Page 2 of Trusting You

“You know it hurts the first time, right?” she whispered as she leaned closer.

“That’s why I asked for a drink. I figure if I drink enough it won’t hurt as bad,” I shrugged. “He loves me, I love him…I think.”

“You think?” she squeaked. “Here,” she opened her purse and rooted around for a moment. “If you’re doing it, you need to be prepared,” she produces a strip of condoms and shoved them in my hand.

“How much sex do you think I’m going to have?” I rushed to hide them in the bottom of my purse.

“If he’s as good as the rumors say he is, I’d hope a lot for your sake,” she giggled as she looped her arm through mine. “Now let’s go get that drink.”

We laughed the entire walk through the bar, and when we got outside Jason had scored us a table. The guys were seated, and the girls had gotten comfortable on their laps. A cocktail waitress stopped by and placed several drinks on the table. “I’m Tami if you need anything else, let me know.” She winked at Jason before strutting away. If I’d been more aware, I would have questioned it, but all I was thinking about at the moment was getting enough alcohol in me to numb the nerves.

“Try this,” Jason handed me a glass full of blue liquid.

“What is it?” I nuzzled into his neck. My head was spinning and every part of me tingled. Jason had his hand up my dress, but I didn’t care. I felt good. It was dark, and we were hidden by the table.

“You’ll love it,” he groaned as he plucked at the elastic of my panties.

“Jase,” I murmured as I turned slightly in his arms. “Can we leave?”

“Where are we going to go?” his voice sounded amused. I was always the one to find off the beaten path places for us to fool around. We’d pretty much done everything but sex, and I was determined to cross that off the list tonight.

“My house,” I shivered as his index finger traced over me.

“I don’t think Mommy and Daddy will like that,” he teased as he shifted me in his lap. He was hard, and I could tell he was on the verge of snapping.

If I hadn’t been drinking, I’m sure I wouldn’t have acted as I did but at the moment I was too horny to care. I turned, straddled his lap, and thrust my tongue down his throat. At first he resisted, but when I ground my hips down on him, he gave in. “Shit Mel,” he hissed when he broke the kiss. “I’m not into exhibitionism,” his hands locked onto my thighs in a vice like grip.

“No one’s home. House to myself,” I panted before locking our lips again.

“Somebody’s getting laid tonight,” Gage shouted from behind us.

“Get her out of here before she starts stripping,” another voice called.

“Don’t forget what I told you,” Jen patted my leg, bringing me back to the present.

“Keys,” Jason held his hand out. “I’ll drive,” he pushed me off his lap, adjusted himself, and stood. “Thanks for the ride, man,” he clapped Gage on the shoulder. “Come get me in the morning,” he grabbed my hand and began leading me out to where I parked.

I didn’t know it then, but that night defined the rest of my life. It changed me into the person I am today. It molded me, broke me, and showed me that I didn’t have all the answers. I wasn’t as smart as I thought, and the events over the course of the next two years would systematically build me into the person I am today. Jason broke me apart, and I didn’t realize how bad until I met someone who was as messed up as me. Aaron Sutter was my equal, and together we would build each other up. We would learn to trust one another, and that trust is what would help us survive the storm.

Chapter 1

Present Day

Melinda

“Oh my god, it’s freezing out!” I rushed through the door of my dorm room, the one I share with my best friend, Emma. “When does it warm up again?” I whined as I tossed my backpack on my bed, and began unwrapping my scarf.

“Not for at least three more months,” Emma giggled. “It’s only January, remember?”

“I know. I was just hoping that I was having some sort of amnesia, and it was going to be spring soon,” I grumbled as I tossed my coat on the back of my desk chair and threw myself dramatically across my bed. The spring semester just started and I was already counting the days until it ended. Christmas break had been pretty uneventful this year. I went home and spent the three weeks with my parents much like I did the year before. I never really went anywhere for any of the breaks. I spent a week with Emma last summer at her parents’ house on the beach, but other than that I’ve never gone anywhere.

Things have changed dramatically for me over that last two years. I’ve worked really hard to leave my old lifestyle behind me, and start fresh. So far I’ve been successful. No one from my past goes to school here, and I’ve managed to satisfy Emma with vague answers. She’s been hinting about meeting my family though, and I’m running out of reasons to tell her no.

“You got a minute to talk before heading to the library?” Emma grinned from where she sat perched on her desk chair.

“What makes you think I’m heading to the library? It’s only the first day of classes.” I tried not to laugh, but Emma knew me. At least she thought she did.

“I’m sure you’re going to start studying for whatever test you have next week, or paper you have due. You don’t know how to cut loose,” she giggled as she bounced on the chair. “I need to tell you something. Something big. Something so awesome!” she squealed as she rushed forward, thrusting her left hand out at me. “Look!” she shoved her hand in my face, making it hard to miss the giant diamond on her ring finger.

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