Jaded

trauma team. And I'm fine. I'm pissed off because you made me talk in class, but otherwise, I'm fine. And don't talk to Grace. She doesn't have her head screwed on right now. She's got it bad for Corrigan, and he's unavailable, so she likes to turn her attention to me instead."

Grace gasped and pushed up from the table. She gathered her books against her chest, glared once more at me, and swept out of the classroom. Once the door slammed shut behind her, I sat back and waited for the shocked lull in the class to end. And one second later, it did as people eagerly turned to their table partners.

I had just outed Grace…because that's the type of friend I am.

Miss Connors sighed, looked at the clock, and then called out, "Okay, guys. You can go."

I stood up.

"Not you, Sheldon."

I sat down.

When the last student left, Miss Connors crossed the room to shut the door. As she turned, those condemning eyes in place, I snorted, "That's who I am. I'm not very nice at times."

"No, you're not," Miss Connors agreed with me. "But you're normally pleasant, especially with Grace. What's the deal?"

I grinned at her words. "What's the deal? Are you still trying to talk to me in my language?"

"Sheldon," she exclaimed. "You have never outright hurt Grace before. I have known you since high school and counseled you for one of those years. The last time you were a cold bitch to someone like Grace was the same time you were being stalked, and two of your friends were killed. So I'm asking…is there something going on that I should know?"

Well, when you put it like that…

I sighed, "No. I'm just a bitch. I'll apologize to her later."

Miss Connors gave me one of those all-too-knowing looks before turning to her desk. "I think you should leave her alone, but that's my personal opinion."

I should, but the truth was that Grace had become one of my only friends besides Corrigan. I sort of needed her, though I'd never tell her that.

"I heard that Bryce is coming back to town." Miss Connors watched me with hawk-like eyes.

I paused. "Yeah?"

"I know that the two of you weren't doing so well when you moved back. How are things now?"

Hell. No. I reared my head back. "I had my stint in therapy. I'm not going back, so no questions about Bryce, especially Bryce."

"What about Corrigan? Can I ask about him?"

"Him either." I pushed through the door.

Miss Connors yelled as it shut behind me, "Can I ask if they're even alive? Is that okay? Or maybe you—are you alive?"

I suppressed a shudder and veered for the door in joy. Maybe not joy, but I was anxious for my escape. And then I was through. I breathed in the fresh air and heard, "Sheldon! Yo. Stop."

And the fresh air was ruined.

Michael Reveritt jogged towards me in his fitted white shirt that seemed to glide over his muscles with those Labrador chocolate eyes and plush lips that always seemed to be smiling. Or kissing. I knew he kissed a lot of girls. I knew he did more than that too.

"What do you want, Ritt?"

He stopped and shook his head as he laughed. "Always about the sunshine, ain't ya, Sheldon?"

"It's Jeneve. What do you want?" I was tempted to stomp my foot in rhythm and tap out the seconds until I lost patience, but that was rude…and I'd already filled my rude quota for the day.

"Whatever, Sheldon. You know you love how I say your name. Just admit it." Then, he caught the look in my eyes and hurriedly threw out, "Corrigan said you banned the frat house from your party on Friday night? That can't be real, right? Corrigan's got it wrong."

Parties. Frats. And Corrigan. Why was I not surprised this was why Michael Reveritt found me? I grew tired of the game and turned on my heel. "No, you're not invited."

Mike followed. "Come on, Sheldon. You're all alone in that huge house of yours. Corrigan told me about it. He told us about the ragers you used to throw. Why won't you let us come?"

"Because you're morons." I had a better reason, but the moron part was true enough.

Mike reached out and drew me to a stop. He pleaded. "You're best friends with Corrigan, and he's one of my brothers now. How can you cut off a brother from his brothers? It's inhumane. And besides, we're a frat. We have to be at the best party on campus."

"Good thing my place isn't on campus." I peeled his fingers from my arm.

"You know what I mean. Come on, Sheldon. You're one of us, and we have to be there. It wouldn't look right if we weren't."

"Contrary to your thoughts, Ritt, the party isn't for you. It's for me, Corrigan, and Bryce. I'm inviting people that Bryce knows. He doesn't know you—"

"Yes, he does."

I stopped in my tracks. "What are you talking about?"

"He calls Corrigan all the time. Corrigan spends a bunch of his time with us. I've had a few conversations with your boyfriend, at least enough to know that he's a chill guy. He'd be surprised if we weren't at the party."

"He's not my boyf—" I stopped myself. It had been over a year, and I still automatically denied the relationship. I waited a beat and then clarified, "I'll talk to Corrigan about it, but if you guys come, you can't trash my place. If you do, heads will roll. I mean it."

Mike flashed a smile. "I wouldn't expect anything else. And you're family. We won't do anything to your place. Corrigan would take a battering ram to us if we did."

I grinned. Corrigan would; that made me proud.

"So you're cool with us coming?"

I sighed, "Were you ever not coming?"

"Hell, no," he laughed. "I just thought I'd make one last ditch effort before we crashed and officially pissed you off. Good thing, huh?"

I bared my teeth, much like a wolf would do before it tore into its prey. "Do you know what I do to people that piss me off?"

Mike stopped and opened his mouth. No sound came from it.

"The worst I've done is kill 'em…"

I turned and sauntered away but not before hearing Michael mutter behind me, "Holy God, that woman."

Why didn't I want the fraternity at Bryce's party? The real reason is that I didn't want any distraction from his homecoming. I didn't want any drama. I wanted Bryce to feel relaxed, around people he used to know. The frat guys were not relaxing and definitely not drama-free. But I already knew they'd crash the party. It made sense that they'd want to be at the best party around, especially one that was thrown for the local jock celebrity, as Grace had termed it.

Ah…Grace.

I'd have to fix that. I knew that I'd hurt her feelings, but a part of me didn't understand why she was so upset. Yes. I had publicly exclaimed that she had feelings for Corrigan, but that wasn't exactly top-secret. I knew it. Grace knew it. I was pretty sure a whole bunch of other people knew it, Corrigan included. Besides, everyone knew the details of my personal life. If the campus gossip mill hadn't covered it, the tabloids from Europe got the rest. They really loved Bryce over there, and they really hated that he was leaving for a U.S. team.

My phone rang.

And speaking of Bryce…

I grinned as his name flashed over the screen. "What's up?"

"Hey, I'm here," he said.

"You sound refreshed. Shouldn't you have jetlag or something?" And what did he mean he was here? He wasn't supposed to show up until Friday, two days from now.

Bryce laughed. "I slept on the private jet, Sheldon. And yes, I know it's disgusting that I get to fly in private planes now, but deal with it. I don't suffer jetlag, and I don't care."

"Whatever," I growled but grimaced. Could I be any more annoying?

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I clipped out.

"Sheldon, what's wrong?"

"Nothing!"

"Tell me what's wrong or I'm going to have my mom come over for dinner tonight," he threatened.

I buckled—damn it. "I was a bitch to Grace."

"When are you not?" Bryce laughed.

He knew me too well. "And I told our psych class that she has feelings for Corrigan."

Bryce quieted on the other end for a moment. "I thought they'd already talked about that. Didn't Corrigan tell me something about that?"

I shrugged. "News to me. Grace hasn't said anything to me about it, but she's been stupid over him since our senior year. Good gracious, how long is she going to pine for the moron?"

Bryce mused, "Well, it's out now. They'll figure it out."

"And I'm the quintessential bitch, like always."

"You're just you, Sheldon. Get over it and get home. I've missed you."

I grinned and picked up my pace for the car. "My dad did have a pool installed…"

"Done. I'll meet you there." And Bryce hung up.

As I approached my car, I shook my head. Bryce was back. He was back, and he was at my house—it felt good.

It felt…like normal.



Chapter 2



When I pulled into my driveway, I was a little confused when I didn't see Bryce's red Miata. Then I hit the button for the three-car garage, and there it was, all nice and shiny. It was one of Bryce's guilty splurges while he was in Europe. When I decided to come back to California, he'd sent it with me. Bryce said it wasn't the same driving it around when I wasn't there. So I'd been driving it until the last few weeks when Corrigan insisted he wanted his time because when Bryce came home, he'd lose his chance with the Miata. I hadn't cared, and it had been with Corrigan since.

Guess Bryce got it back.

As I let myself into the house and walked down the adjoining hallway, I caught sight of his luggage. A year ago, he had left with a soccer bag over his shoulder, and now he returned with sleek, black, pristine-looking luggage. I wasn't sure how I liked the changes, but, no matter the money, Bryce was still Bryce.

Bryce and me were still Bryce and me.

I quickly shed my clothes for a bikini and strode towards the pool. I pushed open the door, and there he was, in a brisk front crawl through the pool. The water glistened over his shoulders, which rippled and bunched as he continued to pace himself. He made swimming look easy.

And then he stopped at the edge and lifted his head.

I groaned and smiled in delight at the short black Mohawk, sea blue eyes, and chiseled cheekbones. Bryce flashed a smile, full of intent, as he lifted himself out of the pool.

"Hey," I murmured as he stalked closer.

Another girl might've stepped back from the dark promises in his eyes, but not me. Never me. Bryce didn't say a word as he continued to move until he was right in front of me. And then he swept me up. I entwined my legs around his waist, and his lips were on mine.

Holy—I gasped into his mouth. I had missed this. I had missed his taste. I was lost in it until I was lowered to a couch. I glanced around, dazed, and saw that Bryce had carried me into one of the changing rooms.

"Baby," I gasped and arched my neck. Bryce's lips suckled downwards as they lingered at all the spots I liked, and then he moved to my breasts. It didn't take long until both pieces of my bikini were gone. As this happened, I raised a leg up and pushed at Bryce's swimming trunks.

He chuckled as he helped remove the last piece of clothing. And then he was back, his eyes darkened with desire as his hands skimmed over every curve.

"Holy hell, Bryce," I gasped and wrapped my arms around his shoulders as I brought my body flush against his.

"Sheldon," he whispered. His hands slid down my back, took hold underneath my thighs, and lifted me further up on the couch.

I snapped a finger towards a small cupboard in the corner. Bryce understood and quickly crossed the room. A plea escaped my lips in protest at the sudden loss of contact, but Bryce was back in a flash, condom in hand. He paused above me and kissed me slowly. His lips fitted mine perfectly and his tongue swept in to rub against mine for a heart stopping moment.

"Now!" I snarled.

Bryce chuckled into my mouth and flicked his tongue against mine once more.

I groaned. He was playing with me.

My eyes snapped open and I found myself staring into his. Bryce swept his tongue around my mouth once more before he cupped my cheek in his hand and whispered, "You're not leaving me again."

It wasn't a question but a command.

I nodded, weak in that moment. There wasn't anywhere else I wanted to be.

And then Bryce had the condom on and slid inside. I arched my back and grasped onto his shoulders as Bryce started the rhythm. He moved in and out, slowly, and then picked up speed. I was helpless underneath the onslaught of pleasure. Time slid away until I felt the pinnacle nearing and then suddenly, I gasped as I shot over it.

Bryce trembled as he climaxed, and we held onto each other as we rode out the waves.

He rested on me, and I welcomed his heaviness as I skimmed a hand down his back. I swept it back up and continued in a soothing motion. Bryce rubbed his thumb down my arm and moved to caress my leg.

I grinned in contented fatigue and murmured, "And that's only the beginning for the night."

Bryce barked out a laugh and kissed me. He raised his head. "I meant what I said. You aren't going anywhere now."

My grin vanished, and I sobered. I knew what he meant and broke out, "I'm sorry that I left, I just couldn't…I wasn't me anymore, not at the end. I'm sorry."

He skimmed a hand in my hair, tucked a strand behind my ear, and bent down to kiss me again. Then he whispered, his breath teasing my lips, "Just don't do it again. I need you."

I closed my eyes as I heard those words. I heard the raw truth and wrapped my arms around him in a breathtaking hug.

I needed him too.

Bryce let out a shuddering breath, one that wracked his whole body, and seemed to collapse on top of me. We stayed there, wrapped in each other's arms, until my eyelids became heavy and closed. I drifted asleep, underneath Bryce's much needed weight.

And then my eyes snapped open, sometime later, and I raised myself up. I was disoriented. "Bryce?"

He grunted from behind me.

That's when I heard whatever woke me up: a crashing sound, followed by laughter, and then splashing.

"What the hell?" I bit out and crossed to the door.

"Hey," Bryce called out. "Put your suit back on."

I frowned and looked around the room. "Where is it?"

He muffled his laughter and rolled to a stand. As Bryce looked in one corner, I glanced to the other.

"Got it." And he threw both pieces at me.

I caught them, but glared. "You're supposed to respect me afterwards. Not throw my clothes at me."

Bryce rolled his eyes and sat on the couch to pull his swimming trunks back on. "Half the time you get all pissy if I treat you with respect." He stood and pulled me into his arms. "And besides, you already know I love you." Then he pressed two quick kisses to my forehead, checked to make sure I was clothed, and swept open the door to call out, "Hey fellas!"

A cheer rang out, and I groaned because I recognized those voices.

Corrigan appeared in the doorway a moment later with a wolfish grin on his face. "Just like old times, right?"

"You almost walking in on us having sex? Yes, just like old times."