CHAPTER 18ETHANShe was right about one thing. She’s not like the other girls. I gave her a mind-blowing orgasm and she’s ghosted me all week. I don’t know any girl that would do that. I mean, I told her I want to see her again, and she completely disappeared on me. Well, not completely. I know who she is. I’ve seen her. I’ve seen her see me and still nothing. Not even the usual flirtatious hello. It doesn’t add up. None of it, which is the only reason I haven’t called her on her shit. I’m still trying to make it all make sense in my head. Paisley Sullivan? It still doesn’t track.At the party last weekend, I saw her after we met up in the bathroom. It was as if nothing had happened between us. All keg stands and laughter. She was dancing with some guy. A bunch of guys, taunting them with her body, like I didn’t have my fingers all over her pussy just minutes before. And when she saw me, she smirked as though me watching was somehow getting her off. None of that aligns with the perso
CHAPTER 19PIPERI am pathetic. Hiding out at Coffee Shop in plain sight. Blatantly staring at a shirtless Ethan playing football with his friends in the quad. What makes me pathetic? The fact that he’s written me a total thirteen times until yesterday, when I think he finally got the message and gave up. Thirteen chances, he gave me to have my hands on him. His mouth on me. His fingers… And I’ve opted to gawk like some kind of stalker. That’s why I’m pathetic.Taking a sip from my iced coffee, I adjust the sunglasses on my face—total stalker wear—and pretend like I’m not watching the way sweat gleams off him. I’m not imagining said sweat dripping onto my own body as he takes me in the bathroom at that party. Why didn’t I demand that things go further that night? That’s right. I was too busy running to look back and fully grasp the fact that that was our last chance.“Oh thank God. A friendly face,” Sabrina, the girl from the party last weekend, throws herself into the chair next to
PIPERPaisley has got a cute cherry red Nissan. But Sabrina’s car is a white convertible. A new model Mercedes that catches the eye of everyone on the road. Paisley loves every second of it, waving like it’s her car and we’re her chauffeurs riding up front. Pulling into the mall parking lot, her enthusiasm hasn’t dimmed. If anything my best friend is getting more out of control. Worse than prom shopping senior year, where she dragged me around until she could find the perfect dress.“Let’s start with underwear,” Paisley says.My stomach sinks to the floor. “You think he’s going to see you in your underwear?”“I should be prepared,” she replies. “It’s Ethan we’re talking about.”Unfortunately for me, Sabrina nods along in understanding.I swallow, with a weak smile, but follow behind Sabrina and Paisley as we go inside the mall. They pick out cute underwear and sexy bras that I can’t even imagine myself in.“Oh my God,” I say with a blush.“Yeah,” Sabrina says, putting more frilly thin
ETHANWhat’s the plan? A date with Paisley so I can try to figure out whatever mystery about her is wrecking my focus. Then I figure out where to go from here. Only… I’m not itching to get her alone. In fact, whenever I think of it, I get more of that inward cringe, and shudder like I’m in danger of having my nuts ripped off. That can’t be right. I glance at her, and she smiles back. It’s toothy, ear to ear like she’s practically bouncing around like a child on the way to the toy store, knowing they’re about to get everything they want. My stomach plummets. What the hell?“I really like your car, by the way. Did I tell you that outside?”Yes.“I love the dark color.”She said that too.“It’s not just a BMW though right?”I frown. “What do you mean?”“I mean, it’s special. Upgraded. It costs like a lot of money.”I glance at her. “Did you look it up?”She shrugs, but at least has the decency to look away like she might be embarrassed. “So, do you think people are going to lose their m
PIPERThe Doldrums. That’s where I find myself. It’s not intentional. I’m not overly depressed about some guy I kissed. Fooled around with. Have a monumental crush on that hasn’t gone away no matter what he does to piss me off, or what I do to try to stop it. I am, however, stuck. Trapped in those sinking feelings that seeped into my gut when Paisley uttered those words without a care for how she’d thoroughly, officially, and permanently hurt me.So, I’m standing here, stocking books, but mostly sulking, as I listen to Sabrina talk about anything and everything while she keeps me company during my shift.“Ugh,” she groans. “This is so boring! What would you have done without me sticking around?”At least my smile is genuine. “Yeah. I owe you one. I wasn’t expecting it to be this dead.”“Are you high? No really. Are you? Because I’d love it right now if you shared.”I laugh. “Mrs. Sheppard said I can leave when I finish this cart.”She jumps into action, grabbing two books at a time to
ETHANI don’t know what’s wrong with me. It’s a girl. Just one girl. But somehow I can’t stop trying to figure her out. Literally. Because how could I have gotten this wrong? I stare at the ID. The one fucking clue that made me feel so sure. And now… I’m fucking confused. It was there in that basement after my encounter with the girl I’d been with once before. And it wasn’t there when I’d entered. I would’ve seen it. Seated on my bed, sneakers on—because I feel like getting out of here at any second—I hold the damn thing between two fingers then rotate it so it’s upside down. The girl in that library basement was the same as the girl from a week before. The same as the girl from a week later. And none of them is Paisley Sullivan. That was proven last night with my hands on her. I turn the ID again, still wondering how I got this wrong, while trying to figure out how I could’ve been so stupid. The signs were all there. Paisley in person is nothing like the girl I’ve been looking for.
PIPERFirst thing this morning, Sabrina and I went to breakfast. What she failed to mention was that she bought a swimsuit for me yesterday when we were out shopping. So it doesn’t take long for us to get ready. I look down at the way my boobs look in the top with little red cherries on it. They jiggle with each step I take across the field. Even wearing my denim short shorts, I feel almost naked. And worried that everyone is going to stare. They’ll see me. All of me, and I still don’t know what to expect from that. Judgement? Assumptions? I’m way out of my element here.“Stop fidgeting you look fine,” Sabrina says.“I’m just nervous.”“Obviously,” she replies. “But you’re hot. You must know you look hot. And you aren’t wearing anything less than anyone else.”She points ahead of us, and I glance around. I try to see if anyone notices us—notices me. But no one is really paying attention. The guys are staring at all of the girls. And the girls are staring back. Amongst them are bikinis
ETHANPiper’s friend flees as I approach, leaving her standing there all on her own in that damn bikini. Her hips even more pronounced. Her skin is smooth, appearing so soft, I want to reach out and run my hands all over it. From her evenly tanned arms, down her silk, toned legs. I want to see them wrapped around me. I need that like I need to stand next to her and dissuade anyone else from trying to talk to her. I see the looks on the faces of every guy out here. They have ideas that I can’t allow, even if I also can’t partake myself. Won’t. I won’t. Because this shit is fucking madness. I was curious, but I don’t want Piper.My eyes don’t give a fuck about that declaration. They roam up those smooth legs to the curve of her ass. An ass I want my hands all over again. Fuck. How did this happen? I was supposed to be steering clear of her today. Of all things Piper so I can forget the girl I’ve been secretly hooking up with. Pining after like I’m fourteen again and desperate for a litt
EPILOGUEETHANSeven Years Later“I don’t even know why we came to this,” Piper says.I smirk, and reply. “You wanted to come. I was good with staying home between your legs for the next fourteen hours. It’s been a busy week for the both of us.”“When I made these plans it was because it’s been a busy seven years, especially since graduation and I wanted to do something normal. Now more than ever,” she says.“What’s so great about now?”“It’s our reunion,” she replies.“Okay. But I could’ve easily taken normal to mean my tongue in your pussy for a few hours and spending the night fucking like rabbits.”“Oh. We’re still doing that,” she says with a smirk. “This is just a detour. Plus Sabrina is in town and I haven’t seen her in so long.”“What are you up to,” I ask. She’s got a look on her face that tells me she’s harboring a secret.“What? Nothing.”“No. You’re up to something.”“Maybe. I’ve got news to share and we haven’t been face to face with our friends to share it with them too.
PIPERWe find Paisley easily just across the courtyard. And it seems we have a little more to talk about besides the beating I sustained right here on these sidewalks.Shaina is beside her, sipping a smoothie that Paisley takes and makes her own for a minute. Seeing Ethan, she hands it back to her friend, licking her lips like lunch has arrived.She hasn’t paid me any attention, until I speak. “We need to talk.”With an attitude, she drags her eyes away from my boyfriend. Though she’s looking at me now, her words are still to Ethan. “I thought you were coming to tell me living with this isn’t working out.”Ethan folds his arms across his chest. “Why would I do that?”She smiles, still looking at me. “Maybe you’d rather live with me instead.”It’s so pathetic, it’s sad.My boyfriend smiles too, only it’s not pleasant. “Given the choice between sleeping in a bed with you, or a bed of fire, I’d rather add more coals to the flames,” he says.Paisley frowns the hopeful tone leaving her voi
PIPERIt’s the next morning and I’m still reeling from Ashton’s finds and confession. Bryce. Paisley. Well, maybe not Paisley. If I know anything, it’s just how much she truly hates me. At least, by now I think I know. She spent our entire friendship putting me down, keeping me in a bubble that suited her needs just fine. She’s spent our entire lives being jealous of me. I just wish I’d seen it before. No. What I really wish is that I’d pieced it together sooner. Paisley was the one whispering in Ashton’s ear. And ultimately, the one behind my attack. “The catfight gone wrong”.“You ready,” Ethan asks.I look over my shoulder at him, standing in the doorway. He’s got a look on his face that I can’t decipher. He’s just too calm. Nothing like the way he was with his brother yesterday. Or with Adam before. I’m a little worried for the people I’m about to face, but then I think about the hell they put me through, and I know whatever is going on in his head is justified. I’m lucky to have
ETHANOur first week in the new place goes by fast. Mostly because we spent the week at the beach and hanging with our friends. Then there was a lot of moving stuff to get done, and things to pick out. What’s the saying about time flying? Yeah. That. Most of the furniture has already been delivered, and we’ve unpacked a majority of our boxes. The way I see it, we’re entitled to a break. I drop onto the couch and turn on the TV. The cable and internet didn’t take long to get set up either, which is good, since we’re relying on having wifi for class anyway.“Must be nice,” Piper says from the kitchen. She’s standing at the stove stirring a pot of pasta sauce.“You don’t want my help in there,” I say.“It’d be nice if you offered,” she replies, with her nose in the cookbook.“Okay. Do you want some help?”“Why yes,” she says. “That would be lovely.”With a small chuckle, I rise from my seat and go over to her. Without her sling, it seems like she moves twice as fast. Adjusting the temper
PIPERIt's not an ideal situation. But it’s not Ethan’s fault whatever happened. It also wasn’t Ashton’s doing, though I’d like to know his involvement. What I’d like more is to know who’s behind the whole thing. That is if Ashton can be trusted. He did try to pay me to stay away from his brother. How high did his offer go? I don’t remember. Something tells me if I was the type to ask for more, he would’ve given me what I wanted to get the job done. So, maybe he is capable of hurting me. Or paying someone to hurt me, though everything in my gut tells me he’s a pawn in all of this. But without talking to him myself, without the whole story, I don’t know what to think.So, I’m focusing on him. Ethan. Sitting with our friends, yet again trying to make plans for our class- free week. Everyone who’s going away for spring break has already began heading down to party central. And we’ve booked nothing.“I say we forgo taking a long trip and make the most out of what’s nearby. Then we spend t
ETHANI’m not letting Ashton off the hook that easy. So, Piper’s family has money. And he was wrong. He should apologize to her. If that look in Piper’s eye has anything to do with it, he needs to come clean about whatever he said that sent her running the night of the party and apologize for that too. And I won’t take no for an answer. The kitchen is busy with women working on dessert. The same ones I've known to cook for special occasions since I was probably in diapers. They wave to me and I say hello, with as much of a smile as I can muster while looking for my shitty ass big brother. He isn’t down the hall, in the sitting room, or in any of the downstairs bathrooms. I think that maybe he might be upstairs in his old bedroom, until I come across the den at the foot of the stairs with the door cracked open.“You lied," my brother fumes. “She’s not after his money… Because I know. What else did you lie about?”“Were the two of you even dating?”“Where is the proof that she upload
PIPER“We don’t have to do this,” Ethan says, as we get closer to his family’s house. Too late to turn back now. Though, he’s probably offered to turn the car around every seven minutes or so, sensing my uneasiness.I disagree. “I want to go.”That much is true. I do want to go, especially if Ethan’s parents are willing to make the effort. Besides, I want to succeed where I think I failed before. And without Ashton there, maybe I can sway them to my side then he’ll be easier to convince that I’m not some gold digger. I can prove once and for all that I only want Ethan. Where did he even get that idea of me anyway?We turn onto a quiet street.“Last chance,” Ethan says. “Are you sure?”Gripping his hand in mine, I nod. “It’s just dinner. And I want to get to know your parents. We didn't talk much at the party.”Bringing my hand to his lips, he nods. “Okay. If anything makes you uncomfortable—anything—you tell me.”I smile, with a nod, as we turn onto what looks like a dark rode. But be
ETHAN“I don’t care where we go,” Sabrina says. “As long as there’s drinks, sun, and a reason to wear a bikini the entire time.”“Amen to that,” Jordan says slapping her on the ass.I laugh, lacing my fingers with Piper’s as we sit at a picnic table. “Where do you want to go?”She shrugs. “I kind of like Sabrina’s way of thinking.”“Hell yeah,” Jordan says, making me laugh again.“Fine. Everyone is going to Florida,” I say.“We live like thirty minutes from a beach. And I think the flight to Hawaii is closer,” Sabrina replies. “It depends on how wild we plan to get.”“Not too wild,” Piper says, motioning to her arm. She’s still in the sling through spring break. Luckily, she only suffered a dislocated shoulder and a bruised humerus. But she sprained her hand.“Oh sure, go easy now that it’s party time. I don’t think you were complaining when you spent the night on the end of Ethan’s dick,” Sabrina pouts.“Sabrina!”“What? We all know that’s what happened. That’s why you two keep makin
PIPER“I’m sorry,” Bryce says. “Did I do something wrong?”“No,” I reply, after all it’s not his fault what I almost allowed to happen. Still I scoot away, putting more space between us. “It’s just—”“Too soon,” he guesses. “It’s too soon, right?”“Bryce—”“I just really like you. And I know I can make you happy,” he says.“It’s not going to work,” I reply.“Give yourself some time.”But I’m already shaking my head. “I don’t want to. I’m sorry. I’m not trying to lead you on. But I just realized how stupid I’m being.”“No you’re not. You’re being smart. Actually think this through. It’s only a matter of time before he hurts you. Cheats on you, or worse.”“Ethan would never,” I reply.“You really believe that don’t you?”“I believe him,” I say. “And it took this moment for me to realize I don’t want space. I was just scared and upset.”“You were beaten up, Piper.”“Not his fault.”“And the sex tape? The one in his room?”“That wasn’t on him.”“I can’t believe your judgement is still so