Chapter 9
Willa
We arrive to the Montgomerys’ party before anyone else because my parents have to be on time.
The place is empty, and all the food looks delicious, but it isn’t polite to touch anything when we are the only ones here.
Houston walks over to the corner of the room where my parents are talking to his mother.
Houston is all smiles, which is weird. He’s never been this friendly in previous years.
I wonder if there is something different about me.
I immediately know the answer. Being around Wyatt makes me feel beautiful, special, and friendlier?
I’ve always been on the shy side, but something about Wyatt emboldens me.
Maybe it’s the way he looks at me, or maybe it’s my ability to make him come undone.
When that guy comes, it’s seriously the hottest thing I have ever seen.
More guests slowly begin to pour in. Houston is asking me about pre-law and telling me about his business classes.
Out of the corner of my eye I see the James family walk in, and all I can think is finally.
Wyatt spots me and his eyes narrow on Houston. I find his jealousy to be adorable. If he feels the need to claim me the way he did in the bathroom earlier, I will take it, because he gives the best orgasms. Well, they are the only orgasms I know of, but still they are earth-shattering.
Mr. and Mrs. James come to say hello to my parents.
“Hi, Willa, nice to see you again,” Mrs. James says.
Mom looks at me, cocking her brow.
“I was visiting over at the Jameses’ cabin when you guys were in town the other day,” I explain to Mom, who still has her head tilted to the side in confusion.
“Who were you visiting with, dear?” Mom asks.
“Wyatt,” I reply.
Houston looks taken aback when I say Wyatt’s name, but Mom looks more affronted.
“Oh,” Mom smiles.
“Did you know that Willa wants to go to Harvard?” Mom says, and I don’t know who the comment is directed at.
“That’s lovely,” Wyatt’s mom answers. “Our Wyatt is in the U.S. now. He attends Westfall. It’s an Ivy League school.”
“Isn’t he a hockey player?” Mom asks.
I don’t know where she is going with this, but I feel my irritation growing.
“I applied to Harvard,” Houston cuts in.
“You did?” I ask him.
“Yeah, for my MBA,” he explains.
“We are so proud of Houston. He’s doing so well,” Mrs. Montgomery adds. “What are your plans for next year, Wyatt?”
My stomach sinks, knowing Wyatt doesn’t like this subject very much. This conversation has also somehow turned into a pissing contest between my parents and Mrs. Montgomery against Mrs. James.
“Wyatt is a top goalie in the NCAA, did you know that?” I ask the group.
“What is the NCAA?” Mom asks.
“It’s the college level of sports. Wyatt’s team is in Division 1, which is the highest level you can play at. Players from those teams end up in the NBA and NHL,” I explain.
Wyatt gives me a strange look.
“That’s impressive,” Mom says, and just like that the conversation is diverted.
When I say I need a drink, Wyatt excuses himself too and follows me. He comes up behind me when we are at the bar.
“When did you look up NCAA college hockey?” he asks.
“When I realized how interested I am in you. I really just wanted to understand what it is you do. I’m not really a sports person.”
“Well, thanks for diverting their questions. I do appreciate it.” He grins.
We both take a glass of red wine from the bar.
“My pleasure.” I smile, and I clink my glass with his.
Houston walks over to us, and I freeze. “Is there something going on between you two?”
I look at Wyatt and he looks back at me. Then he wraps his arm around my shoulder. “She’s my girlfriend. Sorry I didn’t mention it earlier.”
“Wyatt?” I ask, looking at him. He returns my gaze with a pleading glare.
“We are together,” I confirm to Houston.
“That’s too bad. I was hoping we had a chance, especially if we are both going to be at Harvard next year.” He grins, and I get the feeling he is trying to piss off Wyatt.
“Harvard is my first choice, but not my only choice. I’ve applied to other schools too,” I say. Down boy.
“Well, I will leave you two lovebirds to it,” Houston says, and he turns and walks away.
I turn and give Wyatt a questioning look.
“What was that about?” I ask him.
“Houston wants you,” he says.
“And…” I search his eyes for meaning.
“I like you, Willa. I don’t want to share,” he explains softly.
“What makes you think I would go for Houston?” I snort accidentally.
“He’s smart. He’s going to Harvard. He knows what he’s doing with his future,” Wyatt goes on to list.
“And I don’t like Houston, so none of that matters. Houston doesn’t get me fired up like you, and Houston doesn’t have your kind heart,” I say to him.
“This is crazy, we just met,” Wyatt says.
“So are you ungirlfriending me?” I joke.
“I don’t want to, but how can we make this work, Willa? We are at two different schools. I’m on the East Coast, you’re on the West.”
“And yet, I don’t want to sleep with anyone else but you. We have another semester left of school. That’s four months.”
“Are you saying you would want to do long distance?” he asks.
“Wyatt, I spend all my time studying, going to class, and working in the library. My life isn’t exactly a party, and I get that your life is but. . .”
“It isn’t,” he corrects. “I spend my time playing hockey and doing schoolwork, just in case hockey doesn’t pan out. I may not end up being a famous goalie.”
“Wyatt,” I interrupt.
He nods.
“I don’t give a shit what you end up being. I like you for you,” I say to him. The way he watches me makes my heart pick up pace.
“I want to kiss the hell out of you right now, Willa, and not only because you just cussed, but because you make me feel things I’ve never felt before.
I don’t want to ungirlfriend you. I want to make you mine, if you’ll have me.
I want to take you to bed, and I want to do the long-distance thing,” he shares and my legs feel wobbly from his words.
“Yes, to it all then,” I reply.
He reaches down and kisses me. “Willa?”
“Yes, Wyatt?”
“We need to sneak out of here. I have to take you to bed and make you mine forever,” he says.
“That sounds like a plan.”