I throw the small inflatable basketball in the air for what feels like the millionth time while lying here in bed thinking about Cayden Fisher. Seeing her tonight for the first time since last summer, confirms I followed my heart when I came back home to Georgia.
She looked gorgeous in the light-yellow summer dress with those boots she had on, and her auburn hair flowed down past her shoulders in waves. She’s just as pretty as I remembered, and I dreamed about her a lot while I was away in California.
California. I sigh heavily at the thought of throwing my scholarship away, but that place wasn’t for me. My roots are here in the quiet town of Senoia where I grew up living the country life. I’m a backwoods, dirt roads, bonfire kind of boy, not a guy who likes the hustle and bustle of a big city. I’m back now to settle down for good, help my dad with the ranch, and claim the girl I’ve always wanted. I thought it would be easy, but something was holding Cayden back tonight.
Cayden and I have always been friends, and at times more than that, but I never achieved boyfriend status with her. I know it’s because of the pact her and her sisters made due to their asshole father. However, according to her, her sisters have fallen in love, so maybe I can finally have a chance to prove I’m the man for her. I won’t stop no matter what until I have the girl I love.
A light tapping on my bedroom window pulls me out of my own head. Getting up from the bed, I walk over and look to see who’s throwing the pebbles to get my attention, only to find Cayden waving at me. My lips tilt up at the sight of her and it brings back memories of high school. I don’t bother putting a shirt on before racing down the stairs to the front door. Opening it, I lean against the frame with my arms crossed while waiting for her.
She comes around the corner with a grin on her face. “How many times have I done that?” She is so fucking adorable standing there soaked from the rain. Even with strands of hair stuck to her face and mascara running down her cheeks, she’s still the only woman I see.
I smirk, chuckling. “Too many to count. What’re you doin’ here?” I was pissed when I dropped her off, but I can never stay mad at Cayden.
She looks down at the ground before lifting her shining hazel eyes up to meet my blues. “Are your parents sleeping?” I nod. “Can we go up to your room?”
Standing straight, I open the door wider for her to cross the threshold. She knows exactly where to go, so I follow her up to my room and shut the door behind us. She sits on the edge of my bed as I open one of my dresser drawers. Gazing over at her for a moment, I ask, “What’s up? Why you lookin’ nervous?”
Her brow furrows. “How do you know I’m nervous?”
Letting out a small laugh, I respond, “Because I know you. Every time you bite down on that plump bottom lip of yours, fidget with your fingers, or won’t make eye contact with someone, it’s your tall tell sign of being nervous. Right now, you’re doing all three, so it’s gotta be serious.”
“I lied to you,” She mumbles, her nervous habits continuing.
Joining her on the bed, I set a pair of boxers and an old t-shirt on her lap. “About what?”
“I did meet someone at college.”
I blow out a deep breath. “Go into the bathroom and change before you get sick wearing wet clothes, then we can talk.” She nods without saying another word and stands without even peeking in my direction. I feel as if my world is falling apart as I watch her walk out of my room. She met someone. That’s why she held herself back from me.
My stare remains on the open door, and a few minutes later, she returns with her wet clothes in one hand and a towel to dry her hair in the other. A boulder hits me in my chest at the sight of her in my clothes. She’s so fucking beautiful.
“He’s best friends with Callie and Cyd’s boyfriends. He was their roommate and plays on the baseball team with them.”
“He was their roommate?” I question hoping the answer is he lives alone now, but with her fidgeting fingers and biting her lip, I’m not sure I’m going to like the answer she has for me.
Dropping the towel and her wet clothes in the corner, Cayden joins me on the bed. “Callie moved in with Dex, and then some shit happened to Cydney, and Mav made her move in with him. There was no other place for Zac to go, so he moved in with me.”
Christ, this keeps getting worse! Running a hand down my face, I grimace and question, “Is he your boyfriend?”
She shakes her head. “No.” Relief fills me and restores my hope that this is not a lost cause. If he was her boyfriend, I’d give up…maybe. She continues, “He’s the only guy to ever tell me ‘no.’” She laughs lightly. “I chased after him for a while, but he’s made it pretty clear he doesn’t want me.”
“He’s a fuckin’ idiot.” She has feelings for this guy, but if he doesn’t want her, I will make her realize he isn’t worth her time.
She ignores my comment and adds, “He’s staying at Momma’s this summer with all of us, and we just got into a fight. I couldn’t be there a second longer, so I came here. I don’t understand him—”
Leaning in, I slam my lips against hers to stop her from saying anything else. This time, she doesn’t try to stop me; instead, her hand lifts into my dark brown hair and she grips the short strands tightly. She kisses me back, sliding her tongue along mine. I try to possess her with my need– my craving for her–and deepen the kiss. I press in closer, making her lie back onto my comforter as I cover her body with my own, using my thigh to spread hers apart.
Cayden pushes against my chest. “Wait. I can’t.”
I gaze down at her with an arched brow. “Why not?”
She sighs heavily. “It doesn’t feel right. It feels…wrong.”
“How is it wrong, Cayd? He’s not your boyfriend. He doesn’t want you, but I do.” I smirk and grind my pelvis into hers. “I’m sure you can feel how much I want you.”
She doesn’t return the smile. In fact, her brows are pulled down in a frown and her lips are in a tight thin line. “I know.” She pushes harder on my chest until I’m lying beside her instead of on top of her. “But still it feels wrong. Can’t I just lay here for a while?”
Throwing an arm over my eyes, I try to think of anything else besides the things I’d like to do to her right now. I need this erection to disappear quickly. “As long as you want. I’m not gonna pressure you into anything you don’t want.” I turn my gaze to her. “But I’m not gonna give up without a fight. If he doesn’t want you, Cayd, stop chasing him and give me a chance.”
Her expression becomes perplexed. “We’ve always been just friends, Brody.”
“Maybe you, but not me. I’m in love with you, Cayden, and have been for years.”
She covers her face with her hands. “Oh, God. My sisters were right!” Uncovering her face, she stares at me with wide, shocked eyes. “Why didn’t you ever say anything?”
I shrug my shoulder. “It was never the right time.”
She sits up quickly, her jaw hanging open. “And now is?”
Grinning smugly, I say, “It’s better late than never.” I grab her arm and pull her back down.
She lays her head on my bare chest. “I can’t believe I never knew, Brody. I don’t know what to say.”
“You didn’t know because I didn’t let you know. Most people could see it, but I hid my feelings from you because I knew what I was to you. Just your friend. But shit’s different now, Cayd, and I’m done hiding my feelings. I know what I want and I’m ready to fight for you.”
She starts to sit up, but I bring her back to my chest. “Maybe I should go, Brody.”
“No, you don’t have to say anything. Just stay for a while.”
Both of us are quiet after that. Even if she can’t say she loves me back or that I’m the one she wants right now, I can’t help except to feel happy at this moment. I have her here with me, her head on my chest, and a future I hope for playing through my mind–her with me every night for the rest of our lives.
Cayden soon falls asleep in my arms, and I don’t bother to wake her, but one last thought filters through my mind before I too fall asleep: I need to get this Zac guy out of the picture.