The Wannabes (4 page)

AFTER TWO NERDS and a shot of
tequila, Corbin was ready to go home. She felt a little light headed and
suspected Alex had thrown in a few extra shots in her drinks. The clock read
10:30 and she knew the races would be over soon.

“Are you guys ready to go?” Corbin asked as she walked to
the pool table. Stella was leaning against one of the cowboys while Ryder was
throwing darts.

“Nope.” Stella smiled. She whispered something in the
cowboy’s ear.

“I’ll make sure she gets home,” he said.

“Seriously, Stella?” Corbin rolled her eyes and sighed.

“Yep, seriously Corbin,” Stella slurred.

“Ryder, are you coming or staying?”

“Well since you put it that way, I’ll be coming.” He set his
darts down and hurried over to her.

“Gah…Corbin just take him home a fuck him. He clearly wants
you.” Stella stumbled over to them and swatted Ryder’s ass. Corbin felt herself
flush with color. She rushed out the door and got into her car and buried her
face in her hands. No matter where they went, Stella always said or did
something to embarrass her.

“Do you want me to drive? You don’t look so good.” Ryder
asked as he opened the door. Corbin nodded and slid from the driver’s seat to
the passenger. He started the car.”Do you mind if we make a quick stop? I need
smokes.”

“Why didn’t you get them here?”

“Seven bucks a pack, no thanks.”

“Are you ok to drive? There are a lot of cops in town on
Friday nights.”

“I had two beers, so yeah, I am pretty sure I am good.”

“Just be careful.”

“You worry too much.” Ryder reached out and gave her a
playful shove. She placed her hand on the spot where he touched her and looked
at him. Even that little touch made her tingle. This man radiated sex. His
green eyes raked over her body. “Oh little girl, you are something else.” He
leaned his head back against the head rest. A strand of hair fell into one of
his eyes and Corbin resisted the urge to remove it for him. With a shaky hand,
she tucked her own hair behind her ear and cleared her throat.

“We should go. Rob should be stopping by soon.”

“Chill out Cinderella, I’ll get you home before Prince
Charming arrives.” Ryder put the car in gear and backed out. They drove through
town in silence but Corbin’s thoughts were everywhere. Ryder got his cigs and
then they continued back to the apartment. Once there he offered her one and
this time she took it. He slid up on the car and patted the hood next to him.
She shook her head no, then walked to him and leaned in for a light. She turned
her back to him and leaned against the car.

“Nice night tonight,” she stammered. Ryder didn’t respond.
She turned back to him. He was laying back, one arm behind his head. Due to his
arm position, his shirt rode up a little in the front revealing some of his
treasure trail. She wanted to kiss him there, run her fingers over the top of
his jeans.

“I would love to be able to read your mind right now.” Ryder
sat up on the car then slid off right in front of her. Corbin uttered a nervous
laugh. He reached out and touched her cheek. She willed her legs to move but
she stood planted in front of him. She dropped her gaze to the ground.

“I should go inside,” her voice quivered. She felt him place
a finger under her chin, and he forced her to meet his eyes. Without a second
thought she firmly planted a kiss on his lips. She felt Ryder’s hands tangle up
in her hair. All thoughts of Rob were thrown out the window. Ryder pulled her
head back and kissed and nipped at her neck. He pulled her close to him and she
felt his hardness against her. Corbin was breathless.

“Goddamn, Corbin. You taste so good,” Ryder groaned against
her mouth. Corbin’s head whirled. No one had ever said that to her before.
Taken over by the scene and the alcohol, Corbin grasped for his belt buckle and
began tugging it off. Ryder grabbed her hand and stopped her. He was breathing
hard too.

“What?” Corbin panted. She watched Ryder run and hand
through his hair. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“I can’t do it, Corbin.” He adjusted his belt.

“Oh God, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean…” Corbin began. Guilt
settled into her gut again.

Was kissing and touching considered cheating? If so, she
was a number one offender.

“I drank too much, I didn’t mean to throw myself at you.”
She turned and hurried up the stairs. She heard Ryder following her up.

“Corbin….” Ryder called from behind her. She ran into the
apartment and to her room. She locked the door behind her. Ryder knocked on the
door.

“I do want you, Corbin. I have wanted you since the second I
saw you today.”

“Just go away, Ryder, please.” Corbin changed into her
oversized sweatshirt and pajama pants. “Rob will be here soon.”

“Ok. I have a date with a cold shower anyway. I am sorry,
Corbin.” She leaned against the door. Thoughts of him naked in the shower
flooded her mind again. Her thoughts were interrupted by Rob’s ringtone. She
picked it up and read the text:

I’ll be late. Do you still want to talk?

How late is late and yes

Probably not until after 12

Just come over. I need you

For what?

Duh, it has only been two weeks now since we have had sex

Is that all that I am to you? JK

No, you know I love you

I Know, I will be over later

K

Corbin fell back on her bed and closed her eyes. She allowed
herself to drift off to sleep. A few hours later she was awakened by a kiss.

“Oh Ryder…” she moaned.

“Who the fuck is Ryder?” Rob blurted. He stood up next to
the bed, his hands curled into fists. Corbin swallowed hard and scrambled for
an excuse.

“What? Hey, come here.” She tugged on his hand.

“You said Ryder when I kissed you.’

“I don’t know what you are talking about, I was asleep.”

Rob’s fists relaxed a little. He sat down on the bed.

“Maybe I am just hearing things.” He rubbed his hair. Corbin
took advantage of the moment and rubbed his back.

“How were the races?”

“Pretty good,” Rob yawned. He lay back on the bed. Corbin
rested her head on his chest. “So what did you want to talk about?”

“That can wait.” Corbin traced circles on his shirt. She
lifted her head and seen Rob had his eyes closed. She shook him, he in turn
rolled over onto his side. “Rob…”

“Tired,” he mumbled. In exasperation she threw herself back
onto the pillow. Picking up one she covered her face and muffled a soft scream
into it. She removed the pillow and then rolled over to him. She pressed her
body against his and pulled up his shirt. She stroked his chest then slid her
hands down to the front of his jeans.

“Don’t,” he mumbled.

“Please,” she whined. His response was a snore. Frustration
filled her. She knew once the snore happened, all possibilities of sex went out
the window. She scrambled out of bed and stood staring at him. Spotting his
cell phone she carefully pulled it out of his pocket. She pushed the power
button and attempted to unlock it. After a few failed attempts she tossed it on
the bed beside him. Remembering her beer in the fridge, she opened her bedroom
door.

“That was fast.” Corbin stopped in her tracks. Ryder was
laying on the couch in those tight sexy boxers, a cigarette in one hand and a
beer in the other. She huffed at him then continued into the kitchen. She
grabbed a beer, popped the top and gulped down half of the liquid. She took a
deep breath then finished the beer. She grabbed another and went back into the
living room. She plopped down in the bean bag chair.

“Can I have a cig?” she muttered. He tossed one and the lighter.
She lit it and inhaled deeply. She looked his way. The light from the TV
illuminated his tattoos and his goddamn V taunted her. He put out his cigarette
then stood. He stretched and Corbin shuddered. He handed her the ashtray. She
looked down his body her eyes resting on his bulge. She bit her lip then looked
back up into his eyes.

“So how’s lover boy?” Ryder asked. He had a sly smile on his
face.

“Huh?” Corbin’s brain felt like mush.

“Rob.” He pointed to her bedroom door.

“Oh, he fell asleep,” she stammered. She had almost
forgotten Rob was in the other room. Ryder was a major distraction. Ryder
nodded, something washed over his face, as if he were plotting something. He
ran a hand through his hair, looked at her door then kneeled down in front of her.
Corbin tensed up.

“Corbin…” He licked his lips.

“Yeah…”

“How do you say I want to make love to you in French?” Her
head was spinning. She glanced towards her bedroom door then back to him.

“Ahhh…” He took her beer from her and put out her cigarette.
He then placed his hands on either side of her. Corbin tightened her crossed
legs.

“Say it.” His face was just inches from hers.

“Ahm…” No words came to mind. He touched her face and ran
his fingers over her lips. Corbin felt like she was melting into the chair. “Je
veux te faire l’amour.”

“That is so hot.” He kissed her gently and Corbin moaned.
The sound of keys jiggling in the door made Ryder jump up and run from the
room. Corbin sat up and smoothed out her clothes. Alex entered the apartment.

“What are you still doing up?” she asked.

“Couldn’t sleep,” Corbin shrugged. She stood up and her legs
were unsteady, she stumbled into the kitchen. The sound of the shower made her
chuckle.

“Who’s in the shower?” Alex asked, hand on her hip.

“Ryder.” Corbin took a long pull from her beer.

“At two in the morning?”

Corbin tried to fight smiling. “He said he was hot.”

“Hmmm…” Alex seemed to study her for a moment. “Where’s Rob?
I saw his truck in the parking lot.”

“Asleep. What is this, the Spanish inquisition?”

“The what?”

“Never mind, I am crashing on the couch tonight. Rob’s
snoring ass will keep me awake.” Corbin swayed backed into the living room and
slumped onto the couch. She picked up the pillow Ryder was using and inhaled
the scent. She drifted off to sleep quickly thanks to the effects of the
alcohol.

CORBIN FELT HER way to the bathroom.
Her head pounded and her stomach felt queasy. She opened the bathroom door and
sat on the toilet, holding her head in her hands. The door creaked open.

“Oh shit, sorry.” Ryder slammed the door shut. Bits and
pieces of the night before washed over Corbin. Her stomach rolled, she grabbed
the trashcan and emptied the contents of her stomach.

“You ok?” Ryder asked from the other side of the door.

“Yes,” Corbin managed in between heaves.

“Do you want me to get Alex?”

“No, go away.” She leaned back against the toilet tank, the
coolness soothed her. She flushed the toilet and took time standing. She
grabbed a washcloth, wet it with cold water and dabbed her face and neck. She
rinsed her mouth then cleaned up her mess. After several deep breaths she
opened the bathroom door. She kept her gaze on the floor as she hurried back to
her bedroom. She locked the door behind her. She turned hoping to see Rob still
in her bed, her stomach sank when she seen it was empty.

“Of course you left,” she grumbled. She snatched up her
phone.

Thanks for waking me up, ass

I was going to but after meeting Ryder…you know, the guy
whose name you said when I kissed you .Well I wasn’t in the mood to wake you up

Corbin felt the walls of her room were closing in on her.
“FUCK!” she spat. She stared at her phone, not knowing what to type.

Are you screwing him? Is that what you wanted to talk
about?

NO! I was drunk last night.

So you’re saying it’s a possibility

Rob I would never do that to you!
But you did make
out with Ryder twice and almost ripped his pants off, she thought to herself.

I need some time to think about all of this. I think we
should separate for awhile.

I didn’t do anything wrong, I love you.

Yes, you did. She willed her guilty conscious to shut up.
Tears welled up in her eyes. After he didn’t respond she plugged in his phone
number and it went straight to voicemail. She opened her mouth to speak but
only a squeak came out. Full blown sobs wracked her, her heart seized in her
chest.

“Goddammit I am so stupid!!” she groaned aloud. She had let
her guard down and her vagina ran her mind.

“Are you ok in there?” Alex pounded on the door. Corbin
wiped her eyes then unlocked the door. “You look like shit, hangover that bad?”
Corbin plopped on the bed and began sobbing again.

“Rob… wants… to separate.” Corbin felt as if she were
hyperventilating.

“What? Why?” Alex sat down beside her.

“Because he thinks Ryder and I have a thing going on,” she
groaned.

“Why would he think that?” Alex handed her some tissues.

“You know Rob. He thinks I am screwing around all the time.”
Corbin blew her nose. Alex gave her a sideways glance.

“Ryder!” she shouted. Corbin held her breath.

“Yeah.” Ryder peeked into the room.

“Did something happen with Rob this morning?” Alex kept her
eyes on Corbin. Corbin fidgeted.

“I just introduced myself. Then he stormed out. Why?” Alex
turned her gaze to him. Corbin let out a slow breath and stared up at the
ceiling.

“Well, I guess Rob seems to think you two are doing the
deed.” Corbin buried her face in her hands.

“Hey, all I said was you must be Rob held out my hand and
said I’m Ryder. That is it. It’s not my problem that he apparently has an
inferiority complex. I mean look at me, what guy wouldn’t be jealous.” Ryder
held his hands up. Alex huffed then threw a pillow at him. Corbin met his eyes
and gave him a small nod. He threw the pillow back. “So are we done with the
line of questions officer?” Corbin uttered a small laugh. Alex looked from Ryder
back to Corbin.

Stella stuck her head into the room. “What’s up?”

Please don’t fill her in.
Corbin silently pleaded
.

“Rob seems to think I’m macking on Corbin.” Ryder chuckled
and gave Corbin a small wink. Stella joined in on his laughter.

“You and Corbin? That would be like me and Nick Jonas
getting together.” This time Alex joined in.

“Can everyone please get out of my room?” Corbin blew her
nose again. Alex patted Corbin’s leg then walked to the door.

“Just trying to make you laugh, but from my life
experiences, when a guy starts blaming you on cheating it is actually the guy
who is doing it.”

“Thanks Stella, that makes me feel so much better.” Corbin
shook her head. Stella shrugged then disappeared from her sight. After another
glance her way, Ryder shut the door.

She picked up her phone and tried to call Rob but it went
straight to voicemail. Tears stung in her eyes. She lay back on the bed,
grabbed a pillow and hugged it tightly against her. Never in her life had ever
felt so alone.

RYDER PULLED THE leftover taco stuff
from the fridge. “I am going to warm up the taco shit, you want some?” he
yelled from the kitchen.

“No,” both Alex and Stella said in unison. . He turned back
to the counter, finding it hard to think about anything other than the taste of
Corbin and the sounds of her moans and the way her mouth moved when she spoke
French. He felt his pants tug. Looking around he readjusted himself.

“I would love to find out if Rob is cheating on her,” Alex
said as she entered the kitchen.

“He probably is. Corbin said they haven’t had sex for a
couple weeks.” Stella leaned against the counter next to Ryder. He gave her a
casual sideways glance then continued assembling his food. She in turn gave him
a wink. His thoughts went back to Corbin, the look on her face as she clawed at
his belt. A low involuntary growl erupted from him.

“Are you really that hungry?” Alex asked through a yawn.
Ryder bit his bottom lip in an attempt to contain laughter.

“What do you think, Ryder?” Stella asked. She twirled her
hair around her finger.

“About what?” Ryder shrugged. He put his tacos in the
microwave.

“Rob and the cheating…duh?”

“Why are you asking him? He hasn’t ever been in a
relationship that lasted more than 24 hours,” Alex said.

“Ouch…” Ryder pretended to stab himself in the chest.

“It’s true, Casanova.”

“I beg to differ. I know there was at least one time that I
can remember that lasted 48 hours.”

“Yeah right.” Alex rolled her eyes.

“Seriously, they were twins. I had one on Friday, and the
other on Saturday.” Ryder clicked his tongue and gave Alex a wink.

“You are such a pig,” Alex sighed.