Playing Fate (Endgame Series Book 1) (11 page)

“Oh my God,” Saylor chokes.

“Dear, that’s not giving yourself such a good reputation. He is your son,” my mom joins in, and watching Saylor turn five shades of red, I’ve never been so grateful for my parents.

“Hush your mouth, woman.”

“Okay. I’ve had enough. Say goodbye, children,” I tell both my parents and snake an arm around Saylor, pulling her towards the door. “Sorry,” I whisper.

She beams at me, “That was classic. Don’t be sorry.”

“You know they’re liars?” I wink at her.

“Of course. I happen to know you aren’t lacking in that department. Want me to defend your honor?” I groan.

“No thanks. I’ve had enough. Let’s go.” Her giggle warms my chest as I hold Julie tighter. Saylor has lifted up the seat so I can get Julie in her car seat, and I wink at her. “Thanks, Shortstop.”

“Anytime.” She winks back. I doubt she means that. I give her another hour before she shrinks back in the shell she wears like a badge of honor. I’m wearing her down, but I’m not that good.

That hour was generous. As we turn onto our street, she starts fidgeting. “Spill it.” I command of her.

On an exhale, she rushes. “I’m not sleeping with you again.” I fight hard to contain the laughter begging to bubble from my chest. She has no clue my plans for her.

“I’d rephrase that.”

Her eyebrows raise, “Excuse me?”

“Plain English. I said you need to rephrase that.”

“No, Deacon. I meant what I said.”

“You may mean you aren’t sleeping with me tonight, but there will be a repeat . . . many more sleepovers. I’m willing to wait for you to admit it, but the outright refusal you give me? That doesn’t work for me.”

“You’re arrogant.”

“Maybe so. I’m also realistic. I know what happened last night; you responded to me, and that’s a response I’m gonna work my ass off to get again . . . and again.” I put the Jeep in park and immediately work to get Julie as she sits there pondering what I’ve laid out.

She sighs and steps down from the Jeep. Before she gets across my yard, I call her. “Saylor, can you help me?” I don’t need help, but I do need her close before this night ends.

As she rounds the back of the Jeep, I put the car seat down and pull her close. My mouth descends on her before she can protest, my tongue sweeping against her lips and she allows me access. Our tongues swirl and mate for just a few moments. Pulling back too soon, I kiss her nose. “Thank you for tonight,” I whisper against her cheek.

She steps back and searches my face. I see the smile tugging her lips, begging to be released, but she’s fighting it. “Thank you.” She turns to head home, and I watch every step until she enters her house.

This is one battle that will take many wars . . . I plan to win every single one.

If I’m so sure a relationship . . . if Deacon . . . isn’t what I want why does every step from him feel as if my body is weighted? It felt unnatural. It felt wrong. My body fought the distance. I barely get the door shut, and Avery is in my face, “How’d it go?” I don’t answer, and her face falls. “Oh, Saylor.” She pulls me to her and leads me to the couch. Grabbing the tissues, she’s wiping my face, and I didn’t know I had tears falling. This is so chaotic. So hectic. It’s exactly what I didn’t want. I didn’t want to feel.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I shake my head. She jumps from the couch and reappears with two spoons and a gallon of ice cream. I stare, dumbfounded. “It’s what we do. When one of us is miserable, we commiserate together with ice cream and bad movies. Occasionally we will bash the guy causing the pain, but it’s Deacon, and I love him. I can’t do that part.” I’ve missed out by not having these types of friends.

“You don’t need to bash. He didn’t do anything wrong. In fact, he did everything right.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Right now, I don’t either.”

“If you want to talk, I’m here.”

“I will as soon as I make sense of it.” I dip the spoon in the chocolate treat and begin to eat my emotions. “Where’s Lee Lee?”

“She was with Mason earlier, and her parents called.” Her nose scrunches.

“Why does she come home in a bad mood after visiting her parents?”

“Long story. We all have parents who are best friends. We’ve all grown up together. Lee Lee’s parents are different. Adriane’s were, too. Their fathers are still active military and very regimented. Lee Lee doesn’t get to pick the path her life is taking, so she rebels in other ways.”

“Mason?” She nods. “I don’t want them to get hurt.”

“It won’t come to that, Saylor. I promise. They both know what it is, and I think they both use it as a way to avoid commitment to other people. I don’t understand it, but it’s worked for them . . . this isn’t anything new.” Wow. I don’t get it. Sex with Deacon was something I hadn’t experienced before. I’ve had sex a couple times, but I felt him in the deepest parts of me, filling and completing me. It was more than getting off. Which is what he tried telling me . . . and I ran.

The week passed in a blur. I saw everyone on campus and at home. Deacon was coming by, but I wouldn’t allow myself to be alone with him. Our party is tonight, and he’ll be here. I tell myself I’m not curling my hair or taking time with my makeup for him—but that would make me a liar. I talked to my mom earlier and told her I wouldn’t be coming home for Thanksgiving. It isn’t a long enough break, and I don’t want to waste money on a flight. Jack, of course, offered to pay, but I declined. I told them to take a trip; it is their first holiday as a married couple, and they deserve it. I know Avery will be here most of the time, so I figure the rest of them will follow suit. Lee Lee is traveling to see her family out of state, and she is none too pleased. Their hometown and college being twenty minutes apart helps them visit for the holiday and escape when needed.

The music starts and jolts me, not cute with a mascara wand in my hand. I fix my smudge, put down the makeup, and smooth my hand over my stomach in an attempt to calm the butterflies. I take a sip of the punch Lee Lee brought me to ‘pre-game,’ and my eyes water—that shit is potent. I dump half of it down the sink and head to the kitchen to add ice. I can nurse it all night and still keep my wits. I’ve been promised Alec won’t be attending any parties hosted by us, but I’m still edgy. There’s always another ass wipe lurking.

My eyes meet his; he’s watching my every move. I smile at him, and he takes that as an invitation to follow me in the kitchen. Shit. I scan the room looking for a distraction. “You look gorgeous, Saylor.” His words hit my ear as he’s bent down to whisper. I smell that damn cologne and his minty breath and have to remind myself why this is a bad idea.

Inhaling, I turn to him. “Thanks. You aren’t too shabby either, Mr. Douglas.” I wink trying to come across as cool and collected. I’m nowhere near the illusion I show.

His smirk tells me he reads me like a book—one he wrote. “Save me a dance.” He kisses my jaw and saunters off to his posse. I’m contemplating hiding in my room, but I know I won’t get away with it and that will cause a scene I’m not in the mood for. If he comes near me when I’m in the vicinity of a bed, I won’t be responsible for my actions and that will throw a monkey wrench into the
friendship
I’m trying to stick to.

The flirty looks, the overt eye-fucking, the slight brushing as we pass one another . . . it’s driving me fucking nuts. I’m ready to combust. I’ve drunk more than I planned, and I am feeling relaxed. Mingling and talking to people, I’ve seen at the parties but never interacted with. He stays close but keeps distance between us. Seeing Deacon in this element adds a layer to him that’s foreign to me. He lets his guard down . . . he’s a college freshman here, not Julie’s dad. However, he doesn’t let go like his counterparts. I think he’s nursed the same beer all night, but at least he has a carefree attitude I haven’t seen. He had to be lethal in high school—I’m sad I missed it but thankful because I’d be a Deacon Devotee. There are plenty of them around here waiting to get his attention, but his focus remains on me.

Mason and Lee Lee aren’t going to last much longer without finding a horizontal place to take their foreplay—half the people here are headed down the same course. I know this party is winding down. Part of me is ecstatic because I’m ready to revert back to my space, but I don’t want to say good night to Deacon. I feel hands slide around my hips, pulling me back, and as I’m starting to panic, “This is my dance,” vibrates from his chest directly to my pussy. ‘Whisper’ by Chase Rice is playing, and it’s sensual, sexy, and has me turning to wrap my arms behind his neck, pushing my hips into him, and the friction has me on the brink of coming, making me rub against him to ease this ache I’ve had all night.

His chuckle helps me regain some sanity, and I allow him to sway us, minus me mounting him. I swear he is magic because he casts a spell upon me each time I’m in the same vicinity as him, and it’s getting harder and harder to fight. “If you hadn’t downed drinks like you were dehydrated I’d invite you for a sleepover.” I lift my head to look at him and open my mouth to accept. No words escape because his lips have covered mine. His tongue has taken residence in my mouth, and the fire he creates in my body is making me insane. “Not tonight. The next time you’re in my bed, you will be willing and sober.” He backs me to my door and kisses me once more, owning me, possessing every molecule of air. All too soon, he opens my door and directs me inside. “Lock it when I leave. Goodnight, Saylor.”

What the hell just happened? He saved me from myself because I would have gone back to his house. I would have had my way with him. I would have begged him for his tongue on my body. He confuses the fuck out of me. Who does that? Deacon fucking Douglas is who.