so-called best friend,” I say back.

  “Are you drunk?” He looks into my eyes.

  I start to laugh. “Yeah, I have to be drunk to act like this. I have been a good girl for far too long and now I’m going to make up for lost time. I might just fuck every guy in school. Maybe that’s how you get to keep a boyfriend: by being a whore,” I say sarcastically pointing my insult to Candice.

  “You want to say that to my face?” She takes a step towards me.

  “You wanting another punch?” I say, not moving. Drake stands in front of me, blocking her away from me.

  “Why the hell are you even here? You weren’t invited. You knew Winter was going to be here. Are you doing it to hurt her even more?” Drake asks Trent.

  “I just wanted to see her,” he admits, looking at me. “I had to see you, Winter.”

  I shake my head not wanting to hear this. “Let’s go get drunk,” I tell Joshua, taking his hand to where the drinks are. I see people watching us and I roll my eyes at them.

  They all need lives.

  “Leave her alone, man,” I hear Drake say behind me.

  Once in the kitchen, I see a bottle of vodka. Taking it, I grab a red cup, pouring some in, then down it straight, letting the burn slide down my throat.

  Fuck, that: it tastes worse than tequila. I scrunch my face up at the flavor-worse than tequila-but I continue to sip the rancid drink

  I need to get drunk fast.

  “Winter, do you think that’s a good idea?” Drake asks, concerned.

  I turn facing him. “I want to forget about for a little while. I am sick that one week of my life is causing all this drama. One week out of my life and I’m letting it define me. I just want to get drunk and have fun.” I take another sip.

  “When you are ready to leave, just say the word.”

  “I am not going to leave because of them; if anyone should leave, it should be them. Now I’m in the mood to dance. Let’s go.” I quickly fill my cup with more vodka and head back to the dance floor.

  For the rest of the night, I dance and drink. I see Candice glaring at Trent while he watches me, but I am surrounded by the football team, who make me laugh and forget about everything else. Well that could be the alcohol that’s doing that.

  Drake and I are dance to a slow song, my head on his chest, my eyes closed and his arms wrapped around me. I enjoy the world-spinning feeling I have until I feel Drake tense up. I open my eyes to see a drunk Trent coming our way.

  “Hi. Sorry to ask, but I need a favour, man.” He looks from me to Drake.

  “What do you want?” Drake asks.

  “Candice has passed out and I have drunk more than I should. Any chance you could give us a ride home?” he pleads, slurring over his words.

  “Can’t you call a cab?”

  “I’ve tried; there aren’t any available for another hour. I wouldn’t ask, but Candice is dead to the world.”

  I watch as Drake fights with himself about what to do. “Just go. Take them home and come back,” I tell him.

  “I don’t think I should leave you.”
<
br />   He looks torn, so I wave him off. “Joshua will look after me until you get back. You won’t be long.”

  “Drake is right: why don’t you come back with us?”

  I bet that was his plan all along, to get me to leave the party before it even ends. “I am not getting in a small confined space with that person.” I wave my hand in the general direction of Candice. “I’m having fun; I’m staying.”

  Trent’s jaw ticks, but I don’t give a fuck.

  Drake sighs and nods. “I won’t be long. Don’t leave this party.” He takes hold of my hand leading me to Joshua. “Keep an eye on her. I will back shortly.” He kisses my forehead and then he’s gone.

  I face Joshua, who hands me another drink. I take a sip, smiling when I taste it's that fruity cocktail I like.

  “You having fun?” he asks me.

  “Lots and lots of fun, but right now, I think I need the bathroom.” I say, and he laughs.

  “Come on, let me help you.” He takes hold of my hand and guides me upstairs.

  There is a line outside the door and I can feel my bladder tighten, knowing I have to wait a long time until I can go. “I may wee right here; this is ridiculous.” I wouldn’t actually wee, especially on someone’s floor but it’s tempting.

  “Right, come with me, and don’t tell anyone I did this for you.” He takes my hand as we continue to walk down the hallway. He looks right then left and he takes out a set of keys, opening a door, and when we get in, I see it’s a huge bedroom. I walk in and he points to where the bathroom is. I run to it, relieving myself, sighing with happiness when I feel lighter.

  Washing my hands, I look in the mirror, and, seeing my new hairstyle, I stroke my fingers through it. I come back in the room.

  Joshua is sitting on the bed and he smiles when he sees me. “Better?”

  “Much. Thank you so much.” I sit next to him. “You know if you’d acted like this with me from day one, things could have been different.”

  “I wasn’t like this until this week. When I saw Trent with Candice, I don’t know how to explain it, but something inside me felt angry. Yeah, I was beyond angry that he got to be with you, but I was also jealous. Seeing how happy you were, how you both were together. That’s when I started thinking it wouldn’t be too bad to have a girlfriend.” He smiles at me.