3. Raina
3
RAINA
I t was by pure miracle that I was able to find the restroom. And an even bigger one when I completed my task without any assistance.
I washed my hands, swaying the whole time, and then pulled the door open, ready to return for another drink.
But as I stumbled into the hall, a black streak of fur caught my attention when it darted from one of the darkened, back rooms and across the hall to another.
Ooh! I cried in delight. A cat.
I tried to enter the other darkened room, only to bump into someone who was exiting it.
Shit, sorry, I gushed, grabbing onto a male chest.
It s all good, darlin , a nice, masculine voice answered as he took my arm to help steady me. You okay, there?
Yeah. No. I frowned at my own answer and shook my head before lifting my gaze to blink at the hottie before me. I d kind of been hoping he might be Foster. But he wasn t. I think I had too much to drink, I admitted.
I think you might be right, he agreed, beginning to look amused.
I flushed because, wow, he was pretty. Sorry that I tried to invade your room, I told him, waving my hand madly, only to reach up and catch it with my other hand, which seemed far more sober than the first. I thought I saw a cat run in here, and I just wanted to see it.
Ah. That was probably Salem. She gets skittish when too many people are around, but no, I don t live here. I was just borrowing the restroom.
Oh. I smiled at him, tipping my head as I did, which only made me dizzy, so I started to topple off to the side.
Whoa, he cautioned, reaching out to grip my arm. Steady there.
Sorry, I slurred again, straightening so I could restore my equilibrium.
He huffed out an entertained sound before saying, Please tell me you re not here alone.
I am not, I reported with a nod. I m here with... Crap, I suddenly couldn t remember her name. Of course, I probably couldn t remember my own name at the moment, so I settled for finishing with, My sister, but… Furrowing my brow, I glanced around for Kinsey, only to sigh and sadly admit, I think she s still off having sex with some flirty, one-night stand right now. The lucky shit.
He laughed, finding this more amusing than I did.
But it really wasn t funny to me at all. So I sent him a stern look. That brat said she was going to dress down tonight so I could be the better-looking one. But her dressing down is still, like, light years above my dressing up. I lifted and lowered both my hands to demonstrate the comparison. And what do you know? The very moment we walked in the damn door together, some horny asshole swarmed right in and started hitting on her . Now, they re both MIA, and I m just stuck here, waiting for her to finish getting laid, like the ugly little sister I apparently am.
Ugly? He sniffed out a sound of disagreement and shook his head as he skimmed his gaze over me. Sorry to disappoint, darlin , but you are nowhere near ugly.
I brightened in pleasure. You think so? Oh, bless you. Grasping his forearm, I shifted closer. What about my lipstick, though? Does it look too much like a goody two-shoes color to you? Or could I actually attract some guy with this mouth?
His gaze dropped to my mouth, and he slipped his bottom lip between his teeth before answering, I wouldn t have any trouble kissing it.
Really? Thank you. Sighing in pleasure, I patted his arm gratefully, only to notice a fresh and wicked-looking scar on his forearm. Oh my goodness. What happened?
He glanced down and back up again. I got stabbed.
Stabbed! ?
He shrugged. Sliced. Whatever. This fucking asshole was possessed by a ghost and went after me with a knife.
I laughed. You re so funny.
An eyebrow lifted in amusement before he claimed, That s what everyone says.
I nodded, glad that I d pegged him right. Do they?
He shook his head. Not a single person ever, no.
With another laugh, I decided, You re definitely funny. I liked this guy. I m Raina, I told him, lifting my hand to shake.
The offer seemed to charm him, but he took my hand politely and shook with me. Parker.
Do you know Oaklynn? I asked. She lives here with, like, four other guys. She invited me tonight.
With an incline of the head, he answered, I do know Oaklynn. Are you close friends with her?
I shrugged. We hang out every so often. She s fun, but I probably know her bestie, Jaylani, better.
Hmm. He nodded, glancing around my face. You didn t seem very happy about the idea of your sister finding someone to hook up with while you didn t. Was that the goal when you showed up tonight?
I frowned in confusion, not understanding the question, until?—
Oh! You re asking if I came here looking to get laid.
He tipped his head and tightened his mouth as if trying to fight a smile before he admitted, Something like that.
Well. I thought about my answer for a moment before shrugging. I guess I m not completely opposed to the idea. But it d have to be with the right guy. You know?
Of course. He nodded, digesting that information before wondering, And just what would this right guy look like to you?
He was angling for me to describe someone like him, I could tell, and a flush worked over me, flattered that I rated high enough on this hottie s scale to win a notch on his bedpost.
For half a second, I contemplated it. I considered giving up my dream of meeting the great and amazing Foster Union and just letting this hunk sweep me off my feet into what would probably be a single whirlwind night where I d never see or hear from him again and thus regret it for the rest of my natural life.
Shoulders slumping—because I was way too much of a dreamy romantic to be satisfied with a brief hookup—I ended up blurting, He looks exactly like Foster Union.
Parker pulled back in surprise, clearly not expecting that answer. Union? he squawked in disgust before hissing, Ah, fuck. You re a football groupie.
Gasping in outrage, mostly because he made it sound really awful, I immediately retorted, I am not ! I barely even know anything about football.
They never do, he told me dryly, only to snort degradingly and give a disappointed shake of his head. You just want to be fucked by someone famous.
My mouth dropped open, unable to believe what I was hearing. But…but… How could he be so crude and vile to me? And here, I d thought he was nice .
I most certainly do not ! I cried.
Look, I m sorry to burst your bubble, honey, he told me without an ounce of sympathy. But Foster doesn t go for groupies.
Then, thank God I m not one, I spat back.
Except Parker wasn t listening. Frankly, they scare the shit out of him, he continued. So you might as well just settle for someone who d give you a night you d never forget instead.
You mean, someone like you ? I asked dryly.
He lifted his hands, affirming it. Hey, if the shoe fits. You can pretend I m a famous sports boy if it ll make you feel better.
Bro. I shook my head with a cringe. Even I m not drunk enough to sleep with you after you just totally insulted me like that.
He straightened in surprise. I didn t insult you.
You called me a groupie, I reminded him.
His eyebrows lifted. And that s an insult?
The way you said it, it was. And besides, I do not sleep with guys just because I think they re famous. Because I m not a freaking groupie.
Crossing his arms over his chest, Parker merely smirked. Is that so? Have you ever even met Foster?
I scowled. Well…no.
He scoffed. Then, what the fuck fascinates you so much about him?
The question caused me to sigh in dreamy delight. His smile, I answered immediately. He s just always smiling, you know. And he looks so happy while he does it, as if he really enjoys life and knows how to appreciate it to the fullest. I want to be around someone who s always that happy.
Trust me, he s not always that happy.
But I ignored Parker and kept talking. And I heard that he still lives at home with his parents because he has so many younger siblings; he wants to help take care of his family. Isn t that just the sweetest?
The sweetest ever, Parker agreed, completely unimpressed.
I mean, you can tell from that alone that he s just a genuinely good guy. Plus, he works as a humble pizza delivery person, showing he s a hard worker and not only seeking fame. Then, there s his dedication to football, which proves he can stick with something and be committed. And oh my gosh… I clutched my chest. I heard he lost a brother when he was little. Doesn t that just break your heart and make you want to give him a big hug?
Parker lifted an eyebrow as he listened to me. Then he hissed out a disappointed sigh and shook his head. Fuck. You re that friend of Oaklynn s she s been trying to set him up with for weeks now, aren t you?
I winced, really starting to hate that description. Maybe.
With a groan he rolled his eyes, muttering to himself, Of course you are.
Leaning toward him, I whispered, Do you want to know a secret?
Always, he answered, looking intrigued as his gaze lowered to my chest.
I accidentally memorized his birthday. When he merely lifted his eyes in question, I threw up my hands in defeat. I know. I m awful. But I just happened to see everyone wishing him a happy birthday on June 7th, and now the date is stuck in my head. It won t freaking go away.
You mean, the second? Parker corrected.
I frowned. What?
His birthday s June 2nd, not the seventh.
I nodded. That s what I said.
No. He shook his head. You said the seventh.
Well, I meant the second, I exploded. And how do you know his freaking birthday, anyway? Are you some kind of…? Realizing exactly who he must be, I swallowed and sent him a small cringe. Ah, crap. You re one of the seven, aren t you?
Parker looked a little smug as he lifted an eyebrow. Heard of us, have you?
Oh my God, I groaned, setting both hands over my eyes in misery. Yes. I m actually the one who explained to Oaklynn who y all were after she first started renting a room from Damien.
Is that so? Tipping his head, he seemed infinitely curious as he asked, And what exactly did you say we were ?
Well, the hottest guys to ever walk campus, of course.
He chuckled. Not wrong, he answered with a shrug. But not exactly right, either. I bet you don t know where we all met, do you?
My eyebrows lifted in interest. Ooh, no, I don t. Where did you meet?
Step inside this bedroom here with me for a few minutes, he whispered, taking my hand and trying to tug me coaxingly through the doorway. And I just might tell you.
With a frown, I pulled my hand right back out of his. I m not sleeping with you just to get more information about Foster. He d definitely never have anything to do with me then. You should just tell me, anyway.
Well, aren t you a spunky one? Parker lifted his brows as if impressed. And you just passed my test. Huh. I think I like you, Red.
Red? Is my hair looking red tonight? I grabbed a piece of it and squinted at the strands. It s actually auburn, but usually it looks all dull and brown, and you can barely spot the red at all.
He ll like it, Parker murmured thoughtfully, almost as if talking to himself.
I tipped my head, not understanding. Huh?
Parker met my eyes. Did you know red was your boy s favorite color?
Oh. He was talking about Foster. Straightening in interest because I always loved learning new Foster facts, I said, No. Is it really?
Yep. Pulling a phone from his pocket, he ignored me for a moment before he pressed the device to his ear as if he d just called someone. How would you like me to do you a solid, Red? he asked before returning his attention to the phone. Yo, man. Where the fuck are you?
I watched, wondering what in the world was happening as he waited a beat and then pulled his face into a grimace. Why the hell are you there ? You re supposed to be here.
Barely able to hear someone talking on the other end of the line, I squinted and leaned close as Parker listened to his caller s response and then nodded. A second later, his attention shifted to me.
In that case, drop me a pin. I m going to send a present your way. He laughed. No. It s not a bottle of whiskey. Skimming his gaze down my body, he said, You re gonna like this so much more, bro. Trust me.
I looked down at myself and then up at him with a suspicious narrowing of my eyes.
Alright, man, he was saying. Take care.
Did you…? I pointed. Was that just…?
You didn t drive here tonight, did you? Parker asked, still tapping buttons on the screen of his phone.
No. Why?
Good. Cause you re way too plastered to get behind a wheel right now. Tucking his phone away, he lifted his brows at me. So I just called you a ride.
I shook my head, growing more confused by the second. What?
He heaved out an impatient breath. You came here tonight hoping to run into Union, right?
I winced, hating how transparent I was. Kind of.
Right. Parker nodded. So I found him for you. And now… I have a car showing up in about two minutes to take you to him. You re welcome.
But. I shook my head. Why in the world would you do that for me? The gesture was too nice. This guy was confusing me. He could go from nice to rude and back again in three seconds flat. It made my head hurt.
He shrugged. To be honest, I wasn t really doing it for you. Taking me in once again from head to toe, he nodded to himself. I just think you re exactly what he needs.
I swallowed, thunderstruck by that notion. Really?
When he nodded, I felt my face flame with pleasure. But Parker only snapped his fingers. So chop-chop, Cinderella. Your pumpkin will be here soon.
Oh! But— I shook my head. My sister. I can t just abandon her. She s only in town for a few days, visiting me.
Ah, Jesus, he groaned in irritation. Fine. Yanking his phone from his pocket again, he muttered, I ll call Keene and hurry his ass up.
My mouth opened as he began to dial again. When he pressed the phone back to his ear, I pointed. But—how did you know she was with Keene? I don t remember saying his name.
He sliced a severe glance my way. The horny asshole description gave it away. Yo, he answered. You about done yet? Your chick s sister needs her back now. Yeah. Yes. No . What? Dude. Just send her back out to the front door. God , it s not that difficult. He hung up with a roll of his eyes. When he found me gaping at him with my mouth fallen open, he said, What?
I… I shook my head. I can t believe you just did that. I mean, what if they were, like—you know—in the middle of stuff?
One of his eyebrows arched. Trust me, darlin , he wouldn t have answered if they were still in the middle of stuff. Then he hitched his head toward the stairs. Come on. I ll walk you out to where your sister will meet you in a minute.
In a daze, I followed him down the steps and through the front room. But instead of letting him leave me alone on the porch, I threw my arms around his waist and gave him a big, grateful hug.
Thank you. Thank you so much. I ll name our firstborn after you, I swear.
Yeah, well… He lifted his arms and refrained from hugging me back as he grumpily answered, You better.
I grinned up at him as he pulled away, scowling. We will. And now, I ll stop groping you and let you escape back inside. Thanks again.
He sniffed out an amused sound. Take care, kid, he told me as he stepped back into the house and shut the door.
Once alone, I inhaled a big lungful of the refreshing outdoor air and glanced around me, wondering if I was really, actually going to meet Foster tonight or not. It seemed too good to be true.
Before I could convince myself that this was all a hoax and I should just go back inside, the door opened, and Kinsey appeared.
What in the world was that ? she demanded, straightening her top back into order and then readjusting her skirt.
I m not quite sure, I answered. But I met someone who had a direct line to Foster s location, so… He ordered us a car to take us there. You okay with that? Or did you want to stay here?
Nah, I m good to go, she said, finally having pulled herself into order. Keene and I were done, anyway.
I snickered. Oh, were you? Did y all have a good time?
Kinsey shrugged, but then a grin took over. He wasn t bad.
I started to laugh, and I wasn t sure why. Clasping my face between my hands, I said, Oh my God. What a night.
What? she asked, confused.
I shook my head, not even sure what was so funny. I don t know. But I kept laughing anyway.
Kinsey started to laugh with me, probably more amused by my strange behavior than our strange night, and we were both still giggling together as our ride pulled up to the curb.
You are so freaking drunk, she announced, tugging on my arm to escort me forward. I love it.
There was some damn fine alcohol in that place, I explained, not quite able to walk a straight line as I followed her.
Seems like it.
By the time we made it to the car and spilled our way into the backseat together, we were laughing all over again.
Our new driver wasn t the chatty type, so after we got the initial greetings out of the way, Kinsey and I went back to gossiping and giggling quietly to ourselves.
So? I prodded, nudging her arm with a grin. How was it?
It was…weird, she told me with an embarrassed snicker. He did this thing with his tongue and, oh my God, Raina, I don t even know how to describe it.
Well, did you like it? I asked, curious.
She nodded. Definitely. I came so hard, but it wasn t like a normal orgasm. It was just…weird. A really good weird, though. I think I might look this guy up again before I head home.
I shook my head, in awe of such an unrestrained, spontaneous creature. She knew how to grab life by the horns and give it hell. Sometimes I liked just sitting back and watching her do all the vivacious living. And sometimes I was almost jealous of her free spirit.
Like right now. I kind of wanted to be able to brag about having really good sex, too.
I bet Foster knows how to give a girl a good orgasm, I murmured dreamily.
Next to me, Kinsey scoffed. I bet that boy s so damn vanilla, the poor girl with him falls asleep before he even finishes.
With a scandalized gasp, I slapped a hand to my chest. Oh no, you didn t. You take that back. Right now.
She only laughed. Darlin . Shaking her head, she refused to rescind her words. Just look at all the pictures of him. That straitlaced, choirboy, wet blanket has no clue what weird, freaky, amazing sex is . Fuck, I doubt he even knows what a clitoris is.
He s a freaking football legend, I argued. He probably gets more action in a week than you do in a year. No way in hell does he not know how to please a woman.
I m just saying. She lifted her hands, standing firm in her opinion. He looks boring.
Whatever. Tonight, when I find him, I m going to take him straight to bed and prove to you that he s the best lover there ever was.
Kinsey narrowed her eyes, only to retort, Well, I really hope you do. I hope you bang him harder than he s ever been banged before.
When I realized we were facing off as if to have an epic smackdown, I sputtered out a laugh and leaned forward to rest my brow on hers. Oh my God, I can t, I cried with tears of mirth trailing down my cheeks.
What re you talking about? Kinsey giggled back. I m loving this.
You would.
Damn, I ve missed you, Pookie, she announced, beginning to sway with me. Nothing s been the same at home without you. This whole week has just been…nice.
Yeah, I agreed with a sigh. I should drop out of school and come home, huh?
No, she mumbled sadly. Don t you even dare. You gotta stay here because this is what s best for you, and I want you to get the very best. I just wanted you to know you were special enough to be missed.
Aww, I miss you guys, too, I admitted.
We stayed that way a moment longer before I added, Do you think he s even going to be there? Sometimes it feels as if I m never even going to meet this guy. And what if he s really a conceited prick after all?
Well, we ve come this far. Might as well find out for ourselves.
I nodded. Yeah. Okay. Hey?—
Before I could say anything else, though, the driver cursed from the front seat and slammed on the brakes.
Kinsey and I lifted our faces in surprise just as the car went into a sideways skid. We screamed in unison when light blinded us from the headlights of another car approaching too fast.
From there, everything went blank.