Juilliard or Else (16 page)

"I wondered how long you were going to last under there," he said while squeezing me tighter against him. My fingers found the drawstring to his hood and I weaved them in and out through my fingers. Every time my hand came up just a little bit, Tucker would quickly peck my knuckles.

I didn't care to watch the movie as I was pretty content with the way I was right now. I glanced up at Tucker, who was still watching the movie. My eyes took in the sight of his gorgeous side view with his strong jawline and high cheekbones while his blue eyes shimmered in the dark light as the movie flashed in them.

Suddenly, he smiled and looked down at me as if he knew I was watching him. Our eyes locked for a moment before his started to roam all over my face before finally landing on my lips. I bit my bottom lip as he stared intently at it, his hands gripping my butt and arms tighter with each passing second.

I no longer paid attention to the horror movie that played in front of us; I mainly focused on Tucker's fingertips. Up and down, ever so slowly, his hand moved to my back and tugged on the ends of my hair, then he ran his fingers through it, causing my eyes to get heavy and start to drift shut. The next thing I knew, I was asleep in Tucker's arms.

I woke up lying down on the couch with the small blanket covering me. The Saturday morning sun was blaring in the windows and my eyes burned as I tried to open them. I felt someone shift behind me and turned my head to see Tucker behind me, asleep. I smiled. He was just as gorgeous with his eyes shut as when they were open. I turned back and wiggled closer to his body; as I did so, he draped his arm over my side and laced my fingers with his.

"Morning, baby girl," he cooed in my ear and I shivered. "You cold?"

Feeling my face actually get warm, I mumbled, "No." I moved closer to his body and he groaned. I turned my head to look over my shoulder and our lips were so close together. Getting up the nerve to just move that fraction of an inch was eating away at my insides, my conscience pretty much yelling at me to do it. I stretched my toes to make me a little taller and I tenderly pecked his soft morning lips. His hand came up to cup my cheek with his thumb softly brushing my cheekbone. I closed my eyes and took in the feel of it.

"What you going to do today?" Tucker asked as my eyes opened back up.

I shrugged. "I don't have any plans."

The thought of spending the day with him made me feel so special. I wanted to spend more time with him. I had to admit, I was falling for him and I wanted to get to know him more.

"Do you want to come watch me tattoo today? Spend some time with me, get to know me?"

"Really?"

"Sure, why not? Jett lets me take the easy clients for now until I'm all done with the apprenticeship."

"That sounds great," I said while sitting up on the small couch. I looked back over at Tucker and giggled.

"What's funny?" he asked.

"You have like, no room," nodding at his smashed body.

Tucker looked down at his toes; he looked completely smashed against the back of the couch with absolutely no space on the tiny couch. It looked like barely enough room to breathe, let alone sleep with someone.

"Well, at least I got to cuddle with you, baby girl," he said and I felt my face heat up so fast at his words. I shook my head, trying to make a curtain out of my hair so he couldn't see me blushing.

Tucker grabbed me around my waist, to haul me back on him. "Get over here," he growled playfully, then he started tickling me. I screamed and giggled as his fingers pressed into my sides, and my legs kicked at his as I tried to get loose from his stronghold. I tossed my head back and connected it right with his face, hitting him straight in the nose. Tucker grunted out in pain, letting me go and sitting up, tilting his head back over the couch cushion.

"Oh, Tucker, I'm so sorry. Are you bleeding?" I stood, waiting for him to answer me. If he was bleeding, then I could get him something. His hands cupped his nose as I stood there impatiently, waiting to see if he needed ice, a towel, anything. I hoped he knew that it was an accident.

"Tucker," I whispered to him as I was starting to get a little worried, but then his hands dropped with no blood showing anywhere and he was smiling. He was smiling; my heart stopped racing and I could exhale again.

"Gotcha," he joked and grabbed for my hands that were clenched together at my sides. I let out a big breath.

"You scared me," I told him as he pulled me on his lap and kissed my hair.

"Sorry, I couldn't help it."

"That wasn't funny," I pouted as I poked him in the side, which made him jump and the top of my head hit his chin.

"Oww," I rubbed the top of my head and he kissed it. We sat together in silence until we heard footsteps on the hardwood in the hallway. We both looked over to see Jett and Brad walking to us.

"Tuck, Jeremiah called. We gotta go, say bye bye, lovie," Brad said as he walked past us to the front door, then left. Jett held back to wait for Tucker; Jade came out in the living room and Jett put his arm around her shoulders. I got off Tucker's lap and moved into the kitchen to turn on the coffee machine for Jade. I knew she loved her coffee and cigarette in the morning, plus it was our balcony talk time. It was becoming a thing of ours.

I stopped to think about what had happened since I moved out of my parents' house. I made two really great new friends that I was quickly becoming close to and Jade understood me in every way – if that was even imaginable – given the short amount of time we had known each other. Then we met the guys and Tucker, who I liked the more I was with him. He could make me laugh, and I even loved the little game we played on our walk back to my apartment as we got to know each other a little more. Then waking up in his arms felt like the cherry on top; his arms were perfect to be in, strong and masculine.

Moreover, I was falling for him. Despite the warning that I was given by that guy, Jeremiah, I didn't care. What wasn't there to like about Tucker? He was definitely cute and a good dancer, except for when going on pointe. I laughed at the cute little memory. Jade walked into the kitchen and drew me from my thoughts, and I opened up the cupboard to pull out some black mugs.

"The guys are getting ready to leave," she spoke, crossing her arms.

But before I could answer, Tucker and Jett were standing at the front door. Jade went into Jett's arms as I stared at Tucker. Even in the morning with his shaggy brown hair all ruffled up and messy with it flung over to one side, he was so hot.

"Come give me a kiss, baby girl."

My stomach dropped at his command, my eyes locked onto his and found myself walking straight into his arms. Both of his hands cupped my face as he pressed his lips to mine; our mouths opened for one another and as our tongues touched, I knew I was a goner. I found myself wanting things I never thought I would imagine, but if it was with Tucker, I didn't care. All my thoughts disappeared as we deepened the kiss and I was lost.

We slowly drifted apart. "Rain check on the tattooing and quality time?" he asked. I just nodded and he kissed me again.

Once the guys left, Jade and I made our way out to the balcony to have our morning time together.

Jade and I talked on the balcony until lunch time. She was head over heels for Jett. It was really cute the way they just talked all night, getting to know each other. They were exactly the same in every way. Jade even told me she opened up to Jett about all the problems with her stepmom and dad. She didn't, however, tell him about her own little problem. I still couldn't imagine someone doing that to themselves. We talked about getting help together. Of course, Rachel would be left out of the loop, but it felt good to have someone by my side about my bulimia. I hated myself for doing that when I would stress out. I knew it wasn't a good thing to do, and I despised it more whenever I did it. Not talking to Carol actually helped me; it felt like more of a weight was lifted off my shoulders.

A little while later, Rachel came out with a cup of hot chocolate and the worst case of rat's nest hair I had ever seen. Jade and I smoked while Rachel told us about Brad. Apparently, sex was all Rachel wanted from him.

"We have nothing in common," she told us over and over.

I was sad at the thought she wouldn't see him anymore since Jade was with Jett and I was with Tucker. It was something like right out of a book. I spent the rest of my Saturday afternoon out on the balcony, talking, laughing, and just having so much fun with my new friends, who were quickly turning into my sisters. We just connected. I would look at us and think, Rachel was the top, like the glue that would hold us together. Jade was our entertainment for the group. And I was the newbie, watching from the sidelines. The more we chatted and laughed, I found myself more open than ever.

I didn't hear from Tucker the rest of the day. I was really disappointed because every time Jade's phone went off, she would look at the screen and giggle. Tucker and I didn't even exchange numbers. It was simple; I was jealous. I even found Rachel giggling like a schoolgirl at her phone. When I asked her about it, she would tell us it was Brad, but that was it. Jade kept whispering to me that Rachel loved to play hard to get, and that was exactly what she was doing to Brad. She loved getting chased.

"Should we cook something tonight? I really want to try out the kitchen," Rachel told us. Finally getting up from our chairs outside, we went back inside. I checked my phone to see that it was no longer afternoon but six thirty. Once I noticed the time, my stomach growled. Jade and I smoked one more time, and when we were about finished, the doorbell rang. I turned to see Rachel letting Jett in the apartment through the glass windows, but no one else. Disappointment must have been written all over my face because Jade patted my leg with a smile.

"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll see him soon."

Jett came out with a wide grin at Jade, his black hair hanging in his face as he chewed on his lip ring. Just like a couple that has been together for at least a couple of months, Jade lifted her cigarette to him and he took it to finish it.

"I'm gonna go help Rachel," I told them, standing up from my chair. Jett blew out some smoke while reaching into his pocket, then handed me a folded piece of paper.

"Tucker wanted me to give you this."

I opened it to find little digits written down. I smiled to myself and held the little piece of paper so close to my chest. I didn't want the wind to catch it and have it be long gone. My inner high school girl cheered.

I sat on the couch and entered the numbers in my phone. I debated back and forth about texting him or just waiting it out, but I finally gave in and texted him.

Me:
Hey, it's Abigail.

My legs bounced as I waited for my screen to light up and when it finally chimed, I was all sorts of giddy. I felt my stomach do a one-eighty turn, then slam down, giving me the worst case of butterflies.

Tucker:
Hi, baby girl.

I quietly giggled to myself at the nickname. I had to admit, though, that I really liked it when he called me that. I stared at my screen, thinking about what to say next, but Tucker beat me.

Tucker:
Whatcha doing?

Me:
I'm sitting on my couch

Tucker:
That thing about killed me

Me:
Lol…sorry : (

Tucker:
Don't send me a pouty face