Chapter 16 #2
I can hear Miles and Dad talking in a tone too low for me to hear what they’re saying, so I take my time making sure I have my overnight bag, purse, and phone. If Dad needs to make sure I’ll be safe, then he can say whatever he needs to.
Miles can take it.
“Ready,” I say loudly, coming back out into the hallway.
“You knew,” Dad chuckles.
“You’re not that slick, Dad,” I shrug. “Be careful driving home?”
“Always, kiddo.”
Giving him a hug, I wink at him as he continues to laugh at me, and begin walking away with Miles to find Santo and Levon.
“You know your dad really well,” Miles says, taking my bag from me.
“I know how he works,” I reply. “Even when I was away at college and living with my best friend, I could figure him out. I found a job in New Orleans so I could be closer to him. The job didn’t work out, but it opened different opportunities.”
I watch as Clarice walks quickly past me, her shoulder knocking into mine.
“Yo!” Miles yells, turning his head to follow her. “Watch where you’re going. Your pointy elbows may as well be weapons. Baby, are you okay?”
“You’re being dramatic,” Clarice says, turning to face us. I rub my shoulder because she hit me hard. She’s also a lot taller than I am, and there’s no reason why she should have been walking that close to me. “Kailyn, I have to say that your choice of men is abysmal. What would my father say?”
God, I’m so tired of her. I thankfully don’t see her much, but she’s like the cockroach that you know is waiting to crawl out and annoy you.
“It’s Caelia,” I remind her, pronouncing my name as slowly as possible. “Do you need me to spell it out so you’ll remember? If Friedrick has a problem with my scent matches, then he can call me into his office and tell me himself. Have the night you deserve, Clarice.”
Miles snorts as he wraps his arm around my body, drawing me away from the bitch.
“Retract the claws, baby,” he says under his breath as we walk. “Is she always like that?”
“Yes, she’s the owner’s daughter,” I mutter. “She gave me grief when I was skating with my dad once, and then her father offered me a job. My life is very odd.”
“Is it true that you guys are off for a week?” Miles asks, as if he’s thinking about something.
“Yeah, we are. I’m happy to not be hustling from place to place for a little while,” I confess.
“We’re off too, and I’m plotting,” he admits.
“Of course you are,” I tease him.
“We don’t have regular practices when we’re on a break, though the guys know better than to slack off,” he says. “They take the time to go see family, take a quick vacation, shit like that. I could rent a place with the guys and stay in New Orleans so I could see you more.”
“Really?” I ask, my eyes lighting up with excitement.
“Well, now I definitely need to make this happen,” he grins. “Let’s bring it up to Santo and Levon to see what they think. Maybe I’ll get lucky and get you all to myself.”
“You’re incorrigible,” I say, leaning into his side. He smells really good, and I can’t wait to have him wrapped around me while dancing.
“I am for you,” he says simply. “Santo!”
Santo turns, his eyes brightening with recognition.
“Levon is almost ready,” he says. He looks amazing in a pair of dark wash jeans and a black shirt. I wonder if he brought a change of clothes just in case. His shoes are nice loafers, something I doubt he wears to work regularly. “You look amazing, Caelia.”
“Thank you,” I say, my feet moving without thought to hug him. His arms feel amazing as he squeezes me against him.
“Damn, I missed you,” he says.
“I think Miles may have a plan so that you can miss me a little less,” I say cryptically.
“That sounds promising,” he says, his hand resting on my neck so his thumb can push my head back. His kiss is a little more desperate than it was this morning, and my fingers curl around his forearms.
“There are etiquette rules in your contract, Kailyn,” Clarice says, breaking the mood.
She brushes past me as Santo whirls around to watch her.
“Great, please show them to me so I can get my lawyer to look at it,” he growls. Clarice looks stricken, and he shakes his head. “Do not threaten my girl. Is that understood?”
“Ah, yes?” she squeaks.
“Just leave me alone, Clarissa. Since you can’t remember my name, I won’t bother to say yours correctly either,” I shrug, ignoring her glare as she walks away. “I swear, I can’t fucking stand her.”
“With good reasons, I’d say,” Santo grunts. “There’s Levon. Let’s get out of here before I really have to call my lawyer.”
“Do you have a lawyer?” Miles asks, falling into step as we walk over to the locker room. I can tell he’s amused by how fast Santo clapped back.
“Yeah, my dad. I try not to get him involved unless it’s absolutely necessary, because he comes in with guns blazing,” he explains.
“It’s a dad thing,” I giggle. “You saw how scary mine is.”
“Yeah, well your dad makes it look effortless,” Santo says. “He’s still scary as fuck.”
“Hey,” Levon says with a smile, taking my other hand. “I left my stuff on the bus, do I need to rethink that at all?”
“We’ll stay at least tonight at the hotel, and I know the staff will make sure it makes it to our rooms,” Miles says easily. “We all have a week off, I was thinking that we should stay in New Orleans with Caelia. Thoughts?”
“Fuck yes,” Levon says, fist pumping the air.
“I’m in,” Santo agrees with a grin.
“I’ll put your bag with my stuff before the bus leaves," Miles says. “This way, you won’t have to worry about it while we call for a ride.”
“Wait,” I say, remembering that I’m wearing a sweatshirt. Pulling it over my head, I hand it to him. The guys’ jaws drop because I’m wearing a shirt I bought on a whim online and haven’t ever worn.
It’s still long sleeved, but the mesh shows off a ton of skin. It’s also a crop top that I notice Miles is staring at.
“Levon, please don’t drink tonight,” he mumbles.
“Damn, he has everything figured out, doesn’t he?” Levon murmurs as Miles hurries off.
“I’m not mad about it,” Santo shrugs. “It’s exhausting trying to plan shit sometimes. It’s nice not to have to worry about it.”
“Amen to that,” I say.
Meeting Miles outside, I call for a car on my app excitedly. I figure we can walk the French Quarter until something calls to us. After so much adrenaline flowing through my body from the game, I need to work it off or I’ll never sleep.
SANTO
We’re at a hole in the wall bar with good music and a dance floor. The first thing I did was pull Caelia out with me, loving the way her hips begin to sway as she dances. She moves in a carefree manner that I know is drawing attention, but only because she’s so fucking sexy.
Pulling her close, I ghost my fingers over the exposed skin on her stomach. I notice someone walking behind her and growl under my breath, turning Caelia’s body so her back is against my chest.
“Mine,” I murmur in her ear, grinding my erection against her ass.
Caelia whimpers as she drops her head back on my shoulder, giving me full access to her neck and mouth.
“You’re practically fucking,” Levon teases as he steps in front of us. “Please, carry on.”
Caelia laughs as she rubs her hand over his chest, and Levon pushes his thick thigh between her legs for her to ride.
“Mmmm, rock your hips, baby,” I growl against the shell of her ear.
This place is packed, and now that we’re blocking everyone’s view of our girl, no one is paying attention to us.
Caelia gives a little whine, and I groan as I push her up Levon’s thigh.
I’ll just edge her…
Levon kisses her as he rocks his hips more than dances, but he can definitely get away with it. He leans Caelia’s head back just enough so I can join in the kiss, so I do. It’s all tongue, lips, and teeth, and we all groan into each other’s mouths.
“I’m going to have to cut in,” Miles chuckles, getting our attention. “Come here, beautiful. Drink some water for me.”
Levon helps steady her as she sways slightly, and she gives Miles a goofy smile as she lets him pull her to him.
“Are you having fun?” he asks, holding out the open bottle to her.
“Yes,” she says, taking a long sip, her throat working to swallow in a way that gives me very dirty thoughts.
“Fuck,” Levon mutters.
“Yes please,” I chuckle darkly.
“Since Miles is stealing her, I guess I should dance with you,” he smirks, stepping into my space until we’re as close as possible.
He grinds against me, and I sigh as my cock brushes against his. While I wore jeans, he’s in an open neck button up white shirt and dress pants. Grabbing his hip, I wrap my other arm around his neck, intent on enjoying every second of this.
I have a feeling Caelia is going to be so good for us. We don’t typically have the time to go out unless it’s to dinner or something, so I love that I’m here, in New Orleans, and I don’t have to rush back to Tennessee.
MILES
“I knew you were thirsty," I say, tossing the bottle away. “Ready to dance some more?”
“You dance?” she asks, her arms readily wrapping around my body.
“I do for you,” I say honestly. I don’t know that I’m necessarily any good, but whenever I go home to see my mom, she has me dance with her in the kitchen. I love her, which means I’ll do whatever she wants.
Just like I love Caelia.
I hold her like she’s precious because she is, and we move to the music as if we’re one person.
It doesn’t matter that there’s a decent height difference between us, I’ll bend my knees to make it more comfortable.
My back is behaving today, and my real problem is sleeping badly, which Caelia apparently refuses to let happen.
Her smile is infectious as she laughs, letting me turn her so I can snuggle and dance. I love that she can be carefree right now, something I don’t think she typically is. Caelia guards herself, and if she’s going to let loose, it’s up to us to show her that we’ll protect her instead.
She makes a face, getting on her tiptoes to reach my ear. Leaning further down, I allow my hands to rub the softness of her exposed skin in this shirt. It’s daring and looks incredible on her, which means she can’t go anywhere alone tonight.
“I have to use the restroom,” she says, rolling her eyes as if her bladder is annoying her.
“I’ll go too,” Santo says, stepping away from Levon.
Caelia stifles a yawn, and I smirk at how damn cute she is.
“Ready to go after this?” I ask.
“I think I am,” she says with a nod. “This was so much fun.”
I watch as she takes Santo’s hand to walk together toward the back to use the restroom.
“Should we meet them outside?” Levon asks, already pulling out his phone to text Santo.
“Yeah, let’s do that,” I decide. I can trust Santo with Caelia. I have a feeling he may just push his way into the bathroom to use the stall next to her.
He doesn’t seem to give a shit what anyone else thinks. I respect it.