Текст книги "Deal Breakers"

Автор книги: Laura Lee

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Copyright LAN Fiction LLC 2015

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above author of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

RILEY

“HOLY FUCKING SHIT, DUDE. Hot blonde at two o’clock,” Josh, my new dormmate says.

I look and I’m stunned. Hot is a major understatement for the blonde beauty standing by the bike racks. She’s magnificent. I know that’s a total chick word to use but it’s the only thing that comes to mind. I’ve never seen something so incredible. I watch as she secures her bike to the rack and walks away with her beat up backpack slung over her shoulder. The girl is a walking contradiction. She’s wearing a simple t-shirt and jeans but she looks like she just stepped off a runway. Instead of using some giant, impractical, yet fashionable bag like most girls around campus, she’s carrying something plain and perfectly functional. I step closer and notice that her bike is one of those old-fashioned ones with a straw basket in the front and the frame is covered in hand-painted flowers. It definitely stands out amongst the rest. Just like its owner.

“Wow,” I say.

I have to meet this girl. And I don’t know why, but I feel like I have to make a big impression and I’m at a loss on how to do it. I don’t want to sound cocky, but I’m one of those dudes that has never really had to work for it. I was one of the lucky ones who shot up ten inches right before my freshman year of high school. At six foot two and athletic pretty much my entire life, no one ever messed with me. I was always in the popular crowd and I never went through an awkward phase like most teenagers do. I have good looks and good skin and yeah, I’ll admit, I’ve used that to my advantage. Hell, I’ve only been on campus at the University of Oregon for a week and I’ve already had a few hookups. It just comes easily for me. I can tell this girl is different though—she’ll be a challenge—but I’d bet my entire academic scholarship that the reward will be so worth the effort.

Josh and I walk our bikes to the rack and begin the process of locking them up. I smile when I come up with a brilliant plan to introduce myself to her. I slide my front wheel next to hers and accidentally loop my chain around both her frame and mine. There’s no way she’s getting away without talking to me first.

Josh smirks when he sees what I’m doing. “Well, that’s a new approach. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of taking someone’s bike hostage to get a date.”

I shrug. “I’m hoping the originality of it will earn me some points.”

He slaps me on the back. “C’mon Rye, we’re going to be late for Chem.”

After Chem Lab, I wait in the green space next to the bike racks trying not to look like a creepy stalker. I don’t want to risk pissing off the hot blonde from earlier by making her late for class or something so I’m sitting here like a schmuck waiting for her. I stand up tall when I see her approach her bike and notice right away what I’ve done. She has this adorable little crinkle in her brow and she bites her sexy lip as she assesses the situation. She tugs on the cable and lets out a big huff.

I surreptitiously check out her amazing body as I sidle up to her. “Hi there. It looks like you’re having an issue, huh?”

She sighs. “Ugh, some idiot locked their bike to mine. I’m going to be late for class if I have to walk across campus to get there.”

“I think I can help you,” I say.

Her round, hazel eyes brighten. “Really? How are you going to do that?”

I start working the combination on my lock and catch her eyes as she makes the connection. I stand up and offer my hand in greeting. “I’m Riley McIntyre. Also known as the idiot.”

She laughs and shakes my hand. “Devyn. Devyn Summers. So tell me, Riley, why on earth would you lock our bikes together?”

I smile and decide to go with honesty. “I saw you earlier and…I don’t know…felt that I had to meet you. You ran off so quickly that this was the only thing I could think of.”

She raises a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “And why did you feel like you had to meet me?”

I shrug. “A bunch of people from my dorm are meeting at The Duck Pond later for the game. I wanted to invite you.”

“Isn’t that the sports bar over on University Street?”

I nod. “It is. They have big screens, a few pool tables, darts, and cheap beer. It’s a pretty cool place to hang out.”

She bites her lip again. “Oh. I’m not old enough to drink. I’m only a freshman.”

“So am I,” I say. “But it’s cool. It’s a pub so it’s open to all ages. Some of the upperclassmen buy pitchers and we all share. They only check your ID if you’re buying.”

“We’ve only been on campus a week. How do you know this already?”

I laugh. “An old football buddy of mine from high school is a junior. He’s been showing me the ropes. So, are you in? Kickoff is at five so we’ll all head over there shortly beforehand.”

“The Niners game?” she asks.

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to seeing them get their asses kicked.”

She frowns. “Puh-leez. The Seahawks are a decent team, but they’re not so impressive when they’re not at home with all their twelfth man loud stadium garbage. Niners totally have this one.”

Holy shit, this chick knows football? “I disagree. Wilson has been in top shape this season.”

She smirks. “So has Kaepernick.”

I may have just jizzed in my pants a little. How can a woman this hot possibly know football? I think I’m in love. “You willing to put your money where your mouth is?”

She backs her bike out of the rack and straddles it. “What did you have in mind?”

I picture her straddling my face instead as I pull my bike out too. “For every Seahawks touchdown, you owe me a beer. I’ll do the same for you if the Niners ever get one.”

She glares at me. “Oh, you’re so on! But make mine soda.”

My mouth quirks at that. So she’s not a rule breaker, huh? I’ll have to see what I can do about that. “It’s a date.”

She frowns. “No, not a date. We’re just going to…hang out.”

I mirror her expression. “What’s wrong with a date? Do you have a boyfriend?”

She shakes her head. “No, no boyfriend. I’m just not looking for a date right now.”

I feign nonchalance. “That’s cool. We can totally just hang.”

She perks up again. “Really? You’d be okay with that? I don’t want to give you the wrong impression—I mean what I say—I’m just looking for a friend. Nothing more.”

Man, she’s going to be tougher to crack than I thought. “It’s totally fine. I could always use more friends. The more the merrier, right?”

Her face lights up in a smile as she turns her bike towards the other end of campus. “Right. I’ll meet you there around five. I need to get to class.”

“See you then,” I say as I watch her pedal away.

MY BUDDY ADAM AND I are playing pool when she walks in. “Day-um,” he says as he watches her coming towards us.

“Dibs,” I call as I set the pool stick down. “I’m done playing, man. This is my date.” Whether Devyn wants to call it one or not, this dickhead needs to know she’s off limits.

She smiles as I approach her. “Hi, Riley.” She looks around. “You’re right; this place is pretty cool.”

My eyes run the length of her body. She’s wearing the same jeans from earlier but she’s changed into a form-fitting 49ers t-shirt. Her tits are a little on the small side but they’re nicely rounded and perky. I find myself wondering what shade of pink her nipples are. She clears her throat, probably because I’m staring at her chest. I lift my eyes and say, “Nice shirt.”

She looks down. “Thanks. It’s my lucky shirt. They win every time I wear it.”

I laugh as I take her hand and lead her to a table in the back. “Oh yeah? Well, good call because they need all the help they can get.”

She glances at our joined hands and blushes. “So you say. We’ll see.” She pulls her hand away and takes a seat.

I take the chair directly across from her. I deliberately chose a two-top so the assholes that are currently checking her out get the message to leave us alone.

I raise the pitcher of beer that I set down earlier and pour a glass. “You want one?”

She gulps. “No, thank you.”

I smile. “Oh, that’s right, you’re more of a soda girl. What can I get for you?”

“Pepsi or Coke is fine,” she says.

I make a quick run to the bar and return with a glass of Pepsi. I place it in front of her with a dramatic bow. “Your soda, milady.”

She laughs. “Well, aren’t you the quintessential gentleman? Does that crap normally work for you?”

I take my seat and return her laughter. “Usually, yeah.”

She snorts. “Well, Romeo, you can save the charm for later. We’re here as friends. Remember?”

“Right,” I say. “So, you like football, huh?”

She nods enthusiastically. “Oh yeah. I like every sport really, but football is definitely my favorite. I watched religiously with my dad and brother growing up. On Sundays, we worshipped at the Church of the Flying Pigskin. My mom made the best nachos for us. It was great.”

“What are you doing after this?” I ask. “You wanna get married? Because seriously, you are like my dream woman.”

She laughs. “Ah, sorry, but I’m not looking for dates or husbands today. Tough luck there, Romeo.”

“So where’s home for you?” I ask, trying not to count how many times she’s shot me down already.

“Ashland, Oregon. It’s a few hours south of here right above the California border.”

“Yeah, I’m familiar,” I say. “I’m from Napa. My mom used to drag me up to the Shakespeare Festival every year when I was younger. She wanted to expose me to some culture or shit like that. Personally, the five hour drive was a pain in my ass. I finally convinced her that I had enough culture when I started high school.”

She laughs. “Oh, you’re totally missing out. I’ve been countless times and it never gets old.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” I laugh.

“We’ll have to go together sometime. Seriously. If you don’t like it, you just haven’t had the right experience yet.”

My dick perks up at this. She’s already talking about future outings. Taking me with her to her hometown. Normally, I’d say she was getting way too clingy but I’m not getting that vibe from her. I sip my beer and nod. “I might just take you up on that. Maybe we can check it out when we go home for the summer. I can easily make a pit stop in Ashland.”

She ducks her head. “I’m not going home for the summer.”

“What? Why not? It’s so close. Wouldn’t your parents be pissed?”

“I don’t have parents,” she whispered.

“What? But you just said—”

She looks up and her eyes are a little shiny. What the hell? “They died. My mom…she had breast cancer. It took her when I was ten. Then my dad…he had a heart attack halfway through my senior year of high school. He went to bed one night and never woke up. It’s just me and my brother now. He’s almost four years older so he came to help me through graduation but then he moved to Seattle last month.”

Oh shit. I have no idea what to say. She just exposed something so personal and raw. I want to pull her into the world’s biggest bear hug but for some reason, I think she’d fight that. I reach across the table and settle for a hand squeeze. “I’m sorry for your loss, Devyn. Really. That really sucks.”

DEVYN

HOLY CRAP, WHY DID I just blurt that out to a virtual stranger? I can’t believe I told him about my parents! I came to U of O so I wouldn’t be the poor orphan that everyone back home considered me to be. Being in Eugene was my chance at a fresh start and I just blew it by telling this guy I just met about them. What the heck was I thinking? What is it about this guy that makes me feel like baring my soul? He’s obviously a huge player which is not even close to my type. But God, sitting here with him, I feel like I’ve known him forever.

Trying to lighten the mood, I nod towards his beer and say, “I’ve changed my mind. Can I try a sip?”

He looks skeptical but he hands the mug over. “Sure.”

I hesitantly take a sip and actually like it. I’ve heard that beer is an acquired taste, but this stuff is yummy. I take a large gulp. “Wow, this is good. I’ve never had beer before.”

He raises his eyebrows. “You grew up in one of the largest brewing states and you’ve never had beer before? How is that even possible?”

I sit up tall. “I’m not twenty-one. It’s illegal.”

He smirks. “It appears as if you’re turning over a new leaf, you little rebel.”

He pours another glass and offers it to me. I down half the glass before replying. “Apparently, I am.”

He holds his mug towards mine. “Shall we toast, rebel?”

I smile. “Do people normally toast with beer?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know. But that’s not going to stop me. What should we toast to?”

I think about it for a second. “To new friends?”

With an unbelievably sexy grin he asks, “What if I want to explore being more than friends?”

I roll my eyes. “Do you ever give up?”

I find myself staring at his dimples as he replies, “Not when I see something I want.”

I sigh and get serious again. “Riley, I could really use a friend right now. I just lost my last surviving parent and moved away from everything I’ve ever known. I need to focus on school and getting my life together. I don’t have room for anything else.”

He considers that for a moment with sincere empathy in his big brown eyes. He clinks his glass to mine and says, “To friends, then. I’ll be the best damn one you’ve ever had.”

DEVYN

I’M OVER AT RILEY’S place watching a basketball game. He decided to live off campus and rented an apartment with his friend, Josh. I mostly hang out here because I’m still stuck in university housing. Thankfully, I got a small single this year that has a private bath so it’s not awful but it’s really cramped. Rye asked me to take the other bedroom in this place before he considered Josh but I didn’t have the budget for it. My brother and I sold our parents’ house last year and I only had enough money to get me through all four years of school with dorm housing. I decided that living on campus was the more responsible thing to do. I’d rather not have to get a part time job that could potentially sacrifice my study time and I definitely didn’t want to take out student loans if I didn’t have to.

“That’s BULLSHIT! Get your head out of your ass and put the damn ball in the basket!” Riley yells. “Jesus fucking Christ!”

I give him a cheeky grin. “Aw, what’s the matter, Rye? Afraid of losing to a girl again?” Riley’s a huge Lakers fan. I’m a Blazers girl. Portland is up by twenty points at the bottom of the fourth quarter. The loser has to buy pizza next time. I plan to order an extra large with the works since he’ll be paying.

He pulls me into a playful headlock and yanks on my ponytail. “Watch it, Summers. I know your weaknesses.”

I punch his leg. “Ha! I have no weaknesses!”

He maneuvers me so I’m now lying across the couch on my back with my head in his lap. “You think so?”

I lift my chin and stick my tongue out at him. “I know so.”

He raises his eyebrow and gives me a smile that has made many panties drop. “You think you’re so smart, huh?” He lifts his hand into view and slowly lowers it towards my rib cage. Oh heck no, he’d better not!

I widen my eyes. “Riley, don’t even think about it!”

He wiggles his fingers. “Don’t think about what, Dev? I thought you didn’t have any weaknesses? What are you so worried about?”

I try to squirm away but he moves his big body so he’s now on top of me, pinning me to the couch. He has both of my hands cuffed above my head with one of his and his other hand is hovering above me threateningly.  “Riley, don’t you dare!”

“Don’t I dare, what?” His fingertips brush my ribs and begin to move quickly.

I squeal as he begins his tickle torture. I am so ridiculously ticklish, it’s embarrassing. I buck and scream and laugh so hard I’m crying. “STOP! Please stop! You’re going to make me pee my pants!”

Josh laughs at us and gets up from the recliner to answer a knock at the door. “Man, don’t make her pee. I like that couch.”

Riley steps up his pace. “I’ll have it cleaned. This is too much fun.”

“Aaah! Riley please! STOP! Seriously! I’m about to go all geriatric on you!”

He stops and presses his body into mine holding me in place. He tightens his grip on my hands and says, “Remember that next time you want to talk smack about my team.”

His body is stretched over mine and he’s staring at my mouth. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear he wants to kiss me right now. He shifts slightly and I can feel something hard against my thigh. Oh my God, is that his—?

“Riley,” a pissy female voice says, “what are you doing?”

Riley jumps off the couch. Oh wow! I can totally see a penis-shaped bulge in his pants! He catches me looking and winks while he adjusts himself. Winks! What the heck is going on?

He walks up to the tiny brunette and pulls her in for a kiss. “Hey, Megan. We were just playing around. You remember Devyn, right?”

She crosses her arms over her giant boobs. “Uh huh. How could I forget? What’s she doing here?”

I get up from the couch and walk over to the attached kitchen to grab a beer out of the fridge. I hold one out to Rye’s flavor of the month as a peace offering. “Megan, do you want a beer?”

Her face twists in distaste. “Ew. I’ll have a wine cooler though.”

I laugh. She may be kind of bitchy but at least she has a sense of humor. “Ha! Good one.”

She glares at me. “What’s so funny?”

I twist the top off the bottle and take a swig. “The whole wine cooler joke. It was funny. Like anyone really drinks wine coolers anymore.”

Riley clears his throat. “Uh, Dev—”

Megan suddenly turns beet red. “You bitch! First, I find you all over my man and then you insult my choice of beverage? What the hell is wrong with you? Why don’t you go find a man of your own to hang out with, you little slut?”

Oh, no she didn’t! I set my beer on the counter and lunge for her but Josh steps in and holds me back. “Excuse me? Who the heck are you calling a slut?” I give her a good once over and take in her low cut top with denim mini skirt. “Have you looked in the mirror lately, Snooki?”

She’s clawing at Riley’s forearms while he holds her back. “Yeah, I have, and I look good! Which is more than I can say for you. You’re never going to get a boyfriend with the whole Amazonian Plain Jane thing you have going on!”

I lunge for her again. “For the record, I already have a boyfriend! I swear to God, Riley, if you don’t get her out of here, I’m going to punch her in the throat.”

“Dude, this is so hot!” Josh says.

Riley tightens his grip on her. “Megan, calm the fuck down. Devyn is going to be here whether you like it or not. Do I need to ask you to leave or are you going to behave?”

She breaks away from his hold and lets out a big huff. “Fine.”

Josh looks at me. “You good, baby girl?”

He releases his hold on me when I nod. “I’ll be good.”

Riley leads Megan towards the couch. “C’mon, babe, let’s watch the rest of the game.”

She trails her finger down his chest and hooks it under his waistband. “I don’t want to watch basketball.”

“It certainly doesn’t compare to a day at the mall,” I mutter.

Megan glares at me and leans into Riley, whispering in his ear.

Riley smiles at whatever she’s saying. “Uh, if you guys need me I’ll be in my room. But really, don’t knock unless the building is on fire.”

With that, Megan jumps on his back like a monkey and he carries her off to his bedroom, slamming the door behind them.

I roll my eyes. “Ugh, what does he see in that girl? She’s such a wench.”

Josh shrugs. “Maybe. But from what I hear, her rack is to die for and she has a mouth like a Hoover.”

I make a puking gesture. “Gross, Josh! Way too much information!”

He laughs and grabs a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet. “C’mon, baby girl, let’s watch the end of the game and get sloppy drunk. If you’re lucky, I might get so wasted I’ll let you take advantage of my hot body.”

I nudge his shoulder as I join him on the couch. “A girl can only hope.”

Moaning filters out through Riley’s bedroom. I glare at the closed door and grab the TV remote to increase the volume.

Josh looks at the door, then back to me and hands me the bottle of Jack with a strange expression on his face. “Here, darlin’, you look like you could use this.”

I grab the bottle from him and take a giant swig. Wiping my hand across my face I say, “Thanks, Josh.”

RILEY

THE SMELL OF COFFEE wakes me up. I walk into the living room and see a makeshift bed on the couch. I glance over to the attached kitchen and find Devyn standing in front of the coffee maker tapping her fingers on the counter. I can’t help but check out the mile long legs peeking out of the oversized t-shirt that she’s wearing. I frown as I come closer when I notice that it’s Josh’s favorite shirt. We make eye contact as I reach over her head to grab two mugs out of the cabinet.

I set them in front of the pot. “Here ya go.”

She pours some coffee into both mugs. “Thanks.”

We stand there in companionable silence for a minute while Devyn loads her cup with milk and sugar. She closes her eyes and moans upon taking her first sip. My dick jumps towards the sound.

I shift a little to conceal my burgeoning hard-on. “Hey, I’m sorry about the thing with Megan last night. She gets a little crazy when she feels threatened.”

She shrugs. “It’s fine.”

Before I can argue, Josh steps out of his bedroom and joins us in the kitchen. He ruffles Devyn’s hair and takes a sip from her mug. “How’s my favorite girl this morning?”

She takes her mug back from him and continues drinking like it’s no big deal they’re swapping spit right now. What the fuck? When did they get so cozy?

“Tired,” she says. “Your couch sucks. I slept like crap.”

He winks at her. “Hey, you were the one who refused my big, comfy bed. Don’t say I didn’t offer.”

“Ah, but here’s the problem with that: You were in said big, comfy bed and I didn’t feel like fighting off your drunken advances all night.”

Josh laughs. “Hey, you were just as smashed as I was so for all I know, I would’ve been fighting off your drunken advances all night.”

Devyn rolls her eyes. “Yeah, in your dreams, pig.”

Josh laughs harder this time, ruffles her hair again, and walks back into his room without another word. Seriously, what the hell is going on with these two? Josh has always been flirty with her but this feels different. Did something happen between them last night?

“What was that about?” I growl.

She raises her eyebrows. “What was what about?”

I fling my hand towards Josh’s room. “You and Josh. Since when are you two so touchy feely sharing coffee? Do you think your boyfriend would appreciate that?”

She rolls her eyes. “Oh geez, Riley. You’re making a big deal out of nothing. You and I normally share the same bed when I stay over and Brian’s never had a problem with it. He knows we’re just friends and he trusts me.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Well, I don’t like it. Josh is different.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “And why’s that?”

We’re interrupted again when Megan steps out of my bedroom. She looks thoroughly fucked but she clearly touched up her hair and makeup before coming out here. I look back towards Devyn and can’t help but appreciate how good she always looks first thing in the morning with no makeup, bed head, and a wrinkled tee.

Megan glares at Devyn. “What are you still doing here?”

Devyn takes another sip. “I stayed the night. I had too much to drink last night to walk back to the dorms and Josh was in no condition to drive me.”

Megan puts her hand on her hip and looks at me. “Does this happen often?”

I shrug. “Sometimes.” I intentionally leave out the part about Devyn usually sleeping in my room.

Devyn smirks when she sees the fire in Megan’s eyes. I can’t help but mirror her expression.

Megan saunters over to me, pulls my head down and kisses me. Hard. With a shit load of tongue. “I have to get going to Psych class. Thanks for the incredible night, baby. I think I’ll be walking funny for a week.” She winks as she walks out the door.

Devyn rolls her eyes again. “Incredible night, huh?”

I rub my neck, totally embarrassed by Megan’s over the top territorial behavior. I guess it’s time to end things with her. “Uh…I guess.”

Devyn laughs and says, “Well, Megan certainly seems to think so.”

“Yeah, Megan is actually starting to get on my nerves so I think I’m going to cut her loose.”

“Does she know that?”

I shrug. “She knew this wasn’t going anywhere when she signed up. We’re just having fun; she’ll be fine.”

“Fun?” Devyn asks. “Is that what you call it?”

“Yeah, fun. That’s all it ever is. These girls aren’t interested in getting to know me. They want one thing from me and I’m okay with that.”

“Don’t you get tired of it, Rye? Don’t you want a real connection with someone?”

I smile. “That’s what I have you for.”

Devyn bites her lip, looking frustrated, but for the life of me, I can’t figure out why. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” As she picks up her folded clothes and heads for the bathroom she adds, “I have to get going too. I’m supposed to meet Brian at ten o’clock.”

I keep talking to her through the door. “What are you guys up to this morning?”

“We’re just going to grab some coffee and head to the library.”

“Are you sure he’s okay with you staying here all the time?” I ask. “If I were him, I don’t think I would be.”

She comes out of the bathroom wearing her clothes from last night. “I swear. We’ve talked about it quite a few times. He says he’s secure enough in our relationship and if I say we’re just friends, he trusts me implicitly.”

“And why is it that we’re just friends again?” I try keeping my tone light to suggest that I’m joking, but I’m really not. We haven’t visited the subject since we first met, but last night I almost kissed her while we were playing around on the couch. I don’t know what came over me, but I know she sensed it, and I have a sneaking suspicion she might have actually kissed me back.

She pokes me in the chest with her index finger. “Because you, my friend, are a total slut.”

I laugh. “Oh, yeah, that’s right. Why do I keep forgetting that?”

Devyn shakes her head. “I have no idea. Lucky you have me around to keep reminding you, right?”

“Right,” I agree halfheartedly.