Just Friends (Blue Beech) Read online

  He whistles and leans back on his heels. “Damn, Lina. Either you have a secret wild side, which I’d fucking love, or I’m bringing it out of you, which I’d also fucking love.”

  I shrug. “You’ll never know.”

  I inhale a deep breath, dragging up as much nerve as I can, and take another sip to prove myself. My throat burns as if it were on fire, and I smile with pride as soon as I swallow it down.

  “It’s your turn, Needle Dick.” I extend the bottle back to him.

  “Look at me, corrupting you.” He grabs it, cheers me, and takes a gulp. “I can’t wait to do it more.”

  Little do I know, walking into Rex’s bedroom will change everything.

  Rex Lane will take over my life.

  He’ll steal my heart.

  I’ll steal his.

  Only we won’t know what to do with what we’ve taken.

  2

  Rex

  High School—Junior Year

  “Yo, Lane, I need a favor,” Murphy calls out, slapping me on the back while strolling past me in the guys’ locker room.

  I tug on my T-shirt. “What’s up?”

  He stops at a locker a few down from mine, opens it, and turns my way. “Put in a good word for me with Carolina.” A sly grin passes over his flushed, freckled face. Dude was struggling to hit twenty push-ups in gym class earlier. “You two are tight and all, right?”

  A sour taste fills my mouth. Carolina Adams has always stayed in her own withdrawn world, but little by little, I’ve been tugging her into mine. That tugging has shone attention on her since we spend so much time together. That’s when I want to push her back into her world, away from the just-surpassed-puberty douche bags like Murphy.

  “Sorry, dude. I have no good words to say,” I answer with a shrug.

  He groans, throwing his head back. “Come on. Do your boy a favor.”

  Murphy is not my boy. The only time I’ve been around him outside of school is in passing at parties. He’s a lightweight who brags and lies about hooking up with girls. No way in hell am I letting him near Carolina.

  “Why do you want me to lie to her?”

  He produces an overeager smile. “I’m asking her to prom.”

  The fuck he is.

  “No, you’re not,” I say with warning.

  “Yes, I am,” he fires back, irritation growing in his tone.

  “She already has a date. Me. Ask someone else.”

  I snatch my bag from the bench and walk away without a backward glance. When I’m in the hall, I drag my phone from my back pocket, open my texts, and hit Carolina’s name.

  Correction: the name she changed her contact to.

  Me: Meet me at my car after school. I’m taking you home.

  The Smartest and Coolest Girl in the World: Okay, Mr. Bossy. What’s up?

  Me: It’s too much to text. My fingers hurt. They had quite the workout last night.

  The Smartest and Coolest Girl in the World: Gross. If you meant for that to be a sex joke, it was weak sauce.

  I can’t help but chuckle.

  Me: See you at my car, you pain in the ass.

  A year has passed since Carolina helped me write my paper.

  Help meaning, we put off writing it and hung out instead. We watched TV. I taught her how to play my favorite video games, and we ate as if we were on death row and it was our last dinner.

  Day after day, we hung out with the intention of writing that dumbass paper. I ended up writing it myself in twenty minutes and still scored an A.

  Who said doing shit half-assed never got anyone anywhere?

  After I turned in the paper, we kept hanging out, and somehow, we became friends—which was a fucking shock to us and everyone. She introduced me to chick flicks, and I introduced her to a thing called having fun—like taking her to parties, where she wasn’t allowed to leave my side. I’ve brought her out of her shell, and she’s calmed me.

  Somehow, in some-fucking-way, we click.

  I’m a dude who doesn’t want to get in her panties.

  She’s a chick who doesn’t want to bang me.

  There are no expectations between us.

  We study. Watch movies. Go out for pizza.

  She has dinner at my house at least two nights a week.

  My mom fucking loves her.

  Her parents, however, aren’t my biggest fans, but they keep their mouths shut because my family donates a shit-ton of money to her father’s church. Carolina hasn’t been banned from hanging out with me yet, but that doesn’t mean Pastor Adams hasn’t attempted to sway her view of me.

  I grin when I find her at my car with a stack of books balanced in her arms. She’s wearing one of her signature sweaters, skinny jeans, and flats that tie up to her ankles. The sweater looks itchy and is ugly as hell, but I’ve learned to love them. A string of fake pearls lines her neck, and her deep black hair is straight, hitting her shoulders.

  “What was so important that you had to text me during class?” she snaps when I reach her. “Mrs. Heath confiscated my phone in front of everyone and wrote me a warning.”

  “Screw Mrs. Heath.” I grab her books from her arms. “Tell her you’re my best friend next time she pulls that shit. Guarantee she’ll hand it back in seconds.”

  “What does that mean?” She scrunches up her nose. “Your family might be the Kennedys of Blue Beech, but I’d suggest you calm that ego down, good sir.” She turns around and gets into the Charger while I toss her books into the back seat before getting into the driver’s side.

  “It means, Mrs. Heath attempted to confiscate my phone once. I made a compelling argument. She gave it back. Not to sound like a dick, but she’s scared of me.”

  “Uh, that does make you sound like a dick.”

  I shrug, starting the car.

  “Are you going to tell me what your compelling argument was?” She makes a sour face. “God, please tell me you didn’t sleep with her. She’s married and as old as your mom!”

  “Hell no. Married cougars aren’t my type. They tend to be too bossy. All I simply said was, I was sure her husband would love to know what her favorite after-school activity was.”

  “Which is?” She cocks her head to the side. “Isn’t she the tennis coach?”

  “She’s bumping uglies with the PE teacher.”

  “Gross.” She sticks out her tongue. “Doesn’t he have a wife and, like, five kids?”

  I nod. “Sure does.”

  “How do you always know these things? You know everyone’s business.”

  I shrug. “I watch people. I pay attention. Not to mention, I work on the school’s cameras sometimes.” I poke her shoulder. “Don’t think I haven’t seen Clint Evans stopping by your locker between periods.”

  Her eyes widen, a blush rising up her cheeks, and she shoves my side. “Oh my God! You spy on me?”

  “Nope.” I struggle to fight back a smile. “I’m making sure the school is a safe environment for my fellow peers to learn.”

  “I’m so sure that’s where your concern is.”

  “And not to put poor little Clint on blast, but dude calls his mother mommy when they’re on the phone.” I exaggeratedly shudder. “Some weird shit there. I wouldn’t take on that kid.”

  “You’re seriously terrible, you know that?” Her lips twitch into a smile. “Don’t pick on Clint for being a mommy’s boy when I’m sure you have no problem with girls being daddy’s girls.”

  “Oh, man, you set yourself up for this one. For your information, I do dislike chicks calling their fathers daddy because it’s what I prefer they call me in the bedroom.”

  She shoves my shoulder. “I don’t know why I talk to you.”

  "I’m your favorite person in the world, that’s why.” I shake my head, clapping my hands. “Now, let’s step away from the daddy talk and move on to serious business. Grab your planner, sweetheart. Pencil me in to pick you up three Saturdays from now. Seven o’clock.”

  “Okay,” she drags out. “
What’s up with the preplanning?”

  “Prom night. Let me know the color of your dress, so we can do all that matchy-matchy bullshit.”

  “Excuse me?” She scowls in my direction. “You can’t just tell me I’m going to prom with you.” She throws her arms up, her voice nearing hysteria, like the boring romance movies she forces me to watch. “You didn’t even ask!”

  “No need for me to ask. You’re going to prom with me.”

  “What if I don’t want to go with you? You didn’t even give me a promposal!”

  “Tough shit. You won’t find a better date. Not to mention, I’m the only guy in this school who won’t try to weasel his inexperienced dick into your virginal panties.” He raises his brows. “If you want a promposal, I’ll get one of those banners that fly in the sky or some shit.”

  “You’re so romantic.” She crosses her arms, pouting her glossy pink lips. “Have you ever thought that I don’t want my panties to stay virginal? Maybe I want to change that on prom night.”

  “Maybe you’ve lost your goddamn mind.” I clear my throat, and my voice grows deeper. “You’re my date. Your panties will remain untouched.” I jerk my thumb toward her planner in the back seat. “Put it in there, circle it with a red marker, and don’t forget.”

  She huffs. “What about Leanne, the girl you’ve already asked to prom?”

  Shit. I fucking forgot about Leanne. “She can either be your sister-date or kick rocks.”

  “I am not having a sister-date!” she shrieks.

  “Looks like she’ll be kicking rocks then. I’ll bribe her to go with someone else.”

  Murphy is available.

  “I can’t believe I speak to you.”

  “You. Me. Prom.” I lean over and kiss her cheek. “My mom is making tacos tonight. You coming over for dinner?”

  “Ugh, fine, but I’m only coming for her and the tacos.”

  3

  Rex

  High School—Senior Year

  I pause my game at the sound of a knock on my bedroom door.

  “Come in,” I call out.

  When the door opens, I expect to find my mom, asking for dirty laundry or if I’ve decided on which college I’m going to attend.

  Nope and nope.

  My back straightens in my chair when Carolina walks in.

  Relief settles inside me. Lately, she’s been distant, blaming it on finals, scholarships, and college acceptance letters. I have no doubt she’s stressed. Her parents put too much pressure on her to be perfect, and it pisses me off.

  I blink, adjusting my eyes to her in the faint light coming from my desk lamp, as she shuts the door.

  “Did you try to call?” I ask, tossing the controller in my hand to the side.

  She shakes her head, and my stomach drops as I focus on her. She reminds me of a nervous cub who lost her mother as she fidgets with her bracelet and then her earrings and then pulls at the end of her ponytail.

  The fuck?

  I stand from my chair. “Is everything okay?”

  Her fidgeting stops as she draws in a breath and plays with the button of her sweater. “I want you to take my virginity.” The words fall from her mouth so casually, like she’s asking me to watch a movie, not confiscate her fucking V-card.

  There’s no stopping the laughter that rolls out of me. “Good one.”

  She shoots me a frustrated glare. “I’m serious. I want you to take my virginity. Tonight.”

  I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Quit fucking with me.”

  We’ve talked about her virginity—mainly me teasing and telling her to keep it forever—but she’s never suggested I take the damn thing before. She’s either messing with me or lost her mind.

  Conversation change, pronto.

  “Want to order a pizza? Watch a movie?”

  “Screw pizza,” she snaps. “I’m not going to college a virgin.”

  “Why not? You should stay a virgin forever.”

  Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I haven’t imagined having sex with Carolina. I’ve imagined sex with her a fucking lot.

  In the shower with my hand on my cock.

  In bed with my hand on my cock.

  When we’re hanging out and I have to fight to keep from getting hard.

  It wasn’t like that in the beginning. Sure, I thought she was cute, but I only saw her as a friend. As we grew closer and older, my attraction developed. Everything about Carolina is perfect. She has the biggest heart I’ve ever known, and once you cut through her shyness, she’s pretty funny. She’s too gorgeous for her own damn good—a one-of-a-kind beauty hiding behind her glasses and sweaters.

  I’ve come to love those damn sweaters.

  Bought her two for Christmas.

  No lie, I’d love to throw her on my bed and give her what she’s asking.

  But I can’t.

  Sleeping with Carolina is a line I’ll never cross.

  She’s my person.

  She knows me better than anyone, and I’ll be damned if I give that up to temporarily get my dick wet.

  “I’ve thought about this for a while, and I’ve made my decision.” She exhales a sharp breath. “I don’t want it to be with some random guy, and I trust you more than anyone, Rex.”

  I clench my fists, standing only inches from her.

  How can she come here and ask me that?

  How can she put me in this position?

  “I’m not taking your virginity.” My tone is sharp. My body is tense.

  “Fine.” Her tone mimics mine. “I’ll find someone else to take it.”

  I grind my teeth when she turns to leave, and I move faster than I ever have before in my life. I catch her elbow, hauling her deeper into my bedroom and away from the door.

  I tilt my head down, glaring at her while my hand is still latched on to her elbow, and my lips meet her ear as I speak. “Don’t do this. Don’t be stupid.”

  “Do what I’m asking then.”

  “No,” I bite out.

  She jerks out of my hold and pushes my chest. “Why?” she hisses. “You screw girls on the regular. It’s nothing out of the ordinary for you—rinse, wash, repeat. Act like I’m a random girl you’ve texted for a week and met up with at a party to bang.”

  “You’re not some random girl I’ve texted for a week.” You’re everything to me.

  She’s also fucking insane. Carolina has officially lost her goddamn mind.

  She quietly stares at me for a moment.

  Thank fuck.

  I think I’ve won this … talk, argument, whatever the fuck it is.

  She proves me wrong when she falls back a step and starts unbuttoning her sweater.

  Motherfucker.

  “Carolina,” I warn.

  She ignores me, and the sweater falls to her feet, giving me the sight of her chest in only a plain black bra. I lose a breath, my heart beating wildly, and my stomach knots in nervousness. Just as I’m about to bend down and scoop up her sweater to hand it back, I stop.

  I’m frozen in place as she unbuttons her jeans.

  “Carolina,” I warn again, this time harsher.

  I hate that my dick twitches as I eye her. I cover my crotch with my palm, mentally telling it to calm down.

  I’m not being very persuasive.

  To neither it nor Carolina.

  “Rex,” she says, mimicking my tone again. “Do it, or I’ll find someone else.”

  My nostrils flare at the thought of someone else doing it. My bedroom seems ten times smaller as we stare at each other.

  Her breathing is heavy.

  Mine is deep.

  She’s waiting for me to give her what she wants.

  I’m waiting for her to change her mind.

  She won’t change her mind.

  I know Carolina, and I know when she’s determined. This is determined Carolina.

  I’ve never seen her so determined in her life.

  I’m so fucked.

  She tilts her head to the si
de. “So … can we start now?”

  Jesus.

  “I don’t want this to come between us,” I croak out.

  “It won’t. We’ll act like it never happened.” She’s so damn sure of herself.

  “Why are we doing it then?”

  She shrugs, and I scrub a hand over my face when she unzips her jeans.

  Nervous of falling on my ass, I sit on the edge of my bed. My eyes fasten to her as she wiggles out of her jeans, and I gulp at the reveal of her black boy shorts. I’ve seen her in a bikini plenty of times when she’s come over to swim. It’s hard, but I’ve always done a decent job of not gawking at her.

  It’s more intimate in here than in my backyard.

  We’re in my bedroom. She’s stripping in front of me.

  And she looks fucking breathtaking.

  I can’t help myself from taking in every inch of her. Her skin is tan. Her straight hair is pulled into a tight ponytail, showing off the perfect angles of her face. Since the light is limited, I can’t see as much as I’d like, but I see enough to want more of her. Her breasts are full, and I eye her curves, unable to stop myself from running my tongue along my bottom lip.

  “Please, Rex,” she whispers. “Do it for me.”

  We don’t mutter a word when I stand. I keep a safe distance between us as I try to figure out a plan.

  We’re doing this.

  Having sex.

  I’m going to take my best friend’s virginity.

  My heart pounds as I clear my throat. “I’m not sure how to even start this.”

  Why do I feel like the virgin here?

  “Do whatever you normally do,” she says with confidence, as if I were the one losing my virginity. “Part A goes into Part B.” One of her hands forms an O while she sticks a finger through it with the other. “We both took sex ed.”

  “Okay, let’s not refer to sex like we’re following directions to assemble furniture.” I draw in a nervous breath. “And if I do what I normally do, it’ll get more intimate. I don’t just stick Part A into Part B.”

  She flinches, her lips forming an O, similar to what her hand did. “Oh.”

  She takes small steps backward to my bed, throws back the comforter, and slips underneath the sheets. I’m speechless when she takes off her glasses and sets them on my nightstand.