Off Sides (Off #1)(22)

CHAPTER 9


Ryan



I'm driving to Danny's apartment to pick her up for the frat party. I’m excited and nervous. I cannot wait to see her.

Last night was amazing. It was one of best sexual experiences of my life and I didn't even get off. Watching Danny though—watching her break apart under my hands—was an incredible rush and I know beyond a doubt that when we actually have sex, it will probably shatter me.

I'm nervous about how my friends will treat her. I know Mike and Carter will be respectful and I even know Mike's girlfriend, Cameron, will be nice—as long as Angeline isn't there to taint her.

I actually like Cameron. Mike met her our freshman year at Northeastern and they've been together ever since. He's confided in me that he's going to pop the big question on graduation night. He's asked me to help him look at engagement rings in a few months.

Cameron is the one that introduced me to Angeline. She thought we would be perfect together and we were—on paper. Oh, there was a time when I was hot and bothered by Angeline. What nineteen year old guy isn't around a gorgeous college girl. And in the early months of our relationship, we actually got along very well. Once my parents checked out her pedigree, they fell in love with her and my mom was constantly talking about what beautiful babies we'd make.

But over time, the shine wore off. I have a theory that when you start dating someone, you are always on your best behavior. As you get more comfortable with a person, you start relaxing your guard and letting your true self shine through. The one thing that rang through too loud and clear for me with Angeline was her shallowness.

Oh, in our circle she was fine. Angeline comes from the richest of rich in New York City and she is used to the finer things in life. And when people get in her way who are not worthy, she has no problem in letting them know it. I guess if I had to admire anything about her, is at least she's honest to people's face when she says something about them. She doesn't hide behind whispered gossip.

Our relationship met its demise when one evening, as we were kissing on my bed, I literally couldn't get excited for her. It may have been because just two minutes before she was whining because her daddy didn't buy her a diamond necklace that she wanted, or maybe it was the way she made fun of our assistant coach's disabled son. But something in me just snapped and the attraction I held for her was gone.

Angeline did not take the break up well. She cried and begged. Then she screeched and threw things at me. Then she cried some more before finally threatening me. It was brutal but once she walked out of my room that night, I felt utter relief and I knew I had made the right decision.

Here's the thing about Danny. She's seen me at my worst already. I hurt her for no good reason other than protecting my own heart and she forgave me. And I know how vulnerable she is but it doesn't scare me. I want to protect her. In all the months I had been with Angeline, I never had the desire to put her needs above my own, yet that is all I can think about with Danny.

***

We arrive at my frat house and we know the party is in full swing because we can hear the beat of the music inside of my car. I open Danny's door and she steps out. She is simply stunning even though she's wearing just a simple pair of jeans, a dark green blouse and black boots. Her hair is long with large waves running through it. She's wearing no makeup except her lips look shiny with gloss and I want to kiss them. I pull her to me and instead kiss the tip of her nose.

"You put every woman on the face of this earth to shame, Miss Cross."

Danny giggles. "I want to jump your bones too, Mr. Burnham."

I bust out laughing and pull her in for a hug, rocking us back and forth while our chuckles wind down.

Kissing her fingertips, I lace mine through hers and we walk in. I take her up first to my room so I can show that to her. I took a few minutes to clean it up, which basically meant I had to throw all of Mike's dirty clothes into the closet. The guy is a complete slob.

Danny walks around the small room, looking at all of the hockey photos and memorabilia I have. She asks if I have a pictures of my family and much to my chagrin, I don't. My parents aren't the casual-photo type of people.

Before we walk out, Danny sits on the edge of my bed and bounces up and down a few times. I look at her quizzically and she gives me a saucy wink. "Just seeing how loud it squeaks."

"You're rotten, you know that?" I ask.

"I know it."

Back downstairs, I get us each a beer and we make our way over to Mike. He and Cameron are talking to Carter.

As we approach, I put my arm around Danny's waist to make it clear to anyone and everyone that she is with me. I told Mike I was bringing her tonight, and he in turn told Cameron to be on her best behavior. But Carter is definitely surprised.

I make formal introductions and we all make small talk. I had told Mike that Danny was a music major which gives him something to talk about with her as his mother is an executive in the music business with Sony. I sit back and just enjoy watching Danny's naturally effervescent personality win Mike and Carter over. When Carter steps away to get another beer, he punches me in the shoulder and snarls in my ear, "You're a bastard for getting her before me."

I grin at him. He doesn't need to tell me how lucky I am.

Cameron is being polite and actually engages Danny in some small talk about Julliard. Then to my surprise, she asks Danny about her piercings because she was thinking of getting her belly button done. That leads to a fifteen minute discussion about piercings that actually leaves me a bit nauseous about the whole thing. I'll admit I’m a wuss.