Chapter Nine

Tatum

Thankfully, my shift at Sweet Tooth was busy, which kept me occupied. Still, my thoughts kept drifting back to Reed and what happened in the bathroom.

Wyatt came into the kitchen while I was icing some cake pops. Apparently, I hadn't heard her the first two times she said my name because it took her touching my arm before I finally snapped out of it.

Reed was outside waiting for me when my shift ended. I made up an excuse about being tired from my long day, which helped curb the need to fill the silence on the way home with conversation.

The tension between us was growing, though, because now, three days later, we've barely exchanged more than a handful of sentences with each other.

If he meant what he said the other day, I would've expected him to break the ice, but he hasn't yet. Everly texted me earlier, inviting me out to Whiskey Sinner's. I made up some excuse to avoid going, mostly because I couldn't bear the thought of seeing Reed with someone else. The idea twisted my stomach and made my throat feel tight.

Now, I'm lying in bed, scrolling through shows on Netflix, and I hear the familiar sound of the steps creaking. Unless Beckham or Hayes is coming to check on me, there's only one other person this could be. It's late—quarter to two—and I check my phone for missed calls or texts. Nothing. Aside from our brief exchange this morning over coffee, Reed hasn't said a word.

I'm worried about crossing this line with Reed. I don't want to lose him as a friend. If we give in to the heat of the moment or go on a real date, and things go south, I don't want to lose him.

I've finally started to feel like I could be happy here, and I don't want to complicate things. I exhale a heavy sigh and climb out of bed. I bolt across the room, fling the door open, and take Reed by surprise. His head snaps to mine, his eyes wide with concern.

"What the hell is going on with you?" I demand.

His brows furrow, and he shakes his head. "With me?"

"Yeah, is there anyone else here with us?" I glance around the empty hallway. "Nope, just the two of us. Me and my ole pal Reed Hendrix."

He curls his lip into a smirk. "Ole pal, huh?" Leaning his shoulder against the wall, he looks at me with a knowing grin. "Is that what this is about?"

I cross my arms over my chest, and his gaze drops to where my tank top and cotton shorts barely cover me. I hadn't considered that I was in bed clothes—no bra and all.

"Eyes up here, Hendrix."

He chuckles and shrugs. "Can you blame me for looking? I mean, c'mon, I think you can relate to the urge, right?"

I glare at him, but his boyish grin almost disarms me. His chuckle makes his chest shake, and one of his curly locks falls across his forehead.

If he weren't so infuriatingly handsome and charming, I'd probably tell him off. As it stands, that wicked smirk of his is doing wonders to my insides, and the knot in my stomach is starting to ease.

"I gave you the choice to leave the other day," Reed says, his tone serious. "I warned you that staying could change things between us. It was your decision. The ball was in your court, but you chose to stay."

I nod, feeling the weight of his words. I've replayed what happened in my mind countless times since then.

"So why have you been giving me the cold shoulder the past few days?" he asks, frustration clear in his voice.

My mouth drops open before I quickly snap it shut. "I've been—?" I start to say. "Did you say I've been giving you the cold shoulder?"

Reed gives me a firm nod. "Don't play games with me, Tate. I asked you if you wanted me to give you a ride to school on Wednesday, and you told me no, that you were going to catch a ride with Hayes."

"Because we have class at the same time. I'd be sitting on campus for forty minutes if I rode with you."

"It wasn't a problem before," he calls out, raising an eyebrow.

I roll my eyes. "I was tired and had overslept, and I wanted a chance to shower and get ready. Sue me."

"Okay, fine, but what about yesterday when we were eating lunch in the cafeteria?" he presses. "There was an open seat next to me and one next to Hallyn. You could've sat beside me, but instead, you chose to sit at the opposite end of the table."

He's got a point.

"I didn't want to raise any brows or for anyone to get the wrong idea," I explain.

He studies me intently. "The wrong idea about us eating lunch together?"

"You know what I mean, Reed. Quit acting like you don't."

"No, help me understand. It's not like I asked you to climb on my lap."

"We've been spending a lot of time together. Hayes even commented the other day about how he was surprised I didn't ride with you instead. I was just trying to avoid any more questions."

He nods slowly, taking a step toward me. Instinctively, I take a step back, maintaining the distance between us. His lip curls slightly as he continues to close the gap until I'm pressed against the wall.

"So this has nothing to do with what happened in the shower the other day?" he asks, his voice low.

I shake my head, trying to keep my voice steady. "No, it doesn't."

"Nothing to do with how you told me you wanted to watch while I got off, imagining you on your knees for me, your hand wrapped around me, and me coming harder than I have in months, thinking about your soft lips around me?"

"Reed." I exhale harshly, reaching out to grab the front of his shirt. Whether to hold me up or hold him close, I have no clue.

He leans in, brushing his nose along my cheek, and his warm breath sends a shiver down my spine. "Admit it," he whispers.

I tremble against him, feeling his grip on my hips, grounding me. I'm almost grateful for it, bracing for the moment when I might crumble.

"Reed, please."

"Please, what?" he asks, lowering his face and forcing me to look him in the eye. "You want to know what I think?"

"What?" I sigh, barely able to contain my emotions.

"I think you want me to touch you just as badly, if not more, than I want to touch you."

The thought makes my heart race. If he reached into my shorts right now, there's no doubt he'd discover how right he is.

"You're so determined to hold on to these rules and keep me at a distance when we both know what you want is to give in. Give in to this feeling between us and let me make you feel good."

I move my hand to his forearm, gripping it tightly. Reed places his palm against the side of my face, his thumb sliding under my chin to make me look at him.

"Let me just kiss you," he whispers, his eyes fixed on my lips.

His tongue darts out, wetting his lips before his gaze meets mine again, silently begging for permission. With his grip on my chin, I barely move, but it's enough for him to know what I'm trying to say. He doesn't hold back, crushing his lips on mine.

A low moan escapes me, and he presses his thigh between my legs, the friction making me grind against him without shame.

His tongue teases my lips, and I open for him, wrapping my arms around his neck to pull him closer. Reed reaches blindly for my bedroom door and slams it shut, the noise louder than intended, but thankfully, we're alone.

He walks backward, guiding me toward the edge of my bed and urging me to sit on his lap. I pause, watching as his hands trail down my legs, rubbing my bare skin until his fingers slip under my shorts.

"If we're going to do this, we need to set some boundaries."

"Rules," Reed clarifies, but I ignore him.

"If we're going to do this, it has to stay between the two of us."

"Why is that?"

I cross my arms, staring him down. "It doesn't matter why. I'm not looking for a relationship, and if people know we're messing around or whatever, they'll start asking questions. We're two friends, right? Enjoying the benefits of our relationship."

"Not a relationship, Tate. Friendship."

I grip his chin, squishing his lips together, and he fights the urge to grin. "You're a real pain in my ass, you know that?"

"Right back atcha, babe," he replies, his voice dripping with amusement. "If you want to turn around, I wouldn't mind making that sweet little ass of yours red, too."

I gasp, a rush of arousal hitting me, making me want to turn around and press my hands against the wall, daring him to follow through. But I hold back, not quite ready to dive into that side of Reed just yet.

Keyword: Yet.

"All right, so we'll keep this under wraps. I'm fine with sneaking around; it'll make things more exciting." He gives me a mischievous look. "Anything else?"

"If we start developing feelings, we need to talk about it. We both agree it stops there. I don't want this to mess with our friendship."

"That won't be a problem," he says with a confident shrug.

I raise an eyebrow. "What makes you so sure?"

"I'm not much of a relationship guy myself, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. I'm with you—I don't want this to mess with our friendship. We can mess around, get it out of our system, and if you want to go back to being friends, then that's what we'll do."

I swallow hard and nod. "Great, I'm glad you're on board. See, no rules at all."

"If you say so, sweetheart." He chuckles, pulling me closer. "Now get your sweet ass on my lap and kiss me."

I want to add he can't say shit like that to me either, but I don't know how to put it into words. How do I tell him that it blurs the lines between us when he's sweet and playful? With Wells, I was used to a serious, often gruff attitude, only seeing his softer side in private. Reed's mix of sweetness and playfulness blurs the lines for me.

When his hand brushes my cheek and he tilts my chin for a kiss, every thought in my head floats away. The slight scratch of his stubble makes my heart race when our lips meet. I run my fingers through his hair, tugging gently, and he responds with a low groan. His hands find my hips, and he presses against me. The sounds he makes, the feel of his lips on mine—they make me want to lose myself in the moment.

I deserve to let my walls down and lose myself in someone.

For however long it may last.