14

I never knew

I never knew that everything was falling through

That everyone I knew was waiting on a cue

To turn and run when all I needed was the truth

The Fray - Over My Head (Cable Car)

SOLEIL

Oh. my. god. What is happening?

His hands are everywhere - touching, teasing, squeezing, and leaving goosebumps in their trail.

His fingers glide along the inside of my thighs before one slips in.

I'm hot. So hot. Yet I want more like a moth drawn to the flame.

He dominates the kiss with consuming strokes leaving me breathless. It feels like I'm going to pass out as he steals every breath from my body. I may be slipping into a blissful oblivion when he reaches deep inside me shocking me back to reality.

I gasp, managing to steal a breath.

Oh. my. god. What was that?

The feeling was foreign, not quite painful but odd. Before I can process that his mouth is around my nipple.

My heart beats erratically from over stimulation. My fragmented thoughts a tell-tale my brain is on the verge of short circuiting. Brice will be the death of me.

I run my hands through his freshly cropped hair looking for purchase and attempt to squeeze my thighs shut as I writhe beneath him.

I don't know what it is that I want but my body craves it like a hunger. I toss my head back and let the waves of pleasure wash over me. I feel Brice's gaze on me and when I look up, we lock eyes. He moves lower down my body. His grey irises calming the once thunderous thudding in my chest. I lay back allowing him control. For a moment, only the desperate song of our staccato breaths fill the room.

That moment disappears faster than I want to when it's intruded upon by Hailey calling me a bitch.

Oh. my. god. Mark. How could I forget about Mark?

I'm mortified and scramble to pop a titty back in my bra and adjust my top. I'm so embarrassed. How could I do this to him after he invited me over and asked me to be his date for MD?

I move to get out of bed when Brice reaches for me. I dodge him.I cannot do this with him right now. Its like common sense flies out the window when we're alone and I can only imagine what this looks like. There are two other people who we've upset that we need to deal with.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry. I-I'm... Mark."

I approach him like I'm approaching a wounded animal, prepared for attack. Hailey's already started with the names and I don't blame her. His gaze moves between me and the scene unfolding behind me.

I don't have the guts to look.

My energy is reserved for the guy standing in front of me who's been nothing but sweet and kind while I've been playing tongue wars with his friend. Damn. I am a bitch!

In heat – my subconscious snides.

"Aren't you going to say anything?!" Hailey's shrill scream is near hysterical.

I close my eyes jarred by her voice and take a deep breath.

"Mark, can we go outside and talk?"

He hasn't said a thing. His gaze simply volleying between mine and Brice. I'm worried. What is he thinking? Does he hate me? He's probably disgusted that's for sure. Definitely disappointed.

"I'm so sorry Mark," I repeat like a broken record.

"We're not together," I hear Brice say.

While I try salvage whatever is left of my friendship with Mark, it sounds like Brice doesn't give a damn.

"I told you when the adoption was finalised that this would never work. You're my sister. It's weird and inappropriate."

If burning bridges was a man, his name is Brice and he's holding the torch high like lady liberty in the great city of New York.

My mouth hangs open caught between another apology and shock as his words register in my mind.

Adoption? Sister? Slept together? What in the incest is this shit?

It's at this point I turn around to watch the circus act that I've stumbled upon. The leading man is topless, dashing, and devastates my heart when he looks me in the eye and says, "I don't want you. I want Soleil."

I can't move.

I can't think.

I can't speak.

Those three words - I want Soleil, have me undone. I wanted his attention and affection but not like this. There are two hurt people in this room because of us. Because of me.

I know this sounds crazy but I have to tell him. About the fare, and that man, and the book, and the wish. Because the more I think about it, the following week when I got back to school is when he started acting strangely.

I'm not one for the supernatural but you are now free to call me a believer. I made a wish and it looks like it came true. However, at what cost?

I have to tell him and hopefully I can fix this, whatever this is.

Brice looks impervious. His face set in a hard mask of determination.

"Brice. We have to clear the air with..." I let my eyes do the talking as they swing between Mark and Hailey because I don't know how to refer to them. Lovers? Friends? Family? "I owe him an explanation and it looks like you have your own issues to deal with."

I don't wait for an answer. I turn around and take hold of Mark's hand who I manage to make it out the door with. He still hasn't said anything.

When I shut the door behind me, he eases his hand out of mine and shoves them in his pockets. I lean back against the wall looking for any kind of support. I don't blame him. The move was subtle but clear.

I lean back and glance at the empty hallway hoping for an interruption or some sort of saving grace. No dice. There are a couple of doors in this hall and for a second I consider running to hide behind one. I'm such a coward but I have to face the music. I take a deep breath and try explain myself.

"I've liked Brice for a while but I didn't think anything would come of it. A couple of weeks ago he asked me out. I thought it was a date but, over breakfast he asked me to tutor him even offered to pay me for it. it was a good deal, a great deal in fact and I couldn't resist.

"We hooked up before (that sounds like I've been fucking around). I mean we made out, not... anyway. It's not like we're dating or anything otherwise I would have said something. I wouldn't have agreed to be your date to the dance and (that sounds like I don't want to be his date though)... I just wish you'd asked me sooner." I trail off because this is a mess.

I've basically admitted to leading him on. I'm a mess.

"Is that why you were rolling around in his bed? Because I didn't ask you soon enough?" Mark throws back. His arms are crossed over his chest. He's angry and he has every right to be.

"No that's on me. I would like to say I had too much to drink but..." I shrug. What else can I say? That as soon as I'm alone with Brice I can't think of anyone else? Instead I say, "I'm sorry," because I'm stuck on stupid and feeling low.

I take another deep breath.

"I understand if you don't want to go with me anymore. I'm embarrassed for you." I twiddle my thumbs looking at my filed nails because I can't look Mark in the eye.

I hear him blow out a breath and chance a glance up. Mark has his hands behind his head. He regards me with a look. "I'm guessing you're still into him?" he asks me.

I'm ashamed to admit it so I simply nod my head.

"He'll hurt you. The only person Brice cares about is himself. Jeez! I mean look at that shit with Hailey. That girl is devoted to him and he couldn't care less. Don't even get me started on Veronica who left the school after getting screwed over by him."

What? Is that why Veronica left? She and Brice were a thing for a brief stint in 10th grade. I file that small piece of info away for later because now is not the time to start asking about Brice's love life considering who I'm talking to.

"I like you Soleil. Despite the glaring red flags I'm seeing, I can't picture ending this year with anyone else."

I immediately deflate at his confession. It's the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me but the heart wants what the heart wants and mine pines for the man in the other room. I'm tongue tied. The organ sits heavy in my mouth, willing to serve but unable to conjure a reply.

The door beside me opens and Brice emerges fully dressed in all black. The dark ensemble blends in with his dark hair and brows which are furrowed in annoyance as he looks between me and Mark.

"We're done here. Common," he says, taking hold of my hand and leading me down the hall.

I halt and turn around when I realise how I've just left the conversation with Mark hanging. I'm momentarily stuck between the two and wish the ground would just open up and swallow me.

"I'll message Char and give her a heads up. We'll talk later (because I don't know what to say to you right now). I need to sort this out."

I have to tell Brice about that book and the wish I made. I wonder if he'll believe me or think I'm superstitious, maybe even unstable.

Mark nods his head once and says, "Keep in mind what I said."

The grip on my hand tightens. I never considered Brice to be a jealous man but after today I get the message.

"I will," I reply and fall in step with Brice, squeezing his hand in turn.

This may be the last time I'm this close to him. Once he finds out what I did, he may want nothing to do with me.

WC 1730

I created a FB page for this book.

Like and share plis.... you know the vibes Xx