Accepted Fate (30 page)

We're headed down Interstate 59 and not much has been said to this point as we've been stuck driving through New Orleans traffic. "Anything happened since I've been gone?" It's easier to talk now since it's nothing but open road ahead.

He looks over at me from the driver's seat with the beginning of a grin on his face. "Well aside from Briar's...whatever it is, I'm curious to know what you did to Natalie. Rumors are flying my brother. It's about time though. If you're just going to use someone for sex why limit yourself to one chick? I'm glad you finally came to your senses."

This is exactly what I was afraid of. Gossip only ruins people's lives. If I had to name one good quality about myself, it would be that I never believe anything that comes out of someone's mouth about another person. If I want to know something, I go straight to the direct source. That way, no crap get's started in between. "Well if you must know, I met someone and didn't think it was right to pursue it with Natalie in the background."

"Sweet! Who is she and did you hit it? Is she hot? Where is the picture? I know you have one so don't even try to deny it." I did get a picture the night she was sleeping in my arms at Ryland's pool house, but that is mine to enjoy and no one else; not even my brother. I also got a picture before I left her house last night when we were goofing off in bed, after the most perfect night of my existence.

"Her name is Kinzleigh and she is gorgeous. What we did is none of your business and what's with the twenty questions. I'm not liking it. You know I'm a private person when it comes to girls." He rolls his eyes at me. "What is going on back home tonight? I need to get my mind off some things."

He continues to look between me and the road. "There is a party tonight out at Simon's house. I think his parents are out of town or something for the weekend. He is trying to keep it on the down low but you know that's never going to happen. He always throws the best parties because his brother can score the alcohol. I think he's home from Ole Miss for the summer anyway." He smiles as he looks over at me. "You know you'll have your pick of any girl in school now that you ditched Natalie, but I'm sure she will have her claws out so who will be the lucky lady tonight?"

"Well it definitely won't be Natalie because I'm not going down that road again and the other night I got a dose of her crazy side apparently so that's over." I rub my hands over my face. Hooking up with another girl just is not appealing to me like it normally does but I've got to get her out of my head. I voice my frustration out loud. "I don't know dude, this girl is messing with my head. I'm in the dark here. I have never had this problem. I don't know how to get her out of my head. How do you downgrade when you've tasted the best there is?"

When I move my hands from my face and look at him he has a knowing look on his face. One that I've never seen present before when referring to girls. "She's one of those? Shit man. You better get ready because she isn't going to just disappear. That type of girl is unforgettable."

"You know what I'm talking about? When did you ever feel that way about a girl? I didn't know you actually saw past a girl's physical appearance and the bedroom," I say jokingly.

He places his hand over his heart pretending to be offended. "Ouch. Don't hate the game when you're one of the main players. For your information, yes, I know what you're talking about. Do you remember that girl that lived here for two years freshman and sophomore year? Her name was Madileigh Carlisle." He raises his brow as if I should know this information without giving it much thought.

Running my fingers through my hair, I try and remember who he's talking about. "Wait, isn't that the girl you lost your virginity too? The army brat that moved when her dad got reassigned? Did y'all even date?"

His eyes zone out as he stares straight ahead at the road, lost in thought. "Yeah... we dated. We would have kept dating had she not moved. I had never seen a girl like her and haven't since. If this girl messes with your head like that, I'm sorry man; it doesn't go away. You can numb it but never get rid of it. I haven't dated anyone since her. Hooking up with other girls is a temporary distraction but that's it. It's mental torture." I just nod because there isn't much else to say. We don't really ever have these deep conversations and it's a little overwhelming. We're usually emotionally incompetent. That's why our lives are generally easy.

The rest of the ride home is pretty quiet. We pull into the driveway of our house. Looks like mom and dad are both gone as well as Briar by the lack of vehicles in the driveway, but overall I'm glad to be home. Mom and dad are probably at the clinic. I'm not sure what their call schedule is for the weekend since I've been gone all week. I am really tired from having to change time zones but I need to somehow find a way to get these images of her out of my head.       Leaving the confinement of the cab, I make my way to the house. After entering the front door, I continue to my room without stopping. Walking in my room, Braxton stops by my bedroom door on his way to his. "Be ready at nine."

***

We pull up at the party right as everything is getting rowdy. There is already a crowd of people here. As we walk through the door, I can smell the beer from the red solo cups speckled throughout the room. Some people are sitting and some dancing or standing. It's packed to capacity. As I walk towards the kitchen, I can see a beer pong table set up with the majority of the football team gathered around. "Brey-son!" I look around as my name is screamed in a slurred unison around the table.  "Get over here son. I need actual competition. I'm getting bored," Jared says with more remaining cups than the other player."

"You sure you ready to get beat Jared? Looks like you're on a roll so far." Jared is one of the line backers. He is a big grizzly looking guy with short hair reddish brown hair and a beard. He's stocky and funny as hell but one damn good linebacker.

"Dude, everyone is getting trashed. I need someone that can hold their own. You finally decided to come back home and quit running around with those California girls I see. How was it because you've been the topic of conversation among the ladies? Natalie is pissed boy. You mind if I try to tap that since you're finished?"

"Have at it if you don't mind sloppy seconds. I'm done with her." Great this is exactly what I don't need. I'm probably already going to have to deal with her eventually. I don't want to hear about it right now. Right now I really wish I could turn back the hands of time and go back to last night. I want to be back in Kinzleigh's bed, holding her in my arms. I want to be able to look down at her as I enter her, making her mine. The look on her face when I kissed her goodbye will haunt me for the rest of my life.

She is beautiful and smart and knows what she wants. This is really starting to piss me off. She is the one that chose to not have any more communication so why am I the one suffering from all these jumbled thoughts in my head. I stood there and told her I wanted more; even gave her my number, though she declined the offer. I need to think about someone else. I need to forget her. I hope and pray that Braxton was wrong earlier. I can't focus on anything like this. I grab the ping pong ball from the drunken player holding it beside me, listening to the conversation. "Come on, let's play."

An hour in and the alcohol is taking its effect, leaving me in a relaxed and peaceful state. I'm about to throw the ball into a cup when an arm snakes up my back, underneath my shirt, causing me to drop the ball into my own cup in surprise. "I'm really glad you're back, sweetie. Why don't we go somewhere and talk? I can give you the welcome home you deserve." From the purr of her voice alone I can tell it's Natalie and she's drunk, which makes her difficult to deal with.

All of the guys have a smirk on their faces. You can never get out of the drama that comes with living in a small town. Placing my hands over hers, I turn around and remove her hands from my body. "What do you want Natalie?"

"Oh come on, don't pretend like you didn't miss me Breyson. I know you did." I really don't want to be mean because she is a friend but she is making a fool out of herself. I've never considered her easy, but that's quickly changing with the way she is acting.

"Natalie, you're drunk. I think you should go home or go back to where you came from before you embarrass yourself." She goes for my pants, trying to grab for my manhood before I stop her. "I'm not kidding Natalie. We can do this here or you can take my advice. I mean what I said on the phone."

"What happened to you? You used to be fun before you ran off to California and met that stupid little bitch. Well, news flash, you're back now Breyson. Are you going to let her ruin your life? She's not here. She's halfway across the country. What did you think was going to happen; that you were going to come back here and continue whatever it was you two had over there?"

She's treading on thin ice with me. I can barely even look at her right now without wanting to hurt her. I don't believe in ever laying a hand on a woman and the thought runs through my mind as I'm listening to her call Kinzleigh a name like that. It only tells me one thing; I need to get out of here. "Fuck you, Natalie! I was trying not to hurt your feelings because we've been friends for a long time, but you're getting brave with the way you talk to me and about her. You need to check yourself and remember your place. You don't even know her. You want to turn into a slut like most of the other girls, fine by me because I don't want you like that anymore. Don't come crying when I have nothing at all for you anymore." I hold out my index finger and thumb for emphasis on how close she is coming. "See this? This is how close you are to me washing my hands with you so you can keep me as a friend or I can drop you altogether. It's your choice. See ya around and don't follow me."

I notice her eyes widen as I storm off in a fury. I walk out the back door to the patio that is only a few feet from where the game is set up. Simon's house sits on Lake Serene. I walk out to the pier and connecting boat house. Taking a seat at the end of the short pier, I clench the edge as anger consumes my body. She may have some good points but she has no right to voice her opinion; me and her are over. She needs to accept it and move on. It was bound to happen with Kinzleigh in the picture or not. We weren't together for the right reasons.

"Breyson? Are you okay?" I turn around at the soft voice behind me. It's Adalynn, one of the cheerleaders. She's cute with her long red hair, green eyes and tanned skin. She doesn't fit the typical description for a red head. She is sweet instead of that fiery attitude you usually see and instead of a orange color her hair is more of a dark red and no freckles on her skin are present. She has a certain sex appeal about her.

"Hey Adalynn, what's up?" She continues to walk towards me until she reaches the edge and sits beside me.

"Natalie being a pain?" She even has a sweet voice. She has legs for days. I'm not sure why I've never noticed how hot she is before.

"You can say that." She looks almost shy but keeps looking at my lips as if she wants me to kiss her. There is that look I know all too well. Maybe this is the distraction from Kinzleigh I need. Grabbing her by the waist, I pull her closer to me. "What are you doing here Adalynn?"

The rhythm to her breathing changes. "I just thought you could use a change of scenery and maybe some company. Do you want me to leave?"

"You can stay as long as you realize it will be nothing but a hook up. I'm not in a very talkative mood. I'm not trying to be a dick but you know I don't get emotionally involved. Dating Natalie was a disaster and a onetime deal. You should know up front what my intentions are so there is no confusion later."

"I'm okay with that. Friends with benefits right?" She licks her lips slightly.

Nodding I say, "Something like that. Come on and let's go in the boat house. I'm not one for groping you out in the open just to give everyone something to talk about."

Standing up, I hold out my hand to help her up. "I like that idea," she says.

As we enter the boathouse, I lock the door. It's pretty bare with just a twin size bed and supplies such as life jackets, fishing and skiing supplies. Turning around, I grab her by the fabric of her tiny dress and pull her towards me. Grabbing the bottom hem of the tight material, I pull it up her body and over her head. I love hooking up with cheerleaders. They have tight little bodies and they're limber. It makes for a better lay; one that I need desperately.

She comes closer to kiss me and I dodge slightly, causing her lips to press against the corner of my mouth. I don't allow myself to kiss girls. It's too intimate and just makes things complicated later. Girls link kissing to emotions that in turn lead to attachments; attachments I stay away from. It may be one of the easiest ways to get them ready, but not the only. I distract girls with other tactics to get them prepared for me. Kinzleigh is the only girl I have willingly kissed since the day I lost my virginity by my sitter years ago.

I back her towards the bed, walking with her and kissing down her neck along the way. She moans in response, clearly ready to go. When the back of her knees touch the bed, I unclasp her bra letting it drop to the floor. Pushing her backwards, she sits and reclines her back across the bed. Grabbing her panties in my hands, I pull them down her legs, removing them.

Laying on top of her, she spreads her legs wrapping them around my waist. "You're so sexy. Take off your clothes. I want to see your body." Grabbing my collar, I pull my shirt over my head tossing it aside. My jeans tighten as I look over her naked body; the more turned on I get in effect. I look up at her and Kinzleigh's face flashes through my mind blurring Adalynn's face.

Shaking my head in an attempt to clear my thoughts, I flip her over on her knees. "You like it like this babe? I like where you're going with this." Grabbing her breast in my hand, I trail down the front side of her body with the other hand, stopping on her sensitive spot. When she begins to moan, I swear I hear Kinzleigh's voice. What the hell?