Beyond the Play (Out of Reach 3)
Sure, when I touch her, it’s more intense than anyone before her, but that’s the chemistry igniting. Sliding behind the wheel of my truck, I adjust my cock as it hardens at the mere thought of being inside her. If the kiss we shared last weekend is any indication, Parker and I are explosive, and I can’t wait to experience more in real life, not just in my mind.
CHAPTER 7
Parker
I’m sitting at my favorite coffee shop just off campus, enjoying my pumpkin spice latte and working on homework when my cell phone vibrates across the table. Reaching for it before it bounces onto the floor, I see I have a new message from Autumn.
Autumn: Where are you?
Me: Cup of Joe.
Autumn: Interesting.
Me: What? How is that interesting?
The little bubbles appear, letting me know she’s typing. I reach for my drink and take a generous sip while I wait. The bubbles disappear and then reappear. This happens four times before I begin to get suspicious. Autumn can text a paragraph with one hand in a matter of seconds. Something's not right. Closing out of the messaging app, I pull up her contact and hit call, bringing the phone to my ear. It rings five times before she finally picks up.
“Spill it.” She’s busted, and we both know it.
“I just didn’t know that you were going to be there today.”
“I call bullshit. I come here every day. You know this. If I’m anything, I’m a creature of habit, and ever since we discovered this place freshman year, it’s been my go-to for a pick-me-up and quiet place to study. So, like I said, I call bullshit.”
“Have you seen anyone that you know?” she asks.
“Autumn.” Her name is a warning. “What did you do?”
“Nothing. Not really.”
“Out with it.”
“Fine,” she grumbles. “I might have mentioned to Holden that you like to hang out at a coffee shop just off campus. I didn’t give him a name or any other specifics.”
“What?” I hiss, trying to keep my voice down so that the other patrons at Cup of Joe don’t stick their nose into my business. “Why would you do that? When did you do that?”
“He was asking for your number and how to reach you that first night. I guided him a little. Just a tiny nudge.”
“I can’t believe you did that.”
“There are like four coffee shops just off campus,” she defends. “Besides, it’s been two weeks, and you still haven’t run into him. He told me that he’s been there, but he’s never seen you. You two must be missing each other,” she muses.
“That might be true, but we both know this is the closest one.” She’s quiet, which tells me she also gave him this information. “How am I going to avoid him if you’re telling him where to find me?” I pause, letting her words sink in. “And what do you mean he’s been here?” I fight the urge to scan the room.
“Maybe you shouldn’t avoid him.”
“That’s not your choice to make.” I know she’s just trying to play Cupid, but I don’t need or want her help.
“He wants you, Parker.”
“That’s not my problem.”
“Fine.” She sighs. “If he happens to ever be there when you are, just blow him off like you have been.”
“And you think he’s just going to give up?” I ask her.
Exhaling, she says, “Probably not. He seems determined to connect with you.”
I snort out a laugh. “Yeah, connecting with me is exactly what he wants. Insert part A into slot B. That’s the only connection he’s worried about.”
“Would that be so bad?” she asks, barely containing her laughter at my description.
“Yes. It’s not going to happen.”
“Grumpy,” Autumn mutters, and despite my best effort, I smile.
“Just let it go, Autumn. I love the game, but I’m not out to get played.”
“You don’t know” she starts, but I talk over her, cutting her off.
“I don’t know. You’re right. But I have a good idea, and that’s enough for me.”
“Fine. I have to get to class.”
“It’s about time you do something productive,” I tell her.
“Oh, hush. I’ll see you at our place later?”
“I’ll be there, but sleep with one eye open,” I warn, with zero heat in my voice. We both know it’s an empty threat. Autumn’s laughter is the last thing I hear as she ends the call.
Placing my phone back on the table, I let my eyes roam the coffee shop. I don’t see Holden, but that could change at any time. He knows where to find me. I grab my pens and shove them in my bag. I’m ready to pack up and head to the campus library, but then I realize I’m being ridiculous.
Holden might have been interested at the club. That’s what he does. He goes to clubs, picks up his next fling or whatever, and it’s a one and done. He’s not going to follow me here to a small coffee shop full of college students. That’s not his MO. Not to mention he can have anyone he wants. He doesn’t need to be chasing me. I laugh quietly to myself. I can’t believe I even considered the possibility.