4. Book Boys Are Better
4
Book Boys Are Better
Chelsea
Today has not been what I was expecting.
I anticipated some uncertainty, some anxiety, and probably for something small to trigger me. But today has been… great.
I’ve liked my classes so far, but the shining star of the day has been Promise Advocacy.
From the second I walked in the door, I knew I was safe.
It wasn’t one specific thing, but a low-key vibe. Maybe it’s the quiet space with calming music or the comforting maternal energy, but whatever it is, it’s working. If I’d had a place like this to go after I was raped, maybe I wouldn’t have crashed and broken as badly as I did.
Promise Advocacy is a safe space for women who have faced sexual assault, sexual abuse, or rape. A main focus there is outreach, working with local high schools and the college to provide resources and education to help prevent sexual assault and rape and to give girls and women who have been through it a safe place.
They’re killing it.
A lot of it has to do with the director, Kristen. Up until today, I’d only spoken with her over video call, but she has a decisive yet calming presence. When I applied for this internship—which is extremely competitive, and I got lucky that one of the interns from last year transferred schools so there was an availability—I told my story. It was the first time I’d written out what happened to me and let that story out, but it felt good, and my past experience—horrible as it was—is probably part of what made me a good fit to work here. They have peer counselors and support groups and they want their staff to come in understanding the gravity of the work they do. I get it. And I still need that support too.
Like she knew that, Kristen was waiting by the reception desk to meet me when I walked in, and when we got back to her office, she asked if I was okay. She genuinely cared about what my experience was and where I was at in the healing process. She also reminded me that Promise’s services are open to me too. I was lucky growing up that I didn’t have to work crappy jobs because I helped at my family’s campground, but I’ve heard of the toxic work environments friends and classmates have had to endure, and it’s obvious Promise isn’t anything like that. Even though I spent most of the time there today being shown around and meeting people, I already had that feeling of belonging. It’s where I’m supposed to be. It’s where I can make a difference and help others.
Every experience today was a positive one, and it all left me feeling fantastic. Like the old version of me. The one who was always upbeat, outgoing, and ready for some fun.
Which must be why I’m driving off campus to a lake house a girl I met three hours ago invited me to.
Although, to be fair, I met her at Promise, where she also interns. Rae McKinley was one of the first people Kristen introduced me to today. Rae has been working there for the last two years, and was the one to show me around and introduce me to everyone there. She took it a step further by offering to introduce me to her best friends—all seven of them, who she lives with.
I immediately said yes, then second-guessed it. But when I clarified to make sure it wasn’t a party, her eyes met mine, and a moment of understanding passed between us. We don’t know each other’s stories, but we’ve lived each other’s pain. Then she told me whether I joined her tonight or not, their house is a safe space. It only took her a few minutes to understand what I needed to hear and genuinely care in a way my supposed friends back home couldn’t do over the course of nine months.
Hearing Rae talk about her friends, how they grew up, and her adorable relationship with her fiancé solidified my decision as the right one.
I want to make new friends and let the playful side of me out again. I’m following her there, so I have my own car and can leave whenever I want to. Rae said this would be like a family dinner, which also made me feel more comfortable. Still, I texted Robbie the address the second I had it. My gut says I’m safe, but I’m still going to be careful, pay attention to my surroundings, and stay away from alcohol.
Not that avoiding alcohol is difficult. I’ve been doing it since I was assaulted.
Before everything happened, I was a party girl. Always down to have a good time. I’ve never liked getting wasted, but getting a little tipsy, dancing with random guys, and maybe hooking up was what I looked forward to. And meeting new people. I always loved that.
The night I was assaulted was different, though. I always used the buddy system, either with my volleyball teammates or my suitemates. But the teammates I went out with that night were both fawning over some hockey player, and they both ditched me to go hook up with him together . Which would’ve been fine… if they’d told me. Instead, one minute they were looking out for me, and the next they were gone.
A guy who seemed fun and into me played pool with me, and we had a couple of drinks and kissed, but somewhere along the way, he slipped something into one of my drinks, and now everything about that night is hazy and muddled.
After what he did to me, I wouldn’t leave my dorm for two days or talk to anyone. I was catatonic and finally the RA called my dad. It wasn’t until both he and Robbie were there that I admitted what happened. They took me to the hospital, and I had a sexual assault exam and bloodwork done. They got some DNA, but it didn’t match anyone in the system, and unsurprisingly, my bloodwork showed trace evidence that I was drugged. Which explains why my memory from that night was too blurry to give any defining details of the guy—besides short blond hair and hazel eyes. Without much more to go on, nothing ever came of it.
After all that hell, my dad took me home, and I spent the next few months refusing to do anything but hide in a dark bedroom.
I’m still battling the shame of not fighting for myself sooner. My therapist told me no two people have the same process, and I was handling it the best I could, but that hasn’t stopped my guilt. Or the shame around being the rape cliché. Drunk girl at a party.
Nope.
I am not going there tonight. I refuse to. I’m going to have fun because Rae seems like a fun mix of endearing, sweet, and totally spicy, and if that’s any indication of her friend group, I think we’ll get along great.
As I follow her car into the driveway, my mouth literally drops staring up at the massive house. She said her friend’s dad owns the place. He must be loaded. Because holy shit.
I climb out of the car, taking in the huge deck and large windows.
Rae smiles sheepishly as she walks over to me. “If I remind you that eight of us live here and share the space, will it seem less over the top?”
I laugh. “I don’t think that’s possible. I swear I’m only a little jealous.”
“Well, when you see how obnoxious we can be, this big house might suddenly seem small.”
She leads me up the stairs to the deck, but before we get to the front door, someone calls out to her from the driveway. Rae turns and a smile lights up her face as a short blonde hurries up the stairs toward us. She’s got an overstuffed messenger bag on her shoulder with a stethoscope hanging out of it.
Rae introduces the girl as her sister, and my gaze bounces between the blonde with blue eyes—Sarah—and Rae with her chestnut hair and golden hazel eyes.
My surprise must be evident because Sarah says, “Looking for the resemblance?”
Whoops. I laugh. “Kinda.”
“I’m adopted.”
Rae wraps her arm around Sarah. “Yep. We were best friends first, then the universe decided I get to keep her forever.”
That reaffirms my gut feeling about Rae. She’s clearly the type of person who cares deeply for those close to her—and likely people she barely knows at all.
Rae rests her head on Sarah’s shoulder, and Sarah kisses her head. I smile watching the interaction. Family dinner.
“What do you think?” Rae asks. “Ready to meet everyone?”
“Bring it on.”
It sounds like it’s going to be chaotic, but I’m up for the challenge. If anything, I’m too intrigued to leave now.
Rae swings the front door open and my breath catches again as I look around the large open space with shining hardwood floors and a fancy kitchen.
“Damn.”
“It’s pretty awesome,” Sarah says.
“Looks like the party has already started.” Rae leads the way across the room to the sliding doors that open to a large back deck. “Hey.” The second she’s on the deck, everyone stops to look at her. “I brought some fresh blood. This is Chelsea. I work with her at Promise. She just transferred here, so I thought I’d bring her over to meet everyone and hopefully gain some new friends.”
And there are a few—though not all of them—sitting out here.
Manning the grill is a tall guy with long-ish but well-styled black hair and an easy smile. “Hey, nice to meet you. I’m Miles.” He gestures with the spatula he’s holding. “I’m the resident cook around here.”
“Rude! I help!” a thin girl with curly brown hair yells from the far end of the outdoor table. “I’m Mackenzie. Nice to meet you!”
The girl next to her, who has long strawberry blonde hair, smiles brightly. “Hey, I’m Amanda. I’m the most recent addition to crazy town. Hope you’ll stick around and join us. Although, once they have you in their clutches, there’s really no getting out.”
I can’t help but laugh at that. These are my kind of people. The kind I would have gravitated to if I’d met them at my previous college. Fun, relaxed, but wild around the edges. And the love they all have for each other is palpable, even when their words are nothing but sass.
Rae points across the table toward a boy with light brown hair, and I wonder if it’s her fiancé. “And that’s—”
“Well, well, who do we have here?” The smooth, indulgent voice that dances through the air sends a chill up my spine.
Rae spins around. “A new friend, so be on your best behavior.”
“No promises.”
I spin to face him, and holy shit. I thought this house would be the most gorgeous thing I’d see tonight. I was wrong.
The guy I’m praying isn’t Rae’s fiancé is tall and mostly lean, but with defined muscles, especially his arms. A mop of curly brown hair sits atop his head, mussed in the sexiest way, and his brown eyes, so dark they almost look black, meet mine. His expression changes and those eyes light with something like recognition. And happiness. I swear pure joy is radiating off him.
My cheeks heat—fuck, my whole body flushes—and I can confidently say I haven’t felt anything like this in a long time. I haven’t wanted to. This butterflies-whirling-in-my-stomach, sugar rush, cotton-candy-in-my-brain feeling.
Anything having to do with guys has been a big hell no for me for a while now, but I think this guy has broken me.
“Hi,” I breathe, still drinking him in. He’s gorgeous, but there’s something else too. Like there’s a tether to my soul, and he’s tugging on it, pulling me closer.
Okay, maybe I’ve been reading too many fantasy romance books.
The concept of mates is fictional, right?
What am I thinking right now? And, oh god. Please don’t let him be Rae’s fiancé. Wouldn’t be the best start to a friendship with her if I go all starry-eyed over the guy she’s madly in love with.
He steps forward and holds out his hand.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Trevor.”
I don’t remember what Rae said her fiancé’s name is, but I know it wasn’t that. She told me about her friends earlier and for some reason, his name stuck out, maybe because she mentioned he transferred here this year too.
My fingertips brush his palm as my hand slides into his and little electric charges dance on my skin before shooting down my spine and then straight to my heart.
What is happening right now?
Is this real?
Am I still breathing?
But his warm hand wrapped around mine feels too real to be a dream, so I snap back to reality, find my brain again, and introduce myself. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Chelsea. Rae said you just transferred up here this semester. So did I.”
His smile goes from bright to downright devastating. He finally lets go of my hand, and while I immediately miss the warmth of it, at least I get to hear his voice again. “Maybe we can get to know campus together.”
“I’d like that.”
There’s a small twist in my gut. I’m not sure if it’s excitement or fear. Would I want to spend time alone on campus with this guy I don’t know? I mean, there’s something happening between us right now, but I’ve trusted too easily before. Yet, I’m still staring at him, fucking captivated.
Before anything else can happen, though, a very different smooth voice sounds.
“Hey, beautiful.”
This one does nothing for me, other than make me look at Rae because it’s obvious this is her man.
Rae’s all swoony-eyed as she strolls over to him. “Hi, Ace.”
I don’t think Ace was his name either, but did it start with an A? Aiden? No. Aaron. Or Ace, apparently. I’m sure there’s a story there.
Despite how enamored I am with Trevor, I can’t tear my gaze from Rae… until the two of them start kissing. Really kissing.
Next to me, Sarah stifles a laugh.
“Are they always—”
“This nauseating?” she cuts in. “Yep.”
“But it’s better than them being whiny, emotional messes.”
I glance over my shoulder at the guy across the table, whose name I still don’t know.
Rae sticks her middle finger up at him as she pulls her face from Aaron’s and turns around.
“Oh, yeah. Chelsea, this is Joel,” Sarah says. “He’s—” Then her cheeks go pink and she sputters for the right words about who he is. Which makes me think there’s something going on there.
Rae steps in to save her. “His family owns the house.”
Joel feigns offense. “That’s all I am to you?”
Rae rolls her eyes. “He’s also like my very annoying brother and was my first best friend. We’re where this little group began. The OGs.” She holds out her fist across the table.
“The OGs.” Joel bumps her fist in return, and I stifle a laugh.
I’m definitely getting the family vibes here, and if I hadn’t been introduced to Sarah already, I’d have assumed Joel was Rae’s brother.
“And they never let us forget it.” Aaron takes Rae’s hand and leads her around the table. He drops into a chair next to Joel, and instead of pulling out a chair for Rae, he drags her down onto his lap. Which makes the hearts in her eyes get bigger.
“Absolutely nauseating,” I whisper to Sarah. Even if the clear love between them makes something burn inside me.
I love romance stories for a reason.
“Chelsea.” That silky voice draws my attention away from everyone else.
And speaking of romance… Trevor pulls out a chair for me, then offers me his hand to help me sit down.
What the freaking what?
My first boyfriend was a sweet and adorably nerdy guy. He lived next door. He was thoughtful, but he never did anything like that. He opened my car door, even pulled out my chair, but the way Trevor waits until I’m sitting and pushes the chair in gently is just different.
Another warning bell goes off in my gut.
It could be an act.
Smooth, charming boys can also be liars.
But Rae wouldn’t be friends with that type of person, would she?
I take a deep breath and try to channel the old me. The one who didn’t inherently not trust people. I can take this as it comes and see what happens.
Then he says my name again, and my brain goes haywire for a second.
“Chelsea, can I get you something to drink? We have beer, wine—”
“Something non-alcoholic?” I try to keep my voice from sounding squeaky. It’s not exactly a test—I have no plans to drink tonight—but his reaction will be telling.
“You like fruit punch?” he asks.
I laugh because that was the last thing I was expecting. “Sure.”
“I’ll be right back.”
“Hey, what about the rest of us?” Joel calls after him.
“Fuck off. You live here.”
I bite my lip to keep from laughing. Definitely family vibes.
The banter continues, but I’m realizing I just let a guy leave the room and get me a drink. Which goes against my major rule of never letting someone I don’t know incredibly well make me anything to drink.
It’s not like he can put alcohol in it because I’d be able to taste it.
But…
This is a safe space .
That’s what Rae told me.
If she’s been through something similar to what I have, she wouldn’t take those words lightly.
When Trevor returns and sets the drink in front of me, I unconsciously look at Rae first. Her eyes meet mine and she gives me a reassuring smile as she drops her gaze to my drink.
Pushing past all my fears, I keep a smile on my face as I reach for the cup and take a drink.
Again, I want to laugh. It tastes delicious and not unlike something I’d have at a kid’s birthday party. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
“Ooh. That’s really good. What is it?”
“Fruit punch and tangerine seltzer.” He shakes the can in his hand. He’s not drinking either. I’m not sure if I want to take that as a good sign or bad, so I shut my brain up and focus on the moment.
“It’s delicious. Thank you.”
“Hey, the meat is about ready. Someone want to grab all the rolls, condiments, and sides?” the tall one with dark hair says. Miller? No. Miles.
“I’ll get them,” Rae volunteers.
Sarah jumps up too. “I’ll help.”
And apparently that’s code, because suddenly all the girls are offering to help and I’m being dragged inside with them.
In the kitchen, Rae goes right to pulling food out of the fridge as Sarah helps, but Amanda looks at me.
“What is happening between you and Trevor?”
My cheeks heat again. So that insane tension was obvious to everyone else too. Great. The girls all look at me, and while that lack of trust rears its ugly head deep in my gut, I’ve always craved strong female friendships. I thought I had them, but it’s become clear I don’t. This little group? There’s a connection between them that’s surprisingly deep, and I think this is them inviting me into it.
I swallow and look around at them before answering. “I don’t know. I swear when I saw him, it felt like my heart stopped. Obviously, he’s drop-dead sexy, but when he touched my hand, I felt this—”
“Tingly feeling? Like you’ve always known him and like you’ll know him forever?” Rae asks.
Is she in my brain? Is there actually a hive mind thing here? “Yes. How did you know that?”
Rae’s eyes light up as she glances out the window at Aaron. “Been there. Still there.”
“I feel like I’m getting way ahead of myself. I just met him. But damn it, I want to know him. I’m so glad you invited me here tonight.” I blow out a breath, my words surprising me. Because I do want to know him. And after everything, that’s terrifying.
Rae laughs. “I had a feeling about you. Guess I was right.”
This is my chance. To quell my fears. To make sure I’m safe.
“Is he a good guy? I mean, you all seem pretty nice, but he’s not a jackass player who’s going to break my heart, is he?” I go for a twist on the truth. Rae has an idea of what I’ve experienced, but I’m not ready to get into that yet. Still, it doesn’t stop me from lowering my voice and letting a hint of my vulnerability shine through. “I’ve been through enough.”
I’m surprised when Sarah is the one who speaks. “Trevor is amazing. Truly. He can pick up girls, but he doesn’t play them. He has never been that type.”
“Yeah, we don’t hang out with those types of guys.” Rae squeezes my arm, her eyes meeting mine as she answers the subtext of my question.
“Sometimes you just date them to avoid your feelings for the love of your life,” Mackenzie deadpans. Though I have a feeling she’s talking about an actual player and not my experience.
Rae rolls her eyes hard. “It’s been four years! I was sixteen.” She shakes her head and looks at me. “Some things will never die.”
“Nope,” Amanda teases. “And I didn’t even know you then.”
“Anyway,” Sarah continues. “Trevor is caring and the absolute best boyfriend.”
My eyes go wide and I almost jolt back. “There’s nothing going on with you guys, is there? It seemed like there was something between you and Joel.” I really, really don’t want to be messing with some other girl’s guy. And that would make him a total dick. But they barely paid each other any attention so…
Amanda laughs at my words and then at the way Sarah mutters, “Something.”
I relax a little, but Amanda keeps pushing at Sarah. Lots of sister energy here, even between the ones who aren’t siblings.
“What was that?” Amanda asks. “It was a little garbled.”
“Shut up. We’re not talking about Joel. We’re talking about Trevor.” Sarah meets my gaze. “There’s nothing going on with Trevor anymore, but we were each other’s first… everything. I’m not saying that to freak you out. He’s incredible, but it wasn’t the right fit for us. We’re good friends now, but that’s all. And if you need reassurance about that…” She glares at the rest of the girls, who are enjoying this way too much. “I might possibly have feelings for Joel.”
“Surprised you didn’t choke on those words,” Mackenzie says.
Sarah ignores that, her gaze coming right back to me. “Trev’s been hurt, too. But I promise, he’s one of the good ones.”
There’s something about the emotion of her voice as she speaks that makes me believe it, and it puts me at ease to the point that I almost feel bad for asking now.
“Okay. Thanks.”
Miles sticks his head in the door. “You guys done with your girl talk? I’m fuckin’ starving.”
“Coming,” Rae calls. She shoves something into everyone’s hands and we make our way back outside and sit down.
Trevor’s smile is bright and almost childlike as I join him again. Miles passes around plates, but Trevor grabs mine.
“Anything here you’re not interested in?”
“It all looks great.”
Then he dutifully fills my plate with a bit of everything.
“Can I have a little extra potato salad? It’s my favorite.”
“Of course.” He grins as he adds more to my plate and sets it in front me. “Let me know if you want more of anything.”
Something hits me at that moment. He didn’t get me a drink for any other reason than to be thoughtful. It’s so stupid that it makes me want to cry, but I’d forgotten—or maybe stopped believing—that guys like that exist.
“Thanks.”
I wait until his plate is full and sitting in front of him before I start eating. An easy conversation bounces around the table as they discuss the first day of classes.
I settle in and enjoy the delicious food. And the company.
It’s cozy and relaxed. Rae called it a family dinner because these people are family to each other.
Trevor’s arm rests over the back of my chair, and after a moment, his fingers twirl through my hair. That ridiculous tingly, sparkly feeling floats through me again, and combined with the comfort of this place and these people, my fears fall away and the playful side of me comes out again.
Trevor shifts in his chair, moving the tiniest bit closer to me, and I take it as an invitation.
Slowly, I rest my hand on his thigh. He tenses for half a second, then relaxes and gives the slightest tug on a strand of my hair.
I grab my drink and take another sip, trying to cool myself down because I can see myself getting into trouble with this boy. In the best possible way.
Trevor
I don’t know what’s happening.
When I let my idea of the future shift from baseball and on to other things I wanted, I wasn’t expecting the universe to drop my dream girl at my feet.
This almost makes up for the tree thing.
When I saw Chelsea standing on the deck, all long wavy-curly auburn hair and the kind of curves I can imagine my body pressed against, it was like seeing my fantasy come to life. But then our eyes met and her hand touched mine, and for a second, I believed love at first sight was a real thing.
I’m not stupid enough to believe I’m in love with her, but the connection was instant—and that’s leaving the physical attraction out of it.
Though she seemed a little shy or uncertain to start, as she settled in, she opened up and I got to see the spicier side of her as she quipped about Aaron and Rae’s PDA along with the rest of us, ribbed Sarah for the way she was looking at Joel, and casually teased Miles about how particular he was being in setting up the logs in the fire pit.
Between hanging out with everyone and now the two of us alone, we’ve been sitting by the fire for hours now.
“No way you’ve read A Court This Cruel and Lovely ,” Chelsea says, standing up and inspecting the marshmallow she’s been roasting. She gave everyone a whole tutorial on how to make them when the fire first started dying down to coals.
When I asked her how she knew the perfect way to roast a marshmallow, she smiled and told me she wasn’t going to reveal all her secrets and that I had to work for those.
That playful smile of hers hits me square in the chest every time I get to see it.
I put another marshmallow on my stick and rest it on the edge of the fire pit.
“Tell me you’re not going to say something sexist about how men can’t read romance novels.”
She rolls her eyes as she sits back down in the chair next to me and pulls her marshmallow off the stick.
“No, but it’s not as popular as some of the bigger ones out there like A Court of Thorns and Roses. ”
“I’ve read that series too.”
She purses her lips as she stares at me, then a knowing smile spreads across her face. “You started reading romance books with a girlfriend. Sarah?”
My eyes dart to her and I almost drop my stick into the fire pit. “She told you about us?”
“It came up in passing.”
She takes a bite of her marshmallow, and it takes everything in me not to stare at her lips as she licks some of the stickiness off them.
“How long were you two together?”
“A few years.”
Her eyes go wide. “Really? When did you break up?”
“Almost four years ago. We started dating pretty much as soon as we were allowed to—around thirteen. Then we broke up halfway through junior year of high school. Took a bit, but we’re good friends again now.” I rotate my stick to get my marshmallow evenly browned, since the queen of marshmallow roasting is sitting next to me. “For the record, you’re wrong, though. I didn’t start reading romance books with Sarah. Mysteries were our thing. I don’t typically read basic romance. Usually it’s fantasy stuff because my mom and my sister read a lot of those types of books, and I got tired of them trying to drag me into their conversations when I had no idea what they were talking about. It started with ACOTAR and it’s been all downhill from there,” I say with a grin. Mostly because that series was the base level of enjoyment, but I’ve actually found several really great series since then. A Court This Cruel and Lovely being the start of one of them.
“That’s kind of adorable.”
I groan in response and she laughs.
“So, you have a sister?”
“Kind of. It’s not biological, but we grew up together as best friends and my mom pretty much raised her in all the ways that matter. We consider each other siblings. Her name’s Hyla, and you’ll probably hear her mentioned, especially if you hang out with the girls more. She and Mackenzie have a history.”
Chelsea tilts her head. “Is that your not-so-subtle way of letting me know she’s not a threat?”
“Not exactly, but I know how people can be about male-female friendships. Aaron and Rae are a perfect example of why people could be concerned, but Rae and Joel are the perfect example of not needing to be concerned at all. Even Amanda asked if Hyla and I had ever hooked up.” I pause, swallowing back my nausea because ew . “But we’ve always had a sibling relationship.”
“And you have your own little book club with her and your mom. So cute.”
Her wild eyes dance. I’ve never seen anything like them before. They’re mostly blue, but close to the pupil they’re brown.
“Yes, we’ve established I’m adorable . What about you?”
She flips her lip out in a pout. “Are you saying I’m not adorable?”
“Only one of the many words I could use to describe you. But I meant what got you into fantasy romance?”
“I’m putting a pin in the what other words you could use to describe me question that’s on the tip of my tongue. I’ve always loved romance in general because, no offense, book boys are better than real ones.”
My eyebrows shoot up, but I bite my lip, holding back a smirk. I’ll take that challenge.
Then Chelsea continues. “Romance is a genre written primarily by women for women. So they know what their audience wants. They give us a healthy representation of reliable men, who are not infallible, but work hard to be good humans. That’s a lot more than we get from most men in real life. Romance is a safe place. I’ve been leaning heavier into fantasy lately because…” She sighs and drops her voice, looking at the fire. “I’ve needed more of an escape from reality lately.”
I reach over and run my hand down her arm. “I get it.”
We haven’t talked about why either of us transferred here, and I’m not in a rush to do that. Tonight is about getting to know each other, feeling things out, and seeing if the crazy connection we felt can actually lead somewhere.
She turns toward me, her lips parting slightly, and it takes all my willpower not to stare at them. Before she says anything, a shiver runs through her.
I stand up and hold out my hand. “We should head inside. The fire’s dying down and now that the cool fall air is creeping in, nights get chilly.”
She uses my hand to pull herself up, and I grab the nearby bucket of water to douse the fire. Then we head inside, passing Amanda, Mackie, and Miles sitting on the back deck on the way in.
Rae almost fell asleep sitting on Aaron’s lap by the fire, so after apologizing to Chelsea, she let Aaron take her upstairs. Chelsea didn’t seem to mind, and we sat by the fire together talking as everyone else slowly left.
Joel’s in the kitchen as we pass by, but Sarah went upstairs a while ago. She’s in the accelerated nursing program and already working her butt off.
“So much warmer in here,” Chelsea says happily.
“There are a ton of blankets too, if you need one.”
“Thanks.”
I grab two bottles of water and join her on the couch.
“So, what were we talking about?”
“How much better fantasy men are than real men.”
Joel snickers as he walks by, and I throw my middle finger up at him.
“You’re determined to hurt my feelings, aren’t you?”
“Just making sure you know I have very high standards. If you’re not going to kill your way across a continent to save me, is it really true love?”
I groan. “Ugh. Now I have to take up murdering people? Impossible standards.”
She laughs, and God, I love that sound. Even if the way it pierces my soul scares me.
She throws her legs up on my lap, making herself comfortable in the corner of the couch.
“Is being a footrest another standard I have to live up to?”
“No, but it’s a plus.” She looks around the lake house. “I guess I could give you a bonus point or two for having such a sweet house, especially with the lake view.”
“Even if it’s not technically my house?”
She smirks. “We’ll ignore that.”
“Didn’t get enough good views growing up in Birch Lake?”
She briefly mentioned her hometown earlier, but she didn’t say much else about it.
“Birch Lake isn’t as big as this one, and our house wasn’t on the water, though I spent every summer by the lake.”
“With your friends?”
Her lips pull flat for a half a second, then she shakes her head. “No. With my dad and his family. They own a campground and cabin rental company. I spent most of my time riding around in a golf cart with my dad or my uncle—who is more like a big brother to me.”
“We camped a few times at Birch Lake when I was a kid. Mom loved vacationing there because it was close to home, but still felt far away. The first year, I had my heart set on tent camping, but it was this disastrous trip because it poured most of the time. The tent leaked. My mom wasn’t thrilled, so the next few years we went, my dad rented a cabin instead.”
Her brows lift. “Do you remember the name of the campground? There are a few, so I’ll try not to be too offended if it wasn’t ours.”
“Oh crap. What was it called? I can remember the sign. It had big yellow letters with a beaver, I think?”
She laughs. “Birch’s Cozy Cabins. And yes, the sign has a beaver. We call him Buddy.”
She’s smiling, but I’m… I don’t know what I am. Shocked, but in a good way. We camped there every year until I was ten, then everything changed. And Chelsea’s family owns that company. She was there.
“Do you think we ever saw each other? Played together?”
Her eyes find mine. “I don’t know. I snuck off to the playground whenever I could.” She tilts her head. “But I feel like I would’ve remembered you.”
I get a big dumbass smile on my face when she says that. “Why do you say that?”
“Because you’re memorable. Your smile. Your charm. Those eyes. I swear, I’ve never seen eyes that dark before.” Then she rests her hand on my arm. “And this. I would’ve remembered this. How I feel when I’m around you.”
I lean in closer. “And how do you feel?”
“Crazy. Wild. Like me again.” I don’t understand what that means, but I don’t have time to figure it out before she continues. “My heart’s beating out of my chest. I—”
“Chelsea…” My voice is low and gravelly.
Before I know what’s happening, she’s straddling my lap, her fingers curling through my hair, her gorgeous face only centimeters from mine.
Her breaths are sharp and uneven. For a second, she doesn’t move, but then her lips are on mine, and fuck .
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
If I thought I felt a connection before, it’s a thousand times stronger now. Her lips feel like they belong on mine. Forever.
I run my hands up her back, still letting her take the lead, but when she skims her tongue over my bottom lip, it’s all over.
I push my tongue into her mouth, and I’m officially a goner. Rest in peace me. I’ve died and am currently in heaven, surrounded by a curvy goddess who makes me forget everything else and feel like I used to.
I clench my eyes shut as I fist her shirt, barely holding in a moan. I’ve never gotten so turned on so quickly, but Chelsea is like a drug and with each little bit she gives me, I’m desperate for more.
Her soft tongue teases mine, and then she gently bites my bottom lip.
I flex and release my hands, at the edge of insanity as she pours herself into me, taking what she wants and playing with me when she feels like it.
She flicks her tongue against mine, and as much as I try to get my blood to flow anywhere else, it’s all headed straight for my dick.
When she shifts slightly on my lap, I’m sure she must feel it, and I pull back, staring at her with lust-filled eyes.
But then her eyes widen, and everything crashes around me.
I don’t know exactly what happened. Was it my hardening cock? Because I really tried to prevent that. The rasp in my voice? Because I couldn’t stop that if I wanted to.
Genuine fear washes over her, and she scrambles off my lap.
I stand, reaching for her. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
She looks around the room in a panic, then grabs her purse from the coffee table. “I—um—I shouldn’t have… This was…” she stammers, not making any sense.
“I’m sorry if that was too much. I—”
“I need to go.” Her eyes dart to the door.
“Let me walk you out.”
“No,” she shrieks. Then she clears her throat. “I—I’ll be—”
“Everything okay in here?” Amanda’s voice is soft as she approaches, Mackie trailing behind her.
“Yes. Uh. I need to get home.” She steps closer to Amanda. “Is this, um, a safe neighborhood?”
Amanda glances at me for half a second, then focuses on Chelsea again. “It is, but how about if I walk out with you anyway?”
Chelsea’s gaze flits to me, but it’s not long enough to lock eyes with her. Then she’s turning toward the door. “Yeah, thanks.”
“No problem,” Amanda says. Her voice is gentle, but firm, and though she seems a little confused, she doesn’t seem as confused as me, and I wonder what I’m missing.
I’d never push her—or anyone—any further than they wanted to go. I pulled away because I was worried she’d be uncomfortable.
Once Chelsea and Amanda are out the door, Mackie steps up to me, looking as confused as I feel.
“What happened?”
“I have no fucking idea.”