The Heartbreakers

Lenley

“HERE WE ARE, PRINCESS.” Jameson stops his mustang in my driveway, setting that knee weakening silver gaze on me.

I spot Mom’s car parked in front of us. “I’d invite you to come in, but it looks like my mom is back from her date.”

He smiles. “Don’t worry, Len. We’ll have plenty of time to hang out.”

He leans over the center console, his big hand coming to cup my jaw as he touches my lips with his.

An onslaught of sensation immediately invades my body and I melt against him, wishing we didn’t have that console between us, so I could feel his solid body against mine.

“Damn.” Jameson chuckles against my lips. “If you’re going to be as fast a learner with all the rest like you are with kissing, we’re going to have one hell of a summer.”

I can’t help the pride swelling in my chest; ok, for full disclosure, it isn’t just pride, my nipples are hard and straining against the thin fabric of my tank top. Between the feeling of his lips against mine and the way the pad of his thumb is stroking a super sensitive spot behind my ear, my body has come alive with sensation. I feel his touch everywhere and his spicy, masculine scent is pleasantly surrounding me.

“Thank you for driving me home and for the pizza,” I say, breaking the spell and reaching to open the car door.

I’m surprised when he follows me outside, walking me to my front door.

“Good night, Lenley,” he whispers, closing the distance between us for one last brief, shallow kiss.

“Good night, J.” I smile, sliding inside my house and releasing a shuddering, excited breath as I close the door behind me.

I don’t move until I hear the roar of his mustang as he drives away, and I swallow, willing my heart to calm down.

I like him. I like all three of them.

“Hey sweetie.” Mom’s voice makes me jump as she appears in front of me in a sexy, yet demure little black dress and high heels.

“Mom!” I squeal, surprised, placing a hand on my galloping heart. “You look nice.” I compliment her and she smiles.

“Did someone bring you home?” she asks. “I was a little worried when I saw your car in the garage earlier. I was about to text you to see if you needed to be picked up.”

“I—no, thank you. My friends drove me home,” I say hesitantly.

“I’m glad you have Sarah looking out for you, Lenley. You need a friend after what happened with Kiara and Darrius.”

I don’t correct her assumption that Sarah brought me home and I don’t elaborate on who those friends are.

I know that sooner or later she’ll know who I’m hanging out with; aside from their “Heartbreakers” reputation, I’m not sure how she’ll react when she learns that I’m spending time with our rival team.

It would definitely be better if she heard it from me rather than from the grapevine of the town gossip but I decide that this isn’t the time to tell her.

Maybe I’m erring on the side of caution, but I don’t know how Mom will take the news and I’d rather wait until I know that our deal is working out. I don’t even think about what she’d say about the kind of deal I made with Peyton, Channing and Jameson; maybe keeping things as “we’re friends” would be better.

But those are all problems for future Lenley and I just look at Mom, thinking that I haven’t seen her smile like this, so relaxed and young looking, since Papà.

My heart aches thinking about my father, but he’s gone and Mom isn’t even forty. I know Papà would want to see her happy and he wouldn’t be mad if that was with someone else, if it can’t be with him.

“How was your date?” I ask, trying my best to keep a neutral tone.

The smile on her face says everything I really need to know, but I follow her into the kitchen when she offers to make tea.

“It’s kinda early days, Len,” she says once we’re settled at the breakfast bar clutching steaming mugs of peppermint tea. “But I really like him. He’s handsome and he makes me laugh.”

The redness spreading on her cheeks tells me that making her laugh isn’t the only thing her new man can do for her.

I think about what Peyton and the others were saying earlier on about my mom having a sex life and me being the most obvious product of it; I mean, they’re right and eventually, I’ll be ready to hear about the more “romantic” aspect of Mom’s new relationship but not right now. I’m just happy to see her smile, looking as young and carefree as I remember her growing up.

“Just let him know that as long as he keeps making you smile, I approve,” I say, fighting hard to stifle a yawn. “But if he hurts you, he won’t be able to run far enough to be safe from me.”

Mom rises from her seat, placing a light kiss on my temple. “Noted. He’ll be informed about the dangers of dating me. But I think we’re both exhausted, sweetheart. Let’s go to bed, huh?”