Nothing But Trouble (Malibu University Series)(59)

You can do this, Bailey. Your friend needs you. Buck up, bitch.

Because isn’t that what friendship is? Putting your own feelings aside when you’re needed. Stepping up to the plate knowing your heart’s on the line, the one that will take the hit.

“Okay,” I tell him.

An undeniable urge to gauge his reaction makes me glance his way again and I’m just in time to catch it, the subtle softening of his features, the relaxing of his shoulders. That’s when I know I made the right choice.

“Patrick,” he cryptically announces out of nowhere. “My middle name is Patrick…I’m ashamed of it.”

My heart hurts. It literally hurts for him. “You’re nothing like him,” I assure him. “You have nothing to be ashamed of.”





Reagan


“I sleep naked.”

Maybe this is a mistake. Judging by the way Alice stands stiffly in the threshold of my bedroom, I would say it is. The abject fear on her face knocks a burst of laughter out of me. “Kidding. I keep my skivvies on.”

After the disaster at dinner, I need her here. I need her more than her desire to keep me at arm’s length and definitely more than my pride. She gets me. It’s not often you find someone that you don’t need to constantly explain yourself to. It’s never happened to me before and I’m not about to miss this opportunity. And maybe I am asking too much of a girl who has been very clear about friend-zoning me from the start, but I’m going to take anything I can get…even if it comes with the nastiest case of blue balls I’ve ever experienced.

I grab a t-shirt out of the dresser and toss it at her. Catching it, she holds it up to her body and the hem of my shirt hits her knees. Alice isn’t tiny, around 5’6”, but I’ve got a good six inches on her. She giggles, and my heart feels it. I swear the sound of her laughter has the power to push into place whatever it is that feels out of sorts inside my chest. She catches me staring at her mouth and her forehead wrinkles. I clear my throat, look away.

“There are clean towels under the sink and new toothbrushes. Take whatever you need.”

“Where’s Dallas and the Petermans?”

“Dall got in his car and said he’d be back in a few days. And the twins are with their parents until tomorrow.” A really awkward moment of silence ensues where I can’t help staring at her and she can’t seem to meet my eyes. “Al?” She quickly glances up. “If you’re uncomfortable…”

“No, I’m good.” She smiles and holds up the t-shirt as she crosses the bedroom headed for the bathroom. “Let me get changed.”

“Wanna watch something? I have Netflix and Apple TV.”

“Of course you do,” she teases. “Pick something and I’ll be out in a minute.”

The door shuts and I strip down to my black boxer briefs and select something to watch. Dead Pool 2. Perfect. After what happened at dinner, I’m wrecked and in dire need of a mindless distraction. I grab a couple of bottles of water out of the small refrigerator in my room, set them by the nightstand. I want her to be comfortable. That’s all…or maybe I’m somewhat nervous too.

Alice steps out of the bathroom wearing my favorite t-shirt. It hangs loosely to her knees, except for where the tips of her hard nipples tent the fabric. And the minute I get a good look, I lose what’s left of my mind and go full-on cro-fucking-magnon.

This was a mistake. Having her here is a mistake. My dick decides this is a great time to introduce himself, and the best I can do is drop my hands in front and pray she doesn’t notice.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I duck out, turn away from her, and walk into the bathroom without meeting her searching gaze. Minutes later, I step out and find Alice tucked in bed. Without any makeup, she looks so much younger than…

“Are you twenty-one yet?”

“February thirteen.” She beams up at me, her full pink lips parting to show her bright white teeth. And damn if she isn’t the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.

“Don’t make plans. I’m taking you out.”

Her thumb runs back and forth across her bottom lip as she studies me. “The girls may want to do something, bossy pants.”

Bossy pants? Whatever. “We’ll take them with us.” She can call me whatever she wants as long as she keeps smiling at me like that.

“You’d do that?” The pitch of her voice rises, her excitement palpable. I want her to look at me that way forever––like I can do no wrong.

“It’s your birthday, Bailey.” I shrug. “I’ll do whatever makes you happy.”

I find myself staring at her mouth again. Swear to God, I’m under a spell. One more kiss. Just one. Then I’ll slide between those shapely white thighs, push myself inside of her, and fuck her into next week the way I’ve been dreaming about doing for the past two months.

“What are we watching?” She looks so oblivious to the filthy shit that’s playing out in my mind that it almost makes me laugh.

When I don’t answer right away, she stares at me blankly, puzzled by my behavior. Can’t blame her. I’m standing by the side of the bed, looking at her like a twelve-year-old that’s gotten his first peek at Internet porn, so a little confusion is justified.