The Beauty of Us Read online

  “It’s complicated,” I reply.

  “Have you kissed?”

  A mental image of Trevor pressing me against my front door, kissing me like he depended on it, pops into my head and the shiver isn’t so little this time.

  “Oh yeah.”

  “So what’s the problem?” Cami asks.

  I gulp down the rest of my drink and lean over to the coffee table to pour more. I am going to need the liquid courage to get through this conversation.

  And I need to have this conversation.

  “He took me out on a date last night,” I inform them, and lick the sugar off the rim of my glass. “I’m seriously addicted to sugar. This is a problem.”

  “Hey, get back to the date,” Cami says.

  “It was nice. He said he needed to take me out so he could show me how a gentleman should behave on a date.”

  “Good,” Cami says with a nod. “Because you’ve met some douche canoes since you and what’s-his-name broke up.”

  “Where did he take you?” Kat asks, clearly avoiding the whole let’s-talk-about-your-shitty-past-with-men thing.

  “To the art museum, and then dinner.” I smile, remembering the modern art exhibit. I hated the art in there, but being with Trevor made it so fun. “And then he took me home and kissed me on the porch and said good night.”

  “Wow,” Addie says, and takes a long sip of her drink. “Men still do that shit?”

  “This man does,” I reply. “I like it. I like the tradition of it, you know? One of the things that I’ve hated about dating is that everyone is in such a hurry to fuck. And don’t get me wrong, I love a good fucking as much as the next girl.”

  “And that’s my cue that I came in at the wrong time,” Jake, Addie’s husband, says, and turns around to flee the room, making us all laugh.

  “I guess I’ve been so disappointed by the lack of respect in the men I’ve dated.”

  “Trust me, I get it,” Addie says with a nod. “I think we’ve all been there.”

  “Absolutely,” Mia adds. “When are you going to see him again?”

  “I offered to cook for him tomorrow night.” I shrug and stare at my toes. I need a pedicure. I can’t have sex with Trevor until I’ve had these talons taken care of.

  “Great, you can bone him on the second date,” Kat says with a Cheshire cat smile.

  “He’s not permanent,” I remind them.

  “So?” Cami and Kat say in unison.

  “So, I don’t think a fling is really my thing. I mean, I don’t have anything against it morally, I just don’t think I’m wired that way.”

  “You’re an old-fashioned kind of girl,” Cami says with a romantic sigh and goofy smile on her face. “That’s sweet.”

  “For all we know, Trevor doesn’t want a fling either,” Addie says, tapping her finger on her lips.

  “You have pretty lips,” I tell her, making her grin.

  “The liquor kicked in,” she replies. “But thanks.”

  It really has kicked in. My lips are a little tingly and I feel really . . . good.

  “So, do you know what Trevor wants?” Cami asks.

  “No, but I could text him.” I pull my phone out of my pocket and smile when I see his name on my screen. “Aw, he already texted me.”

  Looking forward to dinner tomorrow night.

  “Oh lord, she’s smitten,” Mia says with a roll of the eyes. “She’s all aflutter over there.”

  “I’m going to ask him if he wants a fling or something serious.”

  “NO!” they all yell in unison.

  “Absolutely not,” Kat says, and dives for my phone. “Why am I always saving you bitches from embarrassing yourselves over text?”

  “Good communication is important,” I remind her with a frown.

  “Yeah, but this isn’t that. Asking him if he wants a fling is a conversation best had in person.”

  “Fine,” I reply with a sigh. “But he texted me first, so I should reply.”

  She reluctantly gives me back my phone and I take a sip of my drink.

  “These are really delicious. I know what I’ll say! I’ll tell him his glasses are sexy.”

  “That’s a good one,” Cami says with a nod. “They really are sexy.”

  Your glasses are sexy as fuck.

  I hit send and sit back with satisfaction.

  “You know,” Addie says, a thoughtful look on her face. “Starting something with Trevor doesn’t mean that it has to end when he leaves.”

  “She’s right,” Kat says just as Trevor’s reply to my text arrives.

  Your ass is sexy as fuck.

  “He likes my ass,” I announce, and quickly reply to him.

  You should send me a selfie. I want to see you.

  “I’m serious,” Kat continues, “I mean, sure it’s not ideal, but L.A. is only a three-hour plane ride from here.”

  “Says the girl who hates to fly,” Cami adds with a snort. “Oh, I’m so drunk.”

  “Just because I don’t like to fly doesn’t mean that Ri can’t fly to get some action.”

  I nod, pondering what she’s saying. Trevor shoots me another text. It’s a selfie of him in his glasses, sitting in his apartment. He has his nose scrunched up. “Aw, look.”

  The girls just smile at me while I take a selfie for him, making sure he can see my cleavage, and send it back.

  “Concentrate, drunk girl,” Kat says. “What about a long-distance thing?”

  “That just seems like so much work,” I reply. “I mean, it’s hard enough to have a relationship with someone in person. Being far away would suck.”

  “Well, I don’t mean to brag, but we’re doing pretty okay for ourselves,” Addie reminds me. “And I would bet that he does well too. It’s not out of the realm of possibilities that you could travel to see each other on the weekends.”

  “Plus, he travels a lot for his job anyway,” Mia adds. “It would be exciting to meet up with him in different cities.”

  Beautiful, as always.

  Trevor’s text makes me grin.

  I liked it when you took me to see boobs. And kissed me. Lots of kisses.

  I hit send and return my attention to the girls. “I should just ask him if that sounds good to him. I mean, I’m drunk and all, but it sounds okay to me.”

  “Do not ask him that,” Kat says sternly, and because I’m afraid she’ll take away my phone again, I bite my lip and smile innocently.

  Um . . . Have you been drinking?

  I snort and cover my mouth with my hand, staring at all eight of the girls.

  There are two of each of them.

  “He asked me if I’m drunk.” I smirk and find my Snapchat app. “Time for a video.”

  “Oh God,” Mia says, hanging her head in her hand. “Girls are so dumb when they’re drunk.”

  “It’s funny,” I reply, and find the baby bunny filter.

  “Hi,” I say, and let out a little giggle. “I might be drunk. Allegedly. I have a magic martini glass that keeps filling up.” I cuddle the glass to my face just as my ten seconds are up, save it to my phone, and send it to Trevor.

  “So, what you guys are saying is, just because he doesn’t live here doesn’t mean I can only have a fling with him.”

  “Exactly,” Addie says, and raises her glass in a toast. “If you care about each other, you can figure it out.”

  “I guess you’re right,” I reply with a nod, and smile when Trevor texts back.

  Okay, that’s cute. Glad you’re having fun. Are you safe?

  “Okay, look at this.” I show them his text and feel my insides go all gooey. “He’s so sweet.”

  “That is pretty sweet. That’s something Jake, Mac, or Landon would say because they love us,” Cami says with a nod. “Oh, I’m so happy for you.”

  “Don’t cry,” I demand as Cami’s eyes well up with tears. “Don’t you dare, or I will too.”

  “It’s just, you’ve waited so long to find someone who isn’t a dick,”
she says, and sniffs loudly. “If you feel something real for this guy, you have to give it a try, Ri. Good guys are almost extinct.”

  “She’s right,” Mia says. “I hate to admit that, because you all know I’m sort of not the biggest fan of the male species, but if it feels right, go for it. And not just for the sex, but for the whole package. You never know, it might all be a moot point anyway. You might hate him by Monday.”

  “There’s the cynic we all know and love,” Kat says, hugging Mia around the shoulders.

  “She’s sort of right,” I reply. “Maybe the sex will suck.” I frown. “Why would I wish that on myself? The sex will definitely not suck. But something could happen that puts a stop to all of it anyway. Might as well see how it goes.”

  “Cautiously optimistic,” Cami says with a slow nod. “A good way to go into it.”

  “Plus,” I add, “have you guys seen his glasses? And his hands. Holy shit, he hasn’t gotten me naked yet, and he already does amazing things with his hands.”

  “So, he’s handsy,” Addie says, making us laugh. “I love that word. ‘Handsy.’”

  “I love a handsy man,” Kat says with a grin. “As long as it’s not creepy handsy.”

  “True,” I say with a nod. “And he’s not creepy at all. A little geeky.” I laugh when I remember his love of Star Wars and video games.

  “Geeks are sexy,” Kat says. “Nothing wrong with that.”

  “Not wrong with that at all,” I agree.

  “Why haven’t we had sex back here?” Cami asks Landon later as he gives us a ride home. Well, he’s giving me a ride home and taking Cami to their home.

  Because they’re married.

  “Seriously,” she continues. “There’s plenty of room.”

  “I’ll put it on the list,” Landon mutters with a grin.

  “You love her,” I say.

  “Of course I do,” he says, smiling at me.

  “Even when she wants to ride in the backseat because this is a new car and she hasn’t ridden back there yet,” I add.

  “She’s fun,” he says with a shrug.

  Trevor is fun.

  “I want to talk to Trevor,” I announce, and dial his number, smiling when he answers on the second ring. “Hi, sexiest man alive.”

  “Well, hi there,” he says.

  “Oh my God, Riley, hang the phone up,” Landon says in exasperation.

  “No.” I frown at him.

  “Who was that?” Trevor asks.

  “Just Landon,” I reply, and wave him off, as if he can see me. “I wanted to tell you again that I loved it when you took me to see the boobs.”

  “Who the fuck is that?” Landon demands.

  “It’s Trevor,” I reply in frustration. “Stop interrupting.”

  “Why are you with Landon?” Trevor asks.

  “Because he’s driving us to my house,” I reply. “Don’t worry, Landon and I haven’t ever had sex. Yet.”

  Cami snorts in the backseat and Landon glares at me, but I just think it’s hilarious.

  “He’s taking you to your house?” Trevor asks.

  “Yep.”

  “Oh God, I might have to throw up,” Cami says.

  “Sorry, I gotta go.” I hang up the phone and turn in my seat to look at Cami. “You should have ridden up here! I told you that you get motion sick in the back.”

  “It’s pretty back here,” she says, and holds her stomach. “But I don’t feel so good.”

  “Hold on, baby,” Landon says, watching her in the rearview mirror. “We’re almost there, and then you can get in the front.”

  “Okay.”

  Just a few minutes later, we pull into my driveway.

  And Trevor is waiting for us.

  “Wow, he got here fast,” I say with a frown. “Wait, did I invite him over?”

  “Who is this guy?” Landon asks.

  “The TV guy,” Cami reminds him just as Trevor reaches my door, opens it, and reaches in to pull me out.

  “Hi,” I say with a grin, but when I look up into his face, he just looks . . . mad. “What did I do?”

  “You tell me,” he says. Landon has circled the car and comes to stand with us.

  “Landon, this is Trevor.” I introduce them. “I’ve known Landon for a long time.”

  Something’s wrong. Trevor is tense, his jaw tight, his hands clenched.

  And he’s not touching me at all.

  I don’t like that.

  “Landon,” Cami says as she gets out of the backseat. “Let’s go. You promised me drunk sex, remember?”

  “Cami?” Trevor says, surprised. “You’re with Cami?”

  “Of course,” I say. “I was with all of the girls. Landon is taking us home.”

  “I get to have sex with him,” Cami says with a smile as Landon wraps her in his arms. “Because I married him.”

  Landon whispers something to Cami and she nods. “She’s fine. Trevor’s nice.”

  “Okay.” Landon pats me on the shoulder. “Call if you need anything.”

  “Go get your drunk sex,” I say, and wave them off. Trevor walks me to my door.

  “I didn’t realize he was Cami’s husband,” Trevor says.

  “Well, you should use your super Jedi mind tricks to figure it out, big boy.” I snort-laugh as I unlock the door. “It’s pretty fun that you like all the geeky stuff.”

  “It is?”

  “Yeah.” I nod and turn to him. “Are you going to kiss me good night again?”

  His lips twitch as he watches me with those amazing green eyes and I lean into him.

  And then the porch begins to spin.

  “Whoa.”

  “Easy there, drunk girl.” He lifts me effortlessly into his arms and carries me inside. “Where’s your bedroom?”

  I point to the back of the house and lay my head on his shoulder. “You smell good.”

  He kisses my head, and I feel so safe. So pampered. I can’t remember the last time a guy picked me up.

  I don’t know if I’ve ever dated a guy strong enough to pick me up and carry me.

  That’s kind of sad.

  I’ve dated pussies.

  I smirk and press my face to his neck.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “I shouldn’t tell you. I’m drunk.”

  “Maybe you should tell me while you’re drunk.”

  I lean back so I can look at his face, blinking slowly. “I don’t know what to do about you. And I love it that you’re strong enough to carry me.”

  “I guess I should continue to hit the gym, then, huh?”

  I grin and tuck my face back into his neck and breathe him in. He sits on my bed, still cradling me close.

  Being held is fucking amazing.

  “Spinning,” I whisper.

  “Can you stay awake long enough for me to change your clothes?”

  “Mm.”

  And then I’m out, immediately dreaming about a naked Trevor, stripping me out of my clothes and kissing me. Holding me.

  Loving me.

  I stretch under my soft sheets and frown. I feel fucking horrible.

  Ugh.

  I’m never drinking again.

  I used to be able to drink all night and work all day, no hangover in sight. But now that I’m thirty, well, that’s a thing of the distant past.

  I brush my hair off my face and realize that I’m wearing a T-shirt that doesn’t belong to me.

  I don’t wear anything to bed.

  Why am I wearing something in bed?

  I sit straight up and look down. Nope, not my shirt.

  Fuck me.

  I grab my phone and call Cami. She answers, but I can tell I woke her.

  I don’t fucking care.

  “What did you let me do?” I ask with a loud whisper.

  “Huh?”

  I hear rustling in my kitchen.

  “I think someone is in my house,” I say, my heart rate up and panic starting to set in. “Who the fuck is in my house, Cam
i? How could you let me bring someone home? I mean, we didn’t have sex because I’m not sore. If we did have sex, he has the tiniest dick in the history of dicks, and if I had sex with that, I’ll never admit it. You can’t tell anyone.”

  “Jesus, stop rambling,” she says just as my bedroom door opens and I drop the phone with a scream, then stare at Trevor.

  A shirtless, rumpled, sleepy Trevor who’s holding a serving tray.

  I have a serving tray?

  “Riley?” Cami is calling through the phone. I pick it up, my eyes still clinging to his.

  “Sorry. It’s Trevor. Go back to sleep.”

  I hang up and pull the covers up to my chin as Trevor sets the tray on the nightstand and sits next to me, tucking my hair behind my ear.

  “Good morning,” he says with a sexy smile. My eyes keep drifting down to his smooth skin and sculpted muscles.

  “Morning,” I reply with a whisper. “I had no idea you looked like that under your clothes.”

  He smirks and my eyes find his again.

  “I had no idea you had that ink under your clothes,” he replies, and I feel my eyes go wide. “We’ll have to talk about that sometime.”

  “How did you see my ink? Did we—”

  “No,” he says, shaking his head. “I don’t have the smallest dick in the history of dicks.”

  “Oh, good.”

  He laughs and holds a glass of something gross in front of me.

  “No thanks.”

  “Drink it,” he insists. “It’ll help with the hangover.”

  “I’m not hungover.”

  He takes my chin in his fingers and raises my gaze to his. “No lying. Ever. Tell me what I don’t want to hear, but don’t lie to me.”

  “Okay, I don’t want that shit, I want coffee.”

  He nods toward the tray.

  “I brought some of that too, but drink this first. It really does help.”

  “How did I get this T-shirt on?” I ask as I take the glass and eye it dubiously. It’s green. And there are chunks in it. I take a sip and scowl.

  “Drink it fast,” he says with a grin.

  “You’re enjoying this.”

  “Immensely.”

  I gulp half the glass down, then shove it back at him. “Enough. Hand over the coffee.”

  “Good girl,” he says, and passes me a steaming cup of coffee, black.