Chapter 22
GRAYSON
“What’s all this shit I’m hearing about you and my sister?“
Sammy took longer than expected to address this. Figured he’d bring up the subject sooner rather than later. Regardless, both the accusation and conversation were inevitable.
“Gray.”
It’s strange to hear him so serious. Especially about this. Hiding my irritation, I glance up from the pool table.
“It’s nothing.”
“That’s not what it looks like,” he argues with an expression full of disappointment and hurt. What is it about the Alvarez siblings and wanting everyone to know exactly how they feel at any given moment?
I do not have brothers or sisters. Therefore I cannot relate to the anger or protectiveness in his tone, but I respect it because I respect him. It’s the reason I take the time to reply.
“Lila showed up.” The instant I say this, his entire demeanor changes, relaxes. “Your sister was nice enough to help me out,” I add, knowing there’s no need.
His eyebrows hit his hairline.
“You told Selena?”
“Not exactly.” I shake my head. “Only asked her to pretend.” Which I shouldn’t have done.
I regretted it almost as much as I enjoyed having her on my lap.
The whole thing surprised me. She fucking surprised me.
Figured she’d roll her eyes and leave me there alone.
She didn’t though. There’s just something about this girl . ..
Play along, I whispered, and she sank further into my embrace. Willingly. Looking daze and...aroused.
The memory of her soft curves and tight body hits me like a tidal wave, hard and all at once, invading my senses.
I can practically smell the scent of vanilla in her hair, feel the lush fullness of body parts I should never be close to again.
And yet, I’ve been replaying it all since she parked my car and left me in the driveway questioning my life choices.
“Like I said,” I meet Sammy’s brown eyes and tell him the truth. “She was nice enough to help me out. Nothing more.”
“I’m sorry about Lila. The fact you still have to deal with her is some fucked up shit. Was Big Mike there?”
“No.”
He approaches the pool table. “As far as my sister though?”
I arch an eyebrow, waiting.
“You know I love you, bro, but you and her? No. No fucking way.”
“I am well aware.“ All too aware. Sammy opens his mouth to say something else, but I cut him off. “Which is why this conversation is unnecessary.“
He holds his hands up either in surrender or to placate me. Likely both.
“I know I don’t have to tell you to stay away from Selena. Shit, I never thought you and I would be having this conversation ‘cause you’d never do that to me.” He looks confident in his assessment. “Anyway, she’s upstairs. Before I talked to her, I wanted to talk to you.”
I don’t bother considering what he would do if the nothing between me and his sister was actually something. There’s no point.
Why is she upstairs though? The tension in my jaw makes it painful to swallow when I wonder if she knows I’m here? My car isn’t parked out in the driveway, it’s inside the garage, so it’s unlikely she does. Why is that bit of information affecting me? It shouldn’t.
“She’s making those cookies everyone’s crazy about. Trevor asked her, I think.”
Trevor needs to fuck off. “Did you have this little conversation with Harris?”
Sammy laughs out right. “He has a girlfriend, dick. Besides, Selena doesn’t like him.”
All the air leaves my body at the words left unsaid.
“Come to think of it,” Sammy grins, crossing his arms over his chest. “She’s not too fond of you either.” He laughs. “For real, I thought you guys hated each other.”
Right. Of course. I clear my throat.
“Nah, Selena likes everyone,” he amends with a smile. “That’s the problem.”
I don’t comment and let the silence stretch between us. I might have confided in Sammy about my personal life away from school, but no way in hell am I discussing his sister with him. After all, there’s nothing to discuss.
Trevor comes stumbling downstairs bringing enough noise with him to fill a stadium. I’m grateful, for once.
“The cookies are ready and they’re so damn good!”
At least that’s what I think he said since his mouth is full of about ten double chocolate chip cookies. And so is half his face.
“Also, boys, I think I’m in love,” Trevor sighs, while he rubs his stomach. He throws one arm over Sammy’s shoulder. “Since your sister can cook as well as she bakes, I’m gonna marry her!”
“The fuck you talking about?” I growl at the same time Sammy says, “That’s my sister, asshole! And I’m telling Lucy.”
Both turn to me at the same time.
“Ohhh were you giving Gray ‘the talk’? Knew you guys were fucking!” Trevor howls. “Troy and Big Mike owe me fifty bucks each!”
This dumbass.
“Have some respect.”
“Dude, don’t be dick!” Sammy adds, shoving Trevor away. He only snickers, then quickly composes himself.
“I apologize for my crude comment, gentlemen,” Trevor begins. “I meant to inquire whether this fine, young chap, Mr. Grayson Rhodes the Third, was courting your beloved sister, Ms. Selena Alvarez, the greatest beauty on campus.”
He delivered that with a straight face, an arched eyebrow, and British accent. Motherfucker. At least Sammy finds him amusing. And I’m not the third anything, moron.
“Also Lucy knows I’d marry your sister for her culinary expertise,” Trevor states in his regular voice.
“How does she know that?” Sammy laughs.
“I texted her. Sent pics too. Told her if she doesn’t come visit me soon, I’m leaving her for Selena.”
“You’re gonna get yourself in trouble joking like that.”
“Nah, it’s how we mess around. So, what time we leaving?” Trevor asks. “Just know that I’m asking my possible future wife to come too.”
“You’re not funny,” Sammy grumbles.
I can’t be here if she’s here. Can’t get too comfortable. “I’m late,” I mutter, heading for the door that leads to the garage and my car.
“Thought we’re going to The Lion’s Den to catch the second half?” Sammy asks.
I forgot about the basketball game. Since I’ve been captain, I’ve made an effort to get our team to support every other one on campus. It’s not simply school pride, the move was actually inspired by my father who detests all manner of sports, especially the one I play.
“Change of plans,” I reply.
“These plans got a name?”
I smirk. “Don’t wait up.”
Once I’m out the door, I wipe the forced smile off my face. I don’t have plans. I can’t have plans.
I sit in my car, listening to Nirvana’s second album, and mentally listing all the reasons why no personal relationship would ever work. Especially not with someone I don’t even like.
With my thoughts in order again, I back out of the driveway and onto the street.
After filling up the tank and stopping by the other bar we frequent, Kitty’s Cavern, I decide to return home.
Usually I don’t mind all the random offers of sex, which I often accept, but tonight’s different.
That’s not why I went there. It was solely to avoid being at the house and getting roped into going out with them—and possibly my best friend’s sister.
It’s been long enough that they’ve left by now.
When it’s a big game, the streets are empty like today. Which makes it easy to spot her. She’s the one person I need to stay away from, yet the one I keep running into.
Selena Alvarez.
She’s not my problem. Doesn’t matter that it’s about to rain and she’s walking down the street.
Alone. Wearing cutoff shorts and a pink tank top.
How she manages to look innocent and seductive all at once I’ll never know.
What I do know is that I shouldn’t be thinking about what’s underneath that pink top or cutoff shorts.
Enough.
She’s. Not. My. Problem.
I should keep driving. Or turn around. Against my better judgement, I slow down instead and pull up next to her. She’s startled at first. When she sees it’s my car, she approaches the passenger window.
“Hey!” Her eyes are warm and bright. Her smile is kind and friendly.
Sammy’s words earlier come to mind. Nah, Selena likes everyone. That’s the problem.
That is a problem. She’s that type of person: nice, sweet, wants to be everyone’s friend. I’m another potential friendship in her eyes, nothing more.
Her chocolate hair is loose, blowing in the breeze and she’s carrying something in her hands. “Sammy said you had a hot date,” she says and her smile falters for a second. I hold on to that like a lifeline.
“Canceled,” I state. “What do you have there?”
“Oh, this?” Her cheeks grow pink and I’ve never seen anyone look as pretty as she does when she blushes. “They’re the cookies I managed to hide from Trevor.”
At the sound of my teammate’s name, I nearly scowl.
“You’re headed to The Lion’s Den?” I ask instead.
“No, I need to get back home.”
“I’ll take you.”
Not sure why I offered. However, that warm pink hue that returns to her cheeks makes it more than worth it.
“Um, are you sure? I’m on the other side of campus.”
Knowing it’s a really bad idea, still I insist, “Get in.”
She’s chewing on her bottom lip, considering it. I’m certain she’s about to refuse when she opens the passenger door and slides inside.