Authors: Sophie Lira
Helena saunters past us, rolling up a yoga mat. “Miss Olivia had sex-hair yesterday morning.”
“We did not have sex!” I reiterate for the thousandth time, my smile waving the white flag of defeat. “Nothing happened. We talked and I fell asleep there, that’s it!”
And had a great snugglefest on his couch.
“Bullshit!” Aubrey grabs my face between her palms, squishing my cheeks. “C’mon, what are the goods like? I swear I’m going to off myself if he’s not packing. No boy is blessed like him and has a small—”
“I’m sure Zach would love that!” I giggle, my face prickling with heat.
“Whatever. We have no shame.” She laughs and takes a sip of her coffee, turning to Helena. “Did he bring her to work?”
“Walked her right to the door and gave her the most precious kiss on the forehead,” Helena drawls out, doing her best Southern memaw impression. “They’re gon’ give me some adorable granbabies!”
“Stop!” I bury my face in my hands, trying to contain my laughter. Even if last night was pretty heavy emotionally, the happiness I feel totally overpowers it.
“Baby girl, you should know by now nothing is sacred in this joint.” Helena wraps her arm around my waist, giving me a hug.
“I can see that!” I shake my head, leveling my embarrassment.
“Speaking of … ” Helena nods outside as Kyle parks his car. I shoot both of them an
if-you-make-this-awkward-I-will-off-you
death glare and suck in a huge breath.
“Ladies!” Kyle walks in, holding a giant bunch of hydrangeas.
Jesus, does he have a Ph.D. in botany, too?
“Aren’t you sweet!” Helena takes the bouquet as he hands them to her, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Aubrey, help me put these in water?”
“It’s one bouquet.” She leans against the counter, crossing her arms.
“Help. Me. With. The. Flowers.” Helena grits, nodding toward the stock room. Aubrey rolls her eyes and walks away.
My gaze drops head-to-toe and my knees quiver like an earthquake. His fitted soccer pants, tapered at the ankle, and snug white T-shirt clinging to his broad chest make every part of me high as a kite in lust. Kyle waits until they’re both out of eyesight before he walks around the counter. His long fingers thread through the sides of my hair and he pulls my face to his. I sigh as he brushes his lips against mine, giving me the sweetest of pecks. My kiss turns more urgent as I wrap my arms around his neck, tugging him even closer.
“Hey there.” He smiles against my lips, brushing my cheek with his thumb. It’s only been a few hours, and I hate how gushy I get every time I see him now. “I missed you.”
“Aw, I missed you too.” I snuggle into his chest. He gives me a hug, resting his chin on the crown of my head. Saturday night was different in the best way. I’ve never felt safer or more wanted than when I woke up in his bed, warm and immersed in his arms. The calming aura of his UNC sweatshirt didn’t lose its effectiveness all day—mainly because it’s giant, comfy, and smells exactly like him.
“I have some bad news.” His arms tighten around me again and he kisses my forehead.
“What’s up?” My eyebrows pull together as I lean back, looking up at him.
“I’m going to need another surgery if physical therapy doesn’t help. I had an appointment with a new doctor this morning.” He sighs, taking my hand and lacing his fingers with mine. “I really need to take it easy. So softball will be reduced to designated hitter and coaching.”
“What about yoga?” I pout, jutting out my bottom lip.
“Ah, you’re not off the hook. He said it actually will help me with the rehab.” His lips dip close to my ear. “And if you wear those little black shorts again, it might speed up the healing process.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” I laugh as he wraps his arms around my shoulders. “Are you staying for class?”
He shakes his head. “I have my first PT appointment in an hour. They squeezed me in. I was hoping I could score more of that seaweed wrap from Helena. The flowers were to butter her up … and later on for you … ” He kisses my neck.
“Honey, mi casa es su casa!” Helena interrupts, setting the vase of purple and white flowers on the top of the desk, fluffing the stems. “I made you a big batch last week.”
We both step back, and I adore how the slightest tint of pink prickles Kyle’s cheeks. He squeezes my hand for a moment and I love the
we’ll pick this up later
gesture.
***
Chirping melodies blare through my computer speakers as I’m getting ready to head to the top-secret bar for my birthday. The past few days have been a whirlwind, but I’m having the best time. I smile and leap over my bed, clicking the
answer
icon on my video messenger before Natasha can hang up.
“Baby, you are spilling out of that shirt.” She shakes her fingers in front of the webcam.
Adjusting the sides of my coral chiffon top, I smile, trying to alleviate as much side-boob as possible. “You were the one who bought me this!”
“My point.” She rotates her finger in a circle. “Turn around. Let me see the lace back.”
I spin and pull up the waist of my new white skinny jeans. “Is my ass hanging out?”
“Honey, you look awesome. I wish I had boobs that perky so I could get away with no bra.” She laughs before her smile fades. “Chip, I’m so sorry I can’t come out for your birthday.”
“I told you, I get it.” I sigh, pulling on my heels. “I don’t want you getting in trouble at work again.”
She shakes her head and doesn’t lift her eyes to meet mine. “I really need to tell you about—”
A knock rattles against my door and I smile. “Hey, Kyle’s here. Can we talk later?”
“Chip, wait.” When she looks at me through the camera, her eyes turn a bit glassy.
“Hold on a sec!” I yell to Kyle, before turning back to my computer. “Are you okay?” I plop into my chair. Natasha will always come first. She’s been off lately, always in another world. I’m sure she’s still worried about what happened at school. But seeing her this quiet and not her intense, fun-loving self has me a little concerned. She keeps telling me everything is fine. But I’m not convinced.
“I just miss you a lot. We really need to catch up. Don’t worry about it, though. I’ll call you this week and we’ll talk. Happy birthday, babe.” She nods and ends the call.
“Liv?” Kyle knocks again and I take a deep breath, leveling my thoughts. I know if it was that important, Natasha would have told me to hold everything because she never holds anything important back from me.
“Coming!” I run over to the door, unbolt the two locks, and fling it open.
Jesus tap-dancing Christ on a cracker.
“Happy birthday, darlin’. You look sensational.” Kyle kisses me on the cheek as his arm wraps around my waist, bringing me into one of his overwhelming bear hugs. I bury my face in his shirt, breathing deeply like he’s made of an actual drug.
Hello!
“Thanks for the flower bed. They’re amazing.” I nod back to the eight-bajillion varieties of exotic flowers sitting on my small kitchen table, nearly taking up the whole space.
“I know it’s probably getting old, but you always look so happy when they’re around. Memaw always told me to go big or go home. Bright and different were always her thing.” He ushers me back into my apartment and closes the door behind him.
“Seriously, I love them so much.” My gaze darts from his red, white, and blue plaid button-up shirt, down to his fitted dark-wash jeans, and to his blinding white and royal-blue Nikes.
Captain America is back.
America, fuck yeah.
“I’ll bring you some every day to keep you this happy.” He gives me a heart-stopping smile, and I think he’s trying to restrain himself from stripping me bare this very second. I wouldn’t mind. Lord knows the
—ahem—
self-help pal shoved under my mattress gets me through the tough days. But Kyle’s hands? I bet nothing would compete with them.
A small laugh escapes me and we stare at each other before he shakes his head. “Ready to get irresponsibly drunk?”
“Definitely.” I grab his face, pulling him to me. I kiss him, thinking of everything I want to do with him but haven’t had the courage to yet.
The cab ride to the club is surprisingly quiet. I don’t know if it’s the growing sexual tension between me and Kyle or what. I snuggle into his side, and every now and then he kisses the side of my head. My life has never been like this. I feel good—so much better than before. Kyle has shown me there is so much good in this world. I’m not sure how I’ll ever thank him because no words will ever describe how grateful I am.
I’ve never had so many people show up for my birthday. Aubrey, Zach, and Noah nearly tackle me with hugs the moment we step inside. Although I’m so bummed Natasha couldn’t get off work and Cam had a special training session, it’s okay. I know I’ll see them this weekend.
I dance for hours and smile so much it hurts my face. The Spanish techno music beats through the club, and I spin around as I’m tapped on the shoulder. Aubrey hands me another shot and another beer. “I’m going to get you to twenty-three shots tonight if it kills me!”
E’erybody! Shots, shots, shots!
“Are you nuts? There will barely be a fourth!” The burn goes down like lava and I don’t even taste the salt or the lime as I chase it with a gulp of Corona.
My heart has stopped vibrating in my chest from nervousness, and I think I have Jose Cuervo to thank. Another pair of hands grabs my hips and a very drunk, large man bumps into me.
“I’m with someone. Please leave,” I grit, stepping back, but he follows. Before I can kick him in the balls, the collar of his shirt is pulled tight and he’s ripped from my presence.
“Really, dude? She said she was taken.” Kyle pushes the hairy guy back. “You okay?”
There are many words to describe how I’m feeling. Okay is one.
“I’m fine.”
Always fine!
The rest of the dance floor blurs. Aubrey and Zach make out as they half-walk and half-dance away from us; everyone else jet streams around our bodies, indifferent to our stillness. “Thanks for swooping in to save me, Captain.”
Kyle laughs, pulling me closer. “What?”
“Nothing, nevermind.” I peer up at Kyle, a ridiculous smile still plastered across my face. “Stay here with me?”
“Yeah.” He guides me farther to the corner, closer to the speakers, and more hidden by the massive crowd. I know where this path might lead. My body rolls with his and my hands link around his neck. The beads of sweat flicker in pinks, blues, and yellows from the party lights.
“You smell incredible.” His plush lips brush my neck and I breathe deeply into his chest, running my fingers through the back of his hair.
You smell like sex and candy, Kyle Avery.
“Olivia.” His hand takes my cheek and tilts my head up. His other hand grabs my ass as we dance, almost indecently. My mind blanks as his hand pushes on northward, tracing idle patterns on the bare skin under my shirt, closing in on my bra-less chest. “I want you more than anything.”
“What’s stopping you?” I lean against him, and we are so close together a bomb couldn’t break us apart. The pull to him is unbearable. As long as I’m with him, the world stops.
The song changes again. The beat is slower, more sensual. My heart rate screeches to a halt as his lips brush against mine once, then again. It is the slowest, most tantalizing and teasing kiss. I sigh, deep from my toes, as his tongue runs along my bottom lip before he nips at it with his teeth, almost causing me to faint.
For a second, he hesitates, and we stare at each other. The expensive, vintage cotton shirt is unbuttoned at the collar, every inch of his neck beckoning my mouth for attention. Before I can take the lead, his lips crash into mine and my mouth opens, begging and inviting him to enter as the entire club goes silent in my ears.
Best birthday ever.
I’m starting to spin over the edge. Gripping my legs under my thighs, he picks me up effortlessly, pressing himself right into my core. I’m about to go off like a firework. Nothing could take me from this moment.
Except for when he stops.
“Liv, we need to talk.” He guides my legs down.
“What?” I swallow as my enflamed sex drive gives me the middle finger. This is so not the time for us to have a quick chat.
“I can’t do this. I should have told you this weeks ago, but … ” His voice wavers and slurs as he takes my wrist, but the lusty look in his eyes is telling me he really wants to do anything but stop. I lock up like Fort Knox as he pulls me back into him.
“Come on, spit it out.” I stumble as I go to kiss him, but he steps back.
“It’s important and you’re drunk. Shit, I shouldn’t have … ” He starts to lead me off the dance floor. “Never mind. Let’s get another drink.”
“I don’t want to stop dancing right now.” I spin around but he shakes his head.
“C’mon, let’s go sit.” He rubs his jaw, and I hate how this went from awesome to awkward in thirty seconds.
“Why are you trying to ruin tonight? Between this and Natasha being all weird before, I’m seriously over it.” I stomp away and head to the bar.
“I’m not, I’m sorry.” Kyle takes my hand and leads me to the edge of the dance floor. “Wait. What about her?”
I take the quick second to fill him in, but I seriously need to calm down before I get even more irrational about whatever they need to tell me. I don’t want either of us to ruin tonight. Maybe we both need a second to level. I’ve had too much to drink, and so has he. Beer tears are the last thing I need right now.
I shake my head, letting go of another breath. “I need some fresh air.”
“You sure?” He pulls me against him for a moment.
“Yeah, just give me a few minutes?” I kiss him quick before dodging through the patches of people. I walk down the sidewalk, away from the blaring music.
Just enjoy being out with your friends.
Everything is okay.
The breeze from the cool night air is heaven until I get a nauseating, familiar whiff of stale Newports, cheap cologne, and rancid vodka.