Trust in Me(70)

            Her voice was closer to the mouthpiece. “Your father wants to know if her name is Avery?”

            I smacked my hand over my eyes. “Yes, it is, but she’s just a friend. I mean it, Mom. She’s only a friend, so don’t act like a freak when you meet her and start planning our wedding.”

            “That’s kind of insulting.” She huffed. “I wouldn’t start planning your wedding unless you brought her home for Christmas.”

            I laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

            After an absurd amount of time convincing Mom and then Dad that Avery really was just a friend and to not force me to commit patricide on them, I hung up the phone and tossed it onto the pillow next to me.

            A slow smile started across my lips as I pictured Shortcake at home with my parents.

            High-pitched giggles radiated from the living room, mixing with the rough, low laughter of Ollie’s. I didn’t even have to guess what was going on out there.

            Groaning, I yanked the pillow out from under my head and smashed it over my face, trying to drown out the sound. It was bad enough that I was in a constant state of hardness. I didn’t need an amateur porn flick about to go down in the living room.

            I was her first kiss.

            Pride swelled in my chest and other parts of my body were also following the same reaction, which wasn’t helping things. After our date, I’d spent most the night with my hand fisted around my cock. And pretty much every night thereafter. Being around her didn’t make it easier, but I couldn’t stay away from her. Not kissing her again was driving me mad.

            Once it quieted a bit in the living room, I peeked my head out from underneath the pillow. I really hoped that whatever Ollie was doing out there with whoever was not on the couch.

            I had to sit on that thing.

            Rolling onto my side, I grabbed my phone. I told myself not to, because I would see her tomorrow when we left for my house, but I was a loser, so therefore I couldn’t stop myself and I texted her.

            Hey.

            The response was almost immediate. Hey you.

            My lips curled up. What u doing?

            Reading your text. There was a pause and another text came through. Also reading ahead in history.

            I laughed. Nerd.

            Jerk.

            Easing onto my back, I sent her another text. Admit it.

            Admit what?

            U r excited abt tmrow.

            About a minute passed, and I sat up, frowning. Finally a response came through. I am.

            Took u that long? I sent back. Fo shame.

            LOL. Sorry. Figured I’d make you sweat.

            Shaking my head, I swung my legs off the bed and went to the bedroom door, peeking outside. The living room was dark, but not empty. Two forms were entangled on a makeshift bed made out of pillows and blankets. Grimacing, I crept around them.

            I sent her one more text. Knock. Knock.

            Goosebumps spread across my bare chest as I slipped out into the hallway. My phone dinged and I glanced down. Sigh. Who’s there?

            Grinning like an idiot, I hurried to her door, rapping my knuckles.

            About ten seconds later, the door swung open. Avery stood there, her iPhone clutched in her right hand. Her mouth opened, then she snapped it shut and pursed her lips.

            I leaned through her doorway, smiling shamelessly as her gaze drifted over my abs and then my chest, getting hung up on the sun tattoo. “Hey, girl, hey . . .”