"Well, maybe that will change here,” I said. Clayton looked at me question- ingly and I realized that the statement sounded more like a coy invitation. I coughed uncomfortably and cleared my throat. "I mean, making friends and all," I covered lamely. Clay nodded. "Maybe." He didn't sound at all convinced."Did your parents get new jobs or something? Is that why you moved?” I asked. Clayton's discomfort seemed magnified with my question. I thought it was innocent enough, nothing to in- cite the reaction I got. Clayton moved a good foot away from me and shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his jack- et. He turned his head away."Uh, no. There were just . . . um . . . circumstances that required me to move." The tone of his voice let me know that that particular subject was closed."You're not in the witness-protection program, are you?" I kidded, not want- ing to drop the conversation. I wanted to know everything about Clayton Reed. He was going to be my friend, whether he wanted t
"Nobody," I evaded, drinking the last of my soda and getting up to throw the can into the recycling bin."Nobody, my butt! The new hot guy at school is who," Rachel eagerly volun- teered, giving my mom a dramatic raise of her eyebrows."Oh! Do tell, Maggie May! I want to hear all about him!" My mom was enthusiastic and really getting into the girl talk."Yes, do tell, Mags," Rachel agreed, grinning at me. I turned my back on them as I rummaged through the pantry, trying to find something to snack on. I wasn't really hungry; I just didn't want to look at them. No sense in getting ragged about the bright pink blush I could feel on my face."Nothing really to tell. I spoke with him yesterday before leaving school. He's pretty funny, though he didn't have a whole lot to say,” I said, pulling out a package of Oreos and cramming one into my mouth. Yeah, it was my age-old defense mechanism. Eating so I didn't have to talk. Amazing that I didn't weigh two hundred pounds by now."That's it? Co
I made my way to the back of the store, where it opened into a separate space for the used books. I stopped first at the small cart just inside the room, looking through the "new" items Ruby had brought in. I picked up a collection of essays by William Faulkner and went to a worn armchair in the corner.I was so engrossed that I didn't know he was there until I felt someone beside me. I looked up to see Clayton Reed standing beside my chair, his arms loaded down with books. He turned up one side of his mouth in a half smile."Hey, Maggie," he said quietly, not looking away from me. I felt the insane urge to smooth my hair, but I resisted, not wanting to come across as a moron."Hey," I said back, closing the Faulkner book and getting up so I could return it to the stack."So, what are you doing here?" he asked, shifting the books in his arms. I looked around and lifted my hands."Oh, I don't know, baking a cake. Learning CPR. Take your pick," I re- marked sarcastically. Clay smiled, a
"Sure, Clay. You going to be in tomorrow?" she asked with barely con- cealed hope in her voice. Clayton be- stowed a beautiful smile on her. I want- ed that smile directed at me, damn it!"Nope, I'm off until Tuesday."Tilly's smile fell. "Oh, well; I guess I'll see you next week," she said with disappointment. She finally looked at me, and I could see jealousy flash in her eyes when she realized Clayton was leaving with me. Take that, bitch! I thought unkindly. Wow, where did this harpy come from? I was becoming a possessive shrew and he wasn't evenmy boyfriend. Clay gave Tilly a final wave and ushered me through the door of the shop. Once we were outside, I took off my fleece and tied it around my waist. The sun had come out and it had warmed up while I had been inside. We stood on the sidewalk looking at each other."So, coffee?" Clay asked.I nodded. "Yeah, let's do that. There's a great place down the street. They have the best biscotti," I sug- gested.Clay rubbed his stomach.
"damn it!" I grumbled as I realized I had left my gym bag in my locker. It was after school and I was on my way to cross-country practice. This was my third year on the team and I was proud of the fact that I was in a prime position to lead us to state this year. Coach Kline was convinced that I would break some records during the season.Yeah, I was pretty good. And modest, too. And running really, really late. Coach Kline would make me run extra time if I didn't pull my finger out. I jogged back down the hallway toward my locker and collided with someone coming from the opposite direction.I reached out to grab hold of the other person's arms to steady myself."I'm so sorry," I breathed out, feeling embarrassed. My head shot up at the throaty laugh. Clay's eyes twinkled at me as he held on to my wrist. "We've got to stop meeting like this," he said with amusement. I swallowed hard and felt my heart thud against my chest.I had looked for him at school today. It had been only two day
WARNING ! R18+ ( CONTAINS HOT MATURE CONTENTS ).ERINNA'S POV . " Huh ! Finally " , Already clad up in a laced short black dress with a slit up showing my right thigh , l heaved a sigh before l strutted out of the car then made my way to the cream painted apartment . Already knowing the owner of it , l didn't bother knocking on the door , l just pressed in the code and entered inside the house . With a plan in my head , after entering inside , l walked a bit slowly and carefully . However before I could walk any more further , l instantly stopped in mid motion when I heard different sounds coming from one of the rooms . " Who the hell is he .... " , . I immediately trailed off in mid sentence when I walked a bit closer and for heaven's sake what I witnessed made my mouth to instantly fall open and my eyes to pop out of her eyes . It was unbelievable but there it was a pair of smooth tanned legs wrapped up around Lucas' pale naked butt ." No ...... No ...... it can't be my Lucas " ,
ERINNA'S POV . From the apartment with nothing left to do , l just headed to the near by silent club . With what l had just witnessed , l really wanted some thing strong to help me forget the image of Lucas who was my boyfriend and Lisa who was my best friend . Ignoring the pervs who were eye fucking me , l made my way straight to the bartender . " Get me one full glass of wine " , Without even greeting the bartender , l just ordered as l sat down on the high velvet leathered stool . " What type of wine ? , Miss " , The bartender asked in a humble voice . " The best strong wine you have " , l replied and after the bartender nodding his head in acknowledgment , he poured some kind of wine l couldn't recorganise in the glass ." Miss ...... " , Before he could complete his sentence , l reached out quickly and took the glass from him and still with no word said , l instantly gulped it down as if it was water . " Get me another one " , After taking it in one gulp , l ordered as l placed
" I need more wine " , l mumbled to myself again before gulping the half glass of wine the bartender had just placed in front of me . " It's the umpteenth " , When l sent the glass back to the bartender , he mumbled with a hint of concern in his voice . " I know so get me more " , l slurred and with nothing to do , he shook his head before he sent the glass of wine to me .As before l got it quickly from him but then as l was gulping it down , a man l didn't know walked over and stood next but then his attention was not on me , he just wanted a glass of wine and didn't even throw a glance at me . However to my side while seated silent and already drunk , l began to smell his perfume . " Uhmmm , l like it " , l slurred to myself before I placed the glass of wine down and then turned my attention to him . " Ahh " , As soon as my eyes fall on him , my mouth instantly fall open . Okay l had just told myself that no more falling in love but I was a human being not a stone and currently wi