Ruin

  Gabe shrugged and walked into the kitchen. “Pretty sure they all have to sign a release form anyways.”

  “Disgusting.”

  He laughed.

  “So where’s my shake?”

  “Here.” He turned around and did a booty shake then dropped it like it was hot in the kitchen.

  I fell into fits of laughter before he turned back around and held up his finger while he fished out his phone, put on some music, and grabbed my hands.

  Rocketship by Shane Harper came on. We danced in circles and then bumped hips.

  Gabe released me and danced, really well, over to the cups above the sink and pulled one down, then continued dancing while he mixed banana with the protein shake.

  He dipped his finger in it and licked then did the same for me, holding out his finger for me to lick.

  I shook my head no.

  He leaned in and whispered, “Just one taste.”

  “Said the senior to the freshman.”

  “Once won’t kill you.”

  “You’re the guy drug officers warn teens about, aren’t you? The one that says just one time won’t get you addicted?”

  Gabe smirked. “Why, Kiersten, are you afraid you’re going to get addicted to me?”

  “Fine.” I licked the sugary substance off his finger.

  “You like him a lot.”

  “What?” I stepped back and moved around him to grab my glass, but Gabe’s arms came around my waist twisting me around.

  “I know girls.” He shook his head and winced. “Believe me, I know them well, and nothing about me is causing you to falter. Absolutely nothing. I bet even if I kissed you, you’d be thinking about him. Shit, Kiersten, it’s been four days! You’re going to get your little heart broken if you fall for him, and then I’m going to have to pick up the pieces, and you’ll probably sleep with me to feel better, wake up hating yourself and jump into a downward spiral of using men to fill the void he left in your life.”

  “Whoa.”

  “My point,” he said, grabbing my wrists, “is that this can all be avoided. Just don’t give him your everything — not until you know the return will be the same.”

  I shook away from his hold and took a long sip of my shake. “Why are you saying all this? You hardly know me.”

  Gabe snorted. “My point exactly. I don’t know you. He doesn’t know you. The only person that’s going to fight for you right now, is you. Don’t let yourself lose sight of your biggest ally. Don’t allow yourself to be blinded by pretty smiles and hot bodies — not even mine.”

  My eyebrows arched at his confidence.

  “Don’t get me wrong.” Gabe held up his hands. “You’re sexy as hell, but I would never shit where I like to stay.”

  “Huh?”

  “It’s a compliment.” Gabe snickered. “You don’t sleep with cousins’ best friends, or roommates, or girls who don’t know themselves yet. It’s not fair. And in the end, it’s just inviting heartbreak.”

  “You seem like you speak from experience.” I tilted my head to get a better look at his piercing eyes.

  Gabe swore and looked away. “I do. And that’s all you need to know. She ruined me, Kiersten. And damn, if I wouldn’t give my entire world to be ruined over and over again, if it meant I could be a part of her universe.”

  I pushed him toward the main room and sat on the couch. “What happened?”

  “Apparently I’m the guy you date to piss your parents off. I’m the guy you date before a better offer, one involving multi-million dollar business deals, comes bustling through.”

  I reached for his hand. “Gabe, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be, it was years ago,” he said with a shrug. “I’m an old soul and all that.” Then he yawned again and slapped his leg, stood, and walked toward the door. “Remember our little chat.” Glancing over his shoulder, he wrinkled his nose. “And take a shower, you smell like hell.”

  “Thanks.” I rolled my eyes.

  He paused at the door. “I could join you if you get lonely and need someone to wash your back.”

  I pointed to the door. “Bye, Gabe.”

  Laughing, he left.

  Part of me hated that he was right. I could see myself doing exactly that, holding onto Wes as if he was my survival and then dying if in the end it didn’t turn out the way I needed it to.

  I couldn’t lose myself in him. I refused to.

  I chugged the rest of my protein shake and made my way into the bathroom.

  Chapter Nineteen

  I’m not freaking out — not yet. Why hasn’t she called back?

  Weston

  I knew I was being ridiculous when, during class, I kept checking my phone for any missed texts or phone calls.

  Kiersten hadn’t responded to me. And I hated that my mind was absolute crap, while I made excuses for why she wouldn’t talk to me.

  Was it because of my dad?

  Or did I push her too far too fast?

  Shit.

  My phone vibrated in my hand. Finally!

  I looked down at the text.

  We still on for 2night?

  I was barely able to hide my excitement. As it was, I had such a giant-assed grin on my face, that I’m sure my professor assumed I was high, or looking at dirty pictures or something.

  “Something you want to share with the rest of the class, Mr. Michels?” Crap, so she had noticed.

  I cleared my throat and nodded. “I have a date.”

  A few people whispered around me.

  And then I received a slap or two on the back from teammates. My professor, however, seemed less than amused. She rolled her eyes and returned to her lecture. But I couldn’t concentrate. Instead, I texted her back.

  Counting down the minutes.

  So I’d lost every ounce of game I’d carefully pieced together throughout my existence. I didn’t want to play the cool and aloof guy. The one that had all the time in the world, because I knew I didn’t. And I wanted to capture every damn moment until it was too late.

  My hands shook.

  I checked my phone again.

  I’d need to do another batch of meds before I saw her tonight. If I skipped my next class, took them about an hour early, and lay down, I’d probably be fine for the date. At least, fine enough not to puke all over her pretty face.

  Ten minutes later, I strolled out of the room and made a beeline for the dorms.

  Chapter Twenty

  Why hadn’t I realized until now that I’d never been on a date? What do I wear? Are we eating? Holy crap! I’m think I’m going to be sick…

  Kiersten

  “Does it look okay? Really?” I asked for the twentieth time.

  Gabe smacked his hand against his forehead and cursed. “Just chill out! Geez, I have half a mind to give you alcohol right now. Sit. It’s almost ready.”

  I smirked.

  Another deadpan expression from Gabe as he ran the iron over the white shirt. “I take this to my grave you know.”

  “What? The white shirt?” I asked innocently.

  “No.” He rolled his eyes and unplugged the iron. “My Martha Stewart skills.”

  “He can sew too,” Lisa announced as she walked into the room and dangled a necklace in front of my face. “In fact, I’m pretty sure if you asked him to knit you a sweater you’d have one by Christmas.”

  “Thanks, cousin.” Gabe flipped her off and threw the shirt at me.

  “Hey!” I caught it midair. “We don’t want all your hard work going to waste.”

  “I need more guy friends,” Gabe mumbled as he took a seat on the couch and sighed into his hands.

  Lisa gasped. “I’m offended! You know I’m your favorite.”

  His eyes narrowed. “You know you’re a loser when your best friend is your cousin.”

  “Aw, Gabe.” Lisa pressed her hand to her chest. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
br />   “Right.” He folded his arms and groaned, leaning his head back on the couch. “I need a smoke.”

  “You quit,” Lisa sang.

  “Fine, then I need alcohol.”

  “You don’t drink anymore.”

  I laughed when Gabe gave me an exasperated look. He pushed to his feet and walked over to the kitchen. I heard water running and then cursing.

  “Don’t mind him.” Lisa waved in Gabe’s direction. “He really isn’t as annoyed as he seems. Promise.”

  “Lies,” he yelled from the kitchen.

  “Now…” Lisa pointed to my t-shirt. “Strip. He worked hard on this and I want to make sure it looks good with the skirt.”

  “Uh…” I shook my head no. “Gabe’s in the kitchen, like right there. I’ll change in my room.”

  “It’s like he’s gay. I promise he won’t notice.” Lisa nodded emphatically. Another curse was heard from the kitchen. Poor Gabe.

  “Fine.” I quickly took off my T-shirt and reached for the one she held out to me. I slowly did the buttons and then stood for her to examine me. I had a cute miniskirt with tan and white stripes that hugged every curve and a white button up blouse that hung loosely over my hips. In my mind I thought it would look awfu,l but by the large smile on Lisa’s face I could tell I was the one in the wrong.

  “Damn,” Gabe said from behind me.

  I jerked around.

  He grinned. “Oh, and by the way, not gay and most definitely watched.” He said watched with such a predatory snap of his teeth that I took a step back.

  “Gabe, stop scaring her,” Lisa scolded. “Now, Kiersten, put on the necklace and heels and you’ll be ready.”

  I did as she said and then stood in front of both of them and did a quick turn.

  Gabe leaned forward, his forearms flexing against his legs as he put pressure on his legs to stand. “Nope. Change.”

  “What? Why?” I felt my face fall . “Doesn’t it look good?”

  “Lisa, do you want her to be taken advantage of?” He shook his head and walked around me like a tiger stalking its prey.

  “The top isn’t even low! She has it buttoned for crying out loud!” Lisa argued.

  “Right,” Gabe snarled.

  Before I knew what was happening he’d reached around me and put two of his fingers directly on my chest at the last button. “And every damn minute of the night he’s going to wonder how many seconds it will take to strip every last button on her shirt.”

  “The skirt’s fine.” Lisa stood her ground.

  “Right.” Gabe’s hand moved to my skirt and gave it a little tug. “It may as well be a second skin the way it hugs every single curve, and you know what guys think.”

  Lisa rolled her eyes. I, however, stood frozen in place.

  “He’s going to want to touch her legs. He’s going to want to—”

  “Gabe!” Lisa stood to her feet and marched over to us. “Is this about him? Or you?”

  “I don’t want in her pants!” he all but yelled.

  “Um, I’m standing right here,” I said in a quiet voice.

  Gabe paced around the room in front of me. “It’s about him. What if he touches her? What if she can’t find her whistle, and—”

  “You’re going to be such a great dad,” Lisa announced. “Now, it’s time to cut the apron strings. Tell her she looks pretty and let it go.”

  Gabe crossed his arms and pouted.

  I waited with Lisa.

  Finally, he swore and looked me in the eyes. “You look really pretty.”

  “Thank you!” I slowly walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek. “That means a lot.”

  “Lisa,” Gabe said with gravel in his voice. “Give us a minute.”

  “But—”

  “I said give us a minute.”

  “Fine.” She stomped off into her room leaving me alone with Gabe.

  “Do you know how to hit a guy?” he asked, grabbing my hands. “If I pull you close to my body, do you know how to knee me, where to knee me?”

  I lifted my knee quickly, causing Gabe to stumble back and smile. “Well done.”

  “Anything else, Dad?” I laughed.

  He growled and pulled me close again. “If he tries to touch you, if he does anything that you don’t want, you blow the damn whistle and call me. I don’t care what time of night it is, okay?”

  I sighed and nodded.

  Gabe released me.

  “Why are you so protective of me? You don’t even know me.” I went to sit on the couch, waiting for Wes to come pick me up.

  “No freaking clue.” Gabe took a seat next to me and put his arm around the back of the couch. “I just can’t stand the idea of something happening to you. And even though I keep saying this until I’m blue in the face, it’s not because I’m jealous. I just… I have a really bad feeling about him.”

  “You gotta let the baby birds fly, Gabe.” I smacked his knee. “And you have to trust my judgment. He’s been a complete gentleman with me.”

  “I know that.” Gabe pinched the bridge of his nose. “But don’t you think it’s weird? His entourage? The fact that he’s an RA? I mean, why is he an RA? I even asked a few of the other upperclassmen. It was never supposed to be him, and nobody’s talking. And then the whole football thing. One of my friends on the team said he collapsed at practice. What if he’s on drugs or something?”

  “I highly doubt that.” I shook my head, refusing to believe it. “I think he’s probably just overwhelmed. I mean, wouldn’t you be?”

  After a while Gabe answered. “Probably. Just be careful.”

  “And for the twentieth time,” I sang out. “I will.”

  At the sound of the knock on the door, my heart began thumping against my chest as if it was going to beat its way out and land on the floor.

  Lisa ran from her room, nearly tripping over the table blocking her way, and stopped in front of the door, fixed her hair, and swung open the door.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  For the first time in a year, I wanted to live — because I wanted to spend every freaking day watching her open her eyes to the world. Hell, I wanted to be the first thing she saw. Sometimes, reality’s a bitch.

  Weston

  I don’t know what I’d thought she’d be wearing — but it wasn’t that. It was a short skirt, a billowy shirt, and high heels made to make guys want to touch her feet. And I was so not a foot person.

  “You look…” I swallowed. “Beautiful.”

  I heard Gabe grunt behind her. So clearly he still wasn’t a fan. I made a mental note to try to win him over later that week rather than sit by and listen to him grunt and groan every time I paid a compliment to the girl I liked.

  Aw, crap. I was crushing. And I really didn’t have the luxury of doing that. I looked at her skirt again and the legs that led up to those full cute hips. Damn.

  “You ready?” I croaked, sounding like a pubescent teen.

  “Sure.” She smiled warmly and grabbed a strappy thing I can only assume was a purse, either that or a weapon. I held out my arm and escorted her out the door.

  “Got your whistle?” I asked.

  “Check.”

  “Cell phone?”

  “Check.”

  “List?”

  She stopped walking and looked up into my eyes. “You know you really don’t have to help me with that. I mean, I’m sure I can—”

  “Stop.” I pressed a finger to her lips. “We’re going to tackle the list, but remember, I said I could only help with a few. That whole falling in love thing will have to be saved for someone who’s worthy of that heart of yours.”

  She laughed. “How do you know my heart’s good?”

  I stopped and pressed my palm flat against her chest, relishing the way her healthy heart slammed against my skin. I could almost feel it beating for my heart, making it stronger. I pulled back, noticing the flush in her cheeks.

/>   “It’s a good heart. Strong beat, though I’m pretty sure it skipped one when I touched you.”

  “Very funny.” She looked away.

  “I can tell you have a good heart…” I sighed, opening the door to the outside. “…because the minute I met you, I wanted to fight for it.”

  She was silent.

  “That’s how you can tell when someone has a good heart.”

  “When you want to start a war?” She laughed, clearly trying to lighten my mood.

  “Nah.” I sighed. “When you want to be the one to make it beat.”

  I seriously needed to stop coming on so strong. I was going to send her screaming down the street, and I really didn’t want to see her sprain her ankle in those kick ass heels.

  “This is me.” I pointed to the black Porsche Cayenne and opened her door for her. It was the only car I owned that wasn’t so exotic people wanted to stab me in the eye. I’d wanted a truck for my sixteenth birthday. My dad had gotten me a Mercedes that politicians drove, complete with bullet-proof glass. The Cayenne was my purchase, the first day I was able to access my trust fund.

  Kiersten was quiet. I quickly ran over to my side and jumped into the SUV.

  Kiersten’s hands ran down the leather seats, her eyes taking in every single detail of the interior. Funny how years ago I would have never done that, but now? Now I got it. Because you never knew when a moment would be your last. So why not soak up every last memory? Like now, the sun was just starting to go down, which meant part of it was shining into the car directly across her red hair making it appear like it was glowing.

  I sighed.

  She turned to look at me. “What are you doing?”

  “Staring,” I answered honestly. “I think you owe me that, especially since you felt me up the first time we met.”

  She hid her face in her hands. “I did not!” Her cute voice was muffled by her hands still covering her face.

  “Um, you did.” I started the car. “I’ll take it to my grave, don’t worry.” Shit, I really needed to stop with those comments.