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Elio Reynolds—my best friend from childhood and half-willing sober companion—is a well-renowned sex worker.
“Oh my God, drama queen,” I mutter, picking at a particularly nasty split end. “I’ve actually seen you in the act, you know? That’s at least a thousand times worse.”
In fact, I’m still getting over the whole ordeal, and it’s fucking September already.
“Flash me your tits right now, and we’ll call it even.”
Exhibit A: Elio’s brother, Luca, the now-famous NFL linebacker for the Carolina Bobcats.
Oh my gawd lucaaaaaa sweet baby!!!!
“Know-it-all,” he mutters under his breath. I turn up my nose. “That’s right.”
For some reason, our newest athletic trainer, Harper Reynolds, is riding my ass harder than the rest of the team.
She’s diagnosed me with something called costochondritis, which is basically a glorified way to describe my minor chest pains—some inflammatory shit that affects my rib joints.
She’s a Coastal U alumni and the wife of a pro linebacker,
Not to mention, Kaia’s been dating her brother-in-law for who knows how long.
I definitely wouldn’t put it past Kaia—nor her parasitic boyfriend, Elio—to tattle on me to Mommy.
She’s the hard worker, the responsible and studious one, and I’m pretty fucking sure she does his homework for him. Whatever. Not my issue.
She’s in her element now, confidence radiating from head to toe—from her wide smile to her self-assured posture to the notable pep in her step. She’s a fucking vision, isn’t she?
He’s a strong guy—and he hasn’t relapsed in nearly three years—but
I’m sure it’ll be a great time as long as I can keep my mind on the mission—finding someone to rail me, that is. Hopefully, well enough that I’m finally able to fall asleep afterward.
“You know that guy who constantly pisses me off? Her brow scrunches as she racks her brain. “The one who glares at Elio for no reason? “Yeah.”
There’s never anything good to watch, but at least I’ll have some decent background noise while I scroll through my phone.
Mood
As I make my final selection, my bedroom door swings open, and a very confused girl stumbles inside. She has dark, shoulder-length hair, a short skirt that accentuates her hips, and legs that go on for days—ones that I’d recognize anywhere.
Someone definitely has feelings
hand
Honest* to God ?
Kaia Karras is mine to fuck with.
“Haven’t you been drinking?” “Water,” he says earnestly, forming a quick cross over his chest. “That’s it.”
Such a gentleman
The same way I’ve been drawn to her for the past three years.
Because we promised we wouldn’t go back there again. We said we’d always lean on each other when the temptation became too strong.
I envision his lips forming those teasing words: “This thing we have going on . . . It’s a bit like foreplay, no?” In reality, I’m still alone in my bed. But in my mind, I’m in his car again.
But instead of letting me go this time, his hand slips onto the curve of my thigh, teasing the hemline of my skirt. Oh, hell no. No, no, no.
“Okay, my bad. She’s really fucking cool.”
“You know, I missed you last week.” “What?” “I missed talking to you,” he admits, his gaze intense. “This ignoring shit you’ve been doing? Yeah, it doesn’t really work for me.”
“Kaia.” He parrots my tone. “Look, if you’re pissed at me, then just tell me. Fight with me. Yell at me. But don’t shut me out.
But then, in true Holden Becker fashion, he ruins the moment. “And you missed me, too, right?” “Don’t push your luck, Beck.”
Or maybe I’m inventing something more between us inside my head.
Sounds about like it
So yeah, she makes my dick hard.
Whattttttt heeeeee sayyyyyyy?!?!
Rai manages to sweet-talk Lizzie into coming back to our place. There’s barely enough room for her in the car as it is, but Rai kindly offers up a seat on his lap.
Of course
“All set. They’re pulling around in three minutes. Text me when you get home, please.” “As you wish, Daddy.”
This summer, it seemed like I was finally able to get a break from relentless insomnia.
Has she tried medication
Eventually, exhaustion takes over, and I drift off to sleep, picturing Holden’s fingers filling me instead of my own.
Whatttttt
“I can’t sleep, and I feel sick.” “Sick, like you’re ill? Or sick like you’re anxious?” “Sick like I wanna pull all my hair out.”
Bentley’s
:(
“I feel like some days I can barely keep myself alive.
Lucky he is the next book *heart eyes*
But the only way I’ve managed that in the past is by turning to methods I’m not so proud of. And I won’t go back there again.
Drugs?
I can tell that he’s trouble. He’s been looking at Kaia like she’s a piece of meat, and I don’t fucking like it.
“Who’d you have in mind, then?” Surprising myself, I blurt out the word “Me” without a split second of hesitation.
Realizing that she’s finally mine—for just a momentary lapse in time—means that I can’t resist her for another fucking second.
“Just fucking kiss me already.”
“I don’t want to have sex with you, Beck.” I struggle to catch my breath, confusion lacing my tone. “Yeah, and I don’t want to have sex with you, either.” “No, God. I mean, like, we can do anything but sex, okay?” She blows out a heated breath. “Just, I don’t want to go that far with you when . . .” “When what?” I carefully press. With a sigh, she says, “When we don’t even like each other.” “You still think I don’t like you?” I lean back, running a frustrated hand through my hair. “Kaia, I fucking adore you.” Her brow furrows. “What?” “I admire the hell out of you. I think you’re smart, funny,
...more
But then, in walked Elio. The smug bastard.
He really hates Elio, huh?
What Holden doesn’t know is that I’ve been there myself, and I also know how hard it can be to quit for good. For me, Adderall’s the problem. I’d use it to push myself to the limit, to stay up all night studying for exams, and to get a leg up on my peers.
And Elio was the one who helped me quit.
My heart sinks as I realize that I’ve broken through her impenetrable armor. The vulnerability in her eyes is striking, and now that I think about it, I’ve never actually seen Kaia cry genuine tears before.
Elio is her soft spot
I fall forward against his shoulder, biting down hard as he pumps his fingers in and out of me.
Hehehehe
“Fuck, baby,” he winces. “That hurt.” “I’m sorry,” I whimper,
Meee
