Page 38 of One Timer With A Wingman

“Hmm. I’m not buying it. That boy is gorgeous. Like, he’s seriously droolworthy and you’re gorgeous. There isn’t a chance where two single people in your situation didn’t hook up.” I may be projecting on my and Aaron’s situation, but I don’t think I’m wrong. I was at the bar when Annie helped Cade save face when he caught his longtime girlfriend cheating. She kissed him and the kiss was hot as hell.

“Briar, you know where I stand on hookups.”

I groan. “Dude, you’re young and probably very horny. Cade looks good, and he’s a nice guy from what I’ve seen. There is nothing wrong with you. You just had bad taste in men. Key word is had, like in the past.”

“Ford wants me back. He made it crystal clear when he was here with his family Christmas Eve,” she says, referring to her high school boyfriend. He was a real douchebag. He didn’t treat her right.

“So, do you want him back?” I ask.

“Absolutely not. But I spent the better part of high school crushing on him, dating him, and having him break my heart. A normal person would’ve dumped him from the start.”

“You’re a normal person. Why can’t you just accept you were young and inexperienced and now you know better?”

“Because of Chase. It was a repeat of my relationship with Ford. It was Chase who led me to believe I have a pattern where relationships are concerned. I haven’t been with anyone since.” I can understand her reservations and need to protect her heart because that’s what I’m doing with Aaron now. He’s sliding under my skin, and I don’t know what to do.

“Again, it was freshman year. You were young. College was new. You aren’t the same girl you were back then. Can you at least admit that?” I think it’s a solid argument. I somehow have good advice for my friends but when it comes to my own relationships, I flounder.

“Yes.”

“Halleluiah,” I cheer.

“I’m smarter now. I’m not falling for an athlete who looks like Cade and has a million girls chasing him,” she states. Oh boy, that sounds exactly how I am feeling about Aaron right now. I should confide in my friend about what is going on with Aaron, but it’s a fling. We are heading home today, and it will be over. It’s better if no one knows about it because we have friends in common who are dating. Things could get awkward. Keeping it a secret makes perfect sense.

“Damn, you’re impossible,” I say, even if I have an inkling about what she must be feeling.

“How about we focus on you for a second? Where the hell are you? It sounds like you’re in the middle of a party.”

Oops. I didn’t tell anyone where I was going because they all left town for the holidays.

“I took off to Punta Cana for a few days. There was a last-minute deal,” I explain. “I’m sipping a margarita at an all-inclusive resort as we speak.”

“Wow, that sounds fun. Good for you. Who did you go with?” she asks.

“Some friends who stayed behind from Black Jack’s and a few other students from Riverside.” I try to keep my answer vague.

“Have an amazing time. I’m kinda jealous now.” She laughs.

“Oh, you should be, the beach has crystal-clear water, and the sand is so soft and clean.”

“Enjoy your trip. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“Oh, come on, Annie. We’re having fun all day long and all night long. You really think I’m going to abstain or use a vibrator? There’re some hot guys here with us.” Aaron walks up to me. “There you are,” he mutters quietly and then he picks me up and cradles me against his chest. “Annie, I have to go. Happy New Year. Love you!”

“Aaron, my phone. Please don’t throw me in,” I plead.

Hawk runs by and grabs my phone from my hand before Aaron tosses me into the pool. He jumps in after me. I fall to the bottom of the pool and swim back up. Aaron emerges from the water after me, his green eyes glowing and rivulets of water covering his body. His wet hair is slicked back, and he looks so good.

“I can’t believe you did that.” I splash water at him.

“You’ve been evading me all day. I don’t like it,” he says.

I laugh. “Are you not used to girls not giving you attention?”

His lip quirks into a crooked grin. “I’ve never had a girl run from me. They’re usually all over me.”

I wince.

His eyes narrow on me. “You don’t like hearing about me with other women.”

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