Surviving Amber Springs: A Stand-Alone Contemporary Romance

by Siobhan Davis

  “Then we’re doing this.” Heath grins like a Cheshire cat, holding out his clenched fist.

  We all bump fists, chanting in unison. “We’re doing this.”

  Like I said, strangest conversation of my life.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “And how do you feel now you’ve had twenty-four hours to let it all sink in?” Shaz asks as she drives me to my first shift the following evening. Axel is working, Skeet is rehearsing with his band, and Heath had a session with his football buddies at the gym, so none of them could give me a ride. Heath was willing to cancel his gym session, but I insisted he stick to his plans. My suggestion to take the bus was instantly shot down, and Shaz jumped in with an offer before we had our first argument.

  I’ve just finished summarizing the previous night’s conversation with the guys, and apart from Skeet’s parents, who are in the know, she’s the only other person privy to our new relationship.

  “It’s a little surreal,” I truthfully admit, wiping my clammy palms down the front of my jeans. “And I’m worried about people finding out and judging me, but I’m also really happy.” I smile across the console at her. “The guys are great, and they make me feel good about myself in a way I haven’t felt in a long time.”

  She squeezes my hand momentarily. “The guys are great. They’re all like brothers to me, and I’m happy to vouch for them. I still can’t believe it though,” she adds, pulling up in front of Jacinta’s store and killing the engine. “I never thought I’d see this day. Heath’s always been traditional in his views, and Axel’s always been possessive. I suspected Skeet was into exploring it, but I never thought he’d get the guys to agree.” She pulls me into a quick hug. “It just took a very special girl.”

  “Stop it. You’ll make me blush,” I joke, rubbing a hand across my chest, willing the butterflies to scatter.

  “What would Ethan have thought?” she quietly asks.

  I blow air out of my mouth. “It’s funny you should ask me, because that’s exactly what I was thinking about last night.” I bite down on my lip. “I think, if he knew the guys, he’d be okay with it once the initial shock had worn off, but, if he was here, if he saw how it actually happened, I think he’d freak out until he learned to trust the guys.”

  “That’s understandable, and I think Skeet would be the same if it was me even if he is more open to the idea because of our family. He’d still be wary until he knew the guys were good guys.”

  “I’d better head in,” I say, clasping the door handle. “I don’t want to be late on my first day. Wish me luck?”

  “Luck,” she singsongs, hugging me again. “But you won’t need it. You’re going to knock it out of the park.”

  “Thanks for the ride,” I say as I climb out of the car.

  “No probs. Any time. I can pick you up later if you like?”

  I rest my hands on top of the car and lean in. “Thanks, but one of the guys will pick me up when my shift’s over.”

  “You know,” she says, tapping a slender finger off her chin. “I might reconsider my whole stance on poly relationships. The thought of having a bunch of guys at my beck and call really appeals to me.”

  I lift an amused brow. “They’re not my slaves, Shaz.”

  Her eyes glisten mischievously. “Not yet, but they will be.”

  I bark out a laugh. “You’re devious.”

  “Always.” She grins, waving as I close the door, and she pulls out of the parking lot.

  Jacinta greets me warmly, wasting no time as she starts showing me how to work the register and how to track sales. In between serving customers, she takes me through the racks, showcasing her beautiful stock, explaining each piece in detail. By the time nine rolls around, my brain is basically fried, but the time has flown, and I’ve enjoyed shadowing her. It’s obvious she’s a natural people person and a born seller, and I only hope I can live up to her exacting standards.

  “How did it go?” Skeet asks, pushing off the back of his truck and striding toward me when I emerge outside after Jacinta confirmed I could go home.

  “Great! I really enjoyed it, but there’s a lot to take in.”

  “You’ll nail it. It just takes time.” Hauling me into his chest, he leans down to kiss me. I instantly get lost in his velvety-soft lips and the way his mouth glides against mine. When we break apart a few minutes later, I anxiously look around the empty parking lot. “I thought we weren’t supposed to be doing that in public?”

  “I already scouted the place out. No one is around, and if Jacinta noticed, she can be trusted to keep our secret.”

  “Okay.” I try to relax, but I only feel less anxious once we’re in Skeet’s battered old truck, en route to my house.

  “I’m sorry if I upset you,” he says, glancing at me briefly while he drives. “I shouldn’t be breaking rules already. I just find it hard to keep my hands and my lips off you.”

  My mouth lifts into a smile. “I can’t get mad at you for that.” I lean across the gap and kiss his cheek. “I just don’t want people at school finding out and talking crap about me.” I’ve had enough of that to last a lifetime. “My privacy is important to me.”

  “I get that, babe, and we won’t let anyone talk crap about you. Trust me.” He pecks my lips lightning fast. “We’ve got you covered.”

  A comforting warmth traces a path through my body at his reassuring words, and it’s incredible to have a support system again. I’ve missed having friends. Having people I can count on.

  “Your parents aren’t home?” Skeet inquires, squinting at the dark house when he pulls up in front of my house.

  “Nope. They had dinner at my aunt and uncle’s house in Tensen City. I got a free pass thanks to my new job. You want to come in?”

  “Hells yeah.”

  The instant I’m inside the house, Skeet grabs hold of me, pressing me up against the wall in the hall where he proceeds to kiss the shit out of me. I cling to him, running my fingers through his messy hair and tugging on the longish strands. When he deepens the kiss, I moan into his mouth.

  “We better stop,” he murmurs as his lips glide from my mouth to my neck. “Or I won’t be able to control myself for much longer.” He thrusts his crotch into mine, pressing his hard-on against me.

  I grab hold of his ass, keeping his body tucked against mine. “Maybe I don’t want you to control yourself,” I whisper, nipping at his lower lip. “It’s been almost six months since I last had sex, and I’m horny all the time around you guys.”

  He crushes his mouth against mine, grinding against me while ravishing me with his lips and his tongue. I’m putty in his arms, and I never want to let go. “I’m glad to hear it, babe.” He nuzzles against my neck. “Because I’m horny for you too, but there’s no rush.” He kisses the tip of my nose, staring deep into my eyes. “I like the anticipation.” His eyes glint mischievously. “It’ll make it even hotter when we eventually fuck.”

  I close my eyes, whimpering. “That sounds a lot like torture.”

  “Yeah, but the best kind.” He traces my face with his fingers. “Have you any idea how gorgeous you are? You could be a model with that face.”

  I snort. “I think you might be biased, or maybe your eyes need checking.”

  He kisses me again. “There’s nothing wrong with my eyesight, and I might be biased, but then half the guys in town are too. You’re gorgeous, babe, and I’m not just talking about your pretty face. You’re gorgeous in here too.” He lays his hand on my chest, right over the place where my heart is thumping wildly for him. “And I happen to be crazy about you.”

  I throw my arms around his neck, hugging him close. “I’m crazy about you too, Skeet. You make me happy.”

  He pulls back a smidgeon, tilting my face up with one finger. “I’m already falling hard for you, Blaire.”

  “Me too, and I love how honest yo
u are. How comfortable you are expressing your feelings. It’s so refreshing.” Most guys would rather walk over hot coals than talk about their feelings.

  He shrugs, dropping his hands from my face and taking my hand. I let him lead me into the kitchen. “I guess I’m just confident in my own skin, and I’ve never seen the point of lying. All it does is tie you into knots.”

  His words attack me head-on, and I almost keel over from the imaginary gut punch.

  “What’s wrong?” A frown puckers his brow as he inspects my face.

  “Nothing,” I whisper, faking a yawn. “I’m just tired. It’s been a long day.”

  “I should go. Let you get to bed.” He reels me into his arms, holding me close to his chest while peppering light kisses on top of my head.

  When he releases me, I walk him to the door. “Thanks for picking me up.”

  “No problem, and one of us will drive you and pick you up every time you’re working.”

  “You don’t need to do that, but I’m grateful.”

  “We like to take care of our girlfriend,” he says, and the ache in my chest eases a little.

  I stretch up on tiptoes and kiss him goodbye. “You already do. Night, Skeet.”

  He takes my hand, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. “Night, beautiful. See you tomorrow.”

  My heart is split in two as I walk upstairs to my room. The guys make me happy, bringing light into my life, but they still don’t know the real me, and guilt is starting to eat away at me again. I know we’re still getting to know one another, and I’m sure there’s stuff about their pasts I don’t know, that they’re anxious for me to discover, but I’m betting it’s not on the same scale.

  I wonder if my happiness is short-lived. If they’ll dump me like Cam did once they find out.

  These fears, and visions of the things I’m not telling them, keep me awake half the night.

  “You’re dead on your feet,” Axel exclaims the following morning after we’ve run only a couple miles.

  “Sorry. I probably should’ve skipped today. I didn’t get much sleep last night, and my limbs ache.”

  “We can turn back.”

  “No.” I shake my head, cricking my neck from side to side in an attempt to liven up. “Let’s keep going. My body’s already feeling the effects of not running for a few days.”

  Axel slows the pace, and we jog companionably side by side. When we reach the lake, he leads me to the edge of the water, and we sit down, with our knees bent, staring at the placid water. There’s a distinct chill in the air, but it’s a welcome balm to my sweat-slickened skin. “What keeps you awake at night?” he asks, not looking at me as he skims a stone over the flat surface of the water.

  I shrug even though he can’t see. “Just stuff. My brother mainly.”

  “You were close.” It’s more of a statement than a question.

  “Ridiculously so. We did most everything together, and he was always there for me.” Tears stab my eyes, and I look away as the first one breaks free. “I miss him so much sometimes it’s hard to breathe. Not when he isn’t here, sharing the same air as me.”

  “I know what it’s like to have someone ripped away from you,” he admits after what feels like an eternity of silence.

  I glance at him and he turns toward me at the same time. “Is this about your mom?” I softly inquire, and he nods, staring absently off into space.

  “I mean, she wasn’t the greatest mom in the world, she had her issues, but she tried. And in the end, she came through for us.”

  I frown a little. “I thought she left you?”

  “She did, but it wasn’t by choice.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  He sighs. “I know. And I’ll tell you.” He stands, extending his hand to help me up. “But not now. I have to get back to the house and shower before school, and if I dredge up all that shit, I’ll want to go and punch something.”

  My eyes widen, but I don’t push it, understanding, on a personal level, how difficult it is to open up about the things that slay us on the inside. Exposing pent-up thoughts and feelings is the first step toward healing, but the pain is excruciating, and it requires enormous courage to go there. And while it helps lessen the pain, it never truly eradicates it. At least, not in my experience.

  I stretch up on tiptoes, planting a light kiss on his cheek. “It’s okay. Once you know I’m here for you. Whenever you want to talk, I’ll listen.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Jacinta lets me handle a couple of customers by myself tonight, and I even manage to make a sale, so I’m pleased as punch as I skip out the door at ten past nine, my grin expanding when I find both Heath and Skeet waiting for me.

  I climb in the empty passenger seat, and Heath leans over to give me a quick kiss. I drop my bag on the floor and twist around, eyeballing Skeet in the back. “Why are you sitting there?”

  He glances around the dark parking lot before reaching forward and dropping a soft kiss on my lips. He pulls back before I can properly savor it, and I resist the urge to pout. “We thought we’d head to the diner. It’s usually packed with seniors Friday night, and it’s a good opportunity for you and Heath to highlight your relationship before you return to school Monday. You should be seen beside Heath because all eyes will be on us when we park.”

  I chew on the corner of my nail while I consider it. “Yeah. That’ll probably make things easier. I’m game.”

  “Cool.” Skeet winks at me, before slouching back in the seat. I buckle my seatbelt as Heath drives out of the parking lot. “Ax’s just finished his shift. He’ll meet us there,” he confirms.

  Axel is quiet when we arrive at the diner. Propped against the side of his Harley, he looks tired, like he hasn’t slept much either.

  I feel eyeballs on me the instant Heath parks, right in front of the diner. He stretches over the console to kiss me. “You sure you’re up for this?”

  “Yeah, I’m good.” I disarm him with a glowing smile, and his shoulders visibly relax. He hops out, jogging around the front of the car to open my door. I slide my hand in his, pretending to ignore the gawking faces staring out the window at us, and we follow Axel and Skeet into the busy diner. Tiny goose bumps lift all over my arms as a pretty brunette waitress leads us to the last vacant booth at the back of the diner, and every pair of eyes in the place fixates on me. A bead of sweat glides down my spine, and my pulse skyrockets as nervous adrenaline floods my body.

  “Relax, babe.” Heath discreetly squeezes my hand, jerking his head up in greeting as we pass a couple of his football buddies. He lets me slide into the booth first before scooting in beside me. Axel and Skeet sit across from us, facing the diner. Air whooshes out of my mouth, and I attempt to relax, to not overreact and draw further attention.

  “I’ll be back in a few minutes to take your orders,” the waitress says, handing out menus. Her mouth twists into a sneer as she thrusts a menu at me, but I school my lips into a neutral line, determined she won’t see how rattled I already am. When she’s gone, Skeet leans across the table. “Why are you nervous?”

  My knee taps up and down as I pin eyes on him. “I just hate being the center of attention. Always have. Knowing everyone is talking about me makes me uncomfortable.”

  Heath lands a reassuring hand on my knee, quelling the anxious movement. “We’ll be the focus for all of five seconds, and then they’ll move on to someone else.”

  I nod, hoping he’s right. When the waitress returns, Heath makes a show of pulling me into his side, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. She barely manages to contain her look of disgust, but she’s on the clock, and she doesn’t seem entirely stupid. She takes our orders and leaves. I tip my head up to Heath. “Let me guess, she’s a member of Queen Cassie’s fan club?”

  “Got it in one.”

  “She’s also tried to get in Heath’s pants
for years,” Skeet adds. “Not that Cassie is aware of that fact.”

  “Maybe I should enlighten her,” I suggest. “Give the bitch someone else to hate on.”

  “Speak of the devil,” Axel murmurs, glaring at something over my shoulder.

  “Good,” Skeet says, also narrowing his eyes. “I’m glad Cassie’s here. Let her see you two together and take the weekend to process it.”

  The waitress returns with our sodas and silverware, still glowering at me, and I’m done with pretending she’s not being a prize bitch. “Is there a problem?” I drill her with a deadly look. “Because if you have an issue serving us, I can always ask the manager to assign another waitress to our table.”

  “There’s no problem,” she barks, slamming my soda down so hard that it sloshes over the rim onto the table.

  “Then you won’t mind bringing my girlfriend another soda.” Heath takes the offending drink, extending it to her. “And cleaning up the mess you just made.”

  “Girlfriend?” she splutters.

  “Girlfriend.” His determined tone matches the expression on his face.

  Her cheeks redden, and she takes the soda and disappears.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Cassie materializes like a bad smell, standing over the table with her hands perched on her hips. “You’re seriously making it official?”

  “Not that it’s any of your business,” Heath says, “but, yes, Blaire and I are exclusively dating.”

  “And it doesn’t alter your deal, so you can fuck off and annoy some poor, unsuspecting sap.” Axel leans back against the booth as he delivers his cutting statement.

  She flips him the bird. “Asshole,” she spits before spinning on her heel and leaving us.

  “I don’t know how you could spend a solitary second in that bitch’s presence let alone fuck her,” Axel adds, taking a long pull from his soda.

  “I was trashed,” Heath growls. “And I’d rather not be reminded of it. Unless you want to trade stories and share some of your unmentionables with Blaire?”