CHAPTER
FOUR
I slept alone that night and received a few text messages from Mason. The
dinner with their mother went as well as he assumed. Horrible. She didn’t like
our relationship. Mason didn’t care. I asked if Logan said anything and he
responded with a bunch of curse words. That brought a smile to my face, but
I’ll admit that the night was still
lonely.
At school the next morning, I was surprised when Peter and Emily sat
beside in my first class. They’d never done it before and when I asked why,
Emily grinned. “You’re in the Elite. What do you
expect?”
Peter scowled. “We stick to our
own.”
He didn’t look happy about it.
“I told you guys to screw off.”
Emily shrugged as the class started. “Wouldn’t be the first time we’ve
heard it from someone in the group.”
“What about Miranda?”
Peter clenched his jaw and turned away. Emily gave me an eye roll. “Still
in. She knows too much. What do you
do?”
And like that, I was in. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but it seemed
like a done deal. The rest of the school seemed to already know. When I left for
my next class, the crowd parted for me. I was alone this
time.
Cassandra and Mark sat with me in my next class and the day followed like
that. I was about to head into the cafeteria with Becky when I stopped in my
tracks. Lydia and Jessica stood there. They looked like they were headed the
opposite way. Jessica froze and the blood drained from her face. Lydia gave me a
look that was half a scowl and half a smile. It twisted her features and then
Becky tugged on my arm to go around. As we passed each other, I glanced back.
Lydia and Jessica both watched us, but turned back quickly and hurried
away.
That seemed to be the official end of my friendship with those two. They
acted like they never knew me for the rest of the day. After my last class, they
parted with the crowd and I was another member of the Elite to
them.
In some ways, it was sad to me, but I was relieved at the same time. They
loved to gossip about the Elite before and I wondered if they would gossip about
me now. I didn’t care either way, but it felt odd to me.
When I headed to my car, Adam fell in step with me.
“What does it mean now?”
He tilted his head towards me. “What do you
mean?”
“Now that I’m a part of the group, what does it mean? Do we hang out and
braid each other’s hair?”
He gave me a crooked grin and slid his hands in his front pockets. He
shrugged. “I’m not sure about the braiding, but it’s what you’ve already seen.
We can sit together or not. We can have meals together, hang out at parties
together, whatever. You don’t have to even say hi to us, if you don’t want.
That’s your choice. I’m sure we’ll have dinners together every now and then. I
know Emily and Mark would love if you’d come to some of
those.”
“Peter said you stick to your
own?”
A dimple flashed in his cheek. “That’s because Peter has no other
friends. He’s not good with the social skills, if you haven’t noticed.” Then he
took a deep breath. “So you and Mason, huh? It’s official?” His smile seemed
shaky.
I nodded. “Going on three months
now.”
“That’s not weird with the
folks?”
I shrugged. “They don’t like it,
but…”
“He told ‘em to go to hell?”
“More like ‘fuck off.’”
He flashed a grin. “That sounds like Kade alright.” Then he grew serious.
“But he’s good to you?”
“He’s good to me.”
Adam nodded and let out a small breath. His shoulder loosened and he
seemed more at ease. “That’s good. I know I haven’t been the greatest friend to
you, but as long as he’s good to you. That’s good to
hear.”
“And you and Becky?”
His shoulders stiffened again. “What about me and
Becky?”
I’d had enough with the small talk. “Can you stop playing with her
emotions? Date her or cut her loose. You’re not doing her any
favors.”
He looked about to argue with
me.
I snapped out, “And you know
it.”
He let loose a big sigh and his shoulders slumped forward. “I know, I
know. But I care for her.”
“Stop toying with her and stop trying to fuck with my friendship with
her.” I waited a beat and held his gaze steady. “Or you and I are going to have
a problem. She’s my friend, my only
friend.”
“What about me? And the Elite?” He narrowed his
eyes.
I never blinked. “She’s my only friend. Don’t mess with that, Adam.”
He gave me a small frown. “Okay.
Noted.”
And as I headed to my car and headed towards Garrett’s house, I wondered
if it really was noted. My gut told me otherwise and my hands clenched on the
steering wheel. Adam wasn’t known for being honest and genuine. I used to think
he was, but that image had been shattered awhile ago. Then as I got to the house
and let myself in, reggae music blasted through the air, mixed with the aroma of
roasted chicken and the sounds of something boiling on the stove.
Garrett stood in the kitchen with a brightly colored apron on over khaki
dress pants and a red polo. He looked ready to go golfing, sans the apron. He
flashed me a smile and waved a steel spatula in one hand with a drink in his
other.
“Hey! It’s my child. How was
school?”
I had slowly taken my book bag off from my shoulder and let it slip from
my two fingers now. It dropped with a thud to the ground as my eyebrows rose.
“I’m popular now.”
He took a long sip from his straw that was adorned with a parasol
umbrella and bobbed his head in rhythm with the music. “Never doubted it. How’d
it happen?” He turned and flipped the chicken over on the
grill.
“I told them to fuck off.” I flushed as I realized it was becoming my
favorite phrase.
He chuckled and slid the chicken onto a plate. “That sounds like my kid.
Way to go. Did you find the bucket of condoms I left for
you?”
I flushed again and averted my eyes. That’s when I saw the table was set
with four placemats. “Are we expecting
company?”
He shook his head, but let his question slide. “I invited Mason and
Logan. They’ll be here in an hour. I guess they’re going to shoot hoops tonight
at the gym. They even invited me.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me. “What do you
think? You think this old man could keep up with those young
kids?”
I flashed back to when I first met my biological father. He asked if I
was training for a marathon. There was no other reason for running that long. I
chuckled now. “I think you’ll hold your
own.”
He winked and swished around to refill his drink. “Go on.” He jerked his
head towards the door. “I know you want to run. Be back in an hour or we’ll
start without you.”
Relief flooded me and I took the stairs two at a time. It wasn’t long
before I had my warm running clothes on and I bypassed the kitchen on the way
out. Once I was outside, I hit the pavement hard. It wasn’t long before my blood
flow warmed my limbs and I was sprinting by the end of the block. He said an
hour. I was going to make it worthwhile.
When I staggered back through the door, I nearly fell over, panting. I
had sprinted the entire hour, but I had no idea how far I’d gone. It’d been
worth it, every breath that ripped through me, and every mile I raced across. I
knew I had a smile from ear to ear, but I couldn’t shake it. I didn’t want to.
I heard male voices from the kitchen, but ignored them for my bedroom.
After I had hopped in the shower and came out in a towel, I wasn’t surprised to
see Mason on my bed. He propped himself up and gave me a lazy grin. “Let it
drop.”
A rush of tingles raced through me, but I opened my closet and kept the
towel on. “Garrett was drinking when I left. Is he drunk by
now?”
“Nah.” His voice was husky as he wrapped his arms around my waist from
behind. He pulled me against him and nuzzled underneath my ear. His lips moved
against my skin and I shivered as I closed my eyes. “He’s having a good time. He
wants to get to know me and Logan.”
My head fell back and I let myself sag in his arms before I twisted to
face him. He grinned and pulled me tight against him. My leg was lifted over his
and he held me in place at the waist. One of his hands skimmed down my arm to
the edge of the towel. Two fingers pushed inside and he let it drop the next
moment. I shivered in excited anticipation and was lifted off my feet the next
second.
He swung me in his arms and carried me to the bed. As he laid me down, he
held himself over and hungrily roamed his gaze over me. I slid a hand through
his hair and pulled him down. My lips opened over his as I arched against him,
but he still held himself over me. His lips explored mine and took their time in
his exploration. I groaned. I wanted him against me. I wanted him between my
legs and I curled them around his waist to drag him down. He resisted and
chuckled into my mouth.
He moved to the side and caressed my body. He went slow as he felt every
inch of me. His lips followed in his trail and I was trembling by the time he
lifted his head to meet my lips again.
Bang!
Bang!
Mason cursed as he flipped
to his feet and hurried for the door. When it started to open, he slammed it
shut again.
“Mason, dude! Come on.” Logan sounded angry on the other
side.
Mason grinned at me as he panted. “Give us a
minute.”
“It’s been thirty. Get your asses downstairs.” He waited a beat. “Hi,
Sam. I’m missed you.”
My voice was raspy as I called out, “Hi, Logan. Five minutes,
okay?”
We heard grumbling before he left.
Mason bit out some more curses as he raked a hand through his hair. I was
glad to see I wasn’t the only one still panting and raised myself up. My limbs
felt like they were in thigh-high mud. I groaned and weakly made it to the
closet. When I pulled on some jeans, my leg kept missing the pants and I heard
Mason laughing as he picked me back up in his arms. He deposited me on the bed
again, but bent to help guide my legs into the
jeans.
I grinned as my cheeks got warmer.
“Thanks.”
His shoulders shook as he bent down and pressed a kiss to the apex
between my legs before he skimmed my underwear up and pulled the pants after.
Then he teased in a husky note, “You need help with your bra
too?”
I slapped him on the shoulder before I crawled off the bed and pulled out
a sporty tank. It had a built-in bra and then I slipped a white tank over that
before I shook my head, still grinning, and still with warm cheeks. “I can’t
believe you had to dress me.”
His eyes held a dark promise as he stretched. “I have that effect on
women. What can I say?”
I was tempted to hit him again, but I pushed him ahead of me instead and
we went down to the kitchen.
There was a knowing hint in Garrett’s eyes as he raised his glass towards
us. “Come. Join. Drink. Don’t tell your mother,
Mason.”
Mason chuckled as he took the offered drink. “Thanks, Mr.
Brickshire—”
He scoffed. “You know to call me Garrett by now,
Mason.”
“Garrett.” Mason nodded and leaned against the counter behind me. He
didn’t touch me, but I still felt his body heat.
“Sam, do you want—” He started to say, but a body picked me in the air
the next instant and I was swung around the room. Logan held me tight and buried
his head into my neck as he laughed.
I couldn’t hide my own smile when he lowered me back to the ground.
“Man, I’ve miss you, sis.” Logan stepped back, but kept a hand on my arm
when he saw I was a little shaky.
The room felt dizzy for a moment, but I punched him in the air. My cheeks
were bright red now and I ducked my head down. “You too, Logan.” And I shook my
head to clear the swirling room. “I think I need some food in
me.”
Mason chuckled in a low voice. “Too bad you didn’t come last
night.”
“Yeah,” Logan laughed. “We had a six course meal.” He whistled underneath
his breath. “Mom went all out. And I’m sure it had nothing to do with dad’s
upcoming nuptials.”
“Nah. Not at all.” The sarcasm was thick in Mason’s voice. “Or when she
was buttering us up for information about your mom,
Sam.”
Garrett gave out a hearty laugh. “That sounds like
Helen.”
“Speaking of nuptials,” Logan started when we sat around the table. He
was beside me as Mason and Garrett were across. “When are you and our mom
getting hitched?”
Garrett had been lifting his glass for a sip, but paused at the question
and his eyebrows arched high. “Hmmm?”
“You heard the question.” Logan threw an arm on the back of my seat and
lounged back. Both brothers looked relaxed, but waiting. That was when I knew
they’d been ready for this meeting and there was an agenda behind their carefree
attitudes. My gut told me they were anything except
carefree.
I settled into my seat and got ready for the show. It was like old
times.
FOUR
I slept alone that night and received a few text messages from Mason. The
dinner with their mother went as well as he assumed. Horrible. She didn’t like
our relationship. Mason didn’t care. I asked if Logan said anything and he
responded with a bunch of curse words. That brought a smile to my face, but
I’ll admit that the night was still
lonely.
At school the next morning, I was surprised when Peter and Emily sat
beside in my first class. They’d never done it before and when I asked why,
Emily grinned. “You’re in the Elite. What do you
expect?”
Peter scowled. “We stick to our
own.”
He didn’t look happy about it.
“I told you guys to screw off.”
Emily shrugged as the class started. “Wouldn’t be the first time we’ve
heard it from someone in the group.”
“What about Miranda?”
Peter clenched his jaw and turned away. Emily gave me an eye roll. “Still
in. She knows too much. What do you
do?”
And like that, I was in. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but it seemed
like a done deal. The rest of the school seemed to already know. When I left for
my next class, the crowd parted for me. I was alone this
time.
Cassandra and Mark sat with me in my next class and the day followed like
that. I was about to head into the cafeteria with Becky when I stopped in my
tracks. Lydia and Jessica stood there. They looked like they were headed the
opposite way. Jessica froze and the blood drained from her face. Lydia gave me a
look that was half a scowl and half a smile. It twisted her features and then
Becky tugged on my arm to go around. As we passed each other, I glanced back.
Lydia and Jessica both watched us, but turned back quickly and hurried
away.
That seemed to be the official end of my friendship with those two. They
acted like they never knew me for the rest of the day. After my last class, they
parted with the crowd and I was another member of the Elite to
them.
In some ways, it was sad to me, but I was relieved at the same time. They
loved to gossip about the Elite before and I wondered if they would gossip about
me now. I didn’t care either way, but it felt odd to me.
When I headed to my car, Adam fell in step with me.
“What does it mean now?”
He tilted his head towards me. “What do you
mean?”
“Now that I’m a part of the group, what does it mean? Do we hang out and
braid each other’s hair?”
He gave me a crooked grin and slid his hands in his front pockets. He
shrugged. “I’m not sure about the braiding, but it’s what you’ve already seen.
We can sit together or not. We can have meals together, hang out at parties
together, whatever. You don’t have to even say hi to us, if you don’t want.
That’s your choice. I’m sure we’ll have dinners together every now and then. I
know Emily and Mark would love if you’d come to some of
those.”
“Peter said you stick to your
own?”
A dimple flashed in his cheek. “That’s because Peter has no other
friends. He’s not good with the social skills, if you haven’t noticed.” Then he
took a deep breath. “So you and Mason, huh? It’s official?” His smile seemed
shaky.
I nodded. “Going on three months
now.”
“That’s not weird with the
folks?”
I shrugged. “They don’t like it,
but…”
“He told ‘em to go to hell?”
“More like ‘fuck off.’”
He flashed a grin. “That sounds like Kade alright.” Then he grew serious.
“But he’s good to you?”
“He’s good to me.”
Adam nodded and let out a small breath. His shoulder loosened and he
seemed more at ease. “That’s good. I know I haven’t been the greatest friend to
you, but as long as he’s good to you. That’s good to
hear.”
“And you and Becky?”
His shoulders stiffened again. “What about me and
Becky?”
I’d had enough with the small talk. “Can you stop playing with her
emotions? Date her or cut her loose. You’re not doing her any
favors.”
He looked about to argue with
me.
I snapped out, “And you know
it.”
He let loose a big sigh and his shoulders slumped forward. “I know, I
know. But I care for her.”
“Stop toying with her and stop trying to fuck with my friendship with
her.” I waited a beat and held his gaze steady. “Or you and I are going to have
a problem. She’s my friend, my only
friend.”
“What about me? And the Elite?” He narrowed his
eyes.
I never blinked. “She’s my only friend. Don’t mess with that, Adam.”
He gave me a small frown. “Okay.
Noted.”
And as I headed to my car and headed towards Garrett’s house, I wondered
if it really was noted. My gut told me otherwise and my hands clenched on the
steering wheel. Adam wasn’t known for being honest and genuine. I used to think
he was, but that image had been shattered awhile ago. Then as I got to the house
and let myself in, reggae music blasted through the air, mixed with the aroma of
roasted chicken and the sounds of something boiling on the stove.
Garrett stood in the kitchen with a brightly colored apron on over khaki
dress pants and a red polo. He looked ready to go golfing, sans the apron. He
flashed me a smile and waved a steel spatula in one hand with a drink in his
other.
“Hey! It’s my child. How was
school?”
I had slowly taken my book bag off from my shoulder and let it slip from
my two fingers now. It dropped with a thud to the ground as my eyebrows rose.
“I’m popular now.”
He took a long sip from his straw that was adorned with a parasol
umbrella and bobbed his head in rhythm with the music. “Never doubted it. How’d
it happen?” He turned and flipped the chicken over on the
grill.
“I told them to fuck off.” I flushed as I realized it was becoming my
favorite phrase.
He chuckled and slid the chicken onto a plate. “That sounds like my kid.
Way to go. Did you find the bucket of condoms I left for
you?”
I flushed again and averted my eyes. That’s when I saw the table was set
with four placemats. “Are we expecting
company?”
He shook his head, but let his question slide. “I invited Mason and
Logan. They’ll be here in an hour. I guess they’re going to shoot hoops tonight
at the gym. They even invited me.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me. “What do you
think? You think this old man could keep up with those young
kids?”
I flashed back to when I first met my biological father. He asked if I
was training for a marathon. There was no other reason for running that long. I
chuckled now. “I think you’ll hold your
own.”
He winked and swished around to refill his drink. “Go on.” He jerked his
head towards the door. “I know you want to run. Be back in an hour or we’ll
start without you.”
Relief flooded me and I took the stairs two at a time. It wasn’t long
before I had my warm running clothes on and I bypassed the kitchen on the way
out. Once I was outside, I hit the pavement hard. It wasn’t long before my blood
flow warmed my limbs and I was sprinting by the end of the block. He said an
hour. I was going to make it worthwhile.
When I staggered back through the door, I nearly fell over, panting. I
had sprinted the entire hour, but I had no idea how far I’d gone. It’d been
worth it, every breath that ripped through me, and every mile I raced across. I
knew I had a smile from ear to ear, but I couldn’t shake it. I didn’t want to.
I heard male voices from the kitchen, but ignored them for my bedroom.
After I had hopped in the shower and came out in a towel, I wasn’t surprised to
see Mason on my bed. He propped himself up and gave me a lazy grin. “Let it
drop.”
A rush of tingles raced through me, but I opened my closet and kept the
towel on. “Garrett was drinking when I left. Is he drunk by
now?”
“Nah.” His voice was husky as he wrapped his arms around my waist from
behind. He pulled me against him and nuzzled underneath my ear. His lips moved
against my skin and I shivered as I closed my eyes. “He’s having a good time. He
wants to get to know me and Logan.”
My head fell back and I let myself sag in his arms before I twisted to
face him. He grinned and pulled me tight against him. My leg was lifted over his
and he held me in place at the waist. One of his hands skimmed down my arm to
the edge of the towel. Two fingers pushed inside and he let it drop the next
moment. I shivered in excited anticipation and was lifted off my feet the next
second.
He swung me in his arms and carried me to the bed. As he laid me down, he
held himself over and hungrily roamed his gaze over me. I slid a hand through
his hair and pulled him down. My lips opened over his as I arched against him,
but he still held himself over me. His lips explored mine and took their time in
his exploration. I groaned. I wanted him against me. I wanted him between my
legs and I curled them around his waist to drag him down. He resisted and
chuckled into my mouth.
He moved to the side and caressed my body. He went slow as he felt every
inch of me. His lips followed in his trail and I was trembling by the time he
lifted his head to meet my lips again.
Bang!
Bang!
Mason cursed as he flipped
to his feet and hurried for the door. When it started to open, he slammed it
shut again.
“Mason, dude! Come on.” Logan sounded angry on the other
side.
Mason grinned at me as he panted. “Give us a
minute.”
“It’s been thirty. Get your asses downstairs.” He waited a beat. “Hi,
Sam. I’m missed you.”
My voice was raspy as I called out, “Hi, Logan. Five minutes,
okay?”
We heard grumbling before he left.
Mason bit out some more curses as he raked a hand through his hair. I was
glad to see I wasn’t the only one still panting and raised myself up. My limbs
felt like they were in thigh-high mud. I groaned and weakly made it to the
closet. When I pulled on some jeans, my leg kept missing the pants and I heard
Mason laughing as he picked me back up in his arms. He deposited me on the bed
again, but bent to help guide my legs into the
jeans.
I grinned as my cheeks got warmer.
“Thanks.”
His shoulders shook as he bent down and pressed a kiss to the apex
between my legs before he skimmed my underwear up and pulled the pants after.
Then he teased in a husky note, “You need help with your bra
too?”
I slapped him on the shoulder before I crawled off the bed and pulled out
a sporty tank. It had a built-in bra and then I slipped a white tank over that
before I shook my head, still grinning, and still with warm cheeks. “I can’t
believe you had to dress me.”
His eyes held a dark promise as he stretched. “I have that effect on
women. What can I say?”
I was tempted to hit him again, but I pushed him ahead of me instead and
we went down to the kitchen.
There was a knowing hint in Garrett’s eyes as he raised his glass towards
us. “Come. Join. Drink. Don’t tell your mother,
Mason.”
Mason chuckled as he took the offered drink. “Thanks, Mr.
Brickshire—”
He scoffed. “You know to call me Garrett by now,
Mason.”
“Garrett.” Mason nodded and leaned against the counter behind me. He
didn’t touch me, but I still felt his body heat.
“Sam, do you want—” He started to say, but a body picked me in the air
the next instant and I was swung around the room. Logan held me tight and buried
his head into my neck as he laughed.
I couldn’t hide my own smile when he lowered me back to the ground.
“Man, I’ve miss you, sis.” Logan stepped back, but kept a hand on my arm
when he saw I was a little shaky.
The room felt dizzy for a moment, but I punched him in the air. My cheeks
were bright red now and I ducked my head down. “You too, Logan.” And I shook my
head to clear the swirling room. “I think I need some food in
me.”
Mason chuckled in a low voice. “Too bad you didn’t come last
night.”
“Yeah,” Logan laughed. “We had a six course meal.” He whistled underneath
his breath. “Mom went all out. And I’m sure it had nothing to do with dad’s
upcoming nuptials.”
“Nah. Not at all.” The sarcasm was thick in Mason’s voice. “Or when she
was buttering us up for information about your mom,
Sam.”
Garrett gave out a hearty laugh. “That sounds like
Helen.”
“Speaking of nuptials,” Logan started when we sat around the table. He
was beside me as Mason and Garrett were across. “When are you and our mom
getting hitched?”
Garrett had been lifting his glass for a sip, but paused at the question
and his eyebrows arched high. “Hmmm?”
“You heard the question.” Logan threw an arm on the back of my seat and
lounged back. Both brothers looked relaxed, but waiting. That was when I knew
they’d been ready for this meeting and there was an agenda behind their carefree
attitudes. My gut told me they were anything except
carefree.
I settled into my seat and got ready for the show. It was like old
times.
