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Chapter 36: Alyssa
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The boy next Door Chapter 37: Colton
"Dude, what the hell is up with you?" Beck mutters, barely glancing away from the seventy-inch television and the video game he's in the middle of."Nothing." I swing around, pacing to the other side of the living room.He snorts but stays laser-focused on the combat game unfolding on the screen. Gunfire erupts from the surround sound in a spurt of noise. "Whatever you say, man. Got practice today at three."Fuck.My head is too full of Alyssa and the British prick that came out of nowhere for me concentrate on anything else. I might as well plant my ass on the bench now because it's doubtful I'll see the playing field anytime soon.Here's the way I see my day unfolding-stew about Alyssa for a couple of hours, head to practice, more than likely fumble a few plays, get my ass chewed out again by coach, and end it all by feeling like complete asshole.I drag my fingers through my hair.It's been more than twenty-four hours since that dude showed up at her door. After dumping the co
The boy next Door Chapter 38: Colton
In one swift movement, I pop open the trunk and toss his luggage inside before slamming it shut and clicking the locks. We both slide inside before I started up the engine and pull onto the street, heading toward the metropolitan airport about thirty miles away. Normally, it's a forty-minute drive with traffic. I plan to have him there in under thirty.See if I don't.Not only does it take effort to unlock my fingers from around the leather steering wheel, I have to unclench my now aching jaw. I dredge my brain for something to say. Something that will fill the uncomfortable silence that has settled between us. I glance at him from the corner of my eye. The British prick sits ramrod straight as if someone shoved a two-by-four up his ass.What the hell does Alyssa see in this guy?He's dark-haired where I'm blond. He's slightly shorter than I am in height. You bet your damn ass I noticed that. Sure, he's broader. Beefier. His physique is more suited to a brawler where I was
The boy next Door Chapter 39: Alyssa
Zoe wraps her arm around me as we push through the glass doors of the fine arts building. "Have I told you how much I missed your ass?""Only about a dozen times, but I'm all ears if you want to tell me again.""Well, I did. Who else can I be catty with, if not you?"A gurgle of laughter bubbles up from my lips.Zoe enjoys ripping the other dancers to shreds. She always has the lowdown on everyone. She knows who is sleeping with who and who is cheating on the other. Dancers, as a rule, are a cutthroat bunch. And the ones at Wesley are no exception. They'd stab a bitch in the back without blinking.And a couple of times, I've been that bitch.Zoe is actually one of the few I've found who has my back. And I have hers. Next to Mia, she's the person I'm closest to.I glance at the sky, surprised to find the sun peeking through the clouds. Earlier this afternoon, it had looked like it would be dark and gloomy with impending storm clouds. Luckily, that's turned out not to be the c
The boy next Door Chapter 40: Alyssa
Three hours and a shower later, I'm seated in the front of Colton's BMW. The top is up, and we're headed north toward the place we both grew up. Although, admittedly, Colton's upbringing was vastly different. Colton grew up in a wealthy neighborhood near Beck and Mia while I was on the other side town, in a more middle-class area.I can't resist glancing at him from the corner of my eye as I sit in the passenger seat.Did I make a mistake?If I did, it's much too late to do anything about it now. I'm along for the ride. There's no backing out. After a couple of miles, the familiar exit comes into view and we depart the highway and turn onto a country road surrounded by farm fields on both sides. I roll down the window and inhale a deep breath of fresh air. There's something so comforting about it that it settles the nerves fighting to break free at the bottom of my belly. I need that right now more than anything. Once on the outskirts of town, Colton turns into the drive of a
The boy next Door Chapter 41: Alyssa
We each grab two or three containers and follow Jenna into the two- story dining room off the kitchen. When all of the dishes have been set out on the table, we take our seats. The table is black and stretches thirty feet in length. There is enough seating for twenty people. Since it's just the four of us, ivory and cerulean-colored China plates have been set at one end. Warren takes his place at the head of the table, Jenna on one side, as Colton and I settle opposite of her. Everything is family style, and we all dig in, helping ourselves.Warren and Jenna pepper me with surface level questions throughout the meal. They tease Colton every chance they get. They talk about the upcoming game next weekend and how they're looking forward to cheering him on. If I weren't watching Colton so closely, I wouldn't have noticed the barely perceptible tightening of his jaw. I can't help but wonder what that's about.Jenna turns to me. "Hopefully, we'll see you there."Admittedly, I've
The boy next Door Chapter 42: Alyssa
My tongue darts out to moisten dry lips as I search my mind for something to say. Something that will get us back on even terrain. The question is out of my mouth before I can stop it. "At dinner, when Jenna mentioned attending your game, you didn't seem happy about it."The energy that had been intensifying between us dissipates and for that I'm grateful.His muscles stiffen. Even though he glances away, his fingers stay connected to my shoulder. I can't deny that part of me is thankful for killing the mood. I'm not ready for this to progress into something more.For a long moment, I wonder if he'll bother with a response. Maybe it's better that way. If Colton can't open up and give me a glimpse into what's going on in his head, then what's the point?I never set this up to be a test but that's what it's turned out to be.Just as I'm about to suggest that we head back downstairs, he drags his other hand through his blond hair as his gaze returns to mine. "Coach benched me."N
The boy next Door Chapter 43: Colton
With my arms folded behind my head, I stare at the ceiling as everything from tonight crashes around inside my brain. If there's one thing that I hate, it's thinking about Candance. She's like Beetlejuice. Say her name three times and she magically appears inside my head, taking up residence like an unwanted squatter.And that, on top of everything else going on, is the last thing I need or want.The woman abandoned me when I needed her most. She walked away without ever looking back. There's a giant void in her place. It's one Jenna has diligently tried to fill.Everything softens within me as I think about my stepmother. Truth be told, she's so much more than that. She's the mother Candance never could be. Or, more to the point, never wanted to be.I'm not embarrassed to admit that I love Jenna. I appreciate everything she's done for me over the years. Driving my ass around town before I had a license. Helping me with homework when I didn't understand something or needed
The boy next Door Chapter 44: Colton
"I know."She nods. "Do you want to do it now or wait until tomorrow?"If I wait, I might chicken out. Scratch that, I'll definitely chicken out. As far as I'm concerned, it's now or never. "Let's just get it over with."Her hands slide from around my neck where they've been draped, up my neck, before cupping the sides of my cheeks. She leans up on her tiptoes before pressing her lips against mine. Before I can sink into the kiss, she draws away. "I'll be right here with you."I jerk my head into a nod as she steps away.On legs that feel wooden, I walk across the room and grab my laptop from my backpack before we settle on the queen-sized mattress. Alyssa sits close enough for our shoulders and thighs touch. Barely do I acknowledge to myself that this is really the first time she's taken the initiative to be near me since she's returned from London. Almost as if to punctuate that thought, her fingers settle on my thigh and I have to admit, having her here with me helps.With
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