Chapter Four

"So, what do you think?"

I look over to my sort of girlfriend Addison sitting in the passenger seat. Addison and I have dated since high school but this past summer while I was at training camp, we began to drift apart. She's hot with a rocking body, but it's just not doing it for me anymore.

"Did you hear anything that I said?"

"No, sorry. I didn't hear you."

"What is going on with you?"

"Nothing." I make a right turn toward downtown.

"Unbelievable." She scoffs. "Ever since you came back from camp, we haven't hung out and you haven't stayed the night with me."

I sigh.

"Oh, my God. You're cheating on me, aren't you?"

"No, I'm not." I snap a little harsher than I intended. I wish she would get that shit out of her head. She's been riding the accusing me of cheating train in the last few months. When would I have time to be with someone else? I've been busting my ass all summer preparing for the scouts to notice me.

"What's with you, Donnie? You've been off all summer." She settles back in her seat and flips her blonde hair over her shoulder staring out the window.

"Addy," I sigh in frustration while shifting gears, "For the hundredth time, I'm not cheating on you. I'm not having this conversation again. Let's just try to get through dinner, alright?" It's Wyatt's birthday and all I want is for it to be drama free.

"Seriously? Let's just try to get through..." she mocks and pauses.

I tap my fingers on the wheel to the beat of Three Days Grace's song "I hate Everything About You."

A beat of silence.

We stop at a red light.

I take a quick glance at her. She's staring out the window with her arms crossed against her chest, her breaths are shallow, and…aw fuck. She's crying.

God damnit.

The light turns green.

More silence.

The playlist shuffles to the "Sound of Silence"by Disturbed.

More tears.

More silence.

Five minutes until we reach our destination.

Five…

Four…

Three…

Two…

And one…

"Do you not want to be with me anymore?" Her voice comes out torn.

I pinch the bridge of my nose and exhale a breath. "Did I say I didn't want to be with you?"

"No. Then what is it?" In the corner of my eyes, I see her turn to face me, but I keep my eyes on the road.

"Addy," I start to say as I shift gears trying not to snap at her, "I don't know. The stress of senior year, college, and playing ball… is getting to me. I'm sorry I haven't given you the attention you want."

A beat of silence.

"Fine."

I don't like the way she says that. It sounds fake.

"Fine?"

"Hmm."

So, we're good?" I reluctantly ask as I park the car behind my best friend, Wyatt.

I turn the car off and face her.

"Yeah, we're good." She smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. Again, fake. Addy's the first one to step out of the car. My head falls back on the head rest, and I run my hands down my face in frustration.

A text message comes through on my phone.

Ash: You good?

My fraternal twin brother just knows when something's wrong.

Me: Yeah, I'm good.

I slide out of my car and join the rest of my friends as we make our way into Joaquín's Sports Bar. The food's great, and the atmosphere is pretty laid back. Not like the upscale restaurants Mom and Dad like to dine in. Those places aren't my scene. Why the fuck would I want to eat something I can't pronounce?

The cute host leads us to a table big enough for seven on the left side near the window. Addy sits beside me, leaving enough space between us. The host brings a glass of water for each of us. I reach for mine and take a sip. I scan the menu even though I already know what I'm getting when a sweet and sultry voice penetrates through my soul. Her voice is like nothing I have ever heard.

My eyes ‘bout pop out of my head when I lock eyes with a tiny vixen. Her long black hair fits her round shaped face flawlessly.

God damn.

I want to kiss those rosy lips. Her makeup is subtle, though I don"t know why she needs it. Yet I can"t seem to turn away from those sexy natural long lashes and her chocolate brown eyes that are staring directly at me with an expression of curiosity or the way her gaze is focused on me like we're the only two people in the room. I can"t help myself, so when she turns to Wyatt to take his order, my eyes roam up and down her petite, tight body. Her cotton top is well-fitted around her perky breasts, and the short skirt outlines her curvy hips. What the fuck is she wearing? Her tight ass is on display for everyone to see. A possessive growl tries to climb its way up my throat, but I force it down.

She's so beautiful it hurts to look at her. This girl has me hypnotized. What the hell am I doing? Addy is sitting beside me and I'm getting my rocks off for another girl. My dick strains against my zipper and I silently groan.

"Coming right up."

Fuck. Me. That voice. She writes down our orders, which I don't even remember giving. She spins around and walks away.