Chapter 12 – Age 17
CHAPTER TWELVE
Kash
Age 17
Bryce Savage - Devil in Her Eyes
“ I ’ll drive,” Ash said, rounding his new challenger. He turned to look at Everleigh, admiration in his eyes. It was there every time he saw her. “You want to sit up front with me?”
Leave it to Jameson to ruin the moment, though. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, tugging her against him like they were the ones dating. “She’s sitting in the back with me.” He smirked. “Isn’t that right, Evie?”
I rolled my eyes. Could he be any more obvious?
Everleigh shrugged, not the least bit bothered by his hands on her. In fact, she seemed to like it despite not wanting to fuck either of us. Maybe she just wasn’t ready to admit she felt for Jameson, too. “I don’t care where I sit.”
“Then it’s settled.” He grinned, leading her toward the cramped vehicle.
Ash shook his head, but a small smile danced around the edges of his mouth. “Traitor,” he called out, his gaze pinned on his girlfriend.
“You get me all the time,” she retorted, leaning into Jamie.
Jameson opened the passenger door and leaned in to move the seat up. Then, he turned, holding a hand out to Everleigh. She slipped her small one into his larger one and allowed him to help her into the vehicle before following behind her.
I shook my head, half torn by frustration and the other half torn by amusement. Frustrated because I was jealous that they were so close. That he’d had bigger balls to touch her in front of Ash than I did. It would piss me the fuck off if they did that shit to Crystal. I fixed the seat before sliding into the small car, my gaze instinctively moving to the back seat.
Jameson had an arm around Everleigh, his fingers moving up and down along her hip bone. If he wanted something, he went after it. After being beaten for years, he never took time for granted. Not when there were times that he thought he’d die. He might not cross the line and fuck her behind Ash’s back, but he’d take what he could get without moving into dangerous territory.
Ashton slid into the seat next to me, forcing the key into the ignition. The smooth rumble of the engine sounded, causing the floorboard to vibrate beneath my feet.
I tried to focus my attention on the scenery around us as we drove, but my mind was held hostage by the girl at Jamie’s side. It took everything in me not to look back at her. Unlike Jameson, I didn’t want to flaunt my attraction for her in front of Ash, regardless of how many times he said it was fine. There was still a part of me that felt like one day, he’d wake up and change his mind. It was best not to get too close to her in that way. When I fell, I fell hard.
Maybe it was because my homelife wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, and I yearned for attention elsewhere.
From the outside looking in, you’d think we were a happy family. We didn’t have a lot of money, but enough to live comfortably. My dad was a hard worker, and my mom tended to her plants and went to all the book clubs she could find. Most would think it was a hobby of hers, but the truth of the matter was, she just wanted to spend more time away from my dad. They bickered constantly, sometimes to the point where sleep was impossible.
When they fought, which was often, they’d both ignore me, or get annoyed at every little thing I did. Sometimes I wish they’d just get a divorce.
Everleigh’s giggles ripped me from my thoughts, and I couldn’t help myself any longer. I glanced toward the backseat. Jameson’s hands were on her. Tickling her. She was kicking at him, pressed against the window and doing everything in her power to get him away.
“Stop, Jameson,” she screeched. “I’m never sitting in the back with you again.”
His fingers were dangerously close to slipping beneath her waistband as he tickled the sensitive skin around her sides. Fuck. A part of me wished he’d just make the move and finger her or something. That way I could live vicariously through him, or maybe even join.
What the fuck was wrong with me?
It had to be all this talk about sharing her. It was getting to me, fucking up my head.
Ashton shot me a knowing look, like he was peeling through the layers of my psyche and knew exactly what I was thinking.
I blew out a breath, pinning my attention on the road ahead of us. It didn’t take too long to reach the bar, though it felt like it had. We all slipped out of the car upon arriving, Jameson pulling Everleigh against him possessively, as he seemed to do often nowadays. If Everleigh was mine, I never would allow it. Sharing a casual fuck was one thing, but sharing a girl indefinitely, was another.
Maybe I was just a jealous asshole.
We made our way into the bar, picking a booth in a secluded corner. Everleigh ended up being sandwiched between Ash and Jamie, leaving me on the opposite side. Her light brown eyes found mine, a brightness in them that hadn’t been as potent as before. She seemed to enjoy the attention she was getting from the both of them. If she’d just cave and let us fuck her, maybe I could get her out of my system.
We ordered a few rounds of shots, talking about the business Ash would be inheriting as soon as he got his degree. The plan was for him to work at his father’s side, but once he turned eighteen, he’d be interning there.
Little E was a fucking lightweight, plastered after her fifth shot. It was cute, though. And I hated that I thought that.
Ash was serious about her. He’d even talked to us about taking their relationship to the next level after graduating. He wanted to fucking marry her, and that made me feel even guiltier about the shit going through my head. His hand was on her thigh as he lifted one of the shots to his lips and downed it.
Everleigh gasped; her eyes wide like she just now remembered something. “I can’t go home like this.”
Ashton snorted in response. “Stay the night with me. My parents don’t give a shit.”
“I told my mom I’d be home tonight,” she slurred, dropping her head against Ashton’s shoulder. “Can you text her for me?”
“And put me in the hot seat?” he teased.
“Pleeeeaaaasssseee.” She looked over at him with wide, bloodshot eyes and rosy cheeks.
Fuck.
My dick strained against my jeans, my hand slipping beneath the table to cover it. I don’t even think she realized how hot she was. Especially when she begged.
Ashton’s gaze dropped to her pouty lips, and he leaned in to kiss her, taking her lower lip between his teeth. She gasped into his mouth, shifting her body toward him. My heart rate picked up, as if I were the one with my mouth on her, and not my best friend.
I wasn’t drinking today, opting to be the designated driver. So, I couldn’t use that as an excuse for fantasizing about what she tasted like.
“How are things with Crystal?” Jamie asked, picking a cheesy fry up before shoving it into his mouth.
“Not sure,” I admitted. “She’s always busy.” Didn’t stop her from sending me nudes though at all hours of the day—like she expected that to make up for her constant absence. The only time she seemed to want to hang out was if Ashton was with me. The first few months of our relationship were fine. We fucked a lot, went on a few dates. I’d even brought her to meet my parents. But after the honeymoon phase, she started distancing herself.
I wasn’t a fool.
She’s always wanted Ashton. When he made it clear that all he wanted was Everleigh, she backed off, and I figured that was that. I felt like an idiot for continuing to pursue her even though I knew I hadn’t been her first choice. She might have even settled for Jameson if he wasn’t such an asshole to her. But I wasn’t ready to call it quits, yet.
Jameson snorted. “Yeah. I bet she is,” he retorted with obvious sarcasm. “Probably getting railed right now as we speak.”
“Jameson,” I growled. “I love you. But if you don’t shut the fuck up, I’m going to send my fist through your teeth.”
Crystal wasn’t known for her loyalty. It was one of the things that lived rent free in my mind, reminding me that it was a very big possibility that she was occupying someone else’s bed on the days she was too busy to see me. It pissed me off and made me feel even more like an idiot.
Ashton broke away from Everleigh, their lips swollen as he focused his gaze on me, and then Jamie. “Don’t be an asshole,” he warned. “Kash is busy living in denial.”
My eyes jerked in his direction, rage simmering beneath the surface of my skin. “I’m about to take Everleigh and leave you assholes here,” I shot back. “Try walking back to the southside and making it home in one piece.”
“You’re a dick when you’re sober,” Everleigh mumbled.
“And you’re a slut when you’re drunk.”
I didn’t mean that. But Crystal was a sore fucking subject. I regretted the words right after I said them and was just about to apologize when Ash jumped from the table and punched me. Pain erupted along the side of my face, whipping my head to the side.
Hurt flashed across Everleigh’s face, causing my chest to constrict with guilt.
“You ever call her a fucking slut again, and I’ll beat you so badly, your parents won’t even recognize you,” he growled.
I blew out a breath as he sank back in his seat, wrapping a possessive arm around his girlfriend. “I’m sorry, E. I didn’t mean it.”
She shot me a weary glance before burying her face in Ashton’s chest. I suppose I deserved that. If anyone was a slut, it was Crystal. I just didn’t like the constant fucking reminder.
The next day, I stopped at some flower shop on the west side of town and then at some pizza place I knew she’d love. Guilt was still eating away at me as I pulled into her driveway and knocked on the door. There were no cars aside from mine and Everleigh’s, so I assumed her parents weren’t home.
When the door creaked open, she poked her head around the corner with a weary glance. When she realized it was me, her shoulders sagged with relief, and she opened the door wider. My eyes instantly took her in. She was dressed in a pair of pajama shorts and a large T that slid off of one of her dainty shoulders. Her hair was pulled into a messy bun, and she never looked hotter.
“What are you doing here?” she asked. “Ashton’s not here.” Her gaze dropped to the items I’d brought, and her eyes widened as it sank in. “Kash…” she started, hesitantly.
“Can I come in?”
Reluctantly, she nodded. I didn’t blame her for wanting to put distance between us, though. What I said to her last night was out of line. She was the last person I wanted to hurt.
I stepped into the house, the door closing echoing around the large space as I drifted into the kitchen. I set the pizza down on the counter before grabbing a few plates like I owned the place. Between her house and Ashton’s house, it was one of the hang out spots, so it was second nature. I placed a few slices on two plates before moving to the fridge and grabbing two cans of soda.
Everleigh was still in the living room when I reemerged, but she was on the sofa now, hitting play on the TV she’d obviously been watching before I’d interrupted. I offered her a plate and a drink before setting the flowers down beside her on the sofa.
“Why are you doing this?” she inquired, the sound of some reality TV show bleeding through the speakers.
“We’ll talk after you’ve eaten.”
I took the spot beside her, careful not to mess up the flowers, and leaned into the large sectional. We ate in silence, my eyes pinned on the show. The girls were wearing skimpy bathing suits as they fought over guys and talked shit about the other contestants. I couldn’t even find it in me to admire their beauty, though. Not when the prettiest girl I’d ever laid eyes on was seated beside me, sucking pizza sauce off her fingers without a care in the world.
She wasn’t conventionally attractive. Not even my type. My attraction for her had grown over the months prior to meeting her the first time. Maybe it was seeing how she was with Ash, or how she was with Jameson. I kept my distance, mostly because I didn’t want to get roped into whatever web she entangled my two best friends in. And because it was still weird to me that Ash was so open to sharing her, and he could revoke that option at any given time. He was in control.
Everleigh wasn’t just some girl I could hook up with and forget about. She was a friend. Not even the friends with benefits kind. How could I fuck her one time and see her every day following with that reminder looming over us? Ash never specified what he meant by sharing. It could be a one-time thing—which made the most sense to me, because why would he continuously share his girlfriend after getting his fantasy?
I almost caved once. When we were in Ashton’s room, the only thing she was wearing was a pair of thin black panties. Feeling her body writhe between me and Ash while I touched her, sucked her vanilla skin, was by far the best thing I’d ever encountered in my life. I knew then, that fucking her wasn’t an option. I’d never be able to get enough.
“So, what did you want to talk about?” she asked, putting her plate off to the side.
I grabbed the flowers, moving them to the other side of me before scooting closer to her. The warmth of her body immediately greeted me, making my head spin. Her expression was weary, like she didn’t entirely trust me, and I couldn’t even blame her for it. Not after what I called her last night. Part of me hoped she’d been too drunk to remember, but that had been wishful thinking.
“I wanted to apologize,” I admitted.
“Don’t,” she said simply, a slight edge to her voice. “Don’t apologize for being honest.”
I grimaced, the guilt twisting my stomach into knots. “That wasn’t honesty. I don’t think you’re a slut.”
“No?” she asked, turning toward me more. I shook my head. “Hmmm.” In one swift movement she kicked her leg out, moving to straddle me, the heat of her pussy seeping through my sweats. Her hands landed on my shoulders, and she arched an eyebrow in challenge. “What about now?”
My breath caught in my throat at the sudden forwardness that was so unlike her it made me pause, made me want to pinch myself just to make sure this was real and not some kind of fantasy. “No.” I breathed, placing my hands on her hips. I realized pretty quickly that she was trying to prove a point to me. This had nothing to do with attraction.
She gyrated her hips, making her core slide against my rock-hard dick. My hands tightened around her, my breath coming out quick and fast. “And now?” she pressed with hooded eyes and dilated pupils. Fuck. Was she still drunk?
My hand slid up her back, winding in her long hair. I jerked, causing a gasp to slip from her lips. Fuck. I loved that sound. “You’ll never be a slut to me.” My lips feathered against her jaw, causing her to tremble against me. “Now get off my lap before I lose control and fuck you right here.”
Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, hesitation written into her features like she was genuinely considering it. But finally, she rose and flopped back down beside me.
“You didn’t have to bring an apology gift, though.” She glanced over at me, a flush still on her cheeks.
You deserve much more than a pizza and some lousy flowers.
But I knew it wasn’t the right thing to say. So, I shrugged instead. “How else was I supposed to convince you I was sorry?” I smirked.
Fuck. This encounter just reminded me why I’d chosen to keep my distance before. My dick was so hard it hurt. Then again, I would have been able to control my urges had she not gotten on my lap. How was I supposed to predict that she’d do that?
“You already apologized, remember? Last night.”
“It didn’t feel like it was good enough,” I countered. Her eyes dropped to my lips, like they’d suddenly become the most interesting thing in the world to her. “If you want to kiss me, do it.”
She scoffed, jerking her gaze back to mine again. “Why, so you can tell Ash how much of a slut I am?”
I rolled my eyes, annoyance building up inside of me. “Don’t hold that against me. I already said I was sorry. Do you not believe me?”
“I do.” She sighed.
“Then shut the fuck up.”
She shot me a glare, but she knew better than to think I was being an asshole. A smile danced around the edges of my mouth, and I settled back into the sofa, pinning my attention on the show still playing.
After a few moments, she rested her head on my shoulder, causing me to tense. It was how she acted with Jamie and with Ash. Never me. Mostly because we hadn’t bonded in the way the three of them had. I’d be lying if I said I hated it. A warmth spread through my chest, my fingers itching to grab her and pull her closer.
But I couldn’t.
Because if I let myself fall for her, especially while she was dating my best friend, it would cause too many problems. Which was why I’d go right back to keeping my distance from her. Only seeing her when we were in a group. If Ash needed someone to drive her home, then he could ask Jameson. I’d be the last resort.
It was better that way.