Almost Easy

Chapter Thirteen:

“Are we coming back tonight?” I asked Jimmy. He shook his head.

“What kind of road trip would it be if we came back tonight?” He asked, smirking. I rolled my eyes. “We’ll be back tomorrow.”

“Alright. I’ll pack a change of clothes.”

“Probably a good idea, Ace. But, hey, you could always wear mine… or go naked.” Brian winked. I hit his chest.

“I’m okay with that.” Matt agreed.

“It’s funny, because I don’t remember asking for your opinion.” I quipped. My phone rang and I saw Oliver’s picture on my caller ID. “I gotta take this, brethren. Get out so I can pack.” I shooed them out of my room. Matt stayed, lounging on my bed. I rolled my eyes and hit the talk button.
“Hey handsome,” I answered, while looking at Matt. Oliver chuckled.

“Hey yourself, how you feelin’ mama?” Ollie asked me.

“I’m feeling a lot better after last night; thank you. I really appreciate it.”

“Hey, none of that – don’t thank me. That’s what best friends are for.”

“Fine, have it your way.” I told him as I threw some overnight things into an empty tote bag.

“I knew you’d come around.” He teased. I can hear him smiling.

“How was class, old man?”

“It was class and boring. But I aced my test, so no worries my way. I’m working out the details for my trip out there. Hayden wants to come. I told him that I would check with you, first. I’ll try to leave Grace at home, but you know how she is.” He explained.

“Yeah, Hayden should come out. He’s great. I miss him like crazy. If Grace wasn’t so crazy, possessive it wouldn’t be a big deal.” I agreed with him. Hayden's another friend that I've had forever. He's just a genuinely fantastic man. He's just one of those people that has such a caring soul, it's unreal.

“Ain’t that the truth? I don’t know. She’s a catch, but I don’t know if we’re meant to be.” He sighed.

“What’s your gut say?” I asked him.

“To dump her ass.” He admitted. I chuckled.

“Then do it. If she doesn’t appreciate you, which I know she doesn’t, she doesn’t deserve an awesome guy like you.”

“See, now who’s making who feel better?” He laughed.

“That’d be me. I figured it was my turn.”

“What are you up to, short-stack?” He asked me.

“I’m packing, actually. My friends are kidnapping me for a spur-of-the-moment road trip. We are ditching.” I told him.

“Lyds, be careful. You know I worry about you.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. I will. Hey, I gotta jet, but I’ll text you. Okay? Don’t be a stranger and let me know what you decide about the dates. Love you, Ollie.”

“I will. Take care of yourself, Lydia. Love you, too.” He hung up. I pocketed my phone and packed my charger. Matt was looking at me curiously.

“He’s my best bud, from back home.” I explained. He nodded, slowly.

“I was starting to think you had a guy in New York that you were steppin’ out on.” He smirked. I shook my head.

“I’m a lot of things, Matt, but I’m not a cheater.”

“That’s good to know.” He smiled and hopped off of my bed. He placed his hands on my hips and pulled me towards him. “You’re a difficult woman to figure out – do you know that?” He asked me. I shrugged. He was creeping closer and it was getting increasingly more difficult to think clearly.

“If you say so, I doubt that I’m that complex.” I tried to joke.

“You’re mysterious.” He argued.

“Please, I’m so not mysterious.” I whispered. I became suddenly aware of how close his lips were to mine. “You just don’t know me that well.”

“I know that if you don’t stop me, I’m going to kiss you.” He muttered, inching closer.

“Kiss me?” I echoed. He nodded. I froze, instead of moving away, like I should have. Do I want him to kiss me? Yes. Should I let him kiss me? Damn-fucking-brain… Well, if there’s no spark, at least that’ll take care of half of my guy problems. This is going to happen. Shit, this is really going to happen.

“Yes,” he whispered as his lips finally connected with mine. He held my face in place, gently. I gripped his shirt and kissed him back. I felt it in all the ways that I wish I didn’t. Damn it, the man can kiss. I pulled away before things could go any further.

“We shouldn’t…” I told him, softly. He nodded, but didn’t let go of me.

“Why shouldn’t we?” He asked instead.

“I don’t want a relationship.” I told him the same thing that I told Brian. He just smirked.

“I never said I was asking for one.” He told me, leaning down to kiss me again. I ducked out of his gaze and grabbed my bag. I pulled on my shoes and left him standing in my room. Way to go, Lyds. Let everything get complicated – why don’t ‘cha? I face-palmed.

I double-checked my bag as I descended the stairs. Meds? Check. Phone and charger? Check. Pepper spray and pocket knife? Double check. Tampons in case of emergencies? Definite check. Clothing and toiletries? Yep. Vodka. I should bring vodka. Yes.

“So this trip?” I announced as I walked into the living room, causing everyone including Doug to look at me. “I’m taking a page from Castiel and suggesting we drink copious amounts of alcohol. I mean, am I right?” I laughed, nervously.

“I knew I liked you for a reason.” Zacky was quick to agree. I smiled.

“You do realize that I am still your father and am still in the room – yes?” Doug spoke up. “If you’re going to drink, drink responsibly. Absolutely no driving while you’re under the influence. Do you hear me? That goes for all of you lot, not just my son.” Doug warned us. We all nodded in compliance. “You’re under age. If you are going to be drinking, I suggest you do so at the beach house, not in town.”

“The beach house?” I repeated. Doug nodded.

“My brother has a beach house a few hours from here, near a quaint town. I thought the change of scenery might do you some good.”

“Okay.” I said, processing the information.

“Dude, it was supposed to be a surprise!” Jimmy complained. I laughed.

“Are we going to spend all day bitching or are we going to get a move on?” I asked.

“Damn, keep your panties on.” Brian told me as he stood up, smirking.

“Oh, shut up. I have zero patience. Let’s go!”

Notes

So, this chapter was going to be longer, but I'm exhausted. SO new chapter up soon and it'll probably be a lot longer than this one. More boy drama coming up soon!

Loves,
Katie