In the Stars (32 page)

Once I get my blazer started, I check my text from earlier tonight. My eyes widen when I see it is from Eric.

Eric
: U are stubborn, and so u know I don’t like being told no. B safe and thanks for the warm place to sleep today.

Caroline:
Leaving work now. Not sure if u want to b around me much, because u are right I am stubborn and tend to not do well with bossy ways. I do hope u can deal, because it would b sad not having u around.

I hit send, and then call Raleigh. She was calling to let me know she had seen and told Kyle. I tell her about what was said, and that I can’t believe she didn’t tell me she was going in for her last appointment. I miss her, and make her promise to come stay over with Tara and I tomorrow. Tara is still up when I get home, and we make the decision to make tomorrow a party event.

As I’m walking toward the bathroom to take a shower, Tara stops me. “Caroline, I think you need to know that I honestly have never seen Eric behaving the way he does around you. He is a bossy, arrogant, possessive man regularly, but around you, it’s different. He is still all those things, but he’s also tender. I’ve never seen him tender around any woman that wasn’t family. He shows sympathy, of course, for families involved in his cases, but this isn’t sympathy with you, Caroline; this is more, and I’m not just talking sexual either.”

I feel a blush rise to my cheeks. “There is something there for me too.

Tara, and it’s different than anything I have ever felt before. This feels like I don’t have control over it, whether I want to feel this way or not. I don’t like not being in control, but, yet, I like this. I don’t want it to stop, and it scares me.”

WHEN I WAKE up Friday morning, I notice another text from Eric. It came through at 3:30 a.m.

Eric
: I plan on sticking around, so seems u and I might need to compromise.

Caroline:
What are u doing texting that time of morning? What did I say about sleep? Happy u will b sticking around.

Eric:
Now who is the bossy one? I had to go into work. Have a good day, Caroline.

Caroline:
Well, maybe we have bossy in common. School, and then Tara, Raleigh, and I have big plans for the night. U probably want to stay clear. Have a good day yourself, and get some real sleep.

Eric:
I still slept best of all with u. Why is that u think? Should I be concerned about u girls and your behavior tonight?

Caroline:
Of course not, just college girls having fun, no concern there. I seem to sleep well near u too.

Eric:
Definitely concerned now, Caroline.

Caroline:
Gotta run lots to do :) bye Eric.

Eric:
:(

Tara and I ride to school in my Blazer, and we both set out to let just the people we want to know about the party. After our classes, Raleigh meets us at Tara’s, and we all head back out to get some necessities for the night. We get back to the house and start setting a few things up and moving some furniture out of the way, and taking down any important breakables and putting them in Tara’s room.

“So Tara, did you invite Matt and Adam tonight?”

Raleigh and Tara both look over at me wide eyed, and then Tara lets out a sigh. “Ok, so I hadn’t told you yet, but Matt and I almost had sex the other night, and I just couldn’t go all the way through with it. I apologized, and left him hard and alone. I guess I won’t really be seeing him anymore; other than around school.”

Raleigh and I both smile at Tara, and then Raleigh speaks up. “Well, I for one am happy about that. Now, you and Adam can finally get this thing going, because I know you both want to.”

Tara’s face lights up as she tucks her hair. “Someday I hope; I am just scared of taking any chances with Adam. I really don’t want to lose him.”

The time has come for people to start showing up, and I have to say, even with my ghastly eye, the three of us did each other up to look damn good. After the first hour, I look around and notice more and more people filing into the door. Seems our well told plan of only inviting a set few got spread around to a large whole. Raleigh makes a silly, large sign, and stakes it in the front yard. It says ‘This Palace is full. So keep hold of your glass slipper and carry your ass back home. No more carriages welcome.’

WHEN I WAKE the next morning, well day actually, I notice my bed is very crowded. I am sandwiched between Raleigh and Tara, while wearing just my panties and one of my band shirts. They are both dressed pretty much the same way, and I think if any guy were to walk in right now he would feel like his best fantasy just came true. Luckily, they are the only ones in bed with me, because last night is pretty much a haze at the moment, and my head is killing me.

I sit up with a moan and rub my head for a while, trying to get my senses together. I nudge both my bedmates’ shoulders. They both let out a moan of their own, and Tara literally swings at me. “Hey Rocky, watch it. I never took you for the love ‘em, and then try and beat them type. I obviously shared my bed with you last night, so don’t I deserve some respect?” Tara just looks over at me with squinted eyes, and then hugs at her head while moaning again. Raleigh sits up slowly and rolls her shoulder a few times, while looking around the room in a daze.

“What the hell happened last night? I swear Caroline, I love you and all, but if you took advantage of my drunken state I will never forgive you.”

“Since I am the one sandwiched between the two of you, I think I should be concerned of what you two did to me, Raleigh.”

Tara lets out another moan and sits up slowly. “For fuck’s sake, will you two shut the hell up! If I’m in your bed, then who the hell is in mine?” Raleigh and I both look over at Tara, and, even though it hurts, we can’t help but laugh. We all slowly get out of bed and slip on some shorts from my dresser, so we can go investigate the damage.

As soon as we open my door, you can see the disaster that is an epic party happened here. We make our way past the mess in the hall, and open Tara’s door. Then all three of us start laughing, and Raleigh even releases one of her snorts. Adam and Sam are both shirtless, laid up in Tara’s bed with their heads at opposite ends. They both grunt, and raise their heads up to see what the intrusion is.

Tara walks over to her bed and puts her hands on her hips. “I am going to have to bleach my sheets after this. Did you two have fun last night?”

Adam and Sam both sit up and put their feet down off the side of the bed. “Screw you, Tara; if it wasn’t for Sam and I making sure everyone left here, god knows how many people you would have in these beds. Several guys sure as hell were trying their damnest with you girls too, let me tell ya.”

Her hands fall from her hips, and she sits down beside Adam. “Ok sorry; truce. I woke up half naked in bed with two other women, so I guess I can’t really say anything.”

Sam and Adam both sit up straighter with this. Sam looks up at Raleigh, and a slight smile crosses his lips. “Yeah we know; we made sure you made it in there. We wondered how exactly you three would work out the final sleeping arrangement.”

“Well, let’s just say my bed has never seen so much panty lace before. T-shirts, panties, and the sandwich effect seemed to have been our sleeping arrangement of choice.”

Both the guys stand up quickly from the bed, shaking their heads back and forth, and Adam starts to walk for the door. “Ok enough of that talk; let’s go see the damage.” I notice Raleigh and Tara’s eyes both roaming over Sam and Adam’s shirtless frames as they walk out the room. Can’t say that I blame them; there is some serious body temptation going on in our house right now.

Needless to say, the reason the guys ended up in Tara’s room together is because there were three girls and two guys that they couldn’t get a safe ride for crashed out in the family room, and the place really is a wreck. Between the mess outside and in, I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t get evicted soon, due to closer by homes complaints. We wake up our unknown guests, and as soon as they leave we spend the rest of the day feeling like shit as we clean the place up. We all agree to let other people have the parties from now on, so we can leave and let them deal with the day after disaster.

The guys are headed out the door as I step into the bathroom to brush my teeth for the second time today, when I hear all hell break loose. I spit the toothpaste into the sink and wipe my hand across my mouth, before running back out into the family room. Eric is standing in the doorway, yelling in Tara’s face, and Adam is trying to work his way back in. “What the hell are you thinking, Tara? I heard there were complaints called in last night for a party disturbance here. I see all the trash bags out front. You want to embarrass our parents and get kicked out? Look at you girls, walking around half naked with guys from the party still here! Obviously, they were here all night with you.”

Tara pushes back on Eric’s chest and looks directly at him. “Back the hell off, Eric! I’m sick and tired of this shit. You keep thinking you can barge in and run my life, but I am an adult, and who I choose to have over, and the clothes I choose to wear, is none of your damn business! I would never want to hurt Mom and Dad, and you know that. The amount of people last night just seemed to get out of hand.”

Eric’s hands stiffen by his sides, and Adam steps up beside Tara. Adam looks up at Tara and rubs his finger across her cheek, before he turns back toward Eric. As soon as Adam goes to speak, Tara grabs his hand and shakes her head. “Really Adam, it’s ok; don’t waste your breath. Eric is a lost cause when it comes to understanding when he is like this. Please, I am fine. You and Sam go home, and I will talk to you soon. Thank you guys for your help.” Adam stares into Tara’s eyes for a moment, and reaches out to hug her, as Raleigh and Sam stand off to the side with very wide eyes. I’m standing behind Eric now, and I see his arm reach out toward Adam. I wrap my fingers around his stomach from behind, and pull him back toward me.

He turns around abruptly, and looks me up and down with squinted eyes. I push with my hand that is now on his back and lead him toward my room. He resists for a moment, looking back at Tara and Adam. I step in front of him, pleading with my eyes, and his stance loosens slightly as he starts to walk away with me.

I walk him back to my room and shut the door. He turns back toward me, and he has the look of a wild deranged animal. “Eric listen, it was just meant to be a small party, but word seemed to spread. What and who is it, honestly, that has you so angry? I’m sure you had parties when you were in college.”

He steps in closer toward me. “I did have them, so I know what the fuck goes on at them too. How do you think I feel, knowing that those things might be going on with my sister? How do you think I would feel, knowing those things were maybe going on with you too, Caroline? It fucking pisses me off, and I don’t like feeling that way about a woman. I could give a shit what any other woman I may have gone out with in my life was doing. When I thought about you here last night maybe drunk and being taken advantage of, or even giving willingly, it stirs something fierce up inside me.”

“Why me Eric? Please tell me what is it you want from me. Sam and Adam were looking out for us we…” My words get cut off when he grips my waist and slams me against my door, while attacking my lips with his. I feel a rush run to my head, and the sensation feels so good it hurts. His lips on mine feel like they are a moist fire attacking me, as his tongue reaches out forcing my lips to part.

As soon as our tongues tangle together, I take my nails and grip as hard as I can into the back of his shoulders. He slams himself even harder into my body, and I can feel his erection against my stomach.

I let out a moan into his mouth, and he grabs me up in the air and has me on my bed before I can even wrap my legs around him. My legs spread, letting him between them on top of me. Eric pulls away from my mouth, and his hand reaches up, grasping my breast as he looks me in the eyes. “No bra, Caroline? Do you know how fucking worked up you have me right now?” All I can do is whimper, as my hips rise and grind on Eric’s leg. My body is aching all over for him, and I have never felt so out of control in all my life.