Just Between Us: A Friend's to Lover's Romance Read online

  “What?” I didn’t even regret telling her.

  “Yeah, when we were fifteen. My parents’ Fourth of July pool party. You showed up in that bright red bikini.” I was sure my face was bright red too.

  She laughed uncontrollably and I laughed uneasily. I wasn’t sure if I completely made a fool of myself and made her uncomfortable.

  “Oh my gosh. Is that why you disappeared until later that night?” I nodded. I hid until the fireworks, when she was fully clothed.

  “Wow.”

  “So, there you go. Even then you…and you’ve grown up so,” in so many words I told her it’s only gotten better--worse. Worse for my cock.

  “Oh.” She tucked her hair behind her ear and laughed again.

  “The sun is almost up…I guess we should go to sleep.” I broke the silence.

  She nodded. I moved to get off the bed but she stopped me.

  “Can you…it’s just cold.” I nodded. No, this isn’t new either. Really, guys can sleep with girls all the time and it doesn’t mean anything other than shared warmth.

  “Sure.”

  I got into bed with her. She laid on her stomach, facing me while I laid on my side. Our knees touched, but that was about it. I closed my eyes and was about to drift off to sleep.

  “Dillon?”

  “Hmm?” I didn’t open my eyes. She didn’t say anything. I opened one eye to find her nervously chewing on her lip again.

  “What’s up, Cheesecake?” She didn’t look at me. I sighed. “Are you still thinking…”

  “No, no you convinced me, I just…” I opened my eyes completely and nudged her shoulder. She looked at me and flushed before looking away again.

  “I was wondering if you still—if your hard on was a one-time thing or it still happens. Because of me.” She whispered hesitantly. My heart might have skipped a beat as I closed my eyes.

  “All the time, Cheesecake.”

  Seven:

  I was in a bad situation.

  Nothing serious, just that Lori had rolled over in her sleep, half of her body was on mine—her knee on my hip, inches from my morning wood. I was fine until I really started to look at her. Her face was turned up on my shoulder with her arm thrown over my chest. Her lips were parted slightly in a perfect ‘o’ shape. Not even her occasional snort could calm my budding erection down. I had to move her before I reached the point of no return.

  Gently, I grabbed her arm and leg and rolled her over as I stepped off the bed. She moved in her sleep, curling up like a ball. She was so damn cute. With a blissful sigh, I went into the bathroom to take a piss and brush my teeth. I figured since she made me breakfast I should return the favor.

  Down in the kitchen, I made a pot of coffee and decided to make French toast, it’s her favorite. I clicked on the television—best thing on was Grey’s Anatomy. I couldn’t lie and say I wasn’t excited to go to med school and become a doctor. It was all I wanted to do for years, even before football. I would never understand why my dad hated that—hated that I was done with football.

  “You’re cooking.” Lori mumbled behind me. I flipped the bread over and spun to face her.

  “Yeah, French toast.” I smirked. She grinned and poured herself a cup of coffee. She drinks her coffee black; I drink mine with diabetes.

  “You sleep okay?” I asked her casually. She sat on the counter. I was glad she had put a sweater on, hiding the soft swells of her breasts.

  “Yeah. You kept me warm.” She giggled. I took the bait.

  “Because I’m incredibly hot?” My brow cocked and she rolled her eyes at me over her coffee cup.

  “You’re watching this again?” She laughed. We always watched it together before college and over the break. We would wait until we were together but the reruns were on Lifetime.

  “Yeah, nothing else good on.”

  She hopped off the counter and hobbled over to the couch. I watched as she threw a blanket over her shoulders—her back was to me so she didn’t notice, and she tucked her feet under her as she watched the show. I shook my head, not believing I was doing this. Staring at her, afraid to tell her the truth. I was being selfish—not wanting to lose her.

  I finished up the breakfast, I made whipped cream from scratch and found some strawberries to top it. I served it to her on the couch and poured her another cup of coffee.

  “Thank you.” Her smile was sheepish.

  I sat next to her as we ate, watching Dr. Yang bash an intern. It never failed me, how comfortable I was around her and her me. We never had to try and it was never awkward, even after what I had said last night. I guess that’s what happen when you literally grow up with someone.

  The whole story is; my mom was her mom’s best friend in high school. When they went off to college, they drifted apart but hung out every occasionally, over breaks. Lori’s parents got married right after high school but my parents didn’t get married until after college. Our moms were occasional friends at that point, it just so happened they got pregnant one month apart. My parents moved here to Florence just before I was born—when my mother’s interior design business kicked off and my dad started a private law firm. Now he represents every small and private business in the city, hence our massive estate. Since then Lori and I were always together. Play dates, shared birthday parties, shared baths, the whole nine yards.

  For a time, Lori didn’t even like me. It was back in middle school. When sixth grade rolled around, she started ignoring me. Only saw me when she had to. I thought it was because my brown hair and green eyes were too much beauty for her, but after a big fight in seventh grade, I learned it was because I was ‘sort of a dick face.’ I took it to heart, really tried to be less of a said ‘dick face.’ She didn’t really forgive me, for whatever she was mad about, until we went to high school. Since then, we have been closer than ever.

  “That was amazing, thank you.” She grabbed my plate before I could stop her and washed them.

  “My dad will be home soon.” She called from the kitchen. I stood up, I should probably put a shirt on. I went upstairs to do that and then remembered I left my clothes I bought in her car.

  “You gonna see your dad today?” She interrogated me as soon as I walked back inside.

  “I don’t think so.” I walked past her, putting my bags in her room.

  When I came back downstairs, I found her in the den. Watching her computer with frustration.

  “What’s wrong?” I sat in the chair across from her. She shook her head and adjusted her black glasses. She only wore them if she was using a computer.

  “Nothing. Just checking on some things.”

  She finished clicking and scrolling then turned to me. Her scowl told me she wasn’t very happy.

  “What?” I laughed innocently.

  “You should go see your parents, I’ll go with you.” She leaned forward, her hands clasped under her chin as she watched me warily.

  “No,” I shook my head, “you ever think they just don’t want to see me? I mean, they haven’t even called and my mom knows you graduated. She knows I came. Actually, mom did tell me to congratulate you for her.” My mom was a lot more empathetic than my dad, shocker. The day before Lori graduated, she actually asked if I was going and wanted to come. Crap, I forgot to give her the gift she said she got.

  “Oh.”

  “Yeah. I’m going home for Christmas, promise.” She nodded.

  “But I’m still coming for dinner.” She laughed a bit. I always had Christmas dinner with her family.

  “Anyways, my mom got you a gift for your graduation.” I pulled out my phone and texted my mom. I wouldn’t mind meeting her for lunch or something.

  “That’s nice of her.” I nodded.

  “Yeah.”

  Hey mom. Can I meet you for lunch today and get Lori’s gift?

  Yes, of course. I’m with clients until one. Meet me at Lula’s at two.

  Sure.

  “I have to meet her at two.” She nodded.

  �
��I need to go to the library. Do you need a ride?”

  I sighed and shook my head.

  “I’ll go to my house since my dad is at work. Grab a car.” She nodded.

  “You really don’t want to talk to him, huh?” Her voice was honeyed.

  “I can’t. He is just going to say the same thing over and over again. I don’t want to hear it anymore.”

  “I’m sorry.” I shrugged. Her eyes were sincere, warm. I could stare into those blue seas all day.

  “Don’t be.” I stood up.

  “I’m going for a run.”

  Once I hit the pavement I was at ease. I pushed harder than last time, talk about my dad frustrated me. I ran the same distance as last time but stopped at my house instead. I grabbed the key I stuck into my shoe and went in through the basement. The house smelled the same, looked the same. Cold, cashmere woods or something.

  It felt stupid, sneaking around my house but I’d rather that than getting caught. I snuck into my room and grabbed more clothes and shoes then I went out to the garage and took the Beamer 7 Series, they would never notice it was gone. I was back with Lori before anyone noticed.

  Her dad was home like she said, his truck parked in the driveway, but I didn’t see him when I went inside. I jogged up the steps to Lori’s bedroom, her door was half open so I went ahead and came in without knocking. Mistake.

  Her back was to me—well she was bent over, leaning to one side. She was doing yoga, that much I knew, but I couldn’t think of any much else as all the blood in my body traveled down to my cock. I probably should have announced myself but I didn’t, I’d rather watch her do…whatever she was doing. But I found my head before I started jacking off right then and there.

  “You’re bent over like a lawn chair.” My voice was gravelly.

  She looked at me from between her legs, upside down. Gingerly, I walked across the room to where I wasn’t staring at her ass in those tight yoga pants anymore.

  “I’m trying to achieve trikonasana but I’m not doing too well.” She huffed and sat with her legs crossed. She wiped sweaty wisps of her hair back and exhaled heavily. She was damn sexy hot and sweaty.

  “Got it…hey do you mind stretching my hamstrings?” Sure, I could do it on my own, but just wait.

  “Yeah.”

  I laid on the floor and she kneeled next to me. When she grabbed my leg she moved in front of me, her knee dangerously close to my crotch and her breasts pushed against my calf as she pushed my leg farther down. See? Her leggings covered her belly button but she only wore a sports bra—a thin strapped, low coverage, bright pink sports bra.

  “Say when.”

  I grinned up at her.

  “You went to your house?”

  I nodded.

  “Came back with more clothes and the Beamer.” She rolled her eyes but laughed a little bit.

  “Are you excited to see your mom at least? It’s been a while.” I nodded.

  “Yeah. My mom…she’s the only one I actually miss sometimes.” She switched legs.

  I tried to pay less attention to her body pressed against mine and the grip her small hand had on my thigh, closer to my crotch.

  “That’s sweet.” She tried to hide her sadness. Even though she never knew her mom, I knew it bothered her a little bit sometimes.

  “Are you thinking about your mom?” I asked her. Her glance caught mine but her eyes fleeted.

  “Yeah. I wish she could have seen me graduate.” I nodded.

  “She did. And I’m sure she is very proud of you.” She smiled sadly and pushed farther.

  “Ah, when!” She shot back.

  “Sorry.” I rubbed the back of my thigh, feeling like it had been snapped in half.

  “Jeez, you’re strong.” She sat back and pulled her legs to her chest.

  “Not really, you’re just a woos.”

  I laughed aloud.

  “Maybe…hey you still going to that party tonight?” A smiled crept across her face. I hoped she had changed her mind.

  “Yeah. I am.” I nodded.

  “I hope you have fun—really.” I nudged her knee.

  “I won’t drink. Like at all.” I laughed uneasily but she didn’t notice. Her laugh was easy, jovial.

  She really didn’t think anything of it and that made the whole ‘in love with my best friend’ thing worse. There was a plethora of reasons why I was in love with her but only one reason why she’s my best friend—she has never left me. In my worse times, even when she ‘hated’ me in middle school. She was there for me when my grandparents died months apart. There for all the dark times. And she never gave up on me.

  I couldn’t give that up for anything.

  Eight:

  My mom looked good, healthy I mean. She isn’t what you may think; she doesn’t abuse Botox or buy everything possibly cosmetic. She is completely natural and beautiful, yeah, I’m a total ‘momma’s boy.’ I guess.

  “Honey, I missed you.” She hugged me again and kissed my cheek in front of everyone, much to my embarrassment.

  “I missed you too, Ma.” I hugged her slender body and kissed her cheek.

  She set her designer bag down and smiled brightly. For reference, my mom is a spitting image of me. Long, wavy brown hair, bright green eyes, broad nose and square jaw—we’re twins.

  “So, how was Lori’s graduation?” She asked.

  “It was great. Theo threw a little party for her afterwards.”

  “Oh, that’s good. I wish I could have seen it, but I got held up with this last contract.” She explained.

  We were interrupted shortly by the waiter taking our orders.

  “How was school this semester?” She sipped her Earl Gray tea.

  “Good. I haven’t checked my grades yet but I’m sure I did well…I got my MCAT score back a few weeks ago.” I added.

  Her eyes fleeted for a moment but she feigned a smile. My mom never talked to me about football like my dad did, she never said I couldn’t do it. She knew how happy it made me, and how much I wanted to do it but she also knew how much my father didn’t want me to do it at all.

  “That’s great honey.” Her smile was forced. She cleared her throat and tucked her hair behind her ear, her hand shaking. She took a deep breath and shook her head a bit. She only did all then when she was deep in thought.

  “Where did you apply? For medical school, I mean.” I gleamed for a second, I only ever told Lori.

  “NYU, UCLA, and USC.” I explained. They were my top three choices, if I didn’t get into any of them I was screwed because I didn’t apply anywhere else.

  “Oh, okay. They sound like big guns.” I nodded with a laugh.

  “They are. I just hope I get in.” She held my gaze firmly.

  “You will.” I raised my brow in suspicion.

  “And if I do? What about dad?” She shook her head.

  “Your father…I don’t know.”

  I couldn’t hold a good conversation with her until I ate my food. Clam chowder in a ciabatta roll is probably the best thing ever. My mom had a simple cobb salad. She was of course, on the healthier side of living. She did Pilates, ate organic food, and counted her macros.

  “I have a question about dad.” I said cautiously.

  “Sure.” She wiped the corners of her mouth gingerly and smiled warmly.

  I noticed then just how much I had missed my mom. She always made me feel…better. She was a natural nurturer—Natalie Becker is the complete opposite of my father.

  “Do you love him?” Her face went drawn, all of a sudden, the slight wrinkles around her mouth and eyes were noticeable. I surprised her with the question.

  “I do, of course I do. Why do you ask?” I believed her, but it wasn’t what I meant.

  “I was just wondering…I mean are you in love with him? Like…more than him being your husband for over twenty years kind of love.” Her lips formed a hard line before she shook it off and smiled again.

  “Yeah, I am. Some days more than others, of co
urse but that’s normal.”

  I sighed uneasily. I wasn’t prepared for this conversation but she took it with ease.

  “When did dad make the decision that I was going to do whatever he wanted? No questions asked.” She shook her head, her bows pinched together as she though.

  “Every parent thinks that…he just goes a little farther with it than he should.”

  “What do you think?” I leaned on my forearms, staring her down. It wouldn’t do me any good, my mom didn’t shy away from anything. The woman owns an international multi-million-dollar interior design corporation on her own.

  “I think you want to be a doctor, and you’re going to do it regardless of your dad’s wishes.” I nodded. Damn right I was.

  “Anyways, let’s talk about something else.” She perked.

  “How is Lori?” She asked. She gave me a pointed look.

  “She’s good,” I smiled, “she is super excited about graduating but she’s a little scared about finding a job and getting this internship she applied for. But other than that her blog is going really well, she has ads on it now so she gets paid.” I explained. She stared at me with a big smile on her face before saying anything.

  “What is it, Ma?” I laughed once.

  “Nothing. It’s just you really glow when you talk about her.” She cocked a brow.

  “What? No, I’m just…happy for her.” I looked away before my blush started coming in. Only my mom and Lori could make me blush.

  “Or in love with her.” I nearly choked. I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me as my face went cold, but hot at the same time. I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry.

  My voice dropped, “is it that obvious?” My voice was thin.

  “No,” she giggled, “but I suspected and now I know I’m right.”

  “God, Ma. That isn’t fair.” I sat back, shaking my head in disbelief. She simply laughed in devious pleasure.

  “It’s nothing to be ashamed of honey,” she reached out and took my hand, “it’s a good thing. Have you told her?” Now I was the one laughing, humorlessly though.

  “No, I can’t imagine doing that. She probably doesn’t feel the same way and I don’t want to lose her completely. I mean, she’s my best friend.” My mom is the only one who can make me mushy—besides Lori these days.