Chapter 3
Waking up, I gasp and blush as the image of Aaron touching my body replays itself in my mind. I swear I felt him kiss my neck and touch my lady parts. Trembling, I try not to whimper out in need. I’ve never been this turned on before.
How am I going to face him?
A moan leaves my throat anyway as my body throbs. The idea of making him hard makes the pulse between my legs grow and my panties wetter. I bite my lip as my breathing becomes shallow and my ears ring.
What is happening to me?
My door opens, and I’m frozen to the spot with my body uncovered and my legs spread wide. The amount of effort it takes for me to focus only heightens the way my body clenches with this new sensation.
“Ju-Ju?” Aaron’s voice causes the tension in me to explode, and I yell as my head falls back and my hips arch.
“Holy fuck!” Aaron bellows at me, but the way I feel right now, I don’t comprehend his outburst.
It takes a moment for my head to come down from the clouds. When I look at him, embarrassment floods me.
“Did you just come?” He’s holding onto the doorknob so hard his knuckles are turning white.
“I…I think so.” I stumble over my words, shame making my throat thick with the need to cry.
“You think?” He laughs, and I pull the covers over my body, trying to hide.
“I…” A hiccup causes me to breathe deeply and turn even redder. “I’ve never done anything like this and it…”
Aaron’s growl gives me pause as he stalks toward the bed and grabs my shoulders. “Look at me, Julie.” His voice is deep and demanding. It sends tingles down my spine, and I gasp.
I’m mortified he caught me in such a way that I’m trembling under his touch. Refusing to look at him, I shake my head. The thought of seeing the disgust on his face makes me cower and close my eyes. Knowing he doesn’t want me hurts enough, but to see him looking at me, disgusted and with pity, would break me.
“No,” I whisper, and the word hangs between us, causing my heart to gallop in worry.
One of Arron’s hands moves to my chin, forcing my face upward. “Open your eyes, Ju-Ju.”
Disobeying him isn’t something I normally do. He’s never given me a reason not to trust anything he’s ever said. With courage that I don’t even feel, I open myself up to him and look at him.
“So innocent,” he murmurs as he trails a finger along my neck, causing me to shiver. His thumb runs along my jaw, and I feel my lip tremble. God, I am so pathetic.
“Don’t hate me.” My words seem to snap him out of his daze. Stepping away from me, his hands fall from my body, and I sigh.
“I could never hate you.” Aaron turns around and walks out of my bedroom. I miss his body heat immediately.
By the time I’ve gotten myself decent and out of my head, he is gone. The loneliness creeps inside of me, but I look at my phone.
A-bear
A friend picked me up. I’ll see you at school tomorrow.
I don’t respond, too scared if I do, I’ll beg him to come back.
* * *
I worried for nothing.Everything between us has gone back to normal, and I’m glad about it. I’m driving Aaron and Kaylee home, just like I always do.
“Are you ready for the game?” I ask, wishing I could drive to Dallas to support the team.
“Yup, I can’t wait to come home and celebrate.” He winks at me, and I blush.
“Movies, popcorn, and chocolate brownies?” Kaylee asks hopefully.
I turn down their street and smile at the ease that comes with being with my two best friends.
“Hell no. We are going to the after-party.”
I tense my hold on the steering wheel. “Oh,” Kaylee and I both say at the same time as I pull into their driveway.
“You know they drink at those stupid parties,” Kaylee snaps as she unbuckles her seatbelt.
“Yeah, but it’s the last party with Bry before he heads out. We should be there.”
“Ugh, just because Bryson has friends still in high school, doesn’t mean he has to go to the party.” Kaylee jumps down from the Bronco before she responds and rolls her eyes. “Since you two can’t seem to not party too hard, I’ll go, but I’m bringing Jackson with me and Julie is coming too.”
Aaron ignores her as he gets out and stops by my door. “You are coming, right?”
He looks at me expectantly. Me and crowds don’t mix well. I laugh nervously. The last party didn’t end so well, and I had to bring an extremely drunk Aaron home to his mom.
“How else are you going to get from the school to the party?”
His face lights up and he reaches in and kisses me on the cheek.
“See you tomorrow night, Ju-Ju.”
I get out of the Bronco, and on impulse, I hug him. “Good luck.” His warmth flows through me, and I step back before I try to do something stupid.
“Gotta get to work,” I say, backing away and watching as he heads into the house.
* * *
The week has goneby way too fast, but I’m glad for it. Kaylee and I have been texting today about the party, which I am nervous about since we don’t exactly fit in with Aaron’s crowd. She has assured me that it doesn’t matter. That we are there for her brothers.
Nonetheless, I swore to Aaron I would be at the school to pick him up. As I pull into the school parking lot where the bus should be and see the news reporters already lined up, I smile. The radio said we won, and I brought Aaron his favorite thing to eat. A full pan of bacon with pepper and garlic powder. As well as a slice of pound cake.
My nerves tingle inside of me as I think about how excited he must be that they won. Looking down at my phone, I see the message from Kaylee.
K
Oh my God. The party has already started, and it’s insane.
Reaching up to the necklace around my neck, I fiddle with it and try not to let the anxiety overcrowd my thoughts.
Me
Cool. Be careful and do not drink.
Shoot, I sound like a mom. I don’t have to wait long before Kaylee answers.
K
You know I won’t. Hurry up and get here. We can dance and enjoy time with the in-crowd.
Yeah, I’m not looking forward to that. Instead of bursting her bubble, I send her a dance emoji. I might as well fake it until I make it. Right?
Before I can go down that rabbit hole, someone shouts. “Look, there they are!”
I look at myself in the side mirror. My hair is down, makeup on, and I even put on a nice sweater dress.
As the bus comes into view, I can hear the excitement of the boys. God, it’s amazing to know that Aaron won state for his senior year.
The bus doors open the second it parks, and I perk up. The head coach comes off first, pushing everyone back. I stay by my Bronco, knowing better than to get too close. The coach hates it when people crowd his players.
“Aaron!”
“Aaron!”
Everyone is trying to get his attention, and I know he loves it. This is his dream to be in the limelight for football.
“Is it true?” one reporter asks him, and I frown.
My head turns to look at the person asking, and my mind reels. Is what true? Before anyone can get an answer, the coach steps in front of the players and waves his arms in front of him.
“That’s enough.” Everyone groans, but he continues. “A press conference will be held Monday after school. We are pleased and excited about our state title win, but everyone needs to leave now.”
I knew they won, but why are they holding a press conference on Monday? Shaking my head, I look toward Aaron and smile brightly. I’ll ask Aaron once he gets over here what’s going on.