‘going on a date'
She answered before I had time to grab clean underwear.
‘date? With hockey boy?'
‘yep'
‘u guys fuck yet?'
‘u have no class'
‘so u have?'
I shook my head and laughed. God, she was persistent. ‘yep'
‘does he have a big stick?'
‘u r an idiot.'
‘I know. Glad u r getting some'
I snorted and slipped into my bra. ‘ttyl'
‘I want deets 4 sure', and then one last text, ‘about his big stick'
I tossed my cell and perused my closet, settling a black sleeveless golf shirt and a pair of black shorts that were a tad too short for golf, but whatever. My family had been members of The Greens golf club since I was a little kid and though I hadn't golfed in a few years, my clubs were still there and as far as I knew, our membership was still valid.
The Kings had poured a shitload of money into the place and I doubted they'd have a problem with the length of my shorts. I turned around so I could see my butt from behind and shrugged. It's not as if my cheeks were hanging out.
I pulled my hair into a one-sided low ponytail, threw on some gloss and mascara and then grabbed my meds out of the top drawer of my dresser.
I stared at them for a few moments, that familiar feeling of resentment washing over me.
These two little bottles told the world that I was defective and I hated how that made me feel. Would I ever be able to get over the feeling that I was somehow less than anyone else? That I deserved less than say, Kendall or Joe?
That Ben deserved someone better than me?
With a sigh I popped my lithium and after a few moments popped a klonopin as well. What the hell. I may as well stick to the program.
After washing them down with a swig of water, I stuffed them back in my underwear drawer, grabbed my purse and headed for the lobby. It was just after one and Ben was due to pick me up any minute.
He was waiting for me near the front desk chatting with Joe and glanced up just as I exited the elevator. Seeing him was like a punch to the gut and when a slow, sexy smile drifted over his face heat curled in my stomach.
I think I stumbled a bit, in fact I'm sure I did, and when he nodded to Joe and headed toward me, something pressed into my chest. Something heavy and scary and it took my breath away.
Ben Lancaster did that to me with just one look.
He didn't stop until his lips were on my mouth, his hands around my waist. The kiss was slow and lingering, his tongue lazy, meticulous. I folded like a house of cards and melted into him like a marshmallow.
"I missed you," he said into my mouth.
I bit his bottom lip and smiled, enjoying the way his hands moved down my back until he cupped my butt possessively. "It's only been a few hours."
"I know."
We stared at each other in silent understanding because I felt exactly the same way. Fingering the collar of his oat colored shirt, I splayed my fingers near the base of his neck. "Do we have to go? Matt's gone for the day so the loft is empty."
"Is it?" he said softly.
I nodded. "We could hang out and watch movies."
"Hang out," he said with a grin.
Again I nodded, pushing my hips into him. "Yeah, and watch movies."
"Or we can go play a round of golf with Jason and his girlfriend and then go back to my place where I'll," he bent low and shivers exploded over my skin when his warm breath hit my neck. "Make sure you'll have a good time."
"A naked good time?"
"A naked good time," he answered with a low growl.
"Promise?"
He dropped a kiss on my mouth and grabbed my hand. "Promise."
Our afternoon of golf wasn't as painful as I thought it would be. First off, Ben's buddy, Jason was a nice guy and his girlfriend, Cherry (the name was real, I asked) while on the quiet side wasn't bitchy, or stuck up. She wasn't a groupie who'd snagged an athlete-she was the real deal.
Cherry and Jason had dated through high school and managed to stay together during his college years and then his draft to Minnesota. She was a Southern girl and though she wasn't fussy about living in St. Paul, she loved her guy and the sacrifice was worth it.
We played 18 holes of golf and then spent a few hours in the clubhouse, drinking (them, not me) and eating. Everyone was relaxed and happy and I couldn't remember feeling this content in a long time.
Every so often Ben's hand would caress the back of my neck, or whisper along my bare thigh. He'd even tried edging up my shirt but I shut that down right away. I'd caught a few members staring and though the old Georgia would have been more than happy to snub her nose at their stuffiness, the new Georgia cared about that shit.
I was on my way back to the table from the bathroom when a hand snaked out and caught my shoulder, spinning me around so fast I nearly fell on my ass.
"What the … "
Brilliant blue eyes stared down at me from beneath midnight black floppy bangs, and an otherwise shaved head.
"Jesus fuck, Georgia King! Who the hell let you out of the loony bin?"
A wide smile on a handsome face that was framed by more than a few piercings, including nose and lip rings, bent toward me. His neck that was shrouded in tattoos that matched the intricate ink on his forearms.
Travis Barlett.
Travis Barlett, a guy whose father owned half the county and a guy who had more money than anyone I knew. Probably more money than God.
Travis Barlett, the guitarist in Spleen.
Travis Barlett, the guy I'd been fucking on and off ever since I'd given him my virginity when I was fifteen.
Shit.
He and I had been a lethal combination back in the day and I didn't want him anywhere near Ben. He was bad news and no doubt was still living in the place I never wanted to visit again.
"Hey," I said frostily, not wanting to give him any ideas. "I'm surprised they let you in here. I thought you were banned after they caught you pissing in the fountain."
He shrugged, a huge grin on his face. "My dad owns half of this dump so they can't really keep me out."
Right. Of course.
He leaned closer and I had to tilt my head in an effort to avoid connecting with his mouth. "You're looking good for someone who pulled a fucking boner and nearly did herself in. What the hell was up with that?"
He grabbed my wrist and though I tried to yank away from him I couldn't. He was too big and too strong and his thumb rolled my skin as his grin widened.
"Damn, Georgia, I'm glad you didn't check out. That would have been a fucking shame you know?"
I scowled until he let me go. "What do you care, Travis?"
"I care because you're probably the best piece of ass I've ever had and it would be a shame if I couldn't dip my finger into your honey pot now and again."
"Really? And that's why I caught you screwing Rachel Nagel behind the stage after your show the last time we were together?"
Just thinking of that night pissed me off. I'd left the club, ended up wasted, high, and in bed with two guys I'd never met before.
He tried to swoop in for a kiss but I sidestepped and glared at him.
"Don't get your panties in a knot. It's not like we were ever exclusive and besides, you fucked around on me all the time."
I hated that he was right.
I sighed and shrugged. "Whatever, Travis. I gotta run."
He nodded toward the dining room. "Is that Ben Lancaster you're with?"
My stomach flipped and the food I'd ingested earlier settled like a lump of stone.
"What's it to you?" I asked, more harshly than I'd intended. But there was fear inside me. Fear that my old world was about to collide with my new one and there was no way in hell I wanted Travis and Ben to meet.
He grinned because he knew what was going on in my head, and I envisioned my fist meeting his nose.
"Maybe I want his autograph?"
"Maybe you're full of shit," I muttered and turned away from him.
I took a step but paused when I heard him chuckle. "And maybe you're full of stupid. I know all about Lancaster and he's way out of your league, King. Besides, deep down you're a nasty girl, so when you get tired of that vanilla shit you know where to find me."
I marched across the dining room and waited by the table, tapping my foot while Ben looked after the bill. Cherry and Jason had already left and it was just the two of us. I refused to look over my shoulder but I can't lie, I was terrified that Travis was going to stroll over like he owned the place-which he did-and get in my face.