Chapter 11
SUTTON
What a way to break a week of abstinence.
Jesus fuck. Technically, I was supposed to wait until morning but the second I heard that low buzzing, all bets were off.
It wasn’t like I intended to ever let her know.
My stupid phone fell off the bed. When the sound stopped instantly, I knew she heard it, and the words fell out of my mouth.
I was too into it. A week felt way longer. Ever since the first night I heard her come, I can’t stop thinking about it. Dreaming about her. Every time she opens that smart mouth to argue with me, it only turns me on more.
I know I should’ve kept my mouth shut last night.
I know she’s my best friend’s sister. I know she doesn’t even like me and sometimes I’m not a fan of her snobby self either.
The problem is I’m having trouble giving a shit about any of that.
I’m too busy thinking about how she would look and sound coming on my fingers, my face, and riding my cock.
I need to get focused again, get back to working on my property.
Right now, I need to get to work. My rainy day break is over.
Lila’s door is shut and the trailer is silent as I get ready.
That isn’t surprising. She doesn’t get up early anymore.
I have no idea how she’s going to react when we see each other again, but it looks like that will be this evening.
Work is hectic and we clock a little overtime to catch up on the projects that were delayed because of the weather. When I return to the trailer, no one’s home, and I’m only there long enough to eat before I leave for my property.
It’s a muddy mess, as I expected. Too bad the rain couldn’t have waited until next week when my gravel is being delivered.
At least then I’d have a functional driveway.
I pull my truck up close to the shed in a grassy area.
After a quick inspection to make sure none of the wasp nests have reappeared, I grab my ladder and start working on re-shingling the roof of the shed.
An hour or so before dark, I call it a day, putting away all my supplies and covering what can’t be stored. When I hop into my truck to back out, the wheels spin in place.
Shit. A quick inspection shows me the mud is deeper than I thought.
I let a little air out of the tires, jump back in and put it in low gear.
It’s no use. No amount of rocking will get it out.
I’m only making it worse. I don’t have any sand or anything that I can use under the tires for traction.
It’s going to take a chain to tow it out.
Camron is the first person I text. He has a truck, and I’m sure we could get mine out, but he doesn’t answer the text and a call goes straight to his voicemail.
A glance around makes me rethink my plan.
Anyone else who tries to come up here is likely to get stuck too.
It needs to dry out for a day or two first. It’s not a tow I need right now, but a ride.
Amos will have left for work. None of my other friends or guys I work with live near here. Mom doesn’t drive after dark, and the only other choice would be her husband. I’d rather walk, which will be my next move if Lila doesn’t answer.
This is not the way I imagined seeing her after last night, but here we are. Luckily, she answers her phone.
“Yeah?”
That annoyed tone doesn’t bode well. “Hey, so, I’m stranded. My truck is stuck in the mud at my place.”
“Okay.”
She isn’t going to make this easy. “I’m going to have to leave my truck. Can you pick me up? Please?” I add quickly.
There’s a long pause before she replies. “Are you screwing with me?”
“No, I swear. I’d call Amos but he’s at work, and Camron didn’t answer. I’m outside the city limits so no taxi or rideshare will come get me. I’ll give you gas money and buy you dinner.”
Her tone lightens up. “I don’t know. It’s awfully peaceful here. Can’t you rough it for the night? Forage for nuts and berries.”
“You’re enjoying this.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Come on, Delilah, name your price. It’s getting dark.”
“Price is to be determined. Text me the address.”
“Thank you. Just park on the side of the road and text me when you’re here. It’s narrow but barely used. Don’t come any farther or you’ll get stuck too.”
“Got it.”
She hangs up, and I lock up my truck, then use the time while I’m waiting to better organize the supplies in my cargo trailer and make a list of what I’m going to need for the next week.
When I step out of the trailer to walk down and wait at the road, Lila is hiking up the muddy remains of the old dirt driveway.
“I told you to wait at the road.”
“Yeah, but I do what I want.”
The last word barely leaves her lips when her foot slips and her ass hits the ground.
The splat sound it makes is legendary. If she would’ve given me one second to get to her and help her up, things would’ve been fine.
Instead, she scrambles to stand up. Both feet slip out from under her this time and she falls forward.
Her face is spared and she isn’t hurt, but the momentum sends her sliding down the driveway.
She tries to grasp the ground but finds no purchase as she slides down the entire slope on her stomach like a kid on a wooden sled, curses flying out of her mouth the whole way.
I’m going to piss myself.
It’s the funniest shit ever and not even the threat of her leaving me here can stop my hysterical laughter as I follow her. I’m careful to walk in the grassy area and by the time I reach her, she’s trying to scrape a thick layer of mud from her shirt and jeans.
“That would be why I warned you to wait at the road.”
“Not another word,” she says through gritted teeth. Walking home in the dark isn’t how I want to spend the next few hours so I press my lips together and pretend to zip them.
It doesn’t stop my body from shaking with laughter on our walk to her car. She stays ahead of me until we get there. Her shirt is soaked through and she shivers in the cool wind.
“Here. Take this so you won’t be as cold.” I pull my shirt off and hold it out to her. “I’ll turn my back.”
After a moment of consideration, she accepts it, and I avert my eyes while she switches.
Even covered in grime, she looks damn good in my shirt.
She’d look even better if it were all she was wearing.
She opens her trunk and pulls out a towel for her seat.
Once we’re inside, she starts the car and silence fills the space.
Finally, she looks over at me. Tiny mud splatters dot her face, her arms are streaked with it, and her jeans are bound to be stiff by the time we get home.
My chest is going to explode. After another few seconds of silence, she glances at her face in the rearview mirror, looks down at herself, then back at me, and shakes her head.
“I was having a nice, quiet evening curled up on my couch with a blanket and cup of tea.” Her lips curl up slightly as she restrains a smile.
“It…looked fun. Was it fun?”
“Do you want to ride in the trunk?”
“I’m starting to think it might be safer.”
She turns on some music and starts the drive back. I can’t look at her without chuckling so I keep my gaze pointed at the passing scenery until we’re home. She heads straight for the shower while I order her favorite Mexican food as a peace offering. And a thank you because she rescued me.
After her shower, she stays in her room, only coming out to grab her plate. She never eats in her room. Is she really angry over the mud? Or avoiding me because of last night? It seems to be the way she deals with things, but I like to be more direct. I’m a firm believer in clearing the air.
Hours later, on my way to bed, I tap on her door.
“What?” Again with the reluctant tone. She’s sitting on her bed playing Third Place with Dusty lying next to her.
“Are you pissed about today or last night? I know both were kind of dirty, but there’s only one I’m willing to apologize for.”
Her eyes stay locked on her computer screen while Dusty lifts his head for me to scratch behind his ears. “I’m not mad about anything.”
“You never eat or game in your room. Always the living room. You’re avoiding me. If it’s because we—”
“No,” she interrupts. “Nothing happened. I’m not avoiding you. Everything’s fine. Shut my door behind you.”
She’s so full of it. “That’s how you want to play this?”
“Yep.”
For once, I’m not going to keep teasing her. Maybe I’m also afraid of where it might lead. “Good night, Delilah.”
It’s clear by the next night that she’s definitely avoiding me. She’s gone before I get off work and doesn’t come home until the next afternoon. I’m torn between knowing that’s for the best and wanting to be around her.
“Where have you been, young lady?” Amos teases her when she gets home.
“Bondage sex club.” She snatches the bag of chips out of his hand, eats one and hands it back to him. Ever since he was grossed out by her handcuff joke, she doesn’t miss an opportunity to do it again. “Are you bringing Mandy to the party tonight?”
“We’ll stop in for a while but she never wants to stay out late. She isn’t much of a partier.”
“I like her already,” Lila says.
The pool party isn’t supposed to start until eight, but by five, it’s storming again.
Lila has been texting furiously with someone for a few minutes when she sets her phone on the counter and announces.
“Party is cancelled. Maren’s trying to round up some neighbors to hit the bar with us tonight instead if you two want to go. ”
So much for admiring Lila in a bathing suit. “Yeah, I’m in,” I agree.
“I’ll ask Mandy,” Amos replies.
Lila gets out the pitcher of iced tea, then opens the cabinet. “Sutton, I swear to god!” She pulls the polka dotted tumbler off the shelf. “Are you kidding me? You got the damn thing back out of the trash twice?”
I totally forgot that I put that back. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She charges toward me, holding the cup out, and Amos laughs when I hide behind him.
“You know what? Fine.” She carries the cup out the front door. Amos and I watch as she crosses the street in the rain and disappears between two trailers.
“She told me to throw it away because she thinks Dusty dunked it in the toilet,” I explain.
A grin grows on his face. “You know the dollar store on East Street has them. Exact same design and everything.”
“You’re a genius.”
We’re still chuckling a couple of minutes later when she returns, a satisfied look on her face. “It’s gone now.”