The XOXO New Adult Collection: 16 Full Length New Adult Stories (81 page)

I grabbed Karrie and headed for the door, leaving the cart with our groceries in the middle of the line. In the back of my mind I knew it was rude to just leave the cart there, but my need to get out of there was much greater than any sense of propriety that had been instilled in me by my parents.

Getting buckled into the car seat didn’t improve Karrie’s mood.

Molly had let me borrow her car, and I was supposed to drop the car off along with the groceries once I was done.

Karrie screamed all the way to our house. It was that hoarse, tired scream that only toddlers could accomplish.

I looked in the rearview mirror and could see the fat tears rolling down her face. I didn’t know whether to tear my hair out or to cry myself.

The short drive home felt like hours, but when we finally arrived I took Karrie out of her seat and carried her into the house. She kicked and screamed the whole way up the path, and I found myself checking for the prying eyes of neighbors.

Once we were safely inside, I took her to her room and laid her on the bed. She stayed face down, her pudgy arms and legs flailing as her tantrum built.

I walked out of the room, shutting the door as I left and muting the sounds of her full-blown fit.

I walked into my bedroom and shut the door, leaning against it as I looked at my reflection in the mirror hanging on the wall.

Was that really what I looked like?

Eyes puffy, hair a mess, and clothes that had been in style ten years ago.

And what about my weight?

When the fuck had I gained so much weight?

I could see the fat roll hanging over the waistline of my jeans.

Had I really just gone out in public looking like this?

I walked toward my meager closet as ugly detrimental thoughts began filling my head.

I began to pull items out of my closet, vaguely aware that the sounds from the room next door were starting to get quieter.

None of this stuff fit me right anymore. What was I going to wear on my date tomorrow that wouldn’t showcase the extra pounds I’d carried since the birth of my daughter?

How was Judd ever going to find me remotely attractive?

I tore off my clothes and began trying on the items I’d strewn all over my bed, finding fault with everything I put on.

I was in the middle of pulling a too-tight dress over my head when my phone buzzed, indicating a text.

“WTF? You’re going out with Judd, seriously?”

The text was from James, but I was not in the mood.

“Karrie’s having a tantrum, and I’m too fat to date, so it probably won’t happen.”

I finally got the dress all the way off and stood in the middle of the room in my bra and underwear, looking at the mess I’d created.

“You’re a hot piece and Karrie will be fine. Go out and have fun!”

I grimaced at her text, not ready to be pulled out of my funk.

“I don’t have anything to wear. Leave me alone. Not in the mood now, talk to you later.”

I laid down in the middle of my bed on top of the clothes and realized that I still had Molly’s car.

“Shit,” I muttered, reaching for the phone I’d just thrown on the bed.

“Sorry, Moll, Karrie threw a fit in store. No groceries. Car’s at my house.”

Certain that Molly would understand and come get her car, I laid back in the clothes and covered myself up with some random pieces.

I let the tears flow and purge the stress of the day from me as I drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 10

Judd

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I
let the hot water roll over me as steam filled my small shower. We’d been practicing hard this week. That, coupled with workouts every morning, had taken a toll on my body.

I had to admit, our new coach was getting more out of us than any coach I’d had to date. It really looked like we were going to have a kick-ass season.

The coach had strict policies though.

I ran my hands through my hair as I rinsed out the shampoo.

One of his rules was that his players had to be clean cut during the season. This meant if I wanted to play I’d have to cut my hair off before opening day.

At first I was pretty pissed. I’m honest enough with myself to realize I’m a little vain where my hair’s concerned.

After thinking on it for a while, I realized that it wasn’t that big of a deal. It was only hair and would grow back eventually.

Still, it was gonna be weird to get it all cut off tomorrow.

I stepped out of the shower and toweled off, reaching to open the small window in order to air out the room before grabbing my body powder and applying it to all the hot spots.

Once done, I grabbed my boxer briefs and put them on.

I leaned in to check my face for any weird growths or stray hairs before grabbing my deodorant and putting it on. The jeans came next, followed by a button up.

I checked myself out in the mirror and deemed myself doable before grabbing the dryer and starting on my hair.

I guess one good thing about cutting it off would be less time getting ready, but since it was my last night with it I wanted it to look good.

When I was finished grooming to my standards, I picked up my favorite cologne and sprayed the spicy scent on my shirt.

I grabbed my jacket, checking the time as I put it on, and headed for the door. I wanted to get there a little early, so I could be at the restaurant when Sam arrived.

My bike roared into the parking lot and I was happy to see that it looked like I beat her there.

I hurried into the restaurant and put my name on the list, asking the hostess to snag us a semi-secluded table before heading back outside to wait for Sam.

I surveyed the parking lot, watching as people parked and exited their vehicles. I heard a honking and happened to turn to where the noise was coming from, and that’s when I saw Sam walking up the street.

I couldn’t believe she would rather walk than have me pick her up. There was definitely something going on that she didn’t want me to know.

I briefly wondered what it was, but got distracted as she walked closer and the street lights shined down on her, showcasing her face and highlighting her hair.

Something about this girl pulled at me like no one else ever had.

I became mesmerized by the sway of her hips and the way her skirt shifted with every movement. I felt my mouth go dry and my body respond as she got close enough for me to see the smile on her face.

“Hey,” she said.

“Hi,” I responded. I made a point of looking at her, and then back up the street. “Nice night for a walk?”

She just smiled and nodded slightly.

I couldn’t help but smile back.

“Hungry?” I asked, allowing her to step in front of me to enter the restaurant, and placing my hand at the small of her back.

Her shirt felt silky underneath my rough palm.

“Starved,” Sam replied.

I caught the hostess’s eye as we walked in, and she nodded slightly before telling us to follow her.

She took us to a booth in the back corner, in an area without a light overhead, so it gave the illusion of seclusion.

“Perfect,” I said to her before she walked away. “Thanks.”

I sat across from Sam, who was settling into the booth, and felt a wave of nerves hit me.

Weird.

Nothing made me nervous.

I cleared my throat and tried to play it cool.

“So, how was the rest of your week?”

Sam picked up a menu and handed it to me before picking up her own. “Pretty good. Yours?” she asked.

“Class was alright,” I responded as I opened my menu. “Practice was really good this week.”

“When does your season start?” Sam asked.

Before I could respond the server came over to get our drink order.

“Pacifico, please,” Sam said.

A girl after my own heart.

“Make that two,” I put in. “It starts on Sunday, actually,” I said, responding to her earlier question.

“Oh.” She smiled. “I didn’t realize it was that time already. This year has been going by really fast.”

“Tell me about it,” I replied before thanking the waiter when he put down our beers.

“You guys ready to order?” he asked.

Sam ordered the chicken fajitas and I ordered the same, except with steak.

It’s like she’s reading my mind!

“So,” I ventured. “Do you ever catch a game at school?”

Sam tucked her hair behind her ear and took a swig of her beer before responding.

“I haven’t been in a couple years, but I like baseball.”

“I’d love it if you could make it,” I said. Suddenly I was worried that I was coming across like a douche, so I continued, “I mean, it’d be cool to see you there.”

Sam smiled at my attempt to cover up my original statement.

“Maybe,” she replied vaguely.

Damn, this girl liked to keep me on my toes. I couldn’t help but enjoy the fact that she made me work for it. She didn’t just roll over when I expressed interest in her.

I caught Sam watching me as I pushed my hair back out of my face. I smiled wickedly at her, hoping the look in her eyes meant that she found me as attractive as I found her.

Our food came before I could say something about it, and when the moment passed I decided to let it go. I’d find a way to bring up our attraction later.

We both started building our fajitas, and I noticed how long and delicate her fingers looked. I lost myself a moment as I thought of those fingers running along my body.

Sam said my name and I realized that she’d been asking me a question.

“Huh?” I asked, unsure of what she’d asked.

“Can you pass the salsa?” she repeated with a laugh.

“Sure,” I said absently as I passed it over to her.

Shit, I was horny.

“Ummm, so, what are you planning to do after graduation?” I asked, trying to distract myself from her capable hands by stuffing a fajita in my mouth.

“I want to be a teacher,” she responded before delicately taking a bite of her food.

I bit back a groan as I pictured her wiping a blackboard with her hair in a bun and sexy little glasses on her face.

I needed to stop before I jumped her in the middle of the restaurant.

I cleared my throat and asked, “What do you want to teach?”

“Art,” Sam responded. “I’d really like to teach elementary school students, but I’ll take anything I can get.”

She tucked her hair again, and I couldn’t help my gaze from following those fingers as they secured the dark strands behind her ear.

“What about you?” she asked. “I know you said that you don’t think you could go pro, but do you think you’ll give up the game all together?”

“No, I love the game, and I know I’ll always have baseball in my life one way or the other. I’m just not sure how yet,” I responded truthfully. “I don’t know what’s next.”

Sam just nodded slightly and continued to eat. I couldn’t tell if she was turned off by my lack of after-college plans or just hungry, but the rest of the meal was pretty quiet.

When the bill came, Sam started to reach for it, but I beat her to it.

“I’ve got it,” I told her.

“I don’t expect you to pay for me,” Sam argued.

“Sam, I asked you to dinner, so I’m going to pay for it.”

Sam considered this for a minute before saying, “Alright, but I’m paying for the movie.”

I shook my head and chuckled. “Okay, if you insist.”

“I do,” she said with a smile.

Chapter 11

SAMANTHA

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G
od, when he pushed his hair out of his face I kept picturing my fingers running through it. It looked so soft and although I’d never been attracted to guys with long hair before, I found it unbelievably sexy.

It had been a really long time since I’d had sex.

Like...almost three years.

Everything he did was turning me on.

God, even watching him chew was driving me wild. The way his jaw clenched and unclenched.

I had a problem.

We walked out of the restaurant and I inhaled the scent of jasmine from the surrounding plants. It was a mild night, perfect for walking, which is what I would be doing after the movie.

We headed toward the parking lot.

“I assume you’ll let me give you a ride to the movies since you walked here,” Judd said with a grin as we neared his motorcycle.

I didn’t know if I’d be able to handle the power of the bike, coupled with the strong attraction I felt for him, but I said, “Yes. A ride would be good.”

I stopped next to the bike and held my breath as Judd secured his helmet on my head. His fingers brushed my cheek lightly as he buckled the strap. I looked up into his eyes and was momentarily paralyzed by his green eyes.

He winked at me and smiled, pulling me out of my trance.

“Have you ridden before?” he asked.

“My dad had a bike when I was a kid,” I replied.

“Cool. Just wrap your arms around me and lean with me on the turns,” he said as he sat down on the bike.

I swung my leg over the side and straddled the bike behind him. I gingerly wrapped my arms around him and he grabbed them, pulling me tighter against his back. That, coupled with the vibration of the bike roaring to life, almost did me in. My libido was in overdrive, and I loved the sensations that were pouring over me.

I couldn’t help the grin that spread over my face as the bike took off down the street toward the movie theater.

I leaned in and rested my cheek against Judd’s back as we moved. My thighs tightened around his, and I dug my fingers into his waist as my hair whipped around the helmet.

The ride to the theatre was short. Too short. Before I knew it, we were pulling into a parking spot and the revving between my legs was gone.

That was the most action my lower body had seen in a long time.

Judd paused, and I knew he was waiting for me to get off the bike first. I swung around and landed on shaky legs. I busied myself with taking off the helmet and smoothing my clothes and hair, trying to buy enough time to regain my composure.

Judd took the helmet from me with a grin. “You good?”

“Perfect,” I said, and grinned back.

He nonchalantly took my hand in his as we approached the theater. I felt nerves bouncing in my stomach. It had been so long since someone had held my hand.