Page 8 of His Stubborn Girl

He gives me a strange look, wondering why I’m showering before I go get sweaty, but I have to wash the grime of my thoughts off my body and the dried cum off my dick from letting the fantasy take hold. I’m seriously hoping that after I’m home for a few days, it will all fade and I’ll return back to normal. I definitely think it’s a good idea to avoid contact with Torrin this summer. I’m too afraid even a text will set me off.

7

Torrin

Two months later…

“Well, you’re all set, kiddo.” Walter rubs the top of my head like he always does, messing up my hair. I bat him away, giggling. “We’re going to miss having you around the house. Especially me. Now, I’m going to have to be the one to listen to your mom rant about the drama with the tennis ladies.”

Mom shakes her head. “No, you won’t. You give the worst advice. I’m still going to call Torre. We’ll still have ourcoffee talk.” She does her best to make a New York accent, but I still hear the Southern twang in her voice. Gosh, I’m really going to miss her. I’m going to miss them both.

“We can have Starbucks Sundays,” I tease, “and you can give me all the tea.”

Because unlike Lukas, I’m not going to abandon my family and act like they don’t exist anymore. Nothing will ever be more important. I hate that I can’t even think about him without getting angry. Once again, he failed to show up. He said he was going to come help me move into my dorm today, but then he texted this morning saying that he had an impromptu meeting after football practice and wouldn’t be able to make it. I’m wondering whether there really was a meeting or if he just didn’t want to be bothered. I’m betting on the latter.

I’ve seen all his social media posts from this summer. All the parties he’s been going to. All the girls he’s been going out with. He’s been hanging out poolside with his buddies nearly every day. It doesn’t look like he needed to get back to help his coach. It looked like he was suffering from some serious FOMO and didn’t want to miss out on all the action. Football was just his lame excuse.

“All right,” my mom says, distracting me from my downward spiral leading me straight to my bitterness. “Are you ready to go grab something to eat before Walter and I get on the road?”

I’m kind of bummed they can’t stay the night, but the hotels were completely booked up. Everyone is moving their kid into college this weekend, and the city doesn’t have enough accommodations to house everyone. And, of course, my brother didn’t offer for them to stay at his place. He could’ve given them his room and slept on the couch for the night. But that would cramp his style and hinder his fun, wouldn’t it? Instead, our parents are forced to drive the six hours back home tonight.

“Yep. I’m starved.” I try to squelch the livid feeling creeping in. The good news is I’m no longer confused about my feelings for him. Hostility is now the only thing I feel when someone mentions his name.

“What restaurant did we decide on?” Walter asks as he types on his phone. “I just need to let Lukas know so he can meet us.”

I’d rather he didn’t. But I know Walter misses his son. Lukas didn’t even come home to spend Father’s Day with him. I’m actually shocked the jerk has a moment to spare for us now.

“We’re going to Margaritas,”mom says. “Tell him we’re heading there now.”

I excuse myself to the bathroom and splash some cold water on my face. It’s just dinner. I can handle an hour with the guy. Although, I’m no longer hungry.

“All set?” mom asks when I come out.

“Yep. Let’s go get some margaritas.” Because I could really use one. Or two. Or a whole feaking pitcher.

“You’re only nineteen.” Walter shakes his head, “but I’ll let you have half of mine since I have to drive back tonight.” And when my mom isn’t looking, I’ll be drinking down half of hers too.

* * *

As soon aswe pull into the parking lot, my stomach is gnarled by my nerves. Lukas has already arrived, standing outside the restaurant, a foot taller than all the rest. He looks like a bodyguard with his arms crossed over his chest and his jaw tensed. A thin line across his lips. If he didn’t want to be here, he didn’t have to come. No one forced him to.

I was hoping the anger would kill the attraction, but apparently it didn’t even numb it. I wanted to show up and be indifferent to him, but now I’m checking myself in my phone and making sure I don’t look like a hot mess. I wish I’d changed out of my leggings and tank top and put on something cute. All the girls standing outside the restaurant look cute. Little skirts and summer dresses. And every single one of them is checking him out.

It’s almost ridiculous to watch. All of them flipping their hair, biting down on their lower lips, and giggling loudly in hopes to get his attention, but he still doesn’t notice them. His eyes are locked on me, sending my stomach straight into overdrive. I don’t know how it’s even possible, but somehow he’s gotten even hotter.

“Lukas!” My mom goes right up and wraps him in a hug, barely coming up to his chest. “We’ve missed you.”

She should speak for herself. But the begrudging tension in my shoulders proves I missed him too.

“I missed you all too.” He hugs her back.

No, he didn’t. If he missed us, he would’ve called or texted. Let’s just be real.

“Hey, son. I’m glad you could come have dinner with us.” Walter moves in for his hug.

“Yeah. Sorry, I couldn’t come help Torrin move in. Coach is really riding our asses right now.”

It’s always football, football, football. Nothing else seems to matter. Except…girls. He’s been spending time with a bunch of them this summer, according to all the social media posts.

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