Urban Climber 2 (5 page)

“I’ll do that, sweet cheeks.”

“It was nice meeting you.”

“Likewise,” she giggles, closing the door.

I frown. Mel has never been subtle.

“He’s gone.” She sighs dramatically, leaning her back against the door. “I wish he wasn’t, but he is.”

I shake my head. “You know I love you, but man, you’re dodgy. I can’t believe you called him sweet cheeks.”

“Excuse me?” she laughs. “You were the one who wanted me to get it.”

“I meant get the door, not
him
.”

“Oh.” She laughs. “I see. My mistake.”

“Well, thanks anyway.” I whisper. “I just couldn’t face him today.”

“Why are you doing this? Have you forgotten how gorgeous he is? Don’t you remember how happy you were when you got home yesterday afternoon? You were in tears, you know—and not crazy tears but happy tears.”

“It was just adrenalin.”

“Oh, ass!” she fumes.

I shrug. “I dunno. I guess I was confused.”

“Confused? You didn’t seem that way to me.”

“I wasn’t thinking, Mel. You know how much I went through with Hugo. He was my life up until I came here.”

“But isn’t that why you came here? To discover something new about yourself?”

“I moved away because I was too devastated to stay.”

“But none of that has changed. He still cheated on you.”

“People make mistakes.”

“What about what he did to us yesterday? Weren’t you scared?”

Scared? More like petrified. But for some stupid reason, I shrug like it’s no big deal. “If I had gone with him from the beginning, he wouldn’t have acted like that. He had no other choice. I already told you that.”

“No other choice?” She shoves my shoulder. “Shit, Laura! Have you seen yourself? He really messed you up.”

I thought she understood me, but hearing her go on like this reminds me how different our worlds are. She doesn’t understand what I’m going through. She doesn’t get any of this. Unlike mine, her parents are rich. And she certainly didn’t grow up moving from one foster home to the next. She’s got no idea about anything.

Great. Now she’s tapping her foot at me like I owe her some sort of explanation. I throw my arms in the air. “Mel, just stop it, will you? Nothing I say is going to make things better. I know you think Smit’s the bad guy. You always have. You told me you never liked him. So how am I going to convince you otherwise when you’ve already made up your mind?”

“I know you, babe, and I know how happy you were when you were with Ash. Plus, in case you’ve forgotten, he’s a freaking god.”

I look down at the engagement ring on my finger, watching as the diamond catches the light. “I’m really tired. I just want a shower, and then I’m going to bed.”

“When are you going back to class?”

“When my face settles down a bit, I guess. Makeup can only hide so much.”

“Laura …” Awesome. Now Mel’s eyes are filling with tears. “You know how much I love you, right?”

I can’t look at her right now. If I do, I’ll start crying too.

“Do you?”

“Yes.” I exhale, lingering in the doorway of the bathroom.

“Well, why can’t you understand that Hugo’s love is not the sort of love you or any woman should be smothered with?”

I can’t take this right now. First the monkey, and now Mel. “I really wanted you to be my maid of honor, Mel …”

“But?”

“But if you can’t handle my relationship with Hugo, then I think it’s best if you don’t come to the wedding.”

Her expression breaks my heart, but I ignore it.

“I drove back this morning because Hugo wanted me to. He knows marrying him is a big decision, and he didn’t want to rush me. If he was as controlling as you say he is, I would’ve been in the jet back home with him last night, after blowing him in his car, or I’d be dead in some gutter. But instead, he suggested I take as long as I need to think about it, and then whatever decision I come to—he will respect it.”

“And you seriously believe that?”

“Yes, Mel,” I sigh, “I do.”

“If your parents knew what he did to you, they would be devastated. You realize that, right?”

“For your information, they want us to work things out. I spoke to Dad last night, and he has forgiven Hugo for what he did to me. They just want us to be happy.”

“Well, they obviously don’t know the full story.”

I clench my jaw before I say something I’ll regret. Why can’t she just be happy for me? Why can’t she let things be? “I’m taking a shower.” I sigh, turning my back on her.

“Why? So you can wash away all the blood and bruises?”

“Fuck you.”

“Laura, please, can’t we talk about this?”

I shake my head, slamming the door of the bathroom. “There’s nothing to talk about! This is my choice, and whatever I choose to do, I hope you’ll support me.”

“Well,” her voice cracks. “I don’t know if I’m gonna be as good a friend as you need me to be then.”

Later that night …

Beep. Beep
.

The phone alert almost makes me jump out of my skin. Yeah, I guess you could say I’m rather on edge at the moment, more so than I’ve been for some time. Confusion mixed with guilt sure is a funny concoction. I stare at my phone from across the room, willing myself to get out of bed and go read the stupid message.

But I don’t want to. Like, I do … but mainly, I don’t. I guesstimate it’ll take me at least five minutes to pull myself together before I can bear to look at it. And honestly, I don’t know why I’m putting myself through this crap because I don’t actually care who it’s from. Well, I do. But I don’t. Urgh. Breathe, Laura, breathe. The problem is, there are only two possibilities, and it’s that annoying little thought that’s turning my insides into a nitty, knotty knot!

Possibility 1—the guy I wanna run away with.

Possibility 2—the guy I’m possibly going to marry for no other reason than my own stupidity.

Of course, I try to tell myself that it could be someone else—Mom, Mel, someone I don’t even know—but I’m guessing, the way my insides are making such a big deal out of this, that it’s either my heartthrob or my heartache.

Okay, enough torture, I’m doing it! Like a bandage that’s been stuck on too long, I’m ripping my phone off the dresser and staring at the wound. Good or bad, I can’t take the suspense any longer.

Ash:
Ra? Don’t ignore me. You’re better than that.

Me:
Am I?

Ash:
Just tell me you’re okay.

Me:
It’s not that simple.

Ash:
I can’t get you out of my head.

Me:
Maybe you should see someone.

Ash:
What, like a shrink?

Me:
Yeah.

Ash:
Fuck that.

Me:
Leave me alone.

Ash:
Nice.

Me:
Sorry.

Shit, why did I say “sorry”? I’m not sorry. I’m just saying it how it is. He shouldn’t be offended. I don’t even know why he cares. I shuffle back to my bed and sink down into the mattress.

Ash:
Ra?

Minutes pass, and my plan is to ignore him. Of course, it doesn’t work.

Ash:
You still there?

Me:
Did you hear me let out a giant sigh?

Ash:
Yeah, half the leaves on my street just blew away. Thanks. It’s not even fall yet!

Me:
Turn it up.

Ash:
IT’S NOT EVEN FALL YET!

Oh, ha ha. Now he’s being comical. I crack a smile, but I’m not amused. Well, not really. I don’t know why I’m being so hostile towards the guy. It’s not like it’s his fault that I’m in this position. He doesn’t have a clue what’s going on, and I’m just being a snarky little so and so. For apparently
no
reason at all. Or at least, that’s what he’ll be thinking. The last time I was with him, I couldn’t stop screaming his name in pleasure. But now … now I’m like a tray full of ice. No wonder guys think women are off their heads half the time. We are. We SO are.

Ash:
Ra?

Me:
What?

Ash:
If you’re not going to talk to me, can you at least tell Fire Boy to leave me alone? He thinks I killed you or something, and has been at me all day. I don’t need this shit.

Me:
You don’t need this shit? Thanks a lot.

Ash:
You know what I mean.

Me:
Why’d you even bother going to class? It’s not like you care.

Ash:
You know why.

Me:
…

I so shouldn’t have written “dot dot dot.” Why did I do that? Continuing on the conversation when I shouldn’t be having it in the first place is just asking for trouble. He’s
bad
for me.
So
bad. I knew it way back when, and I know it now. So does he and half of campus. It’s not like it’s a secret. Hell no, it’s a fact. And yet here I am, late at night, texting away “dot dot dot,” encouraging whatever this moment is to keep going. And I didn’t even pause to think about sending the dots; I just did it! Stop it, Laura! Stop it right now.

Ash:
Do you wanna go there? ‘Cause you know I will.

Me:
…

Shit! I did it again. It was supposed to be a relaxing night, and instead, this has turned into a sticky, heart-thumping one, and we’re not even saying anything. Well, not really. But every time my phone beeps, my heart reacts like I’m in the middle of a thriller. OMG. This is bad.
So
bad.

Ash:
I can see you, Laura. In front of me. Blushing like you always do.

Ash:
You’re on the couch … looking out at the view of the city, trying to stay calm. Trying to breathe. Trying to avoid my stares, but I know you want it as much as I do.

Ash:
Sure you may act like you don’t, but you do.

Ash:
And I can’t help myself.

Ash:
I want you.

Ash.
ALL

Ash:
OF

Ash:
YOU

My pulse is racing. My hands are shaking. I can barely hold onto the phone my hands are so sweaty. But I don’t let it slip from my fingers. I don’t want to miss a word. I wait for his next message, squirming against my sheets as I read it.

Ash:
I want your lips.

Ash:
I want your ragged breath against my neck as you dig your nails into my skin. You like that, baby, don’t you? You like me feeling down your body. Over your breasts, down your stomach, and then down further.

Ash:
Mmm. What do we have here?

Me:
…

Ash:
You might not be saying anything, but you don’t have to.

Ash:
She’s telling me everything I need to know.

Ash:
You’re blushing again, beautiful. I can see the hotness in your cheeks.

Ash:
Let me …

Oh gawd. Let you what?
What
Ash? Don’t stop texting now,
please
.

Ash:
Surrender this wall of resistance, and let me…

Ash:
T

Ash:
A

Ash:
S

Ash:
T

Ash:
E

Ash:
You

I close my eyes, letting the phone slip from my fingers. I can see everything in crystal clear detail. She’s so ready—he’s right. My fingers rub against the moist material of my panties. “Push down your panties.” I can hear his deep, gravelly voice whisper in my ear. He’s smiling, pulling the sheets down and off my body. “Spread your legs apart,” he commands. “Now, rest them on my shoulders.”

I do as he says. He leans into my ear, his voice commanding and dark. “Don’t ever resist me again,” he growls, moving lower to flick his tongue over my nipples. “I don’t want to have to tell you twice.”

“You won’t,” I whisper. “I’m yours, Ash. All yours.” I buck against the mattress, writhing in pleasure. “Ashhh,” I breathe into my pillow, “do it again. Fuck me again.”

Ring. Ring.

Shitty, shit! If I thought my palms were sweaty before, they’re a million times worse now. His name is flashing across the screen, but all I can do is stare at it. I’m the press of a button away from hearing his voice again. His beautiful, deep, sexy voice. But I can’t do it to myself. If I pick up, I’ll crumble. I’ll run to his house or beg him to come over. Every part of me wants to speak to him, but I can’t. I can’t trust myself to be around him.

Ring. Ring.

Mel thumps the wall dividing our bedrooms. Then she yells.
Really
loudly. Man, someone sure stepped on her tail. “Are you gonna get that, Laura?”

“No, Mel.” I rub my eyes, rolling across the mattress as I grizzle at the papered wall. “No, I’m not.”

“Well, can you turn off your frickin’ phone then? I’m trying to get some sleep.”

“Are you? Or are you trying to get it on with your vibrator?”

“Shut up.”

“No, you shut up, Mel.” I laugh loudly. “Ya horny mole!”

“What’s your problem? Missing the beating?”

I throw the covers back, sitting straight up in bed. “Are you out of your mind? What did you just say?”

“You heard me!”

“Shit, are we actually fighting through the wall, blondie?”

Ring. Ring
.

“Answer your damn phone!”

“So we are?” I giggle.

“Yeah, looks like it.”

Ring. Ring
.

“Well, this sucks!” I yell out.

Ring. Ring
.

“LAURA! Pick up your phone or throw it out the window. You choose.”

“Not gonna happen!”

“Why not?”

“‘Cause it’s him, okay, and I don’t want to speak to him.”

“Of course not, you just want to fuck him. Harder, harder, yeah, ooh Ashhh.”

“Shut up, Mel, shut up!” I scream, covering my burning ears.

“You know it’s true,” she laughs.

I turn off the phone and pull the covers over my head. Sleep cannot come fast enough.