What Happens Over Spring Break: A Short Story Anthology Read online

  What was I to him? Would he ever love me? Love was something that bred loss, and hurt, and devastating grief that I couldn’t bear to feel, not any more. If ever I wanted to end it all, to leave the world as my mother had, then I would be a lost possession to Shaw. A toy. A plaything.

  A doll.

  A ballerina on a spring.

  And I could live with that.

  “Take me upstairs, Shaw.”

  He smiled slowly, his handsome face reflecting the darkness that I’d become so fond of.

  He swept me into his arms and carried me up the attic steps.

  Kimberly Adams writes most genres from her picturesque farm in northeastern Ohio. She spends all of her time with her storybook husband and children, thankful for their happily ever after.

  Her published works include The Roam Series, The Movie Trilogy, The Fire Ballad Series, and stand-alone contemporaries.

  Visit Kimberly at www.adamsromance.com

  Sizzling Sunset

  Copyright © 2018 by P. Marie

  All rights reserved.

  Edited by PK Designs Editing and Graphics

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Sitting in my F250 pickup, drinking my Dunkin Donuts coffee, Joey and I watched Frankie finish plowing our last construction site. It was our first real, big storm in Boston, and I already couldn’t wait ‘til Spring. We’d been out since three this morning, and I was exhausted.

  I was mentally high-fiving myself, because, when I got the call from Frankie that we needed to start clearing snow, I was balls-deep in Samantha on round two of some wild sex. That girl had no inhibitions—which I loved—always giving me free-reign. Grabbing my pants and shoes, I kissed her, promising to be back. I left her place in stealth mode before anyone saw me. Or so I thought.

  The reason for stealth mode was that she and her roommates live next to Gia, Frankie's younger sister, in one of the brownstones we own. To say that they don't get along is putting it mildly, and it's best I keep it under wraps. Gia is relentless; she would make my life a living hell.

  Frankie drove up next to me and rolled down his window. I heard Gia's voice over the speakers discussing a trip to Aruba for spring break. Gia and her roommates, Shelby and Lexi, who dates Frankie, all go to Boston College and were looking to escape the Boston weather.

  Not one to be left out, I yelled, “Hey, we want to go to Aruba. My balls are frozen and need to be defrosted, for fuck’s sake. This shit is getting old, fast.”

  “Eww, gross Mikey. Last thing I need is a vision of your nutcicle, but yes, you can come, too, if your boss allows it.”

  Boss, my ass. We’ve been friends since elementary school and partners in this company for seven years, building our net worth one project at a time. Now, we’re considered one of the best in Boston. We recently partnered with McGrath Lumber in Charleston, S.C. Angus and Colin are a great addition to our expanding business.

  Gia is dating Colin. I feel bad for the poor bastard; she’s one tough nut to crack. I’m just glad that I didn't cross the line and try to tap her. At one point, I thought we’d end up together, but neither of us could pull the trigger. Colin is a good guy, but I’m very protective of Gia. I’ve threatened him more than once. Partner or not, I’d kick his southern ass if he ever hurt her.

  “Oh, Mikey, you would love this one. I’m watching your latest conquest trying to walk down her stairs. She fell flat on her ass, the stupid shit. Maybe you should have shoveled them before you left.” She laughed.

  “Shut up, Gia. She’s a nice girl once you get to know her.” Guess I need to work on my exit strategy. Oh, well. She can suck it. I don't owe her any explanations.

  Gia being Gia, giving no one a break, came in for the kill. “Whatever, Mikey. Turn them upside down, and they all look alike, right?” Gia ended the call, saying she would get back to us this afternoon with more details on this trip.

  I rolled my eyes. She was right; at one point in my life, I was the hit-it-and-quit-it kind of guy. But something about Samantha keeps me coming back.

  I spent the next two months freezing my balls off and counting down the days to Aruba. I may or may not have told Samantha and her roommates where we were going without really asking her to come, so Gia can bite me if they show up. Why should I go without anyone just because Gia can be a bitch and doesn't give anyone a chance?

  Loading up both SUV's, we headed to the airport. These girls packed for a month. Shelby, our little country girl, wouldn't be coming with us. She was going home to Montana for some family stuff. We spent a week at her Dude Ranch over the summer, and it was awesome. Her parents took a chance, and it paid off in spades. They’re considered one of the top new places to stay in Montana.

  The flight was uneventful—we watched a few movies, and I had to listen to Gia laughing her ass off over a stupid book she was reading called Sprung by Kate Benson. Joey was laughing along with her, reading some of the lines that had her cracking up like a lunatic.

  Frankie and Lexi sat across from us, keeping to themselves as if they were the only ones on the plane. I love Lexi. She has had one bitch of a year. Frankie never left her side, giving her the strength she needed to make it through it all. This vacation came at the right time for her. They were both sleeping wrapped up in each other. Gotta admit I’m a little jealous that they get to have their happy when I have to hide mine because of the friction between the girls. It doesn't seem fair. I wish Gia would cut Samantha a break, but I know how she is, and that would take a miracle. Joining Gia's circle was next to impossible.

  Joey was staring out the window. I call him the voice of reason—always there to help, making sure everyone is okay, defusing both Frankie and me when we act all big balls. I wish he’d find someone special. He dates, but they want more from him, and he keeps them at arm's length, never really getting close. He had his heart broken and is careful not to give too much of himself. I’d hoped he would hook up with Shelby, but she became more of a sister to us. She’d lost someone and was struggling to open up again. We all have pasts that haunt us, but we can't let it define us.

  Shaking away my girly thoughts, I wondered when I grew a vagina. Was this what finding the right girl did to you, made you have feelings? If Gia ever heard me say this out loud, she’d have my balls in a sling.

  Landing in Miami, we met up with Colin. Gia was all giddy, practically running down the ramp to get to him. I’m happy she found someone who keeps her in check, but I often wonder what it would have been like if we’d dated. I gave Colin a man hug, and we chatted a bit, then I felt a backhand to my head.

  “Hey, numbnuts, let's go. We need to get to our gate, and I’m hungry. I want to stop at the store first, so get moving,” Gia said shoving me along.

  I realized why I was glad we didn't cross the line. Gia was a terror with a nice set of tits.

  On the last leg of our flight, Joey and I were stuck in coach, packed in like sardines. Colin, Gia, Frankie, and Lexi upgraded to First Class, but there were no more seats left by the time it came to us, and we got stuck with the cattle.

  Finally landing and getting through customs, we grabbed our luggage and Jeeps, then headed to the hotel. This island was beautiful as soon as we left the airport, and we followed the ocean to our hotel. I couldn’t wait to kick back with a bucket of beer and enjoy the sun.

  Pulling into the Divi Divi parking lot, I was glad we rented Jeeps. The trade winds were blowing, and it was around ninety degrees. If those winds ever stopped, we wo
uld melt.

  After getting our keys to our rooms, I turned on my phone. Immediately I had a text notification.

  Sam: Miss me yet?

  Smiling I typed back.

  Me: Bet your sweet ass

  Sam: Good. I’ll meet you at the bar once I land.

  Staring at the words on my phone, I started to panic. Holy shit, Samantha was on her way. What the fuck was I going to do? I couldn’t hide her from Gia all week. This was going to be a fuckin’ disaster.

  Joey grabbed his bag and headed to our room. “Dude, let’s go. I need to change into my swimsuit and get a beer.”

  “Yeah, I hear you.” I waited for Gia and the others to be out of earshot. “You might want something stronger. Looks like Samantha and Beth are on their way here.”

  “You're shitting me, right?” Joey stopped in his tracks.

  “Nope. I might have mentioned it to her in passing after sex. It looks like she decided to make this her spring break destination, too.” I nervously laughed at my stupidity. I broke the number one guy rule after sex—never let your dick do the talking.

  “Well, brother, Gia is going to blow her stack, and I'm not picking up the pieces. You should've been honest. Now, it’s going to bite you in the balls. Hope you learned a lesson. If you don’t want to tell people you’re dating someone, then maybe she isn't the one.”

  Those words from my best friend were the kick in the ass I needed. He was right; I liked Samantha, and I was sick of hiding the fact that I’d found someone. It was time for me to man the fuck up and face Gia.

  Sitting at the bar, Joey and I both had a bucket of Balshi beer. We were doing significant damage heading to bucket number two. The bartender, Ruben, was a cool guy. He was filling us in on the island and what we should see. Ruben mentioned that the beaches were public and topless was allowed, so we shouldn’t be surprised if we saw a woman walking down the beach with only bottoms covering them. We both laughed. You don't see that in Boston unless you’re at a strip club. This vacation was turning out to be the best trip ever.

  I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned around. There stood Samantha and Beth. My girl was wearing a bikini with a lace thing over it, but you could see her perfectly round tits sticking out. Immediately, I got all caveman, pulling her onto my lap, claiming her before fuckers got any ideas.

  “Woah, big guy.” She placed her hands on my chest.

  “Woah, my ass. You’re practically naked. I don't want guys gawking at my girl,” I said, getting all territorial.

  “Your girl? You might want to ask me if I want to be your girl,” she said pushing off and turning to Ruben.

  “Hey there. Can I have two Piña Coladas?” She kept her back to me.

  I looked over to Beth for some help, but she shrugged her shoulders and stood beside her bestie in support. Beth was a cute little thing with long, curly, brown hair and deep brown eyes. She was quiet and loyal just like Joey.

  Closing my eyes, I gathered my temper. She was right; I never asked her and hid her like a dirty little secret. What kind of boyfriend would do that? Taking a deep breath, I finally manned up. Pressing myself into her back, I placed my hands on the bar, trapping her. I pushed my semi-hard cock into her and whispered the words I never thought would ever leave my mouth.

  “Oh, don't get it twisted, Samantha. We’re a couple. I'm done hiding it. Are you? If you don't want it, then let me know now, and I won't waste my time.” I backed away and sat on my barstool.

  Turning around, sipping her drink with a smile on her face, she kissed me. “Well, not quite the romantic way to ask a girl to be exclusive, but coming from you, it’s a start, you big gorilla,” she said, kissing me again.

  “Thank God you two finally came out. I’m sick of being the lookout for Gia,” Beth said as she sat next to Joey and rolled her eyes.

  “Me, too. It was getting a bit ridiculous covering for him,” Joey said, taking a sip of his beer.

  “Looks like it's you and me hanging around this week, Joey. Hope you don't mind. I won't get in the way if you meet someone. I just don't feel like being the third wheel.” Beth looked down at her hands.

  Joey pulled Beth into a hug and messed up her hair. “No worries, kid. It's all good. Not looking for any action down here. Too many what if’s. It’s all good. We’ll have fun, no strings.” He high-fived her.

  “Hey guys,” Gia yelled, waving at us—the voice I had been dreading. Samantha stiffened in my arms. Shit. This would not be good. When Gia realized it was Samantha sitting with us, her smile faded. Her pace picked up as she marched toward us. Colin was following behind, shaking his head in laughter. Walking right up to me, practically shoving Samantha out of the way, Gia started.

  “Want to tell me why this snobby-ass bitch is in Aruba on vacation with us? Can't keep your mouth shut after sex, Mikey?” Hands on her hips, she was waiting to start a fight.

  “Gia, back the fuck off. You don't get to tell me who I can date or call my girlfriend. She’s here, so get over it and grow the fuck up,” I stood to make my point.

  “Back off man,” Colin warned. “Partner or not, don't you ever speak to my girl like that again, or you will be picking out a new set of fuckin’ teeth. We clear?” He got in my face.

  “Then control your girl. She doesn't get to tell us what to do and how to do it.” I stared him down.

  “Hello, ass fucks. I’m right here. Stop talking about me like I’m not,” Gia said, slamming her hand on the bar.

  Samantha stepped in front of me. “Stop, please.” She put her hands up to Gia in surrender. “I admit that I was a bitch to Shelby in the beginning and gave you a rash of shit every time I saw you. For that, I apologize for acting like a spoiled brat. Believe it or not, Shelby and I have become friends at the barn. We didn't want to say anything because you had such a hair across your ass towards me that she figured you’d have this exact reaction. I’m asking you to give my friends and me a chance, and maybe someday, we can be friends.”

  I pulled her to my chest. I was proud of Samantha for standing up to tough-as-nails Gia.

  Gia stepped back as if she’d been slapped in the face, bumping into Colin. She stood silent for a moment, then finally spoke as if she had to gather all her strength not to look like an asshole.

  “You made my girl Shelby feel like dirt, so I called you out on your bullshit. You walked around campus as if your shit didn't stink, making people feel small around you when you're no better than anyone else. Just because you and Shelby have mended fences, or whatever you horse people call it, doesn't mean you’ve turned over a new leaf. For the sake of my friendship with Mikey, who thinks with his dick and not his head, I will back off for now. However, if you think for one second that you can speak down to anyone of us, I will knock you on your pretty little ass. Am I clear?”

  “Crystal,” Samantha said not backing down.

  “Good. Bartender, please give me an Aruba Ariba, stat. I am dying of thirst,” Gia said, plopping down at the bar.

  Colin bent, whispering something in her ear. Not sure what he said, but she got a goofy look, and her shoulders relaxed, allowing us all to let go of the breath we’d been holding.

  Sitting at the bar, I wondered to myself if I’d ever find the right girl. I didn't come to Aruba to sleep around; it's not the kind of guy I am. Let's get it straight—my needs get met, but I don't use the girls I sleep with. From the get-go, they know that I’m not in it for the long haul. But watching my boys—Frankie and Mikey, as well as Colin—with the girls, it made me want to have what they do. I just hadn't found “the one.”

  I’d been gun shy since high school when I fell in love with Megan. She was it for me, and I didn't care who knew. We were inseparable seniors and expected to attend the same local college so we could be together. Once the pregnancy test came back positive, our plans suddenly changed. The future we’d intended was a dream and getting married, having babies was the new focus.

  Megan did
n’t want to get married. She became distant, refusing to see me. After she’d been absent from school for a couple of days and wouldn’t return my calls, I showed up at her house. Her mother answered the door. Looking at the ground, she finally let me in.

  “Joe, please take it easy on her. She’s not feeling well. The doctor doesn't want her to get too excited, or her bleeding will increase.”

  Shutting the door behind me, I stood there looking confused. What was she saying? “Bleeding?”

  “Yes, Joe. The procedure she had will cause bleeding for a bit. She needs to stay calm and in bed. Didn't she tell you?”

  “No. She didn't say anything to me.” Panicking, I took the stairs two at a time. I knocked on her door, and she answered in a weak, childlike voice.

  “Come in.”

  When I opened the door, she saw me. Immediately, she turned her head and sobbed, and I knew the baby was gone.

  “Talk to me?” I sat on her bed, praying I was wrong.

  “Please forgive me. I couldn't do it,” she said through the tears. “I wasn't ready. We weren't ready. This baby would have changed all our plans.” She reached for my hand, and I coiled back, standing, staring at the one person I loved, who’d betrayed me in the worst way.

  “How fuckin’ dare you make that decision without me? The baby was there because of two people who were in love, and you destroyed that.”

  Bawling even harder, she said four words I swore I would never want to hear again. “I love you, Joey. Please understand that I did this for us,” she pleaded.

  “If you loved me, you would have talked to me.” I stepped back. It was like someone punched me in the gut and ripped my heart out at the same time. Love should never hurt that bad. Reaching for the door, I looked back with tears in my eyes, knowing this would be the end of our relationship. I closed the door, ending my fairytale.

  I walked from Megan's house in a daze. When I met up with Frankie and Mikey, I told them everything. Never once did they judge Megan or me. They were brothers who stood by me through one of the worst times in my life.