Page 5 of The Player

“Ju-Ju?” Aaron’s voice causes the tension in me to explode, and I yell as my head falls back and my hips arch.

“Holy fuck!” Aaron bellows at me, but the way I feel right now, I don’t comprehend his outburst.

It takes a moment for my head to come down from the clouds. When I look at him, embarrassment floods me.

“Did you just come?” He’s holding onto the doorknob so hard his knuckles are turning white.

“I…I think so.” I stumble over my words, shame making my throat thick with the need to cry.

“You think?” He laughs, and I pull the covers over my body, trying to hide.

“I…” A hiccup causes me to breathe deeply and turn even redder. “I’ve never done anything like this and it…”

Aaron’s growl gives me pause as he stalks toward the bed and grabs my shoulders. “Look at me, Julie.” His voice is deep and demanding. It sends tingles down my spine, and I gasp.

I’m mortified he caught me in such a way that I’m trembling under his touch. Refusing to look at him, I shake my head. The thought of seeing the disgust on his face makes me cower and close my eyes. Knowing he doesn’t want me hurts enough, but to see him looking at me, disgusted and with pity, would break me.

“No,” I whisper, and the word hangs between us, causing my heart to gallop in worry.

One of Arron’s hands moves to my chin, forcing my face upward. “Open your eyes, Ju-Ju.”

Disobeying him isn’t something I normally do. He’s never given me a reason not to trust anything he’s ever said. With courage that I don’t even feel, I open myself up to him and look at him.

“So innocent,” he murmurs as he trails a finger along my neck, causing me to shiver. His thumb runs along my jaw, and I feel my lip tremble. God, I am so pathetic.

“Don’t hate me.” My words seem to snap him out of his daze. Stepping away from me, his hands fall from my body, and I sigh.

“I could never hate you.” Aaron turns around and walks out of my bedroom. I miss his body heat immediately.

By the time I’ve gotten myself decent and out of my head, he is gone. The loneliness creeps inside of me, but I look at my phone.

A-bear

A friend picked me up. I’ll see you at school tomorrow.

I don’t respond, too scared if I do, I’ll beg him to come back.

* * *

I worried for nothing. Everything between us has gone back to normal, and I’m glad about it. I’m driving Aaron and Kaylee home, just like I always do.

“Are you ready for the game?” I ask, wishing I could drive to Dallas to support the team.

“Yup, I can’t wait to come home and celebrate.” He winks at me, and I blush.

“Movies, popcorn, and chocolate brownies?” Kaylee asks hopefully.

I turn down their street and smile at the ease that comes with being with my two best friends.

“Hell no. We are going to the after-party.”

I tense my hold on the steering wheel. “Oh,” Kaylee and I both say at the same time as I pull into their driveway.

“You know they drink at those stupid parties,” Kaylee snaps as she unbuckles her seatbelt.

“Yeah, but it’s the last party with Bry before he heads out. We should be there.”

“Ugh, just because Bryson has friends still in high school, doesn’t mean he has to go to the party.” Kaylee jumps down from the Bronco before she responds and rolls her eyes. “Since you two can’t seem to not party too hard, I’ll go, but I’m bringing Jackson with me and Julie is coming too.”

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