30. Rhys

EventhoughI’vehad three showers, I can still smell the cherry pie that Simon and I lathered over each other last night. Even now, as I think about what we did, I can’t fight the grin or the flutters of those fucking butterflies in my stomach. I love doing new things, and that was fun. So fitting, really, since Simon is nothing but a party. Well, usually he is, but by the time I’d showered in the guest room and met Simon back downstairs in his mansion, his mood was flat. Like really flat. And it had nothing to do with the fact that his mum found us in the throes of a pornographic food fight.

I’d heard Simon asking why she was home unexpectedly. Why his dad wasn’t with her. While they are great questions, all I wanted to ask her was why she is never home in the first place, always going off on trips and leaving her son behind. Not my business, I know, but I can’t help it. He’s such a kind-hearted guy, and I know he acts like a clown to cover up the pain he really feels. I know it too well because I do it too.

After I called my mum to come and pick me up early—because, let’s be honest, with the arrival of Simon’s mum and being sprung fucking on the bench-top, the party was over—Simon led me out his front door, where he cuddled me to his chest and kissed me with such gentleness that I wanted to cry. Then, as I pulled away reluctantly to go to the car when Cynthia arrived, he said the sweetest thing.

“You are my everything, Cherry Pie.”

“What’s that face?”

Garrett’s question pulls me out of my thoughts, and I play dumb.

“What face?”

“I don’t know. But stop pulling it, will you? It’s freaking me out.”

I glance at Garrett lounging opposite me on the bus’ back-row seat, and I grin.

“It’s fun freaking you out.”

He rolls his eyes and glances back at his phone.

We are on our way to the city with our history class for an excursion to the Melbourne Museum. I considered ditching today, but since I’ve dug myself into a hole of trouble lately, I decided to give Cynthia a break from my drama. So here I am, at the back of the bus with Garrett as we take up the whole seat with our legs propped up so no one else can sit with us.

The vibration of a text message draws my focus back to my phone, and for a minute, I think it might be Garrett being annoying, but I’m wrong. It’s a group chat for a new group.

Cherry’s Merry Men

Simon Hastings created a group.

Simon Hastings added Rhys George to the group.

Simon Hastings added Shaun Bossier

to the group.

Shaun Bossier

Who the fuck is Cherry?

Simon Hastings

Our girl is Cherry.

Shaun Bossier

Uh- no! She is Kitten!

Simon Hastings

Nah, man. She’s my Cherry Pie.

Shaun Bossier

Why Cherry Pie?

Simon Hastings

Because she’s a…

Shaun Bossier

She’s a what?

Simon Hastings

Oh, come on, man! You know the song?

I giggle at Shaun’s lack of knowledge of the song and decide to jump in.

Rhys George

Cool drink of water.

Simon Hastings

Such a sweet surprise.

Shaun Bossier

What?

Rhys George

Tastes so good.

Simon Hastings

Makes a grown man cry.

Shaun Bossier

FFS! I can’t keep up with the two of you.

Rhys George

Sweet cherry pie!

Simon Hastings changed Rhys George’s

name to Cherry Pie.

Simon Hastings

How’s the history trip with grumpy?

Cherry Pie

It’s fine so far. Nice and quiet.

We bagsed the back seat.

Cherry Pie changed Simon Hastings’

name to Simon Says.

Cherry Pie changed Shaun Bossier’s

name to Casanova.

Simon Says

Nice!

Miss me?

Casanova

How do I change your name, Kitten?

Cherry Pie just won’t cut it!!

Simon Says

Hey, don’t you dare change her name!

Casanova

What are you gonna do about it, Hastings?

Cherry Pie

As much as I love a good cockfight,

I’m not in a position to be fully invested

since I’m stuck on a bus.

And yes, Simon, I miss you :)

Casanova

Sorry Kitten. How’s my girl today?

Simon tells me you two got caught last night.

Cherry Pie

Is that so? Maybe Simon should keep

his adorable mouth shut!

Simon Says

Naw, you think I’m adorable?

Casanova

I don’t think it was a compliment, man!

Cherry Pie

It is a compliment!

You in a bad mood today, Cass?

Casanova

Sorry. Yeah, I’m a bit cranky today.

Simon Says

A bit! That’s an understatement!!

Casanova

I’m about ready to rescind my offer

to share Rhys with you, arsehole!

Cherry Pie

Hey guys, let’s calm down a bit.

Take a breather.

And imagine my mouth wrapped

around your cock.

Simon Says

Oh yeah, I like that mental image!

Casanova

Kitten! You don’t play fair!

Now I’m hard, and you’re not here to fix me.

Cherry Pie

Go to the bathroom and jack off for me, Cass.

Film it so I can have something to look at

when I’m alone in my bed with Big Jim.

Casanova

Who the fuck is Big Jim?

The bus slows, and I glance up to see the museum come into view.

Cherry Pie

Big Jim is my biggest vibrator.

I’ll introduce him to your arse one day, Cass :)

Simon Says

Shit, yes, please do that! I wanna

take a picture of his face when

Big Jim slides home!

Casanova

Hastings, you do know that

sounds creepy, right?

Cherry Pie

Gotta go, guys.

Bus is pulling up at the museum now.

Simon Says

Ok, Cherry. Talk later xx.

Casanova

Stay safe, Kitten xoxo

“Fuck me. Are you in love or something?” Garrett’s voice disturbs my foolish grinning, so I slip my phone into my blazer pocket and glare at him.

“Jealous?”

His brows shoot up. “Why would I be jealous?”

“Because you’re feeling left out.” I shrug, and he bites back a smirk. “What’s wrong, Gaz. You want a taste too?”

The bus pulls to a stop, and the teacher gets up to talk with the driver while the students start shuffling around in their seats like they have ants in their pants.

“You know what, George; you wouldn’t be able to handle me even if I did want a taste.”

Oh, that’s a challenge if I ever heard one.

“I think I’d be able to handle you, but hey, feel free to prove me wrong.”

I’m a smug bitch for dangling that before him, and I watch his eyes widen the slightest bit at my reverse challenge. He’s lucky I’m feeling more like myself today, otherwise, I would probably pounce on him and grind over his cock until he gives in.

“Ok, class. Please stand and exit the bus in an orderly fashion. Leave your bags on board, but bring your phones and money.” Mr Elliot, my Ed Sheeran lookalike with a long beard History teacher, bellows down the bus, and students stand before he even finishes, ignoring him completely.

I slide across the seat and stand, taking a few steps to fall into line at the back. Garrett does the same, standing a little too close for someone that wants to stay away from me, and I bite my lip, trying to hide my grin.

“You’re my partner today, George.” Garrett’s deep voice rumbles next to my ear, startling me, and my heart races. Not because I’m scared, but because I’m excited. He’s making an effort to hang around me more. That has to mean something, right?

“I guess we can partner up, but you’d better pay attention. I want a good mark on the test.”

“The test doesn’t even matter. It doesn’t go to our final grade. This is just a bullshit excursion to give us something to do.”

He’s right. We are studying for exams now, so this excursion is just a filler day.

I shrug. “Whatever. I like to do well no matter what.”

“Fine.” His breath flutters over my ear again, and I turn my head to the side a little to see that he’s leaning down, so much closer than he needs to. He’s so close that if I move back an inch, I’ll be pressed up against him. And oh, how tempting is that? To be pressed up against big, bad, broody Garrett Cole.

Too fucking tempting!

Following the other students in our class, we walk across the open area at the front of the building and gather under a partially shaded space where Mr Elliot stands on one of the concrete bench seats to address us.

“You have two hours to find all the things on these lists.” He holds up a stack of papers. “Make sure you answer the questions relating to each item. Do not, under any circumstances, leave the building, and make sure you use the maps to navigate your way around the building.” Mr Elliott’s face turns serious as his eyes roam over the group, glaring, “Stay with your partner! Do not get lost! Do not do anything that will bring shame to our school! And finally, meet back here at 1pm. No later.”

As the other students move into line to get their map and list off Mr Elliot, I turn to Garrett.

“Ugh, too many rules. This sounds boring already.”

He rolls his icy blue eyes, shooting me a smirk. “Come on, George, let’s get this over and done with.” He tugs on the sleeve of my blazer and pulls me along with him.

I over-exaggerate heavy feet like I just can’t walk, but he keeps dragging me, anyway.

“You really aren’t selling this whole museum thing, you know.” I pout.

“Not that it’s up to me to sell, but how exactly am I going to make it sound more interesting?” With impatience, Garrett reaches over everyone’s heads, holding his hand out for the papers, and Mr Elliott, too busy being bombarded, doesn’t even notice that Garrett pushed in. When he turns back to me with the papers in his hand, I smirk.

“Do they have sex stuff in there?”

Garrett drops his shoulders and gives me a ‘really’ look. “Not everything is about sex, Rhys.”

“Umm, of course, it is. What planet are you living on?” I frown up at Garrett as he grins and shakes his head.

“Come on, George. Let’s go.”

He walks off, and I stay rooted on the spot for no other reason than I’m a brat. Ohhh, if only Tyler were here now.

Realising that I’m not walking beside him, Garrett stops and darts his head around, not taking long to locate me standing alone with my brows raised and a face full of attitude. He mutters something to himself, which looks a lot like, for fuck’s sake, and I bite my bottom lip to stop my smirk from showing. Marching back towards me, I expect him to whine at me or scold me, but all he does is snatch up my hand in his and leads me in through the museum doors.

I’m a little shocked that he’s actually holding my hand, breaking his unspoken rule about touching me. He tries to avoid it as much as possible, yet here he is, holding my hand in front of people. I’m almost certain the moment we navigate through the entrance gates, he’s going to drop my hand, so when he doesn’t, I duck my head and grin as he leads us through the crowd to the side of the room. That, however, is when he drops my hand.

I instantly miss the contact, and I fight the urge to reach out and retake his hand, but he’s busy holding the map and list with both hands, scanning over them.

“Let’s go backwards.” He looks up from the map.

“What? Why?”

“Well, because everyone else will start on this floor. Let’s ditch them.” The grin that lights up his face is sinful and fucking gorgeous. I love that he shares his smiles with me when he keeps them from most people.

“Now you’re talking, Cole.” I grin, and he tucks the map away in his blazer pocket before taking my hand again.

“Let’s go.”

Oh… he’s holding my hand again, except this time, his fingers weave through mine, linking us together. My stupid heart does that flutter thing again. Like, what the actual fuck is wrong with me lately? Should I go to a doctor? Maybe I really do have a heart condition that I never knew about?

I stay quiet as he leads me in the opposite direction of the masses travelling up the escalators, and we make our way through the expansive hall to enter the Aboriginal Cultural Centre. There are only a few groups walking through this section, so Garrett leads me through the exhibits before stopping at the First Peoples area.

“There are some questions about this part.” Garrett moves to drop my hand, but I clasp my fingers tight halting his effort. Angling his head towards me, a single dark brow shoots up. “I thought you wanted to pass the test?”

“I lied. I don’t care.” I admit, and the corner of his mouth quirks.

“So we aren’t going to bother with the questions?”

I shake my head and look forward at the display cabinet, not paying any attention to the exhibit but rather watching Garrett’s reflection in the glass. His eyes are still on me as I pretend to be preoccupied, and then I see him smile and lean down towards my ear.

“Let’s explore then.”

I dart my head back to face him. He is so close. His lips near enough that I could kiss them.

“Let’s explore,” I whisper, grinning back at him.

So that’s what we do. We explore the ground level, weaving through the Forest Gallery before entering the Science and Life Gallery. I’m not that into science, but I find myself enjoying the experience as we examine each display, talking together while still hand in hand. Even when I skip through the Dinosaur Walk, all excited to see the skeletons of the giant creatures, Garrett matches my pace, keeping our fingers locked together. He even laughs at how ridiculous I am when I struggle to try to get a selfie with the towering bones behind us, not willing to release his hand.

As we travel to the upper floor, we pass kids from school travelling down. I see a few eyes fall to our linked hands, but most don’t even notice us as they talk amongst themselves.

Next, we venture into the Melbourne Gallery, where we see the Phar Lap exhibit and then find somewhere to sit for the next thirty minutes until it’s time to meet up with the class.

“You ever going to let go of my hand?” Garrett holds up our joined hands as we sit back on the bench seat, leaning against the wall.

“Nope.” I flash him my teeth and flutter my eyes in a playful smile.

“You’re gonna have to at some point.”

“Nope.” I shake my head.

“I need to take a piss. You gonna come with me into the men’s toilets?”

“Yep.” I smile again, and he shakes his head.

“You gonna hold my dick for me while I piss?”

“You know I will.”

“You’re right. I do know you will.” He sighs. “Just so you know, I’m not coming into the girl’s toilet with you.”

“Why not? You did the other day.”

“That was… a mistake.” Garrett looks away from me then, and my heart sinks. Why is he even holding my hand if he thinks that was a mistake? Did I force him into that situation? I think it over, trying to remember how he came to be in the girl’s bathroom with me. I’d gone in there to masturbate like the weird fucker I am, and he’d followed me. So no, I hadn’t forced him into it at all.

Loosening my grip on his hand, I slip mine free. His attention snaps back to me, and I turn my focus to my phone, opening it up to check my messages. There’s one from Simon. A selfie of him pulling a face with the caption, I’m going crazy without you. Shaun sent a selfie too, but it’s the complete opposite to Simon’s, with his selfie more of a sexy smoulder and the caption, I can’t stop thinking about you, and Thor won’t go to sleep!

Ha! Thor! He calls his cock Thor! He’s so fucking adorable.

“You not talking to me now?” Garrett nudges my shoulder, trying to gain my attention, and I sigh, slipping my phone back into my blazer pocket.

“All g, Cole,” I answer, looking around at the people walking by.

“It’s obviously not. Why won’t you look at me?”

Sighing, I make it a point to angle myself towards him, looking into his icy blue eyes as he studies my face.

“I’m looking at you. See? All g.”

His eyes narrow. “Rhys.”

“What?” I snap, wishing I’d ditched school instead of coming on this excursion. I’m generally not so fucking easy to rattle. My lows have really kicked my arse lately.

“You didn’t like what I said about it being a mistake.” He states and moves to take my hand, but I pull mine away.

Everyone knows I’m easy, but I’m not that fucking easy. I still have a fucking heart, and for some reason, this guy and his fucking mates have gotten under my skin.

“It’s not exactly what a girl wants to hear after she shares something like that with someone.”

He sighs. “I only meant that I shouldn’t have stepped over the line like that. Marcus is my mate, and I knew he still cared about you. It’s why I was trying to help you with your… issue. I didn’t want Marcus to get hurt by his mates as well as you.”

“So why did you step over the line, then?”

His lips thin at my question, and he looks away from me, pretending to watch people walk by. I wait a minute, thinking he’ll answer me soon, but it never comes.

All of a sudden, I feel like crying. It’s a ridiculous reaction since I don’t fucking care about Garrett. Right? I only care about fucking. It’s not like I’ve never been rejected before. So why is this towering wall of sex appeal fucking with my emotions so much?

I stand quickly, needing to get away from him.

Dashing through a group of people, I head down the oversized passage towards the elevator bank. Garrett’s voice sounds somewhere behind me, calling my name, so I quicken my pace and slam my finger into the elevator button, pressing it repeatedly until the doors slide open. I nearly clean up a man exiting the lift, and I ignore his glare as I move inside and push the door closed button over and over until the doors start to slide shut.

I relax a little then, thinking stupidly that I’m in the clear, but a large hand grips the doors before they close, sending them wide again, allowing Garrett to step into the lift with me.

“Fucking hell! Can’t a girl get a moment to herself?”

Ignoring my harsh words, Garrett presses the button for the basement, and the doors ease shut. “Don’t run from me.”

His words are a gentle contradiction to his hulking form, and when those icy blues lock with my eyes, I can see the storm brewing in them.

“What does it matter if I run from you? Am I just a puzzle for you to solve? Will it make you feel better about yourself if you fix my addiction, Garrett? Are you trying to play the hero here?”

“You can be a real bitch when you want to, George.”

“No shit.” The elevator dings and the doors slide open, so I bolt out, needing to get away from Garrett… again.

“I stepped over the line because despite everything I do, I’m still drawn to you.”

My steps halt, freezing me in place at Garrett’s words, and I slowly turn to watch him approach. He keeps his eyes locked on mine, sending stupid butterflies dancing through my chest.

“At the time, it felt wrong to step over the line when Marcus was so recently involved with you. I knew he still cared.”

My eyes drop to the floor as guilt oozes its way into my heart. I shouldn’t be angry at Garrett. He’s a good friend to Marcus. And hell, he’s stronger than I am. Stronger than Shaun and Simon are. We all thought about Marcus, yet we still went over the line when we should’ve been standing back, just like Garrett.

Garrett’s strong hand grips my jaw, forcing me to look at him. I want to pull away, tell him not to touch me, yet I can’t because I’m weak. I fucking yearn for his touch.

“I wanted to be there anyway, Rhys. Actually, I wanted to be in that stall with my hands on you. I wanted to be the one sinking my finger inside you.” He shakes his head, his face contorting into a frown. “But Marcus…”

He wanted to touch me?

So, I’m not imagining his attraction to me?

“I couldn’t do that to Marcus.” He whispers, his eyes darting to my lips briefly.

“You wanted to touch me?”

He nods, “Yes.”

“So, touch me now.” I practically beg, and his face softens as he shakes his head.

“Nope. I can’t do it, George. I’ll never betray Marcus, no matter how much I want you.”

I can’t speak. I feel like a treat is being dangled in front of me, and I can’t get to it because there’s a big mother-fucking glass wall in the way. He wants me. He just fucking said it, and the knowledge hurts. It burns in the centre of my chest. Not at all the sort of reaction I typically have to rejection. Normally it’s Kitty hissing at me, reminding me of her hunger. In fact, right now, I’d give just about anything to have her bitching at me instead of this ache squeezing my heart.

“Ok,” I whisper, biting the inside of my cheek as I fight my emotions.

“Ok?” Garrett frowns.

I shrug. “Ok. I’ll leave you alone from now on. Marcus is a lucky guy to have you as his friend.” I turn and walk down another passage leading me somewhere I don’t recognise.

Shit. Where the fuck am I right now?

“George.” Garrett halts me, his hand gripping my upper arm as he spins me back to him. “We can be friends too.”

My brows shoot up. “Friends?”

“Yeah. You know, a relationship that doesn’t involve sex.”

“That’s absurd.” I narrow my eyes at him, and he gifts me with that rare smile of his. Fucking hell. Why do I want to kiss those lips so bad?

“Oh, come on, George. You can leave sex out of the equation. Look at you and Jared. There’s no hint of sex between the two of you.”

“Duh. He’s in love with someone else.”

“So, if he didn’t have it bad for Lexi, you would totally be sizing him up?” Even though Garrett tries to hide it, I can still see how much it annoys him to think of me being with Jared.

“I’d tap that. He’s as hot as the rest of you. I’m only human, Gaz.” I shimmy out of Garrett’s grip and move back towards the elevators.

“Would you really?” He asks, coming to stand next to me when I press the button for the lift.

“Sure. If he has a pretty cock, I’d be all over that.”

Garrett frowns down at me. “I disagree. I don’t think you would.”

“You do remember I have a fucking addiction to sex, right?”

“Yes!” He growls.

“And even though you know that, you still think I can leave sex out of the equation? You think I’d be able to control my desire to sink onto a willing dick?”

“Yes.” He nods.

“You’ve lost your fucking mind!” I snap.

“Have you ever tried to have a relationship with a guy that didn’t involve sex?” He reaches for my hands again, but I seize the opportunity of the lift doors opening and step inside.

“Yeah. They’re called friends. That thing you only want to be with me.”

Garrett rolls his eyes as he steps onto the lift, and he pushes the button for the second floor. “I’m not talking about friends. I’m talking about a boyfriend. Haven’t you ever just had a guy that you held hands with and spent time with, maybe kissed every now and then, but never went any further?”

“No!” My brows draw together.

“Never?”

“No!”

“Not even when you were like thirteen years old?”

“No!”

“How old were you when you lost your virginity, Rhys?”

I still.

Shit.I’m not having this conversation with him.

Hurry up, you stupid elevator!

The ding sounds and the doors slide open, so I take my chance and rush out into the crowd, hoping to get lost amongst them.

“Rhys!” Garrett catches up to me, grabbing my arm and hurling me around. “Stop running from me.”

“Then stop asking me questions that are none of your business!” I hiss in his face.

“How old were you, Rhys?”

“Why? What does it matter?” I hiss.

“It matters a hell of a lot. Tell me.” He growls back in my face this time, and I just want to slap him. Or kiss him. I don’t fucking know! “How old were you when you lost your virginity?”

My chest heaves as emotions I typically keep hidden swirl to the surface.

I open my mouth to speak but then shut it again as a lump forms in my throat.

“Rhys?”

“I was young enough not to know what losing my virginity was.”

My words are quiet so only he can hear, and he grips my shoulders, steering me backwards until we are in a small alcove doorway.

“What age was that?” He whispers, and heat pricks the back of my eyes.

“Eleven,” I whisper.

Garrett’s eyes grow wide, shock evident as my words sink in. He obviously knew I was young, but he hadn’t considered I was still a little girl when it happened.

“Rhys.” He whispers, emotion laced in his eyes.

I shake my head. “Don’t.” I try to step away from him, but he cages me in. “Don’t you dare say sorry. It wasn’t your fault, and if you knew all the circumstances surrounding it, you wouldn’t be looking at me with so much fucking pity.”

I duck under his arm and beeline for the escalators, moving quickly to travel down so we can meet the rest of the class. Even though Garrett doesn’t say anything, I can feel his presence right behind me. He sticks close, and even though I’m feeling out of sorts from admitting that truth to him, I’m glad he’s still there.

Mr Elliot does a roll call before asking the group questions. We hover at the back of the crowd, not at all interested. In fact, all I’m interested in doing is going home and shutting myself away in my room.

Fingers brush mine as my hand dangles by my side, and then those same fingers link with mine from behind, clasping my hand tight. A strong warm body that I know without a doubt belongs to Garrett presses against my back, letting me know he’s there, as my friend.

“I’m not going anywhere.” His whisper in my ear nearly causes a sob to escape my throat. I manage to keep it in by clamping my lips shut.

It feels so fucking perfect to have him so close. I want to cry. A bubble of uncontrollable emotion sits like a choking gobstopper in my throat, but the gentle brush of Garrett’s thumb on my hand at our sides captures my focus, and slowly, the feeling of pending doom slips away.