Ain't No Sunshine

I feel more movement, and a slight brush of my knee before her breath tickles my ear. “I’d take you touching me anywhere right now, Nate. Anywhere. You. Like.”

And just like that, all bets are off. I reach forward to touch her as my phone suddenly rings, causing us both to jump apart, breaking the spell we’re under. I want to hurt someone. Specifically, the someone choosing now to call me. ”Fuck!” I reach back blindly, pushing a few buttons until the noise stops. Fuck, fuck! Have I said that already?

When I suggested this, I never thought we’d end up here. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself until my breathing slows to a normal pace. When I’m finally able to focus on something other than Cory’s voice, I remove the blind fold quietly, and my eyes instantly seek her out. She’s staring back at me with a flushed and slightly embarrassed expression. It’s so fucking cute, I have to sit on my hands so I don’t reach over to her and finish what I think we were starting.

My phone rings a second time, then a third, so I finally check the screen. My best friend’s name flashes in front of me. He’s a dead man. Shane and I grew up together back home. He moved to attend the University of San Fran for a basketball scholarship when I moved here. We live close enough that we can still catch up, but far enough that we don’t do it as much as we’d like. Not that I ever want to see his face again after today.

I show Cory the screen, and she smiles. Fucking smiles. Maybe I’m the only one sexually frustrated. Well, she is pleasuring hers. Nope, don’t think about that. Back to the call. Cory and Shane have never met in person, but a friendship has grown between them over video calls. One that I’m now regretting.

“This better be good, asshole,” I scold.

“Hey! What did I do?”

“Just tell me what you need.”

He scoffs and is most likely rolling his eyes. Never one to put up with my crap. “Just calling to make sure you’re coming to my birthday celebration next week.” Shit!

“Ah…” Worst friend in the world, but I’d actually forgotten about it. This thing with Cory is taking up one hundred percent of my available brain space.

“Put Cory on the phone, Edwards,” Shane says, without giving me a chance to say anything else. He’s the only one who knows what’s going on between us, and that’s because I wanted someone to fill me in on what’s being said within our family units. His parents are close to mine, too.

“You’re already on speaker; say what you want to say.” I roll my eyes as Cory smiles again.

He launches straight into his attack. “Cory, I know you and Nate are going through things, and the less time you spend together, the better. I get it; I really do.” I brace myself for his but. “But, you need to get your sweet ass to the Firelight club on Saturday night or prepare for my wrath. I’m only going to turn twenty one once, and I have a feeling we’re going to be in each other’s lives for years to come. It’s best if you don’t start our friendship off on the wrong foot.” He’s joking, but I’m not sure Cory realizes that.

My eyes flick to hers, prepared for a little wrath right now, but to my shock, she’s smiling. She’s just about to answer him when he adds, “Plus, isn’t there only two days left by then? Olivia turns twenty-one just after me. My brother’s the only one who’ll know Nate, and he couldn’t care less about your business. Come; celebrate and let loose. You’ll be practically free. You can even make it your first date,” he jokes. Asshole.

“Fine,” Cory states, sounding bored or annoyed with a huge smile on her face, as she holds back a laugh that Shane can’t see.

“Thank you. I appreciate it, Cory, because the jerkface next to you didn’t have to say it, but I know he wouldn’t go without you.”

Cory’s eyes flash to mine in question. He’s telling the truth, but I wasn’t going to tell her that. She shakes her head but her smile remains. “We’ll be there, Shane. Both of us.”

“That’s what I like to hear! Now, tell me, Nate. She was fucking with me, wasn’t she? I bet she had a big smile on her face.”

“Nope, she looks pretty angry,” I tease.

“Shit! Sorry, Cory. I didn’t—”

My lie is blown the second she giggles.

“I knew it. You both suck. I’ll see you Saturday night. Hope you lose the game, Nate.”

“Goodbye, Shane.” He hangs up before I’ve finished speaking.

I turn to Cory with a smile. “He’s right. We’re practically free.” I bounce my eyebrows suggestively.

“I’ll give you Saturday. But until then, nothing. And no more alone time. I’m not going to lie and say I didn’t enjoy this, but it was a slip. It won’t happen again. We can last until Saturday.”

I can do that. I’ve come this far; I can definitely last until Saturday. I’m excited just thinking about it. “Prepare to be blown away by my PDA.”

Cory laughs, and I realize, more than anything, I just want to hold her, hear her tell me she loves me, and fall asleep with her in my arms. I mean, of course I’d also love a bit of whatever might have happened today, but that can wait.

My pulse quickens as I picture running my fingers through her hair and pressing a kiss to her forehead, just holding her. Saturday can’t come quick enough.