Unavoidable (6 page)
Authors: Yara Greathouse
“Not really. I like friends with benefits. That’s pretty much the way I prefer it.”
My eyes grow wide. I have never heard a girl say those words ever! This may be easier
than I thought it would be. “Friends with benefits, really? And how do you choose
those?”
“Very carefully.” She gives me a funny look. “Look, I am not a slut. I don’t jump
around from lap to lap. I establish friendships and when I determine that the guy
is not a possessive jerk, I may make the offer. I will continue to have this type
of relationship with the same guy until he decides he wants to seriously date a girl.
Once that happens, I back up and look for someone else to fill the void. My life is
too busy and I have many interests to dedicate too much time to a serious relationship.”
I am speechless. This is awesome! I finally realize my mouth is wide open. Closing
it, I swallow a large knot in my throat and manage to continue this conversation.
This is the most she has talked all afternoon. Might as well keep it going.
“That is very guy-like of you. Don’t you think?”
“I don’t operate emotionally like most girls do. I am more analytical, pre-emptive
strike, kind of girl. I love things most guys like: speed, hunting, fishing, shooting…
but I enjoy being a girl and dressing like one when the occasion calls for it. I try
to look at it as having the best of both worlds, don’t you think?”
Niiiice! And the score keeps going up. “So, how did you come to be that way?”
“Well, Colton, this is where the ball stops. I do not talk about my past.” She looks
at me with hard eyes and the fun vibe we were just sharing has completely shifted
to a serious one. “My real life started when I joined the military and goes forward.
If we are going to be friends – which you seem so intent to make it happen - then
that’s a rule that you need to understand. It is non-negotiable and today, in this
moment, it’s the last time we bring this up. Is that clear?” She continues to stare
at me with the same look and awaits my response.
“Crystal.” I nod once with my head to emphasize that I am in agreement with her.
“Alrighty then.” And her beautiful face brightens with a happy smile and the mood
shifts again to the fun one. Wow. This girl is fire and ice. A mystery that I cannot
wait to explore.
Brianna
I have got to give it to Colton. The boy is engaging. He was talking a lot about nothing,
but he was fun to have around, and even though all the girls who came through the
car wash were trying to score with him, he was attentive enough in a gentleman kind
of way, but without being disrespectful to me. I should not give a shit, but I do.
He is growing on me and I do not like that feeling. I already knew that there was
a physical attraction, but the fact that I may like him as a person or intellectually?
That is dangerous territory. It’s a skip and a jump from being involved. That is a
price I cannot afford.
He looks at me with bright eyes and asks me some probing questions. They don’t bother
me and I answer them truthfully, until the dreaded questions about my past come out.
I felt bad, but I had to stop him cold. There’s no repeats. No second chances. If
he is not going to respect my wishes, he is a goner. I tell him my past is a no-go
zone and he was accepting, almost understanding. I saw the questions that were going
through his mind reflected in his gray eyes. I was relieved when he didn’t pry. It
is my turn to ask some questions, I guess.
“What are you studying, what’s your major?”
“Finance. I was tasked by my father to learn how to manage money. He has a large investment
firm and a lot of assets.” He did not sound like he was bragging at all. It was a
matter of fact, almost annoyed tone of voice. Like he didn’t want to get into it.
“What about you?” He asked me. It was as if he felt uncomfortable talking about himself.
“Criminal Justice. How did you end up in this school?”
“Family tradition. But I do like it also. My family is originally from Atlanta, Georgia.
We own several rental properties in the Pristina area and a lot of land. My father
has been selling some of them slowly, making enormous profit. That makes him happy.”
“Cool. And what about you, Colton, What makes you happy?” He looks at me and for the
briefest moment, I feel as if he wants to tell me something important. Like he wants
to share a part of himself with me, but then he smiles and the moment is gone.
“Pretty girls make me happy. Pretty girls, good friends and all the typical dude things:
speed, hunting, fishing, shooting. I guess we have a lot in common.”
“Sounds like we do.” I give him a heartfelt smile. At that moment, Ciara comes by.
“Okay, boys and girls, let’s wrap this up!” She goes to the entry point and hangs
a sign that says the car wash is closed. It’s bittersweet, because even though is
hard for me to admit it, I was enjoying my talk with Colton.
Colton
Well, shit. Ciara is calling it a day and I’m really having a good time talking to
Brianna and getting to know her a little bit. I felt we were finally getting somewhere.
Maybe we can continue the party at the pool. The weather is nice and maybe they want
to relax as much as I do. I walk away to talk to Traxx and Notso, and they think is
a good idea. They have hit it off with some of the girls. Let’s see, we are about
ten people in total.
I walk over to talk with Ciara, because I think she may be more receptive than Brianna,
and tell her about our plans for the afternoon.
“Hey Ciara, before we stopped by here, we were headed to Traxx’s family’s property
which has a pool and if you guys want to come, we can all relax and listen to some
music, what do you say?”
She smiles, turns around and rallies everyone to tell them. Some people turn it down
saying they have other plans. I look warmly at Brianna, willing her to say yes. She
looks at me apologetically, and shakes her head no. Dammit! At that moment, I see
Ciara trying to talk her into it. Now, she is pulling her to the side. Well, that
girl is a little spitfire and it seems that she may be the only one who can get through
to Brianna. Brianna looks up to the sky, closes her eyes, and nods. Yes!
Ciara comes back and tells me to text her the address, she and Brianna are going to
pick up a few things and a change of clothes for later as the weather is supposed
to cool down some this evening. She holds out her hand expectantly and I drop my phone
in her palm, allowing her to enter her number. I give her the sweetest smile I can
muster, and ask her to enter Brianna’s number too. Just in case.
“I dunno’ Colton. My girl is pretty choosy about who has her telephone number. I don’t
wanna get on her bad side. I’m already pushing it as it is, making her go to your
impromptu get together…”
“Aw, come on! I will not use it unless it’s extremely important.”
“Promise, Colton?”
“Girl, I promise.” I give her my most sincere smile. As she is entering the coveted
number, she looks up at me and says:
“Look, Colton. I can see you have been making gooey eyes at my girl all afternoon.
She is like an armadillo… but a whole bunch prettier. What I mean is that she is a
tough shell on the outside, soft on the inside. She has history. A lot of history
for being only 21 years old. If you mess with her, you are messing with me. I know
she doesn’t want to have a relationship, and neither do you or your boys, but that
it’s not an excuse to play with someone’s feelings. I want you to treat her right.
She deserves it. She is a lot more worthy of someone special than any of us are. Don’t
make me regret this shit, or I will have to cut you. I’m serious as fuck. You got
that?”
“Yes. I got it. Totally got it.” She finishes adding Brianna’s number on my contact
list and shoves the phone in my stomach causing the air to puff out of my lungs. That
little shit is strong! I smile at her and she smiles back with one serious look daring
me to fuck it up. I am not going to. This is my one chance to get to know my ‘biker
girl’.
Chapter 5
Brianna
“Tell me again why did I agree to do this?” I ask Ciara when we are on the way to
the get together. I’m just annoyed. I could be shooting or practicing self-defense
moves.
“Number one, because you love me and I want to share some fun times with you. Number
two, because that eye candy named Colton has been looking at you all day like you
are an oasis in the fucking desert. Number three, you need to get laid. Period. You
are getting too bitchy for your britches!”
“What makes you think that Colton is a good candidate for me? I don’t know, Ciara.
I think he wants me too much, too badly. That would take him off the candidate list
for the friends with benefits. Or have you forgotten?”
“No, I have not forgotten. But it’s not like your dance card is full, girl! The man
is gorgeous, why don’t you give him a chance? What is really going on, Brianna?”
“I’m attracted to him.” I say in the smallest whisper can manage.
“You WHAT?” Ciara says loudly.
“I’m attracted to him!” I reply a little more clearly.
“OMG! I cannot believe it! Brianna, you have
never
been attracted – Attracted – to a guy since I have known you! You always refer to
guys as ‘he’s hot,’ ‘he’s fine,’ ‘he’s okay.’ Never, have you used the words that
just came out of your mouth!”
“I know!” I say completely mortified and sink lower in my seat. “I don’t understand
it. He is a lot like an ass and a little sweet, and he’s got a body of muscles, ripples
and bulges in all the right places and those eyes! His eyes do
something
to my insides, they make me feel like I’m on fire. And I… I can’t stop thinking about
him, Ciara! That’s why I did not want to go to the party. I’m trying to stay away
from him and the hold he’s got on me - It’s hard to resist.
He
is hard to resist. I just don’t know if I can trust myself. I can’t trust myself
when I’m around him! Argh! I’m so frustrated right now. And pissed. And frustrated.
This is not supposed to happen. It is not in the plan. When I’m around him, I’m mush.
When I’m not around him, I want to be near him. What can I do, help me, please.”
“Whoa! You got it bad! But this doesn’t have to be a freak out moment,” she shakes
her head and tries to fake that everything will be okay, when we both know it’s going
to be the hardest thing I have had to resist in my life. I’m in for a battle of wills
like I have never had before. “We can work with this… This is good. You are 21 and
it may be time to let yourself experience what you are feeling, don’t you think?”
“No, Ciara, I cannot let a guy have that kind of hold on me. It’s too much power.
I promised myself long ago that no one was ever going to have that kind of power over
me. Colton is too… intense.”
“Well, you don’t have to let it get there, especially if it feels uncomfortable. Why
not take it slow? Little by little. Enjoy yourself one day at a time. Why run a marathon
when all you have to do is cross the street. You are losing it, girl. It really is
not that serious.”
“You don’t think so?” I asked her, hopeful.
“We are humans, and as humans we come with this large range of emotions. Sometimes
they are hard to control. But we should never let emotions control our behaviors.
We are the ultimate handlers of our lives. We need to make conscious decisions at
all times. There is nothing wrong for you to decide to have a little fun in your life.
In fact, I strongly recommend it. Life’s short, live more, regret less, and build
memories. That’s my take on this.”
I silently stare at the road mulling everything over. I am aware of my feelings. I
guess that’s important so I can control them and not let them roll off me like a waterfall
to a river. There is something different about
him,
like when we touch – skin on skin, there is that tingle and the heat, and it feels
like a very low current coursing through my body, hitting all the right places. And
even though I want to stay away from everything that is Colton Hensley, I want to
be close to him a whole lot more.
Colton
I hear the doorbell ringing even though the speakers are blasting. I have been waiting
for that sound. It’s music to my ears. I look at Traxx, he winks at me and runs to
the front door to open it. The pool party is in full swing, I have been polite, but
I don’t care for these ‘skeeter girls that are trying to bleed me dry. Barely containing
my excitement, I glance quickly at my reflection in the sliding glass doors, I have
rubbed a bit of tanning oil all over my upper body, which helps define and display
my muscles in a very positive way, my hair is untamed, like most girls have said they
like. What is it they call it?
Fuck me hair,
I think is the proper term. I’m grilling us some hot dogs and burgers, and as she
comes through the patio door, my concentration falters and I drop a burger, losing
it to the ground. The temperature must have gone up to 110 degrees, ‘cause all of
a sudden beads of sweat pop up on my forehead and it’s harder to take a breath. I
wipe the sweat with a paper towel, and turn around to see her as she waves hello to
me. Ciara grabs her elbow gently and they move towards me.
“Hi Colton, are you tonight’s master chef?” Ciara asks me.
“You can say that. I’m not an expert, but I do enjoy cooking, trying out new recipes,
but most of all, tasting them is what gives me most pleasure…” I look at Brianna and
realize she is biting her bottom lip. “Brianna, girl, if you don’t stop biting your
lip, I will not be responsible for my actions. You are nothing but a whole lot of
sexy in that little sundress that showcases your beautiful body.”
“Stop it, Colton!” she blushes an adorable cherry red and gives me a shy smile. “I
am a lot of things and beautiful is not one of them.”
I look at Ciara incredulously and she shrugs her shoulders and looks at Brianna and
says “Brianna, please don’t talk like that about yourself. Everyone who knows you
knows how truly beautiful you really are – inside and out. Look, Colton, can you entertain
Brianna for a little bit, I’m going to get us some drinks.”
“Sure thing. There is a full stocked bar in the butler’s pantry area, next to the
kitchen.” Then I look at Brianna and ask her “Do you know what you want, Brianna?”
“We brought some things from the liquor store. Ciara’s got me. She knows what I like.”
She smiles coyly at me.
“Is that right? Let me see. I don’t think you are a beer kind of girl. Is it Mike’s
lemonade, wine coolers?” She is shaking her head no.
“You are not even close. Let me just say that I like my alcohol the same way I like
my men – Hot and hard on contact… perhaps you would like one more guess?” And there
goes her tongue slowly licking her upper lip.
Dear Lord, have mercy. This girl is killing me. It takes every ounce of self-control
I have not to grab her and kiss her – hot and hard – on those full, heart shaped lips.
And then more than that to hide the tent that I’m pitching inside my board shorts.
Oh, I have ways to show her the different levels of hotness and hardness I can achieve.
“Well, then I guess you enjoy drinking hard liquor and mixed drinks?”
She smiles from ear to ear, “Yes,” she says, “I love hard liquor because it makes
me feel warm all over. But whatever you do, don’t get me drunk. I am not a very nice
girl when I’m drunk.”
“What do you mean, not very nice?” I am super curious now.
“I mean ‘not very nice’ in the sense that I like to fist fight. And I’m good at it
– how do you think I came to be called ‘Knuckles’? Your best bet is to keep me on
the right side of tipsy.” Then she winks at me. I must say I am hot, bothered and
intrigued all at the same time. Hot damn! I have never met anyone like this – ever!
Ciara comes back with a tray carrying three shots, two mixed drinks and a beer.
“Here we are! Traxx told me what you have been drinking. I brought some ‘Alabama Slammers’
to get the ball rollin’, a beer for our resident male hotness and Blue Hawaiian for
us. Now we must toast and chug the shots!” She hands us each a shot glass filled to
the rim and we raise them up high and clink as Ciara toasts “to new friendships!”
“Cheers!” We all say in unison.
We down the shooters, and I’m steadily looking at Brianna. She is so incredibly beautiful.
I feel like a shy kid who’s afraid to say the wrong thing at the wrong time that will
cause her to walk away without a second look. When her eyes meet mine, I can feel
the attraction and perhaps even desire. This is far away from my territory. I normally
don’t care what the girls think about me because there is always one more around the
corner throwing herself at me. Brianna flirts and I think she likes me, but sometimes
her actions contradicts that, like when she is trying to avoid me. However, we made
progress today. I don’t want to push her too hard.
Ciara hands us our drinks and pulls her away, saying something about mingling and
seeing everyone. As they are walking away, Brianna looks over her shoulder and gives
me a small smile and waves. This is certainly not over, it is barely the beginning.
Brianna
I have been glancing at Colton as discreetly as possible all night long. We have been
playing dominoes and dipping in and out of the pool to cool off. I must confess that
he could be a fitness model because his muscles are so defined and his body is the
perfect size in my eyes. There is no denying that there is some sort of attraction
between us, and I have no doubt we could have fun together, but he seems a little
bit more interested than I care for him to be. It scares me. I don’t do serious relationships.
Hell, I don’t even date. I don’t need that type of distraction in my life. But maybe
we could have just
a little fun
together. Ciara seems to think that it could work. She says all those guys are pure
man-whores, love them and leave them kind of guys, so why can’t I treat them the same
way they treat us girls? He sure has a body made for exploring, and adventures, both
in and out of bed.
As I am sitting there thinking of the many
different ways
I can show him how to explore his body, I see him come my way.
Crap. Play it cool, Brianna, play it cool…
“What in the world are you thinking about that is keeping you miles away in your head?”
Brianna
“Tell me again why did I agree to do this?” I ask Ciara when we are on the way to
the get together. I’m just annoyed. I could be shooting or practicing self-defense
moves.
“Number one, because you love me and I want to share some fun times with you. Number
two, because that eye candy named Colton has been looking at you all day like you
are an oasis in the fucking desert. Number three, you need to get laid. Period. You
are getting too bitchy for your britches!”
“What makes you think that Colton is a good candidate for me? I don’t know, Ciara.
I think he wants me too much, too badly. That would take him off the candidate list
for the friends with benefits. Or have you forgotten?”
“No, I have not forgotten. But it’s not like your dance card is full, girl! The man
is gorgeous, why don’t you give him a chance? What is really going on, Brianna?”
“I’m attracted to him.” I say in the smallest whisper can manage.
“You WHAT?” Ciara says loudly.
“I’m attracted to him!” I reply a little more clearly.
“OMG! I cannot believe it! Brianna, you have
never
been attracted – Attracted – to a guy since I have known you! You always refer to
guys as ‘he’s hot,’ ‘he’s fine,’ ‘he’s okay.’ Never, have you used the words that
just came out of your mouth!”
“I know!” I say completely mortified and sink lower in my seat. “I don’t understand
it. He is a lot like an ass and a little sweet, and he’s got a body of muscles, ripples
and bulges in all the right places and those eyes! His eyes do
something
to my insides, they make me feel like I’m on fire. And I… I can’t stop thinking about
him, Ciara! That’s why I did not want to go to the party. I’m trying to stay away
from him and the hold he’s got on me - It’s hard to resist.
He
is hard to resist. I just don’t know if I can trust myself. I can’t trust myself
when I’m around him! Argh! I’m so frustrated right now. And pissed. And frustrated.
This is not supposed to happen. It is not in the plan. When I’m around him, I’m mush.
When I’m not around him, I want to be near him. What can I do, help me, please.”
“Whoa! You got it bad! But this doesn’t have to be a freak out moment,” she shakes
her head and tries to fake that everything will be okay, when we both know it’s going
to be the hardest thing I have had to resist in my life. I’m in for a battle of wills
like I have never had before. “We can work with this… This is good. You are 21 and
it may be time to let yourself experience what you are feeling, don’t you think?”
“No, Ciara, I cannot let a guy have that kind of hold on me. It’s too much power.
I promised myself long ago that no one was ever going to have that kind of power over
me. Colton is too… intense.”
“Well, you don’t have to let it get there, especially if it feels uncomfortable. Why
not take it slow? Little by little. Enjoy yourself one day at a time. Why run a marathon
when all you have to do is cross the street. You are losing it, girl. It really is
not that serious.”
“You don’t think so?” I asked her, hopeful.
“We are humans, and as humans we come with this large range of emotions. Sometimes
they are hard to control. But we should never let emotions control our behaviors.
We are the ultimate handlers of our lives. We need to make conscious decisions at
all times. There is nothing wrong for you to decide to have a little fun in your life.
In fact, I strongly recommend it. Life’s short, live more, regret less, and build
memories. That’s my take on this.”
I silently stare at the road mulling everything over. I am aware of my feelings. I
guess that’s important so I can control them and not let them roll off me like a waterfall
to a river. There is something different about
him,
like when we touch – skin on skin, there is that tingle and the heat, and it feels
like a very low current coursing through my body, hitting all the right places. And
even though I want to stay away from everything that is Colton Hensley, I want to
be close to him a whole lot more.
Colton
I hear the doorbell ringing even though the speakers are blasting. I have been waiting
for that sound. It’s music to my ears. I look at Traxx, he winks at me and runs to
the front door to open it. The pool party is in full swing, I have been polite, but
I don’t care for these ‘skeeter girls that are trying to bleed me dry. Barely containing
my excitement, I glance quickly at my reflection in the sliding glass doors, I have
rubbed a bit of tanning oil all over my upper body, which helps define and display
my muscles in a very positive way, my hair is untamed, like most girls have said they
like. What is it they call it?
Fuck me hair,
I think is the proper term. I’m grilling us some hot dogs and burgers, and as she
comes through the patio door, my concentration falters and I drop a burger, losing
it to the ground. The temperature must have gone up to 110 degrees, ‘cause all of
a sudden beads of sweat pop up on my forehead and it’s harder to take a breath. I
wipe the sweat with a paper towel, and turn around to see her as she waves hello to
me. Ciara grabs her elbow gently and they move towards me.
“Hi Colton, are you tonight’s master chef?” Ciara asks me.
“You can say that. I’m not an expert, but I do enjoy cooking, trying out new recipes,
but most of all, tasting them is what gives me most pleasure…” I look at Brianna and
realize she is biting her bottom lip. “Brianna, girl, if you don’t stop biting your
lip, I will not be responsible for my actions. You are nothing but a whole lot of
sexy in that little sundress that showcases your beautiful body.”
“Stop it, Colton!” she blushes an adorable cherry red and gives me a shy smile. “I
am a lot of things and beautiful is not one of them.”
I look at Ciara incredulously and she shrugs her shoulders and looks at Brianna and
says “Brianna, please don’t talk like that about yourself. Everyone who knows you
knows how truly beautiful you really are – inside and out. Look, Colton, can you entertain
Brianna for a little bit, I’m going to get us some drinks.”
“Sure thing. There is a full stocked bar in the butler’s pantry area, next to the
kitchen.” Then I look at Brianna and ask her “Do you know what you want, Brianna?”
“We brought some things from the liquor store. Ciara’s got me. She knows what I like.”
She smiles coyly at me.
“Is that right? Let me see. I don’t think you are a beer kind of girl. Is it Mike’s
lemonade, wine coolers?” She is shaking her head no.
“You are not even close. Let me just say that I like my alcohol the same way I like
my men – Hot and hard on contact… perhaps you would like one more guess?” And there
goes her tongue slowly licking her upper lip.
Dear Lord, have mercy. This girl is killing me. It takes every ounce of self-control
I have not to grab her and kiss her – hot and hard – on those full, heart shaped lips.
And then more than that to hide the tent that I’m pitching inside my board shorts.
Oh, I have ways to show her the different levels of hotness and hardness I can achieve.
“Well, then I guess you enjoy drinking hard liquor and mixed drinks?”
She smiles from ear to ear, “Yes,” she says, “I love hard liquor because it makes
me feel warm all over. But whatever you do, don’t get me drunk. I am not a very nice
girl when I’m drunk.”
“What do you mean, not very nice?” I am super curious now.
“I mean ‘not very nice’ in the sense that I like to fist fight. And I’m good at it
– how do you think I came to be called ‘Knuckles’? Your best bet is to keep me on
the right side of tipsy.” Then she winks at me. I must say I am hot, bothered and
intrigued all at the same time. Hot damn! I have never met anyone like this – ever!
Ciara comes back with a tray carrying three shots, two mixed drinks and a beer.
“Here we are! Traxx told me what you have been drinking. I brought some ‘Alabama Slammers’
to get the ball rollin’, a beer for our resident male hotness and Blue Hawaiian for
us. Now we must toast and chug the shots!” She hands us each a shot glass filled to
the rim and we raise them up high and clink as Ciara toasts “to new friendships!”
“Cheers!” We all say in unison.
We down the shooters, and I’m steadily looking at Brianna. She is so incredibly beautiful.
I feel like a shy kid who’s afraid to say the wrong thing at the wrong time that will
cause her to walk away without a second look. When her eyes meet mine, I can feel
the attraction and perhaps even desire. This is far away from my territory. I normally
don’t care what the girls think about me because there is always one more around the
corner throwing herself at me. Brianna flirts and I think she likes me, but sometimes
her actions contradicts that, like when she is trying to avoid me. However, we made
progress today. I don’t want to push her too hard.
Ciara hands us our drinks and pulls her away, saying something about mingling and
seeing everyone. As they are walking away, Brianna looks over her shoulder and gives
me a small smile and waves. This is certainly not over, it is barely the beginning.
Brianna
I have been glancing at Colton as discreetly as possible all night long. We have been
playing dominoes and dipping in and out of the pool to cool off. I must confess that
he could be a fitness model because his muscles are so defined and his body is the
perfect size in my eyes. There is no denying that there is some sort of attraction
between us, and I have no doubt we could have fun together, but he seems a little
bit more interested than I care for him to be. It scares me. I don’t do serious relationships.
Hell, I don’t even date. I don’t need that type of distraction in my life. But maybe
we could have just
a little fun
together. Ciara seems to think that it could work. She says all those guys are pure
man-whores, love them and leave them kind of guys, so why can’t I treat them the same
way they treat us girls? He sure has a body made for exploring, and adventures, both
in and out of bed.
As I am sitting there thinking of the many
different ways
I can show him how to explore his body, I see him come my way.
Crap. Play it cool, Brianna, play it cool…
“What in the world are you thinking about that is keeping you miles away in your head?”
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