Well, screw you too, buddy. Even I had a limit to how much I would try. It was rare, but I guess there were people in the world who just didn’t like me. But it didn’t make sense. I’d done nothing to him.
I turned toward Hudson, Shane, Colton, and Jeremiah. “You guys are seriously great. I hope you’ll be back in South Carolina soon.”
Met with a round of ‘thank you’s, I perked up and turned back to Jade. “Are you ready?”
“Yep! See you guys next time!”
We walked out of the stuffy bar and into the warm, damp air. The breeze coming off the ocean was a welcome respite on a summer night in Charleston. I shivered as a new sense of foreboding washed over me.
“That was so much fun,” Jade said as we climbed into her car.
“It really was. Thank you for bringing me along.”
“Of course! I can’tnotdrag my sister to meet some of the coolest people I know.”
She giggled as she maneuvered out of the parking lot, barely missing two parked cars and a streetlight, and began our drive home.
We were quiet, lost in our own thoughts, and as we got closer to my house, I felt my grip on my newfound independenceslip away. Vanishing before me like an early morning fog as the sun rose.
When she pulled into my driveway, she handed me a CD.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“I knew you wouldn’t get one yourself, so I bought you Rebel Rebellion’s CD. I had Colton get everyone to sign it, too.”
I opened the cover, and sure enough, each one of their scribbled signatures decorated the inside. They were unreadable, but I could make out the capital D. I ran my finger over his name, still bothered by the fact that he so clearly disliked me.
Maybe that was the reason for my fascination with him. I was drawn to him simply because I couldn’t stand knowing he didn’t want to be around me.
“Thank you for this.”
Jade pulled me into an awkward hug over her center console. “Anytime. And thanks for coming with me tonight.”
“I’m glad I came.” And I was. I learned something about myself tonight. Being attached to Elijah ensured I acted a certain way out in public. I just never realized that somewhere along the way, I’d made his rules my rules too.
Don’t draw attention to yourself.
Don’t be obnoxious.
Don’t be too loud.
Be calm, cool, and collected at all times.
When I walked in, the house was completely dark. Elijah usually went to bed early, so it was no surprise.
I made my way through my home effortlessly. Sticky and sweaty from the bar, I walked to our ensuite bathroom for a shower.
The steam enveloped me, and I rolled my head from side to side, trying to release the tension. My body felt wound up andjittery. Like I needed to run a marathon or scream at the top of my lungs into the night sky.
I squeezed the back of my neck, seeking any form of relief. My other hand trailed down my shoulder to my chest, where my heartbeat quickened.
I knew what I needed, what I wanted.
Moving my hand over my breast, I inhaled sharply as my fingers moved over my taut nipple. Continuing down over the planes of my stomach, I slowed just below my belly button.
I didn’t make it a habit of touching myself. Orgasms were usually better when shared with a partner. But right now, I didn’t want to share this with anyone.
I closed my eyes as I pushed my hand lower.
