Treacherous by Alex Grayson & Melissa Toppen Page 24

  His eyes move to Rylee. “Since she said you’d give me a ride because I’m getting new tires on my car.”

  I turn to Rylee and lift a brow. She shrugs her slender shoulders. “I forgot to tell you.”

  I look back at Charles. “How did you get to school this morning?”

  “A friend dropped me off.”

  “Then get a ride home with them.”

  “Can’t. They had to leave early.” He grins wickedly. “Besides, it’s much more fun cramping your style with my girl, Rylee.”

  I tip my head back and pray for patience.

  “Fine,” I grumble.

  Rylee kisses me under the chin. “Thank you.”

  If it makes her happy, I’d do anything.

  I look to the left and lock eyes with Oliver as he steps up to his car a few spaces over. I haven’t spoken to him much in the three weeks since everything went to shit. I’m still a long way from forgiving him, but I think we’ll eventually get back a resemblance of our friendship.

  He tips his chin to me, and I do the same before he gets into his car and drives off. Rylee said she and Oliver have spoken several times. I know she’s still wary of him, but she’s much more forgiving than I am. It’s hard to imagine her having a tighter bond with my former best friend than I do. As much as it irks me that she’s forced to see him almost daily at home, it helps to know he seems to be genuinely remorseful and is working on making it up to her.

  Rylee follows my line of sight as I watch Oliver’s car drive out of the parking lot.

  “He misses you,” she says softly.

  I bring my eyes back to hers. “He should have thought of that before the shit he pulled,” I say, my voice stony.

  She nods and slides her hands up my chest, stopping right below my collarbone. “You’re right, but he had no way of knowing it would lead to what it did. I think he holds a lot of guilt.”

  “He should. He damn near got you….” I stop and close my eyes. Even thinking that word steals my breath.

  “Hey. Look at me.” I open my eyes and peer into her warm brown ones. “He deserves every bit of your anger. And quite frankly, I’m still pissed at him, too. But everyone deserves forgiveness and a second chance.”

  I grunt. That may be so, but I’m not ready to give it yet.

  “When do your parents head out?” I ask, changing the subject.

  She looks at her watch. “They actually left about an hour ago.”

  A slow grin creeps across my face, as I slide my hand down to cup her ass, giving it a squeeze. “How about we drop this yahoo off.” I tip my head to Charles. “So I can get you alone and do wicked things to your amazing body.”

  “I heard that,” Charles calls without looking up from his phone.

  “You were supposed to,” I deadpan.

  He lifts one hand and sticks his middle finger in the air, again without looking away from his phone.

  Rylee laughs, pushing against my chest until I’m forced back a couple of feet. “Let’s go.”

  Charles walks to the other side of the truck, and I open the driver side door. I pinch my girl’s ass as she climbs in from my side. She shoots me a glare over her shoulder, and I give her a cheeky grin.

  Once we hit the road, Charles fumbles with the radio until he finds a rock station.

  “Fuck my life,” he grumbles a few minutes later, looking down at Rylee’s hand on my thigh. “Y’all are going to be the type of couple who can’t keep their hands off each other, aren’t you?”

  “I could always move her hand a little higher. Would you like that, Charles?”

  “Seriously, Zayden?” Rylee gasps.

  “Fuck no. I may be into chicks and dicks, but it’s a hard pass watching one friend getting another friend off.” He flicks a piece of lint off his knee. “And also, since we’re officially friends and all, it’s probably about time you called me Pierce.”

  “Fine.” I pull to a stop outside his house. “Pierce, get the fuck out of my truck.”

  He laughs as he opens his door.

  “Later, lovebirds.” Just before he closes the door, he peeks his head back in. “Word of advice, Rylee. Fucking against the washing machine is hella hot. Those extra vibrations do wonders.” Before Rylee can say anything, he shoots her a wink and slams the door shut.

  I expect her to be embarrassed, so her next words both shock me and send a good amount of my blood rushing to my dick.

  “Is that true?”

  I shrug. “No clue. I haven’t fucked in the laundry room before.”

  “I think we should try it,” she says nonchalantly, like she’s talking about trying some new food or something.

  “Killing me here, woman,” I grumble and adjust my hard cock.

  She giggles and nuzzles her face into my neck, kissing me just below my jaw.

  “Just drive and I’ll kill you even better at home.”

  I groan and put the truck in drive, but before I press the gas pedal, I turn to look at her. “I love you.”

  Her smile is sweet and beautiful- her eyes soft and mesmerizing. “I love you, too.”

  They say love comes when you least expect it. It sure as hell smacked me in the face when I wasn’t looking. I’m only eighteen, and I’ve already found the woman of my dreams; the one I know I want to spend the rest of my life with. The one I’ll love until my dying breath.

  Our relationship may have had an ugly and treacherous beginning. It may have grown in the midst of anger, hate, and betrayal. But our future will be beautiful, happy, and full of love. Of this much I am certain.

  RYLEE

  SIX MONTHS LATER

  “HEY BABE, WHERE do you want this?” Zayden appears in the open doorway of my apartment, a large moving box in his arms.

  I can’t believe moving day is finally upon us. And even though this is technically day two in me and Savannah’s new apartment, it still feels so unreal.

  “You can set it in here.” I nod to the counter next to me where I’m sorting out plates and cups. “How many more boxes are in your truck?” I ask when he slides up next to me.

  “A lot.” He gives me a knowing look. “How the hell did you girls end up with so much shit?”

  “Talk to Savannah. She’s the one who’s been planning this day since we were twelve.” I laugh, leaning into his touch when he leans down to kiss the side of my head.

  “Well, she’s lucky my scholarship also covers housing, otherwise she’d be moving into this apartment alone and you’d be living with me.”

  Savannah and I both got into Seattle University. It was my top pick to begin with, but knowing Zayden got a full scholarship to the University of Washington, it made the whole thing that much sweeter. Who knew my bad boy fighter was also a straight A scholar? He’s a man who’s full of surprises.

  Zayden’s dorm is less than twenty minutes from my apartment and we’re still close enough to home that he’s able to see Danielle whenever he wants, so it works out really well. After receiving her lung transplant in June, Dani’s been doing really well, but I know Zayden still worries about her. It gives him peace of mind being so close.

  “Don’t tell her this, but I think I’d much rather live with you,” I tell him, crinkling my nose as I knock my hip into his.

  “Probably better that you don’t—I don’t think we’d ever leave our bedroom.” He wraps an arm around me and squeezes my hip.

  He’s not wrong. Six months together and we still can’t keep our hands off each other.

  “Speaking of which.” I turn, wrapping my arms around his neck. “My bed is finally up.” I lean up, trailing kisses from his jaw all the way to his mouth. “I think I’ve earned a break,” I mumble against his lips.

  Leaning forward, Zayden grabs my backside, hoisting me up moments later. My legs wrap around his waist, pressing down onto his already rock-hard erection.

  “You definitely deserve a break,” he agrees, sliding his tongue against
mine.

  Like it does every time Zayden kisses me, my entire body ignites. Heat starts at my neck and slowly creeps down my torso, warming me from the inside out.

  One of Zayden’s hands tangles in my hair, while the other presses to the small of my back, holding me in place as he devours my mouth.

  Unfortunately, before we can go any further, we hear a throat clear behind us. Zayden groans against my lips before pulling back to look over my shoulder.

  “You realize the fucking door is open,” Oliver says, laughter in his voice.

  “That doesn’t give you permission to just walk the fuck in,” Zayden fires back. “Asshole.”

  “Yeah, hello to you, too.” Oliver throws Zayden a playful middle finger. “Hey, sis.” He nods when we lock gazes.

  “Oliver.” I nod, not nearly as embarrassed as I should be having been caught in such a compromising position. Oliver has seen worse. He’s also exploited worse. Thank goodness those days are far behind us.

  It’s been a long and rocky road, but Zayden and Oliver have finally gotten back to a version of normalcy. Zayden still hasn’t fully forgiven Oliver, but he’s trying to move past it. We all are.

  I tap Zayden and wiggle, indicating I want him to put me down. He gives me a dissatisfied look, like it’s the last thing he wants to do, but he eventually lowers me to my feet.

  “I brought the rest of your stuff from the house. Your mom also sent a couple boxes of kitchen stuff she thought you might need.”

  “More boxes,” Zayden grumbles, giving me an exasperated look. “At this rate you won’t have room to move around. This apartment isn’t that big.”

  “Oh stop.” I swat playfully at his chest as I step past him. “Thank you for bringing them,” I tell Oliver.

  “No big deal. I’ve got some shit to run to my dorm while I’m at it. Figured I’d just swing this stuff by on my way.”

  Oliver is also attending Seattle University, but unlike Savannah and me, he decided to live on campus in the dorms. Honestly, I think it’s the best thing for him. Oliver thrives in that type of environment. I have no doubt he’s going to have the time of his life living in a co-ed dorm.

  “I’ll help you bring it up.” Zayden steps past me, his hand purposely brushing my ass.

  I smile at him but don’t comment.

  “Be right back.” He winks, sauntering off toward the door, Oliver right on his heels.

  I shake my head and laugh. That man….

  It’s crazy to think how much things have changed over the last few months. After everything Oliver did to me, you’d think I wouldn’t be able to stand to be in the same room with him. But something changed between us after the night Tiffany drugged me.

  I wouldn’t say all is forgiven, and it definitely has not been forgotten, but little by little we’ve moved into a semblance of a friendship. He still drives me crazy most days and always insists on calling me sis because he knows how much I hate it, but for the most part, we’ve learned to co-exist quite well. Of course, part of that is probably because Zayden has threatened to beat him within an inch of his life if he ever does anything to hurt me again.

  And while my senior year was nothing like I’d planned it would be, in the end, it turned out better than I could have ever dreamed. Because at the end of it all, I walked away on top—with Zayden by my side.

  Not to mention, I also found a forever friend in Charles Pierce. He’s only been gone for a week and I already miss him like crazy. Zayden and I have plans to visit New York for a week over the holiday break. I’ve always wanted to visit the East Coast, so having one of my best friends attending NYU isn’t the worst thing in the world.

  “Please tell me that’s not Oliver I just passed in the parking lot.” Savannah sighs as she walks into our apartment and spots me in the kitchen.

  “He brought some stuff from the house.” I meet her halfway, relieving her of two of the fountain drinks she has wedged between her side and her arm.

  “Of course he did. He can’t really believe any of us buy this good guy act he’s got going on.” She huffs, setting the third drink and a bag of food on top of the stove as she turns toward me.

  “Savannah.” I give her a knowing look.

  “Why is it that after everything he’s done to you, you still insist on giving him the benefit of the doubt?”

  “Because he’s my brother.”

  “Stepbrother,” she corrects. “And not a very good one, I might add.” She rolls her eyes, turning back toward the stove. “I didn’t get him anything, and I’m not sharing,” she tells me as she empties the bag of sandwiches in front of her.

  When Zayden mentioned he was hungry earlier, Savannah jumped at the chance to go get us lunch. I think it was her way of getting out of carrying up anymore boxes.

  “I don’t think he’s staying. He said he’s on his way to his dorm room and just came by to drop off some stuff from the house.”

  “Well, thank goodness for that. I am not in the mood to deal with him today.”

  I think it’s safe to say that while everyone has done their best to move on from what happened in the past, Savannah has not. She harbors a lot of hatred toward Oliver for everything he put me through—and rightfully so. If the roles were reversed, I know I would probably feel the same way. Best friend code and all.

  I’m curious to see how this year is going to go with all three of us at the same school. Then again, Seattle University isn’t small by any means. Savannah or I don’t have any of the same classes our first semester—mainly because our majors are completely different—and it’s unlikely that we’ll share any with Oliver, either. So, other than maybe a group setting, I can’t see where Oliver and Savannah will be forced to share much interaction. It’s not like I’m betting on him stopping by to visit on a regular basis or anything.

  Things did get better after Oliver settled things with his dad, but he still isn’t going to be winning any stepbrother of the year awards anytime soon. I may no longer be the object of his cruelty, but that doesn’t mean he’s some kind of angel all of the sudden. Oliver is still Oliver. Arrogant. Selfish. Beyond full of himself…. The list goes on and on.

  “What the fuck, dude.” Zayden barks out a laugh as he and Oliver make their way back into the apartment, both carrying large boxes. They drop them right inside the door.

  “Do I even want to know?” My gaze bounces between the two men. Thanks to the open floor plan of our apartment, I have a clear view of both of them from the kitchen.

  “Fucking Oliver just about tripped me up the stairs.” Zayden throws him a sideways glance.

  “Not my fault you walk like a grandpa,” Oliver fires back.

  “Men,” I grumble under my breath to Savannah, who sets my sandwich in front of me.

  “Z, I have your sandwich here whenever you want it,” Savannah tells him, holding it up so he can see it before setting it next to mine.

  “Thanks, Savannah.” He smiles and nods at her before turning. “I’m going to head back down and get the rest of the boxes. There’s only a couple left. I’ll eat after I get them up here.”

  “K.” I smile, loving the way his eyes do a quick sweep of me before he turns and disappears back into the hallway.

  “Are you not going to help him?” Savannah crosses her arms over her chest and pins her gaze on Oliver.

  “I don’t know. I think now that you’re here I might just hang out up here.” He winks and smiles, clearly messing with her.

  He pulls out a box of Red Hots and tosses a few in his mouth.

  She has not made her dislike of him a secret. In fact, I can’t think of a single time that these two were in the same room together that they didn’t share some sort of altercation. Oddly enough, it doesn’t seem to bother Oliver one bit. In fact, I think he rather enjoys getting her riled up.

  “You might want to think again,” she challenges. “I may have been forced to be civil to you when you were living at home,
but this is my house. I will not tip toe around you here.”

  “Civil.” He snorts. “Is that what you call it?”

  “Stick around and you’ll see just how civil I was being,” she warns, the look on her face compelling me to step in.

  “Okay, you two, that’s enough.” I laugh, trying to make light of the situation. “Oliver, will you please go help Zayden with the last boxes.”

  “Only because you asked nicely.” He smirks at Savannah before spinning on his heel, disappearing from the apartment moments later.

  “God! I cannot stand him!” Savannah throws her hands up in frustration.

  “I don’t know why you do that.” I shake my head at her. “Just ignore him. You know he only says stuff to get you all worked up.”

  “Oh, I’m worked up alright.” Her nostrils flare.

  “Tell you what.” I pick up her sandwich and hand it to her. “Why don’t you go eat this in your room and relax for a little bit? I’ve got things under control out here, and I’ll let you know when the coast is clear. Deal?”

  “Fine.” She takes the sandwich, snagging her drink off the counter before she spins on her heel and stomps off toward the back of the apartment where our bedrooms are located.

  Zayden reappears just in time to hear her door slam shut.

  “Let me guess…. Oliver?” He gives me a knowing look.

  “How ever did you know?” I joke, rolling my eyes.

  He drops the two smaller boxes he just brought up on top of a larger one right inside the front door.

  “If those two didn’t look at each other like they wanted to fucking kill the other, I might think they actually had a thing for one another.”

  I bark out a laugh.

  “I think you’re way off base.” I shake my head at him.

  “I didn’t say I did. I said I might.” He chuckles.

  “You might what?” Oliver reappears, dropping another box next to the growing stacks that are taking over my living room.

  “Nothing.” Zayden shakes his head, trying to mask his smile.

  “Okay, well, I’ve got some stupid orientation thing with the RA I have to get to. As long as you guys are good?” His gaze darts from Zayden to me.