Frayed: A Small Town Sports Romance (Willow Springs Series Book 1)

by Laura Pavlov

  “Let’s go back to the tent,” I whispered against his mouth.

  He continued to kiss me as he walked back toward the shore with me in his arms. Once we were out of the water and the light breeze hit my skin, he set me on my feet and wrapped the towel around me again before pulling the other around his waist.

  We walked back into the tent and he zipped the door closed. I dropped on the floor to sit on the blankets. “This is really sweet. I love all the candles.” I glanced over and beside the bed, there was a small bouquet of pink peonies tied with twine. “My favorite flower.”

  “My favorite girl.” He dropped to sit beside me.

  I pulled him down and kissed him again. My towel coming undone as I did so. I tugged at his, wanting to press against his bare body.

  “I love you.”

  “Love you, Ace.” He stretched out beside me and we both rolled on our sides so we could face one another.

  I gripped his erection in my hand. “Show me what to do.”

  His hand came over mine and slowly guided me up and down his shaft.

  “Jesus. Just like that,” he whispered.

  His hand let go of mine and moved down my back and over my chest, stopping to cup my breast. His fingers teased my hard peaks, and I arched into his touch. He rolled me on my back and my hand fell to the side as he kissed his way down my neck, pausing to kiss each breast, licking and sucking and driving me wild.

  “Jett,” I whispered, and I couldn’t stop the little pants that followed. I writhed beneath him, desperate for more.

  His hand moved between my legs as he’d done before, but being naked and alone in the dark only intensified everything. He teased my most sensitive spot and I ground up against his hand.

  “I know, baby,” he said, as one finger slipped inside, and I bucked against his touch, frantic for relief. “Let yourself go.”

  I cried out his name and gasped as I continued to move against his hand.

  “Oh my god.” I rolled on my side to face him. “Did you bring a condom?”

  “I did. But there’s no rush.”

  “I want this to happen. Please don’t make me wait.”

  “You sure?”

  “Positive.” I ran my fingers over his rope bracelet that matched my own, thinking about all the ways I’d frayed this year. All the ways I’d found myself, found what I wanted, who I was. All because I’d met this boy who believed in me.

  I wanted this.

  I wanted him.

  He leaned forward, capturing my mouth as he settled above me.

  “I swear you’re the most beautiful fucking girl in the world, Adelaide Edington. I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”

  A tear ran down my cheek, and he caught it with his thumb.

  “I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” I whispered.

  “I guess we’re just lucky we found our way, huh?”

  “So lucky. I’m going to tell my parents that I’m going to TU tomorrow. I don’t know what I’m waiting for. It’s not like my mom is suddenly going to be okay with it. So, I just need to do it.”

  “Is that what you want?”

  “Yes. Without a doubt. And it’s not just because you’re going there too. Sure, that’s a massive bonus. But it’s the best journalism school that I got into. One of the best in the country. They offered me a partial scholarship, and it’s not too far from home. The only negative is that my mom won’t be happy about it, and I know I shouldn’t care, and I really wish I didn’t.” I was rambling, because all these emotions were overtaking me.

  His gaze searched mine. “That’s part of what I love about you. You care so fucking much. Don’t ever apologize for that. But you should do what makes you happy and she’ll have to get on board.”

  I nodded. Staring up into his dark eyes as he remained propped above me. “You’re right. And I’m happy we’re here tonight. Happiest with you.”

  “I’m happiest with you. Tell me what you want. What you need.”

  “You,” I whispered, urging him closer.

  He leaned over me and reached for his backpack, pulling out the foil packet. He pushed up on his knees and tore it open with his teeth before rolling the latex over his thick, hard erection. His eyes never left mine. I bit down hard on my bottom lip, praying it didn’t bleed, but doing everything in my power to stay calm.

  He kissed me so soft as he settled between my legs, teasing my entrance. I gasped and arched toward him, needing to get closer.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, and I heard the struggle in his voice. The desire. The restraint.

  “Please. No more waiting.”

  Those simple words were all he needed. He slowly moved, inch by inch as my body adjusted to the intrusion. The sensation was equal parts pleasure and pain. I gasped and closed my eyes as he pushed a little further.

  “Are you okay? Does it hurt?”

  “It hurts and it feels good. Is that normal?”

  “Yes. But tell me to stop if it’s too much,” he said before his mouth covered mine. His tongue exploring my mouth, as he tipped my head back to take the kiss deeper.

  He pushed in the last bit and he groaned, waiting for me to show him I was okay. He remained perfectly still before I started to move, and we found our rhythm. The sensation was so overwhelming, I never wanted him to stop. His hand moved between us and he rubbed little circles between my legs as we continued to move. He let me set the pace, and he followed my lead. Our labored breaths were the only audible sound in the tent, as the water lapped against the shore in the distance.

  My body tingled and my legs started to shake as I moved faster and faster, and he did the same. His fingers kept the same pace, driving me wild with need, before the most overwhelming feeling in my life ripped through me. I shattered into a million little pieces and cried out a sound I’d never heard before. He continued to move his hand against me as I rode out every last wave of pleasure just as he went over the edge himself. Hearing him cry out my name while his face was buried in my neck was the best thing I’d ever heard. Seeing him come undone and lose control because of me was the most empowering feeling of my life. I held him close as he continued to rock against me.

  “Holy shit, Ace. That was amazing.” He brushed the hair that had broken free from my bun away from my face.

  “Is this how it always is?” I asked because no one had ever told me how incredible it would be.

  “Only with you.”

  I smiled up at him. Feeling connected to him in a way I’d never experienced.

  It was more than love.

  Jett Stone was… everything.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Adelaide

  I fell asleep in Jett’s arms to the sound of crickets chirping and waves rolling against the shore. The temperature had dropped and we’d both bundled up in sweats at some point during the night. I couldn’t remember a time in my life where I’d ever been so at peace. So content.

  A loud honking woke me from my stupor. Jett jerked, shifting me to the side, and sat up.

  “Stay here,” he said, pushing to his feet.

  “What’s going on?” I asked, rubbing my eyes and reaching for my phone. It was just after three o’clock in the morning.

  More honking.

  He unzipped the tent and stepped outside, and I couldn’t help but to follow him. I wasn’t about to let him go out there on his own.

  “Coco?” he called out, and I didn’t miss the concern in his voice.

  Coco emerged from her car, sprinting toward us. It was dark, but the bright lights from her car lit up the space around us. My stomach flipped at the sight of her. Swollen eyes and red cheeks. It was apparent she’d been crying.

  “Oh my god. What’s wrong?” I asked, running toward her.

  “Alec was in an accident. He’s hurt bad, Addy. Your pare
nts called my parents, and they know you aren’t at my house. I tried to cover for you, but I don’t think it even matters at this point. You need to get to the hospital right away.”

  “Jesus. What happened?” Jett asked as I turned to run to the tent for my bag.

  I heard Coco tell him that he and Karina had gotten into a fight at the party, and he’d left angry. She didn’t know much more, but she didn’t hide her concern when she told us she’d heard he left in his car, but she wasn’t certain.

  Alec was way past being in any condition to drive when I’d been there, and I took a minute to catch my breath. Had he driven drunk? Would he do that? Was he in an Uber and they’d been in an accident?

  Oh my god.

  I ran back toward them with my bag strung over my shoulder. “Can you drive me to the hospital?” I asked Coco.

  Jett flinched at my words. I couldn’t ask him to take me. And I didn’t have time to argue about it. Coco’s car was running, and I knew I needed to go there now.

  “Of course,” she said.

  “I’m sorry. I have to go.” I kissed his cheek and took off running to Coco’s car.

  The first few minutes we drove to the hospital were quiet. I shot Jett a text apologizing for running out and telling him how much I loved him.

  I was processing what could have happened?

  “Do we know for sure if he drove his car? Could he have called an Uber?” I asked, swiping at the tears running down my face. I could only imagine how frantic Mama T and Boone would be. “Do we know how serious it is?”

  “I don’t know much, Addy. My mom said your mom was crying and said it was really bad. Shaw said he saw Alec walking toward his car shortly before we left, and Ty was arguing with him to give him his keys and spend the night there. But I don’t know what happened after that. I tried to call Ivy, but her phone must be off. I just drove straight to you because I knew you’d want to be there.”

  “Oh my gosh. Please say he didn’t get behind the wheel, Co. He is acting so crazy lately. I don’t know what is going on with him.” My words broke on a sob as I thought about how bad this could be.

  We pulled up to the hospital and I jumped out of the car before Coco even turned off the engine. She was on my heels as we both took off in a full sprint. When I reached the lobby, the scene before me made it clear that things were not okay.

  I could not have prepared for the hysteria that followed.

  My parents rushed toward me, tears streaming down their faces.

  “Addy, my god, where were you?” my mom shouted before grabbing me and pulling me in for a hug. “Never mind. It’s not important. What matters is that you’re here now. Alec is in surgery. He was in an accident,” she said through her sobs.

  “What happened?” I croaked, looking to my father who appeared a bit more in control but clearly shaken.

  “Alec hit a tree. He was pinned inside the car, and they had to cut him out. The paramedics placed him in a rigid collar to immobilize his head and neck to transport him here. They determined he has a herniated disc or possibly a fractured vertebrae that is compressing his spine. He was taken in for immediate surgery. That’s all we know right now.”

  I covered my mouth with my hand and shook my head with disbelief. “What does that mean? Is he going to be okay?”

  “He was conscious, yes. He spoke to his parents. But he couldn’t feel his legs or feet.”

  Mama T stormed toward me with a look I’d never seen before on her face. Coco reached for my hand and squeezed my fingers so tight I thought they’d break off. “He told us, Adelaide. He told us that your low rent boyfriend hit him. And you did nothing. That’s why he left the party upset.” She spewed her ugliness at me, and I stood there speechless. Because she was hurting, and I understood it. But from what Coco had told me, he’d been at that party hours after Jett and I had left. “He needs you right now. More than ever. He may never walk again, Addy. Do not turn your back on him now. I swear to all that is holy I will report Jett for attacking him. Boone knows the dean at TU, and I’ll make sure that boy loses that scholarship and winds up doing nothing with his life, just like his mother.”

  “That’s enough, Lila. You’re upset,” Boone said to his wife, and my father stepped beside me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

  “You know I think of you as a second daughter, Addy. But if you turn your back on my son when he needs you most, I will never forgive you.” She turned on her heels and walked back to the chairs to sit with her husband.

  It was my mother’s turn next. “I don’t even want to know where you’ve been at this point, because you clearly lied to us. But I did not raise my daughter to turn her back on her family, and Alec Taulson is family, whether you like it or not. You’ve known him your whole life. You will step up. And if Jett had anything to do with this accident, he will be held accountable, Adelaide.” My mother stormed off to sit with Mama T, and I stared with disbelief.

  How did this become Jett’s fault?

  My father led Coco and me off to the corner across the lobby and bent down to meet my gaze. “Do you know what happened to Alec? Did he and Jett have a fight?”

  I nodded and swiped at the tears streaming down my face. Coco squeezed my hand in support. “Alec was drunk and angry. He got, um, a little physical with me. Jett only stepped in to stop him from hurting me. You can’t let Mama T make that call. This is not Jett’s fault.”

  “What? He got physical with you? In what way? Did he hurt you?”

  I looked over at the Taulsons as they sat in the chairs crying. “I’m fine. But Alec was pretty drunk.”

  “He was drinking?”

  “Mr. Edington,” Coco interrupted. “I was at that party. Alec stayed long after Jett and Addy left. He actually had a fight with Karina and stormed off toward his car. Shaw said that Ty was trying to take Alec’s keys from him, and I don’t know what happened after that. I didn’t know he drove until I heard he was in an accident.”

  My father ran a hand down his face. “Jesus. This is not good. Let’s just pray that he’s okay first, and we’ll deal with the rest as we go. Mama T is upset right now. This isn’t your fault, nor is it Jett’s fault. But right now, we need to just support them and pray Alec will be okay.”

  “Of course,” I said, swiping at my face for the millionth time since I’d heard about the accident. “Co, you should go home. Thanks for getting me. I need to be here. I’ll call you when I hear anything, okay?”

  She hugged me so tight I thought I’d stop breathing, and tears continued to fall down my cheeks.

  “Do not let that woman manipulate you, Addy. You and Jett did nothing wrong. If Alec drove that car, that is on him. No one else,” she whispered close to my ear.

  I nodded and looked up at my father who clearly heard what Coco had said to me. He was deep in thought, and I was fairly certain that it was about the fact that Alec had been very intoxicated last night. My father loved the Taulsons, but he also respected the law and rules, and he would not be okay with Alec drinking and driving.

  Coco left the hospital, and Daddy and I went to sit in the chairs with my mother and the Taulsons.

  “Where’s Clem?” I asked my father as he reached for my hand to comfort me.

  “We woke her to tell her we were leaving. We didn’t know how serious things were and wanted to come here first. I’ll go pick her up in a few hours and bring her over.”

  We sat in silence as Mama T sobbed, and Alec’s little sister, Maisie, came to sit on the other side of me. She leaned her head against my shoulder and dozed off. I had a few texts from Jett and quickly responded to let him know that I didn’t know much and would keep him posted. I did not want to get caught texting my boyfriend while my ex-boyfriend was currently in surgery.

  I went to use the restroom as the sun shined through the lobby doors from outside, letting us know morning had arrived.
Hours had passed. When I returned, Dr. Toby was speaking to the Taulsons and my parents stood beside them. I walked over as Mama T leaned against my mother and sobbed.

  “So, you don’t know if he’ll walk again, John? We’re just supposed to wait this out?” Boone asked, calling the doctor by his first name as they’d grown up together. Alec’s father ran a hand through his hair, yanking at the ends.

  “Unfortunately, it’s a waiting game now. We’re optimistic that as he recovers, the swelling and inflammation in his spine will decrease, and we’re hopeful that he will regain function. I’ve done everything I can on my end, and we’ll have to see how he recovers and what kind of mobility he has. He’ll need months of physical therapy to ensure his muscle tone returns. This is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Can I have a word with you, Boone?”

  My mother helped get Mama T to her seat, and Dr. Toby said the nurse would come and take us back to see Alec in a bit. I watched as Boone spoke to the doctor, his hands flying in the air, and then he pointed his finger in his face angrily. He squared his shoulders and Dr. Toby stared with disbelief. Boone Taulson was unraveling before our eyes.

  Like father, like son. They were both full of surprises.

  My father walked over and placed a hand on Boone’s shoulder when Dr. Toby walked away. I tried to make out their words, and I watched as Daddy startled a few times and shook his head. Boone stormed off and walked out the front door of the hospital.

  “He just needs to walk it off,” Daddy said to my mother and Mama T.

  He came to sit beside me, as I’d purposely left some distance between myself and the angry mothers who’d been watching me with such disdain it made my skin crawl.

  “What’s going on?” I whispered. “Is it worse than we thought?”

  My father nodded and my heart sank. What if Alec died? What if that was my last interaction with him, and we never saw one another again? The boy I’d learned to walk with. The boy I’d grown up with.