Prologue
2 Years Ago…
Melinda
“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?” my mom questioned as she placed the last of her things into her suitcase. “It’s going to be beautiful this time of year.”
“I’m sure,” I smiled as I watched impatiently. My parents were taking a trip to the coast for Easter week. I’d fabricated an elaborate story about a project that I needed to work on over the break. They bought it hook, line, and sinker, and now I was going to have the house to myself for five whole days.
“I don’t understand why a teacher would assign something over break. Don’t they know that seniors usually go on vacation for Spring Break?” Mom scowled as she zipped the luggage closed.
“I guess, but I don’t mind. It’ll be quiet here so I can concentrate. I might call Wendy to come work with me, that way I won’t be alone,” I tossed out. My parents were clueless when it came to my social life. As long as I kept my grades at an acceptable standard, they left me alone. I’d already been accepted to Eastman University, so now I just had to stay above water until graduation.
“Well, if you need anything just call,” Mom smiled as she lugged the suitcase out of the room. I hopped off the bed where I’d been sitting and followed her downstairs. Dad met her by the door, and together they took their things out to the car.
“Have fun,” I waved as I fought to hold back a smile.
“See you Wednesday,” Dad called as they climbed into the car and pulled away.
“Yes, Wednesday,” I whispered under my breath. Five days to do whatever I wanted, including spending time with Jason. Jason and I go to high school together. He isn’t what my parents consider desirable, so the only time we see each other is when I sneak out or skip class. Mom caught us making out one night when I was supposed to be studying, and they put the kibosh on it immediately. I stayed around the house for a month after that and gained their trust again. Now, Jason and I are more careful.
Once I was sure they didn’t forget anything and turn around, I skipped up the stairs to my room and began preparing for the evening. Jason had gotten us fake IDs, and we were planning to meet some friends at a new bar that just opened near campus. I figure since I’ll be a student next fall, I should at least learn my way around. Maybe I could even meet a few people.
I was determined to not make any mistake twice, so after dressing in a black mini dress, I grabbed my purse and keys, and drove myself to Shakers.
“It’s about time you showed up,” my best friend Jennifer shouted when I climbed out of my car. She was surrounded by a group of about seven of our friends.
A heard a low whistle followed by “she can show up as late as she wants if she’s going to look like that,” before Jason appeared. He looked delicious standing there in his torn jeans and black concert tee. He’d been wearing a black beanie lately, and his shaggy hair was sticking out around the edges.
“Un huh,” Gage, Jen’s boyfriend, nodded as a grin spread across his face.
“Watch it!” Jason slugged him in the gut, causing him to almost double over. “That’s my woman you’re talking about.”
“Easy man,” he shook his head. “I was just appreciating the view.”
“Appreciate someone else’s view,” Jason scowled as I stepped closer and he wrapped his arm around my shoulder. I snuggled into his side as the line to get in moved along.
The bouncer at the door didn’t even blink when he checked our IDs. Shakers had only been open for a few weeks, but it was packed. There was a bar near the back, and one on the outdoor deck. It was dollar night, and I planned to take full advantage.
“Hey babe, can you grab me a shot and something to chase it with? I need to talk to Jen about something real quick,” I smiled innocently up at him. Jason always did what I asked when I gave him the puppy eyes.
“Sure thing. Meet us outside?” he squeezed my ass before stepping away with the rest of the group.
“This better be good. That bartender over there was staring at my boobs,” Jen hissed as I pulled her to the side.
I did a double take before shaking my head, “You have a boyfriend.”
“And that guy right there is hot. My boyfriend is in high school. He looks to be about twenty-five. It’s a no brainer, Mel.”
“Oh this is good,” I yanked on her arm to get her attention. “My parents left this morning. I have the house to myself.”
“Sweet,” she grinned. “Does Jason know this?”
“Not yet,” I bit my bottom lip. “I was gonna invite him home with me tonight.”
“Mel,” she giggled. “Are you actually going to do it?”
“I think so. I mean, I’m ready. I’m tired of waiting, and I want it to be with him. He knows what he’s doing,” I felt my body tremble at just the idea of sex with Jason. What would it do when he actually did it?
“You know it hurts the first time, right?” she whispered as she leaned closer.
“That’s why I asked for a drink. I figure if I drink enough it won’t hurt as bad,” I shrugged. “He loves me, I love him…I think.”
“You think?” she squeaked. “Here,” she opened her purse and rooted around for a moment. “If you’re doing it, you need to be prepared,” she produces a strip of condoms and shoved them in my hand.
“How much sex do you think I’m going to have?” I rushed to hide them in the bottom of my purse.
“If he’s as good as the rumors say he is, I’d hope a lot for your sake,” she giggled as she looped her arm through mine. “Now let’s go get that drink.”
We laughed the entire walk through the bar, and when we got outside Jason had scored us a table. The guys were seated, and the girls had gotten comfortable on their laps. A cocktail waitress stopped by and placed several drinks on the table. “I’m Tami if you need anything else, let me know.” She winked at Jason before strutting away. If I’d been more aware, I would have questioned it, but all I was thinking about at the moment was getting enough alcohol in me to numb the nerves.
“Try this,” Jason handed me a glass full of blue liquid.
“What is it?” I nuzzled into his neck. My head was spinning and every part of me tingled. Jason had his hand up my dress, but I didn’t care. I felt good. It was dark, and we were hidden by the table.
“You’ll love it,” he groaned as he plucked at the elastic of my panties.
“Jase,” I murmured as I turned slightly in his arms. “Can we leave?”
“Where are we going to go?” his voice sounded amused. I was always the one to find off the beaten path places for us to fool around. We’d pretty much done everything but sex, and I was determined to cross that off the list tonight.
“My house,” I shivered as his index finger traced over me.
“I don’t think Mommy and Daddy will like that,” he teased as he shifted me in his lap. He was hard, and I could tell he was on the verge of snapping.
If I hadn’t been drinking, I’m sure I wouldn’t have acted as I did but at the moment I was too horny to care. I turned, straddled his lap, and thrust my tongue down his throat. At first he resisted, but when I ground my hips down on him, he gave in. “Shit Mel,” he hissed when he broke the kiss. “I’m not into exhibitionism,” his hands locked onto my thighs in a vice like grip.
“No one’s home. House to myself,” I panted before locking our lips again.
“Somebody’s getting laid tonight,” Gage shouted from behind us.
“Get her out of here before she starts stripping,” another voice called.
“Don’t forget what I told you,” Jen patted my leg, bringing me back to the present.
“Keys,” Jason held his hand out. “I’ll drive,” he pushed me off his lap, adjusted himself, and stood. “Thanks for the ride, man,” he clapped Gage on the shoulder. “Come get me in the morning,” he grabbed my hand and began leading me out to where I parked.
I didn’t know it then, but that night defined the rest of my life. It changed me into the person I am today. It molded me, broke me, and showed me that I didn’t have all the answers. I wasn’t as smart as I thought, and the events over the course of the next two years would systematically build me into the person I am today. Jason broke me apart, and I didn’t realize how bad until I met someone who was as messed up as me. Aaron Sutter was my equal, and together we would build each other up. We would learn to trust one another, and that trust is what would help us survive the storm.