Chapter 5

 

Hold it together, hold it together, hold it together. I repeat in my head. My impending breakdown is threatening to bubble to the surface and suffocate me with tears. I have no doubt, I’ll hit a restroom stall as soon as I get through security and bawl, but I don’t want Bryce to see.

It was hard to say goodbye to everyone since we had such a wonderful vacation. It sucks being the first to leave. Sheila and Dave hugged me tightly and explained, now that things are out in the open, they expect weekly check-in calls from me. Somehow, Bryce talked everyone into letting him ride with me to the airport.

Throughout the whole ride, Bryce holds me close to him. My eyes well up a few times, thinking about leaving. His eyes are sympathetic, and I know he’s having a hard time, too.

“Babe, we’ve got to talk about this before you get on a plane. I can’t let you go without knowing how you feel. You need time, and that’s fine, but I need to know we’re in this together. Tell me I have nothing to worry about.”

A part of me is still protecting myself, but deep down, I know I’m a goner. It’s ridiculous to deny it, but I’m still apprehensive to see how things will work out when I’m back in Virginia and he is in Knoxville. He’s already admitted to screwing women because they were easy, and we haven’t even gotten to second base. His reluctance to touch me is endearing but frustrating, too.

“Bryce, can we see how things go? I’m scared to death to fall deep again and you be tempted because we aren’t together. I’m only nineteen. How do you know you won’t meet a more experienced girl in the next few months that turns your head? Let’s take it slow.”

“You think your age matters to me? You think a ‘more experienced’ girl will turn my head? I’ve done some shitty things, but please don’t insult my intelligence,” he growls.

“Bryce—”

“No, Devon, this thing between us is anything but casual. This is me finally going after what I’ve wanted for years. Get that shit out of your head. I have a long way to go to prove how much I care about you, but promise me you’ll talk to me, let me in.”

“You know I will. I already did.”

“That’s all I can ask for. Now, we need to talk about your deflection strategy.”

“Deflection strategy?”

“Yeah, babe. You’re going to be in Miami with a ton of crazy guys. I need to know you know how to fend them off. Quinn and I spoke, and I have a feeling she’s scouting for the next loser to make the list.”

“You talked to Quinn?!”

“Of course. I had to let her know how serious I am and give her the chance to cuss me out. She was pretty mellow, but I’m even more aware of how deeply I hurt you. If you weren’t cheering in this fucking game, I’d take you to an unknown location and spend the rest of our break making it up to you.”

“I don’t know if I should kick you or kiss you.”

“Kiss is always the best answer.”

I think about what he’s saying and decide to go ahead and ask him the question that’s bothered me since the night he took that phone call.

“Who did you talk to? In Aspen, you left the room when Nate and I were waiting to watch a movie.”

“The jeweler making your bracelet. She emailed me several charms, but none had enough room for me to say what I wanted, so she had an idea. I loved it and then made sure it was ready for Mom to pick up the next day.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really. Who’d you think I was talking to?”

“I was too scared to ask,” I whisper meekly.

“Never, ever be scared to ask me anything you want to know.”

“Okay.”

The driver informs us we are here, and I reluctantly slide across the seat and out of the van. Bryce follows and tells him to give us a few minutes.

Once I get my boarding pass and bags checked, we walk hand in hand as far as he can go. A few tears fall down my cheeks even though I try hard to hold them in.

“Baby, don’t cry. I’ll see you soon. Even sooner if you get into that museum exhibit.”

“I’ll miss you, Bryce.”

“Me too, babe. Call me when you land.”

I lunge into him, knocking him back, but he catches me and holds on tight. I kiss him briefly, knowing any more will be my undoing.

He watches me with his arms across his chest until I’m completely through security. The tears start to fall again, and he shakes his head and pulls out his phone.

“No tears, Devon. This isn’t goodbye,” he says hoarsely when I answer.

“I can’t help it,” I croak.

“I’ll see you soon, promise. Nothing changes.”

“Okay.”

“You’re mine. I look forward to proving it.”

“Me too.”

“Bye, baby.” He hangs up.

I find my gate and then the closest restroom, where I let the tears flow. This time, I’m not heartbroken but completely in love—again.

“Please, tell me we’re done. No more,” I plead with Quinn, falling back onto the bed.

“D-O-N-E,” she answers, sitting on the other bed. “But your ass is going out with me tonight. I don’t care what you say. Take a catnap, drink a red bull, whatever you need. I’m not spending New Year’s Eve in this hotel room.”

“Ugh, I’ll get a second wind. You shower first.”

She nods and goes into the bathroom. The past few days have been exhausting for us. We practiced a few hours a day but then were required at appearances around the area for fans and alumni, not to mention the fan fest.

Cheering in the game today at Sun Life Stadium was a whole new experience. The energy and enthusiasm was off the charts. Adrenaline pumped through me the whole game, and when we won, it was an insane celebration on the field. Now, I’m so tired, a night out sounds like torture. But I promised Quinn, so I force myself off the bed and dig through my suitcase for an outfit.

My phone rings with the familiar ring tone, which instantly makes me smile.

“Hey there,” I answer.

“Babe, you were on TV all night. You looked incredible. Did they make your uniforms skimpier for the bowl game?” Bryce asks.

“No, same uniform as always.”

“What are you doing now?”

“Unfortunately, picking out an outfit for tonight. Quinn is insistent we party into the New Year.”

“Where?”

“I have no idea. Probably a bar somewhere close since we only have a little time before midnight.”

“I don’t like it. I’d prefer you stay in. I still have flashbacks to the fucking body shots in the airport.”

“Bryce! Get over it.”

“No body shots, Devon. Promise me.” His tone is possessive.

“Promise. What are you doing tonight?”

“Not too much, maybe a few drinks at a bar down the road. Text me when you get back to your room. And be careful.”

“Okay, you too.”

“Always.” He hangs up, and I stare at the phone. We really need to have a talk about his etiquette.

“Shower’s all yours. Hurry up!” Quinn comes out with a trail of steam following her. She inspects the outfit I laid on the bed and nods her head in approval then waves her hand at me to hurry.

When we’re both dressed and Quinn has found out where to meet everyone, we head downstairs. Several heads turn to stare as we wait for a cab, but none of them remotely compare to Bryce. For the hundredth time since leaving Colorado, I realize, I’m screwed.

When we get to the club, it’s packed. People line the streets waiting for entry, and the outdoor bar is crowded with bodies everywhere. Quinn asks the bouncer if our names are on the VIP list since our friends came earlier. He nods and lets us in, pointing to a sectioned-off area, not even asking for our IDs.

We join a group of people we know in the roped area. A waitress brings us our drinks, and it’s clear we’re the most sober of the group. I decline when invited for body shots, avoiding Quinn’s hard stare.

A few of us head to the dance floor, where bodies close in on us, gyrating to the beat of the music. I don’t turn around when a guy grabs me from behind and starts grinding lightly. It’s not seductive in any way, just a friendly dance. One song leads into the next, and Quinn joins me, dancing on my front.

The guy behind me moves away, and Quinn stops moving all together. Her eyes grow wide, and she shakes her head, indicating I turn around. When I do, my heart stops. Bryce is standing behind me with his arms crossed, looking ready to kill.

I ignore his fury and squeal, hopping into his arms. He stumbles back slightly but catches me and lifts me up his body. My legs wrap around his waist, and I bury my face in his neck.

“Is it really you?”

“I better be the only guy you greet this way,” he hisses.

Leaning back, I cup his cheeks and kiss him quickly then rest my forehead against his. “You are.”

“You realize I want to punch the dickhead that was grinding on your ass, right?”

“You have turned into a total caveman!” Quinn swats his arm.

“Yep, complete and utter overprotective ape. Don’t like seeing some douche with an obvious hard-on rubbing on my girl.”

“Well, how would you feel to know, anyone standing behind Devon right now can practically see her whole ass the way you’re holding her?”

I unlatch my legs and scrambled to get down, adjusting my dress. Heat fills Bryce’s eyes as Quinn bursts into laughter. She bends over, holding her stomach, which makes me giggle, too. He looks between us like we’re crazy then tugs us both off the dance floor to our sectioned area. The booths are mostly empty, but the tables are set up with chilling champagne.

“Okay, I’m long overdue for a proper greeting.” Quinn stretches her arms, and Bryce embraces her, kissing her cheek.

“It’s been a long time, Quinn. Good to see you.”

“You too. When did you become so hot?”

“Quinn!” Heat creeps up my cheeks.

“Seriously, he’s fucking built. Tell me, Bryce, do you have a six-pack or an eight-pack?”

I cringe from humiliation and slink into the booth.

“I’ll let Devon answer that for you.” He winks and sits close, pulling me into his lap.

“No way! She can’t be a proper wingman if she’s wrapped up in your arms. It just doesn’t work.” She shakes her finger at us, clearly not approving of our loving position.

“Her duties are over tonight.”

“Devon,” she whines, begging with her eyes.

Bryce’s grip on my hip gets tighter, and I throw my head back and laugh. “Quinn, you don’t need me. The guy in the navy sweater is practically panting.” I point to the guy at the bar staring at her.

She glances and then smiles back at me, winking. “Okay, see you two later.” She waves slightly and walks to the bar.

When she’s gone, I turn my attention back to Bryce. His intense stare sends a chill down my body.

“I can’t believe you’re here.”

“I couldn’t stay away. It was hard enough dropping you off at the airport with no definite plans to see you again. But when you started crying, it broke me. I made arrangements that day.”

“When did you get here?”

“Earlier today. I came to the game; although, I can’t tell you anything about it. My eyes were on you the whole time.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I wanted to surprise you.”

“How’d you find me?”

“Babe, I’ll always find you, but this was easy. Your mom gave me your hotel information. Finding you in this bar was luck. I followed some of your friends I saw in the lobby. I tried to get to your room before you left but didn’t make it in time. When I called you earlier, my cab was stuck in a traffic jam. Getting to you tonight was a little harder because of the line, but the bouncer is former Navy. He let me in when I explained the situation.”

“How long are you here?”

“Two days, the same as you.”

“I can’t believe you did this.”

“I’d do anything for you. But we need to talk about that deflection strategy I mentioned before. Having other men ogle you is out of my control, but you need to figure out a way to deter them. Poor guy tonight looked like I pissed in his cheerios when I tapped on his shoulder and told him to move.”

“You’re very possessive.”

“When it comes to you, I’ll do what it takes.”

The sincerity in his voice causes my heart to swell, and I lean in, soaking in his closeness. Our lips touch delicately at first, teasing each other, but as soon as I nip at his bottom lip, he groans and takes over. Our tongues dance in rhythm. His hands tangle in my hair, gripping my scalp tight, holding me close. I can feel his heartbeat against my chest, racing. In this moment, it is only us. The pumping of the music is silenced, the strobe lights disappear, and the vibrations from the dancing around us still.

The kiss consumes us, confirming what I already know. Bryce Randolph is still the man of my dreams. Heat pools at my core, and I cross my legs tightly to try to control the pulsing need. My movement rubs me against his bulging erection, which sends a shock through my body. He stills, but I continue squirming in his lap.

He pulls back slightly, pecking and nipping my swollen lips. “You have to stop.”

“Why?” I ask breathlessly.

“Because there are certain things a man prides himself on, and you’re testing me.”

“How am I testing you?”

His eyes meet mine and soften. “God, I love your innocence. You’re testing me because it’s not cool to blow my load in my pants, which is what was going to happen if you kept grinding against me.”

A giggle escapes, and I slowly rotate my hips on his lap one more time. “I’m not that innocent, Bryce.”

“He’s not going to make the loser list, is he?” Quinn interrupts us, smirking.

“Not tonight,” I answer her and try to hold a serious expression, but it’s useless. Bryce’s chest shakes against my back until he can’t hold it in, laughing out loud. We join until tears stream down my cheeks. The guy to Quinn’s right watches us with a grin on his face, clearly amused at our inside joke.

Once we compose ourselves, she introduces Dean to us, and we all shake hands before I pour everyone a glass of champagne. The conversation is light and easy until the lights flash, indicating five minutes to midnight. We take our drinks and join the crowd at the edge of the dance floor, watching the celebration in Times Square on the large screens around the room. Once the countdown starts, Bryce pulls my back to him and nuzzles the sensitive spot below my ear. I lose concentration and forget to actually cheer as the clock strikes midnight and balloons and confetti fall from the ceiling. His hands twist my hips until we’re facing each other, and he captures my mouth in a scorching kiss.

We pull apart when Quinn taps us on the shoulder and clears her throat loudly. She smiles at both of us, and we clink glasses, downing the champagne in one gulp.

“Okay, now it’s time to party.” She raises her arms in the air and motions to the waitress, who is carrying a tray of shots.

“Babe? How long do we need to stay? I’d like to have a private celebration,” Bryce murmurs.

“I can’t leave Quinn. Never leave a woman behind.”

“She’s primed to go. We could be here all night.”

“I’ll give her a curfew. Can you handle a few hours?

“You gonna dance with me?”

“Absolutely.”

“Then, yeah, I can deal. We’ll find a way for you to make it up to me.”

“Where are you staying?”

A sly grin slides across his face. “Same hotel, one floor up. As soon as we get back tonight, I want you moving your stuff into my room.”

“Absolutely.”

His smile widens, and he leans in close. “No parents in the house with us. No sneaking out early in the morning. You and me with no interruptions. How does that sound?”

Desire floods my body, and when our gazes meet, he sees it. His hand reaches for mine, and he leads me to the crowded dance floor.